Scrappy Airplane - We like to present hacks that are inexpensive and accessible to the average person, but every now and then it's fun to dream about projects we'll tackle when we're all grown up and rich. [Mike Payte] seems to fall quite comfortably into the latter category, but luckily he hasn't lost that "excited kid with big plans" spirit. A talented and experienced experimental aircraft builder, he is currently working on the Scrappy, a small bush plane designed as a short takeoff and landing drag racer.
The Scrappy started life as the Carbon Cub, a modern kit version of the venerable Piper Super Cub. Only part of the fuselage frame remains from the original plan, the rest is almost all custom. The engine is a 780 cubic inch (13 liter) horizontally opposed 8-cylinder, taken from one of [Mike]'s racing planes, and required extensive structural changes to the fuselage to fit. The paddle-like propeller was intended for airboats, and is designed for high thrust at low speeds. The skin of the aircraft is all carbon fiber and the suspension almost looks like it was borrowed from an off-road racing truck. [Mike] also added (and canceled testing) a ballistic recovery parachute. The cockpit instrumentation is also over-the-top for such an aircraft, with seven multi-function Garmin displays.
Scrappy Airplane
Scrappy is still missing his wings, which will also be heavily modified. From the oil cooling system to the door latches and gust-locks for the stick, everything was designed and built by [Mike]. We're enjoying the in-depth build video that shows how he tackles all the little challenges that come with such an ambitious project.
X Wing Scrappy By Conklingc On Deviantart
[Mike] made a name for himself with his previous monster bush plane Draco, which was unfortunately destroyed last year during a bad takeoff. Luckily no one was hurt in the accident, and Draco became a partial donor for Scrappy. If budget planes are more your style, check out [Peter Shripol's] latest electric microlight.
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