Hello everyone,
As this is my first post on the forum, I think a small introduction is in order! My name is Sigurjon Valsson, an Icelandic pilot that drives an Airbus A300-600RF for a living but have an unhealthy interest in grassroot aviation. I´m particulary interested in vintage aviation, to my sins I´ve got a share in an Auster J1 Autocrat (a highly modified British version of a pre-war Taylorcraft) that is now spread all over the hangar for restoration that is progressing slowly. I´ve also got a Miles M.65 Gemini hanging from the rafters of my hangar, waiting patiently for enough time to continue her restoration. As a flying aircraft I´ve got a CAP-10B for light aeros.Now that the introduction is over, I´d like get to the point of me writing this.
Ever since I can remember, I´ve wanted a Waco biplane. In today´s world, that is a far away dream as the prices are only for millioners. Many years ago, I found out about the Hatz, and thought it would make a superb poor mans Waco, but didn´t make any efforts to secure plans. Last year, I found out about one dear friend of mine that had harboured similar thoughts for years, but didn´t do anything about it either! After talking things over, downing innumerable cups of coffee sitting in the leather in his hangar, we decided to order the plans for the Hatz CB-1. It was only after ordering the plans, that we found out that the CB-1 might not be what we are after! The Hatz Classic is exactly what we are after, as it looks on paper to be a more versatile aircraft with higher gross weight and G-loading plus it looks somewhat more 30´s.
The criteria I would like to be able to meet is the following:
#I´d like to have a Lycoming O-320 fitted
#I´d like the aircraft to be a true two seater
#I´d like to have the ability to fly slow graceful biplane aerobatics (loops, rolls, hammerheads, cuban eights).
#I´d like the aircraft to be as close to a Waco in looks as possible
The CB-1 can be made to fit those criteria, but what is worrying me a little is the relatively low take off weight of 1400 pounds. The increased weight of the O-320 as compared to the original C-85 will push the emty weight up, making it in effect a single seater. Also the rather limted +5/-3 load is going to be a headache. Mind you, the CAP-10 is perfectly happy at about +4 to +4.5 for the aeros I do so maybe that is not so limiting.
The question is, does anyone of you chaps know the modifications made to the Hatz Classic to allow a hight take off weight and increase in G-load?
Or do I just send 250 dollars over to get the Hatz Classic plans and be done with it?
Sigurjon
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