Hatz Biplane Association

Was wondering if anyone has put a Rotec 3600 on their hatz. If so what changes had to be made.

thank you

Keith

Hi Keith,
There is just John Kerr's Classic flying with a Rotec. Ours has the engine mounted, but is still in the building (see www.aeroplaneworks.ch). Then there is Kurtis Arnold with a Rotec Classic, don't know the status right now. And there is one in France, we don't know regretably.
We just put the thrust line 6" below the center of the top longeron (no side or down thrust) and made the stabilizer ground adjoustable (see details on website). Of course we get more prop clearance with the large dia Bendix wheels, however this is not necessary.
Pplease feel free to ask any questions.

Hans & Sam, H.C.#78, Switzerland

I too, am building a Hatz w/R3600, though I'm not nearly as far along as Hans & Sam.

Aside the the obvious, like engine mount, external oi tank, different cowling, etc., there aren't really any changes required. The stock landing gear would still provide prop clearance and changes to the tail do not appear to be necessary (John Kerr's Clarric has the standard tail).

The Hatz gathering is this weekend (7/23-25) in Brodhead, WI and John reports that he is intending to fly his Rotec Hatz to the event. I plan on taking lot's of photos of his Hatz.

Doug
Are there any changes to the sid stringers or top stringers or just keep it like it is on the plans and that is close enough. are you keeping your 3600 out in the open or do you plan on putting a cowling around it.

Keith

Hi Keith,

I'll be putting a speedring cowling on my Hatz. As for the stringers, that is largely a cosmetic issue and will depend on what sort of look you want. You could probably go with the standard stringer layout and make some adjustments to them to get them to blend into the revised boot cowl, but it isn't that big a deal. Changes to the side stringers may, or may not, affect the transition to the turtledeck stringers, but again that is cosmetic.

Hans & Sam and I are taking the same approach in our builds... i.e. a WACO QCF version of the Hatz which means a flatter side (two stringers on the sides) and the speed ring cowl.

BTW, here's a link to the Rotec site with some shots of John Kerr's Hatz...

http://www.rotecradialengines.com/custo ... hnKerr.htm

Does anyone have a drawing of the motor mounts to mount the Rotek 3600 to a Classic fuselage? I assume one could be fabricated from 4130 tubing. How about the oil tank? Am still welding the fuselage but would love to take a break and work on the motor mounts.

Dave

Hi Keith,

Right now, we think, there are at least 3 sources for getting drawings or ready welded engine mounts for the R 3600.
1. Makelan Corp., Jeff Shoemake
2. Rotec, Paul Chernikeeff
3. probably also we (both drawings or readily welded.
4. ?

We also designed our own oil tank, however it is set relatively high because we have a higher cockpit decking than the Classic

Hans & Sam, H.C. #78, Switzerland

Grongratulations to John Kerr and the Rotec guys!!!!!!!!!!
We are very delighted (and enlighted) to learn and see that John Kerr made that tremendous flight of about 1500 miles from Texas to Oshkosh!!! That is fantastic and prouves the excellency of the Rotec engineering competence!!
We are strouggling to get our Rotec Hatz finished and in the air!

http://www.rotecengines.com/ShowsFlyin/11CatchUp.jpg

Stay hatzy!

Hans & Sam, H.C.#78, Switzerland

That was some great advertising for Rotec, so good in fact that I put my deposit down on one Right now I have a very expensive hat and t-shirt but I can't wait to get the rest. Paul made an offer I couldn't refuse... I also have video of John starting up and leaving Wednesday, if I figure out how, I'll post somewhere if John doesn't mind.

After oogling over John's Classic for three days I couldn't wait for the 18 hour drive home from OSH to get back in the shop and start welding again. Guess I'm finally going to have to sell that O-320 as well!