Strut Mod

Above you see a single wing lift strut at the top end...tacked together for fit. I am replacing the twin struts with this single and fabricated this arrangement at the top to attach to the same strut tabs that the original twin struts used, Alum Strut material was purchased from Wicks. The 8 inch horizontal 4130 square tube is .035 ..and the short one that protrudes inside the strut is .065 thick. The folded fairings are .040 4130 and will stiffen as well as spread the load. The tabs on each end are .090 4130, the same as the original tabs. I Hope to see a drag reduction with this mod...and another benefit is They weigh 1 1/2 lbs less than the originals that were covered in plastic streamlining material, so with both I have saved 3 lbs

Here you see the bottom end and the 7 degree angle I welded the tabs at. The Kolb flies with the wing at a 9 deg angle of attack, so If you welded the tabs straight...the struts would also have a similar angle. I elected to turn them into the wind for less drag.

This is shot of a test fit. You can see that this arrangement allows streamlining much closer to each root end than the plastic coverings on the round struts do.

Here below you see the "FlagFly" as some have named it, in its current config.

Strut mods and streamlining, enclosing the rear and all the small changes made this bird a real Speedster. 2 blade 60 " ivo prop on a Rotax 447. Set the prop for cruise and it will see 90 mph straight and level. I usually keep it set for a better climb and WOT it will run 85 at 6400, and I cruise a comfortable 70mph at 5500rpms. IT is a real joy to fly, handles like it is a part of you! Thanks to Dennis Souder of the Old Kolb company and all the gang at the new Kolb for their assistance in making this bird a real joy to own, and special thanks to Dennis Souder and Homer Kolb for designing a truly amazing flying machine!