Leburg L108

DanJackson · Post by **DanJackson** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:03 pm

Hello everyone.

I am embarking on the design and build of the L108.

This is going to be the successor to the original L107 Sparrow aircraft designed and built by David Mickleburgh.

I have his initial plans for the L107 and also the set of of fuselage and wing moulds.

I am about to set up my workshop in the garage and then it will be all systems go!

I am sure I will be in need of lots of help and advice

and it will all be well recieved.

If you want to find out any more about the project, I have set up a website at www.L108buildlog.co.uk and will try to keep this updated as often as I can.

I also want to let others benefit from this design so if anybody wants to use the moulds or have a copy of the plans please contact me to discuss it.

Cheers,

Dan

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 1:29 pm

Hi Dan,
Is the L108 the project that David started before the tragic accident? Or something totally new?

DanJackson · Post by **DanJackson** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:16 pm

Hi Ian,

Yes this is the one although I am still trying to get my head around all of the plans and which plans are for the L107 or L108 etc I gather there are very few differences between the two.

I have made a set of full size scans of all of the plans that I have to try and preserve what is there but I am expecting the design to evolve as I progress as not all of the information is still there. If you are interested in having a set I am more than happy to email you how they stand at the minute?

David started to layup the fuselage but nothing had been inspected or signed off so I think it I wil be starting from scratch.

Do you know much about the L108 or original L107? I am knew to homebuilding so any information is useful to me!

Regards,

Dan

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 4:49 pm

Hi Dan,
I am glad that someone has picked that project up. When Colin mentioned it on the forum I was tempted, but I need to complete my current project first. Sorry I don't know much about the L107

I would be interested in a copy of the plans. I may not be the best qualified but willing to help out if I can.
Cheers
Ian

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:24 pm

Hi Dan, Dave was intending that the 108 was an improved version of the 107. He had to add the struts to the undercarriage legs on the 107 when it turned out that the structure wasn't strong enough to use just the composite undercarriage on its own. One of the items on his improvement list was to increase the fuselage strength to allow the struts to be dispensed with. I seem to remember he also had some ideas on simplifying the structure, having learned a great deal from building the 107.
I think your best bet is to arrange to have a chat with LAA Engineering. Francis and or Andy probably, will know more than anybpdy else about the 107 and what Dave wanted to do with the 108 and I'm sure they'd be delighted to help.

DanJackson · Post by **DanJackson** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:44 pm

Hi Brian,

Thanks for all the information, I will give Francis and Andy a ring in the new year.

I will keep everyone posted on the progress and update www.l108buildlog.co.uk as often as I can as I am keen to continue David's work and get a Sparrow back in the air!

Cheers,

Dan

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:32 am

Best of British with the project Dan

DanJackson · Post by **DanJackson** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 6:29 pm

Thanks Ian I am sure it will go well!

I have a couple of materials questions whuch are probably simple for those in the know:

The L107 plans refer to RE292 and XE300 fabrics, I have had a search around on google and on Aircraft Spruce but cannot find a reference to these materials. Does anyone know what they are and where I could buy them from?

Risking sounding more like an idiot, it also refers to 5t PVC foam, can anyone shed any light on this with regard to details etc? I seem to be plagued by choice!

Thanks for your help,

Dan

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:08 pm

I would have a chat to Colin, he may just have some paperwork to point you in the right direction.

DanJackson · Post by **DanJackson** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:36 pm

Thanks for your help Ian.

I have not come across Colin yet, do you have his contact details?

Thanks,

Dan

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:24 pm

Sorry Dan, Me getting my names mixed up. It was Henry I was refering to, Davids son
Leburg website seems to be down at the moment, but his email address is [email protected]

DanJackson · Post by **DanJackson** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:45 pm

Ahh I see,

I have a load of paperwork from Henry already but I haven't come across anything about these materials yet. I will keep trawling through but I assumed it would be a material commonly used in other kits but I cannot find it. I have also seen that David used Ampreg 26 as a matrix but again can only find this at one website without a price or ordering information.

It looks like I will have to do some ringing around!

Cheers,

Dan

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:25 am

The Europa uses SP Systems Ampreg 20. The company name is now Gurit and the still have a an Isle of Wight office. May be worth a chat to them.
http://www.gurit.com/page.asp?section=0 ... t+%28UK%29

I suspect the XE300 and RE292 are also a product of theirs that have now been superceeded(XE303 and RE295?). Look in the marine product catalouge. In there you will also find Ampreg 26 and T500 foam.
Link is here
http://www.gurit.com/core/core_picker/d ... es&id=2259

Now where is that software I was suposed to be testing

Nick Allen · Post by **Nick Allen** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 5:11 pm

Good luck with the project, Dan. Dave's Sparrow was a pretty little thing, and it would be good to see its successor in the air.

DanJackson · Post by **DanJackson** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:21 am

Hello again.

Unfortunately after owning the Sparrow kit for two years I have realised that I do not have the time to do it justice.

Because I really want to see the Sparrow back in the air I am offering it to anyone who has the time to complete it.

There are lots of components included so an experienced home builder should be able to make a quick start. There is the fuselage plug, two sets of fuselage moulds, wing moulds, UD and BD glass, carbon roving and a set of wheels to name just a few of the bits I have. There is also a custom built trailer designed to carry the Sparrow to and from the airfield once the kit is completed.

I am really keen to see the Sparrow get in the air but simply don't have the time to do it myself.

For more information visit www.L108buildlog.co.uk

If you are interested either reply to this post or call me on 07825605306.

Kind Regards,

Dan