Rebuilding the Dragonfly
For those of you not familiar with my situation. My
original Dragonfly, which I built in Yuma AZ, during
January and February was crashed by the fellow testing
it. I never got to fly it. For that story and an analysis of
the crash, click on this link.
Having made arrangements with Ralph Howard to
rebuild my Crashed Dragonfly at the Buckeye Factory, I
left my home in the Colorado Mountains pulling my 5th
Wheel Camper and PPC trailer and headed toward
Argos Indiana. I know it's not possible for Buckeye to let
everyone into their factory to build their PPC, but Ralph
was willing to make an exception in my case.
original Dragonfly, which I built in Yuma AZ, during
January and February was crashed by the fellow testing
it. I never got to fly it. For that story and an analysis of
the crash, click on this link.
Having made arrangements with Ralph Howard to
rebuild my Crashed Dragonfly at the Buckeye Factory, I
left my home in the Colorado Mountains pulling my 5th
Wheel Camper and PPC trailer and headed toward
Argos Indiana. I know it's not possible for Buckeye to let
everyone into their factory to build their PPC, but Ralph
was willing to make an exception in my case.
I arrived at the Buckeye
Factory Thursday Afternoon,
April 17.
Factory Thursday Afternoon,
April 17.
We unloaded all the
pieces of the crashed
Dragonfly in the shop in
front of a Honda
Dragonfly, then, sorted
out the pieces that could
be reused.
pieces of the crashed
Dragonfly in the shop in
front of a Honda
Dragonfly, then, sorted
out the pieces that could
be reused.
The north side of the building is
basically a machine shop with lathe,
milling machine, cutting, and polishing
equipment, etc.
basically a machine shop with lathe,
milling machine, cutting, and polishing
equipment, etc.
Buckeye can make about any part, but
they sub out speciality parts. Cutting,
bending and powder coating the
aluminum tubing is done in house.
they sub out speciality parts. Cutting,
bending and powder coating the
aluminum tubing is done in house.
This is the powder coating area. Parts
are sprayed here and hung on the
overhead conveyor which moves them
slowly through the oven.
are sprayed here and hung on the
overhead conveyor which moves them
slowly through the oven.
jigs for the various aluminum tubing
parts for the various models. Much of
Buckeye's business is replacement
parts for the many Buckeye's out there.
parts for the various models. Much of
Buckeye's business is replacement
parts for the many Buckeye's out there.
One of two hydraulic pipe bending
machines used for shaping the various
aluminum tubing parts
machines used for shaping the various
aluminum tubing parts
Mike is making propeller shrouds for
the Buckeye Dragonfly. Mike does
most of the tube bending and power
coating.
the Buckeye Dragonfly. Mike does
most of the tube bending and power
coating.
Lobby and offices are on the south side
of the building.
of the building.
Two Dragonfly frames fresh out of the
paint oven bright and shiney.
paint oven bright and shiney.
Racks of completed parts, mostly
Dragonfly.
Dragonfly.
Bins of bolts, brackets, and parts for the
Dragonfly are on both sides of this rack.
Dragonfly are on both sides of this rack.
A Dragonfly kit being assembled.
Dragonfly kit being boxed for
shipment to an anxious new owner.
shipment to an anxious new owner.
Here is a Generac Engine being
converted for aviation. This engine has
the stator (circle of copper coils) under
the fly wheel. This acts as the
generator to recharge the battery. This
is an option for the Dragonfly.
Randy makes the changes and installs
the parts and belt reduction drive on the
Generac which enable it to power the
Dragonfly.
converted for aviation. This engine has
the stator (circle of copper coils) under
the fly wheel. This acts as the
generator to recharge the battery. This
is an option for the Dragonfly.
Randy makes the changes and installs
the parts and belt reduction drive on the
Generac which enable it to power the
Dragonfly.
Déjà vu. I've done this before. By
Monday, I pretty well had the frame
done. The second kit went together
faster than the first. It also helped to
have Ralph and Randy there to give
me pointers as worked progressed.
Ralph had taken my flywheel to
check the balance and he was
having some new style motor mount
plates made in a local shop. So, I
didn't do much on the Dragonfly
Tuesday and Wednesday.
Monday, I pretty well had the frame
done. The second kit went together
faster than the first. It also helped to
have Ralph and Randy there to give
me pointers as worked progressed.
Ralph had taken my flywheel to
check the balance and he was
having some new style motor mount
plates made in a local shop. So, I
didn't do much on the Dragonfly
Tuesday and Wednesday.
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