Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Guys,

I added VG's to my Thorp and it changed the stall characteristics quite a bit.( kind of just mushes) I have a row on each outer panel. I find I have great aileron controll at low speeds. I also added them on the vertical tail and it is like the tail is 6 inches taller. No more dancing on roll out when landing. I don't feel I lost anything on the top end with respect to speed.

Jim

Pics would be good .

RB

Rich,

Here is the only picture I have at the moment.

Interesting, Jim!
Much reduction in stall speed with that? Also, how did you determine a template or is there a kit out for the Thorp?

The VG's I used are the Stolspeed ones from Austrailia. They come with a template and instructions. I painted mine by stapling masking tape upside down on a board and sticking them on the tape. They are smaller than the ones you would typically see fitted to a Cessna product via STC. They are installed with 3M double sided tape, so if you wish, they can be removed without buggering up the paint.

I think they only lowered the stall a couple of knots but the big difference is in how it stalls. The stall is not as abrupt. Also I have full aileron control at low speeds just prior to touch down. The ones on the tail were quite noticable as well. Last year I only got 18 hours in and 28 the year before, so they help to take some of the bite out of the plane when I'm not as proficient as I was in years past.

Jim

Jim,
Thanks for posting. I added only 2 home made Hall Type VGs on each wing and got the aeleron improvement you cited, although I didn't get a reduction in stall speed, as one would expect.
I posted pictures in the thread about N883FF flies after 9 year rest.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7037&start=15
Scroll to the bottom for the VG pic.
I am particularly interested in your results on the vertical stab. "FEISTY" actually tracks very well on landing until it slows to about 45, then it gets snakey. It peaks and then gets better and is fairly tame about 20 MPH. If VGs would bring the onset of Snake-ism down a few MPH, well that would be nice.

_________________
Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

Scott,

I will take a picture this weekend of the tail VG's and post it.

Best regards,

Jim