The Canadian HM-8 Replica Project
by
- 2004
July 4
Paul Fournier made the 2 exhausts for the Praga engine. They will be Tig-welded by Jean-Pierre Gagnon. Paul Fournier will keep in touch with Gerry de Grosbois to finalize the engine adjustment and see how Gerry plans the engine final tune-up.
- 2004
July 7
Positioned on the engine the 2 exhaust look great. Jean-Pierre's
Tig-welding is OK.
Gerry
is present with one of his student as a helper.
They
tint the beautiful propeller made by Pierre Gingue. Same mahogany colour as
the fuselage with off-white tips.
Gerry
cleans and checks everything (filters, etc) on the engine. It is now ready to
start.
The
rest of the team works on the final adjustments, struts, cables, cowling etc.
The HM-8 looks completed, but there is still a lot to do.
After
discussion between Gerry and the
The
team realizes that they have to work hard for the two coming weeks to be ready
for this important day.
We
have to find a R.P.M. It seems that Patrice Thériault will let us have a used
one in good condition at low cost.
-
2004 July 9
I go to
I
bring with me a photo of the Balerit seen in
Montpezat with about the same logo which represents a glory of sun rays
bursting through the clouds and a schematized pou flying. On ours, it will be
the HM-8 which will be schematized, like on the book. Jacques loves the idea
and plans to go and purchase the paint and varnish the next day.
I am supposed to get the rudder painted in one week. I always have a
warm welcome at Jacques's house, as he is a Pou fan and hopes to be able to
build a Flying-Flea one day.
-
2004 July 14
Busy day on delicate jobs. The whole team works on the final adjustment of:
-
Wing positioning on the cabane: A nylon block is
adjusted between the front spar and the cabane
horizontal beam and an additional bracket between the rear
spar and the same beam.
-
Wing struts cables.
-
Ailerons controls and control cables.
-
Throttle.
Patrice's
R-P-M does not fit on the Praga. We will have to use a handheld one for the
first tests.
- 2004 July 15
Received a call from the painter. The job is slower than planned, as the paint
is water based and has to dry between coats, consequently, the logo will not
be completed before Tuesday 20. Jacques decided to enlarge the logo and to
paint the whole surface of the rudder. He says that we will like the final
result.
- 2004 July 20
The painter kept his word. When I
arrived in Jacques's place, the painted rudder was ready. Very clean job,
faithful to Mignet's logo with a touch of fantasy.
- 2004 July 21
In
My
friends warmly welcome me and the rudder, especially the rudder with its
beautiful logo.
Waiting
for Gerry de Grobois, we check the controls, rudder and ailerons. They are
incredibly smooth. Paul Fournier made a great job. The ailerons are really
differential, which should totally prevent adverse yaw.
A last check of the cables struts is made and we start taking the HM-8 apart
to bring it from the workshop on 1st floor to the ground floor for the engine
testing and then to transport it later on to the States.
It
is an historic moment. After less than one year of team work, HMS wish is
becoming real.
Meanwhile,
Gerry arrives in his Cessna 172 with his student (he was delayed by a thick
fog) and checks what Paul Fournier had modified on the engine according to his
instructions. Then, they fix the prop on the engine hub. Not an easy job, as
the holes are really tight and they soon need everyone's help.
We start moving the HM-8 to the floor level and do not feel at ease.
Remi
Caradot, a French teacher who leaves in
Ten
pairs of hands gently take the 33 feet span wing to the ground through a wide
opening in the wall.
For the fuselage, we hang it with ropes attached to the cabane
and the engine to a hoist. Very slowly, we get it down safely.
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All
is fine and the engine tests can start.
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