Earthstar Forums

Well, I am now the proud owner of a Thunder Gull "F"! I posted pics in a new album entitled "Folding Thunder Gull - new purchase"

Here are the stats/specs

91 hours TTAE, 41 hours since 447 "rebuild" in 2005. Pull start, inverted 447 , points and single carb

Specs from an old ad for this plane
folding wing, 27.5' wingspan
wing area 128 sq ft
length 18.5'
width folded 7' 8"
64" IVO 3 blade prop
rate of climb 1100 FPM
stall speed 27 MPH
Take off dist. 80'
Landing distance 80'
Glide ratio 12-1
VNE 105 MPH
YLF +6 -4

I hope Mark will chime in and see if this is matches his figures. Lower VNE than the modern gulls...If correct, maybe folding wing related, maybe overall design related?

Stall speed seems a bit optimistic as well since it has no flaps, just full length ailerons. Of course, it does have that big wing...

Some additional differences between the "F" and the "J"

non aerodynamic tail with elevators instead of stabilators
no in cockpit trim
struts (of course)
no flaps

Those are what I have noticed so far. Again, maybe Mark can enlighten us further...

Will be taking lessons in a two seat Flightstar in the next few weeks. Brushing up on the ground school and book work as well. I will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

And any suggestions for a new flyer would be very welcome!

Thanks for the group!!

Bob

Congratulations Bob
That's a nice looking plane, real clean. I have a JT2 and this plane looks very similar. Perhaps Mark went from your planes design to the JT2?
Did you get the trailer with it?
It would be interesting to see some real close up pictures of the wing hinges and locking mechanisms.
Thanks
Fred

Welcome to the Gull Gang! Your Flightstar training will help, although the Gull will prpbably be lighter on the controls, and glide better. As a newbie, just keep your speed up on short final, as it can decay right at the flare if you get the nose up too soon. Plan to fly right to the runway, then level off and settle in with idle power.

kb

Fred, I will take some pics of the connection details and post them in the pics folder. Probably next weekend. And the trailer did come with it! $8500 for the plane and 2006 enclosed trailer for storage. Plus Misc tools, parts and supplies. Seemed like a good deal to me!

Bob

That is a good deal. Thanks
Fred