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Five Years With Melmoth 2

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The homebuilt Melmoth 2 is a continuously evolving aircraft, having undergone five years of modifications since its first flight, including significant aerodynamic improvements like the addition of nosewheel doors that reduced overall drag by nearly 10%.
  • The builder systematically addressed various operational challenges, successfully solving engine cooling inconsistencies with custom baffles and fuel boiling issues by relocating the injector distributor.
  • Ongoing and future projects prioritize complex mechanical designs, such as a unique hydraulic synchronization system for the Fowler flaps, driven by a preference for intricate gadgets rather than solely practical necessity.
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Last Halloween my homebuilt, Melmoth 2, celebrated its fifth birthday-if age be counted not from conception (in which case it would not be five but 26) but from first flight, and if being an inanimate object parked in a hangar be called celebrating.

_Melmoth_2 was not really finished in 2002, but what original-design homebuilt ever is? It was ready to fly. I have continued to work on it since then at a rate of 10 hours or so a week. I’ve made many changes, added a lot of weight-185 pounds and counting-and somewhat improved its performance. But there’s still plenty to do.

Peter Garrison

Peter Garrison taught himself to use a slide rule and tin snips, built an airplane in his backyard, and flew it to Japan. He began contributing to FLYING in 1968, and he continues to share his columns, ""Technicalities"" and ""Aftermath,"" with FLYING readers.

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