Forwarded from the bounce bin (but without the picture). Message is from "Eddie
and Sue Lindsay" <elindsay@zianet.com>
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With appologies to Mr. Rutan for my use of the term "boomerang."
As Jim Nelson indicated, Bob's "more traditional, conventional gear"
(quotes are mine and for empahsis only) was displayed at Oshkosh with
the glider wing installed on one side and the standard XS kit wing
installed on the other side. It was interesting to watch the reaction of
the passing multitudes when they first noticed the resulting asymmetry.
Jim (Nelson) had mentioned the enroute "drop testing" inflicted by
the trailer. The suspension on the trailer was designed to accomodate
transporting an automobile, which resulted in a relatively "stiff" ride
for Bob's fuselage, a set of XS kit wings, and the original factory
motorglider wings. I did spend several hours in-trail behind Jim's "rig"
(trucker-talk), and can report first-hand that there were, indeed, many
occasions when the trailer's wheels...all four of them...were a good six
to eight inches off of the roadway!
It is my understanding that Bob's fuselage was displayed at Oshkosh
at the request of the factory, and its presence there was intended to
serve as a catalyst for further exploring consumer interest in such a
configuration (landing gear, not planform...smile). From my
observations, it did generate considerable and generally favorable
interest among both current members of the Europa builders and flyers
community as well as from prospective customers. I have no insight as to
whether or not Europa will pursue this or one of the other such
"conventional" gear designs as either a future kit option or as some
form of retrofit package. If you have some interest in either of those
possibilities, I would suggest that you communicate directly with Europe
Aircraft in the UK.
I'll send an additional photo or two separately with appologies in
advance for the file sizes. I Hope you find them to be of some interest.
-Ed-
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