My little Nieuport 11 will run about 13.5 K USD when finished.

Here's the fuselage pushed out of the way in my "work shop" so I can have room for the build table for the wings.



Tailfeathers are done, btw; they're not on because of space.

One lower wing framed up.

Not bad for starting back in August!

Btw, the guy in the Camel frame speaks volumes to the accident rates of Experimental aircraft. The stats show it's not the guy that builds the plane that wrecks it - it's the second and third owners. That Camel is going to be adjusted in weight, balance, and ground trim for him, just as mine is to me.

Now let's say we swapped planes. I run about 140 pounds, and he runs a hundred pounds more than that. His Camel will be tail heavy (a bad thing) and mine would be nose heavy (not good).

Sweet, hope you keep posting progress photo`s. Thanks for sharing. That is one awesome deal on the plane.
Is that including the engine ?

Can't get over the prices. Gonna do this some day.

Frogive the stupid question, but how does one test the center of gravity on a full sized plane? It's not like building RC aircraft where you can make a jig (or in a pinch your fingers should the craft be small enough) and determine where the CoG is.


BTW: Will you be putting Pretty Kitty colours on the Neup?

Yeah, 13.5 is with engine and prop.

Rule of thumb is to take half the cost of the airframe and put it in front of the firewall..I might go 14 grand for it.

The kit is 8K complete - including fabric through first coat.

One has to supply the seat, brakes (if desired), gun, instruments and engine (and final paint).

If you go to the EAA forums under the Homebuilders area there's a blow-by-blow of the build, from pile of tubing to plane (well, as much as I have now).

Paint will be three color camouflage, like most of the early N11's were.

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CG is determined using three scales - one under each of the mains and one at the tail (lifted to flight aspect). Since the distance from the reference point is known, the moments from it can be calculated and hence the CG.

I'm astounded by how reasonable the pricing is Dart, actually thought it would be a lot more! Nice progress btw, looking good. Anyone hear how Womenflys Piper Cub build is going? Never see her around anymore these days.

That's why they import the Airdrome Eindecker to the UK - way less expensive than Euroland kits.

Last I heard she's in CAD mode with her take on the Cub plans...

I'm jealous, Dart. NICE! Cant' wait to see it finished and you sitting in it with a big grin on your face!

Ahhhh. Okay. I had never seen or read about it. I couldn't imagine any sort of balancing device. That just seemed stupid - which in turn got me curious. Thanks Dart.

race teams buy a system with 4 pads to measure each corner...similarly important to keep weight low and balanced for best cornering