23 replies to this topic

[minifreek1]

That is a beautiful aeroplane Peter, only ever flown a glider once over Lancashire/Fylde coast and regretted never raki g up the offer of being a part owner of a sail plane myself.

[Cooperman]

Off topic, I know, but I have always wanted a Vega as it is British (made in Yorkshire) and the glide ratio of the Sport Vega is 38:1. I also had a 1/2 share in a Schleicher K6CR, but what we have done is to form a 4-person syndicate owning both the K6 and the Vega. This will give us variety in what we have available and make for more good flying.

 

I am a member and an instructor at the Nene Valley Gliding Club, based on the former WW2 airfield of Upwood near Huntingdon. If anyone on here lives near there I can arrange a trial lesson or air-experience flight for a very special low rate under our Friends & Families scheme. (www.nvgc.org.uk).

[minifreek1]

I flew from Longridge near Preston/Garstang. I can't remember which aircraft I flew but it was a amazing experience. I used to have a model (1/5th scale) German make sail plane which I never got to fly as the mice in the shed saw to that ?.

Anyhoo back on topic.

[nicklouse]

if you are going to dont do a flip front they make all the simple things difficult. do a two piece so you can pop the bonnet to just check the oil.

[petey81]

I liked my fibreglass front end with cf bonnet and this stood up well against the deer!! I now have a steel front.

Edited by petey81, 22 June 2019 - 08:23 AM.

[Ethel]

I'm not sure the monocoque will have had that much analysis back in '59. Though of course its been thoroughly tested since. I'd still agree with Cooperman that a flip front does alter things structurally. Brace bars may well be up to transmitting the suspension loads, but are obviously going to behave very differently in a smash.

 

If you are going to go the flip front route, a one piece GRP moulding could well be better than tacking together the original steel panels in a way that was never intended. I'd look at replicating the inner wings, at least above the level of the subframe turrets,  to try and direct frontal impacts on to the bulkhead cross-member through a weaker structure.

[nicholasp99]

ahh ok, was thinking of a quicker attempt to remove all the rust on my front. seems like a bad idea now though!

[Cooperman]

Remember, the classic Mini is becoming a valuable car, as are most vehicles designed 60-ish years ago.

 

I often buy older Minis, but should I be offered one with a GRP flip-front, I would deduct the cost of fitting a correct and original steel front back on from the theoretical value of a Mini of that age/model/variant.

 

Thus a Mini with a nominal value of £5000 which has a GRP front would be worth c.£3000 as new steel panels, welding and re-painting could easily cost £2000 to buy fit & re-paint.

 

This may not matter to some people, but the increasing value of classic cars cannot simply be ignored.

[Ethel]

...though if a flip front means you can keep enjoying your Mini rather than having to scrap it or sell it on as a project for financial reasons: I wouldn't say it's the worst idea. Just be sure your insurers agree before you reach for the grinder.