Light Aircraft Association

Christopher, Have you always had the flat spot or is it something that has developed recently? If the latter, it could be that the accelerator pump is operating below par, in which case an overhaul kit from Gower and Lee (Jeff Carter) might put things right. I run a Solex 32 PHN-1 carb on the 1834cc...

Yes indeed, Chris, what a good memory you have! I have always felt slightly awkward about winning that award, partly because the visible bits of the aircraft are largely the result of the late Colin Goodman's excellent initial build and subsequent owners' endeavours rather than my own input, and par...

I use a Polarn hand-operated pump (avialable from many motor sport accessory suppliers for around £40) that is designed specifically to fit into the top of a standard pattern 20 litre jerry can. Rather than the fuel passing through the pump itself, the pump simply pressurises the jerry can with air ...

Hi Chris, I don't profess to know anything about the 503 (or much else for that matter!) but I wonder if you have an air leak somewhere downstream of the carburettors, i.e. associated with the inlet manifolding and the various joints and gaskets. It might be a crack or a loose joint that opens up wh...

Phil,

Many thanks for promulgating that information. It's really helpful to hear direct from Esso about their intentions regarding Super Unleaded. I used it all last year (blue bud tested just in case) and look forward to doing the same this year.

Regards, John.

Tony,

You could give Mike Hutchinson (Glider Instruments) at Shobdon a call. He attended to an ASI of mine a few years ago. Even if he can't help, he might know someone who can. The last phone number I have for him is 01568 708368.

Good luck!

John.

Hi Gavin, I was faced with this question when I needed to match some motorcycle master cylinders running DOT 3 and Dot 4 automotive brake fluid to some US made disc brakes designed to run on aircraft-type mineral hydraulic fluid, typically Mil-H-5606. My research found that EPDM was appropriate for ...

Lee already had my email address and we were in touch last week. Coincidentally, our VP-1s were first registered within 8 days of each other in March 1976 - BDTL and BDUL!

Hi Rob,

Yes it is indeed scary. If asked, I would have said the conversion took place "the other day" but while I was looking up the Leburg details on file, I saw the date - 2010 - which says a lot for the Leburg design. I greatly appreciated your advice at the time.

John.

Mike, As part of the Leburg installation on my VW 1834cc, I run a modified Honda motorbike alternator. The AC output is rectified/regulated by a small solid state unit and charges a couple of gel-filled 12 Volt batteries. I have not monitored the output voltage or its stability since commissioning t...

Browsing the Internet, I happened upon a nice photograph of my aircraft landing at Sywell taken by a Mr. Terry Fletcher. I contacted him and he has kindly emailed me a high resolution copy without any of the usual disfiguring watermarks, free gratis. Thumbnails of all his photographs from the Rally ...

You could try Mike Hutchinson (Glider Instruments) at Shobdon. The last phone number I have for him is 01568 708368.

John.

Stuart,

Noel and I have just made contact and discussed Leburg and VP-1s at length.

John.

P.S. I just wish my Solex carb arrangement started as well as your Stromberg seems to!

Noel, I wouldn't claim to be an expert but I did convert a VP-1 from SR4s to Leburg 3 years ago. I bought the system direct from Dave Mickleburgh and the current version from Skycraft is a little different. In answer to your questions: i) My system does indeed have an output for driving the Westach ...

When I needed such a carb a few years ago, someone very kindly pointed me towards TheSamba.com where there happened to be one for sale in the UK (off an aircraft, coincidentally). A long shot but have a look at: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLEX-32-PHN-classic-volkswagen-carburettor-spares-repairs-CLE...