The BUCKER SUPERMANN

[Model_Builder]

I'm glad I stumbled into this thread digging for Pitts stuff. I have one of those Larry Lutton Designed Moser Supermann models complete and was scared to build it in case it was the last one. It came from Duayne and was the last one actually. I don't know everything about it. Is anyone else selling them now? All I know other than it's a sweet model is the glasswork is too die for. The pants and cowl are the best glass pieces I have ever seen. I mean ever seen and I have basement full of glass parts. Maybe not full but dozens from FG Specialties (a personal favorite), Precision, Stan's, Bob Holman, Mike Smart, polyester, gelcoat, epoxy and not a piece as light as the original parts like those on the one Rojecki flew. Wheelpants are only 1.4 oz and they are 11? inches long. The canopy is lighter than I like, A little prickley but subsequent parts could be smoothed out if it were tooling resined. Uncut Canopy has a 3" lip all round. I've read that it should be covered in film, yeck, can't imagine it personally but maybe cloth would ruin the essence of it's light intentions. I intended on finding a big bore Tartan Twin as well and running glow. There must be something better now. A BME maybe? A light twin with gusto anyway. So many models, so little time.Before I go ahead and make molds and jigs and all for this, is anyone else doing it? Hardley a fortune 500 idea but somebody should do it and I'll forget about it if anyone else is. The full scale Jim built has it all. History, timeless beauty, function. He has the "Right Stuff" and St. Augustine, is there a more historical site to do it from? Quite a Legacy. Cheers all, Bill

[vsnap]

Hey Bill,
I have the second prototype of the bipe in the shop for an arf version. We made extensive changes to the first one and now I am figuring out more.
The kit you have is timeless as it was designed very well, I have not seen one in a while. I don't think anybody is kitting them anymore, and I don't know who has the lateste molds. Dick Hanson (designer) told me a few years ago but I cannot find the information.
If you have the time and resourses run with it. The new 50cc powerplants haul them around nicely.
Scott

[Model_Builder]

Hi Scott,

Thank you very much for your interest in my post. Has Dick abondoned this model? I emailed him about it before to no avail. I wanted to get a second set of parts and build another using conventional built up techniques. Anything I like this much, I cannot risk loosing. If I have another it isn't a problem.

That ARF looks great and is what I had in mind as far as someone continuing the legacy of this incredible aircraft. I haven't built a model with this much foam. It had to come in 3 good size boxes just to get it delivered. Aside form likely getting the parts molded I was going to draw my own plans to accomodate them. If I'm not going to sell any then I can rework Dick's to suit my likes. I really didn't need another job, I just want to see these available and have had offers from the mold makers to take the effort out of the parts end of it.

This model is recommended to have flying wires if powered by a single. If I am going to use all wood and fabric so wires will be a given and I only aim for "scale like" performance so a 3W55 may be the ticket. The 56B2 has been on the wish list for a while although not as powerful likely as the single. I like my bigger 3W twins.

If you have good ARF then "It's Done". Where (country) will the ARF be produced? 17% increase in cost of importing from China in 2007 as oppose to 3% in 2006. Soon we can bring it all home. Imagine that.

One more thing Scott, can you tell me what this Huckin' term means? I see many references to it and have had my head in the sand I guess. It's not a self explanatory term. Good luck with your ARF. You couldn't have picked a better subject. I'm partial of course to Bucker's and Jim Moser's contribution to his sport. I'm sure he is missed.

Thanks, Bill Huckins

[wizard]

Here is the quote from the Giant Jagron Dictionary to describe the term Huck "To fly a plane or Helicopter in a manner that is low to the deck in 3D attitude. What the FlyingGiants is all about. Also referred to as Huckin' "

[vsnap]

Thanks Wiz, if you still need that crank I have one.
The bucker I have has been totally redone. We have 3 piece wings and 2 piece lower wing. No flying wires, and carbon tubes. We did the scale gear but the wires kept breaking so we went with aluminum and added a side plate to look scale.
18 1/2 lbs with the 3mm 53cc engine. Flew great.
I may work up some changes to get rid of the foam.

[Leon Snider]

The Bucker Jungmeister(Lycoming Pilot kit) has a 83" top w/s. At least,that's what it says on the box. Leon

[Model_Builder]

Thank you wizard for the well understood definition. I appreciate that.

The 1/4 72.75" BU 131 that Gene Pond had published in Model Builder in 1982 has either Lycoming or Hirth cowls available for it. I picked up the plans off eBay for $12.95 Buy it now. Hard to believe it is worth someones while to print 2 large sheets for that. They were accurate to 1/8th of an inch over. It looks like a reasonable build and I had the Magazine. I opted for the lycoming cowl. Gene fashioned his model after HB-URN. I looked long and hard for current photos but did find it was destroyed many years back. There are lots of other great subjects thankfully.

I have added it to the pile with every other Bucker I could find. I wish still for the Pilot and Goldberg, both inspired by N1947G as most know.

Happy Modelling, Bill

[vsnap]

I have started to work the 2nd prototype out again. I am currently doing an assembly thread on one of my forum pages. I will be up loading pics as I move along, assembly will be the same (some minor mods possible) as the production model if we move forward on this project.
Thanks
Scott

[Gordon]

Any updates on the Jungmann, Scott? We got 10 full scale Buckers together last month in north Florida...it was a blast.

[Gordon]

A few more pix for all...

[vsnap]

Sweet pictures. The Bucker is back on the back burner for now, trying to keep costs down untill things start to turn around. I am selling the 2 prototypes at this time to make room but hope to get things back going on the project eventually.
Scott

[bw5493]

Snap,
Did you ever get a kit for this up and running? Are there anymore for sale?