Beast #2 AKA N224TD Tango 2

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Tom Duncan
Beast #2 AKA N224TD Tango 2

I actually built this machine in April, but, it seems to be like the original Beast AKA my Air Command and in need of repair and or modification on a unusual  and regular basis, but, primarily due to my own misfortune.

My rebuilds started when I failed to properly keep the prop bolts torqued during the first 10 hours and the prop literally fell off a few hours after I soloed.  This required repair of the body, a new prop and tail.

The next issue started after Mentone with copious amounts of gas showing up in the oil and may not be resolved yet.  The problem is likely caused by fuel leaking by the injectors when after the engine is shut down.  Snowmobile owners have been known to resolve this issue by draining all the fuel and pumping injector cleaner directly into the throttle body to clean the injectors allowing them to remain sealed when the engine is not running.

The latest was caused by an accident while trailer my gyro to Wrens.  The tail was severely damaged as well as the rotor blades and wheel pants .  Rex Garner was able to make the needed repairs to the fram, he did an awesome job that looks like there was never an incident.  Plus, I am now using the original tail that had only minor damage with a new set of the new Silver Tango Blades.

Today, after  Kurt, Jon and Lewis Gulley helped me string and install the new blades.  Then Jon made the first flight since the accident and for the first time, I get to play with solving the tracking issue causing the stick to bump side to side.  We made one initial adjustment with the teeter bolt shims, but, after my test flight, we have decided to place a shim under the teeter tower on the hub bar.  I ran out of time today and will work on it next week sometime.

At any rate it was great to be back in the air once again after a month.

Scott Essex
Glad you are back

in the air, did you solve the fuel issue with the injectors? 

Hopefully you have exorcised all the gremlins! 

Tom Duncan
Injectors

I am installing a new (used) set of injectors this week.  Hopefully, this will solve the oil problem.  I am also working on getting the blade shake out.  We fixed the tracking, but, it is still in need of some pitch shims on one of the two blades.  Yesterday, I fixed the leaking gear box drain plug and with the help of Louis Gulley put together, installed and tested a new 4 Blade NR Prop.  It is not like the original that had scimitar swept or curved design.  It is straight with a broader chord near the hub and much quieter.  However, it has an odd harmonic feel and sound between 6400 and 6800 engine RPM that concerns me.  I will simply avoid that RPM range as much as possible.

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