Hatz Biplane Association

A HBA member did upscale (% ?.) his, as I've heard he is 6'-5". I've not met this person, but as I recall from the news letter, he is/was in north Texas in 2006/7. The plane was near completion at the time,so it should be flying by now, I hope !.

The fuselage is lengthened as well. It also has enlarged tail surfaces completed. The original builder had a builders page on the Hatz homepage. http://www.hatzbiplane.com/723.html

JD

Interesting comments so far. I have also considered, why not just build a Travel Air 4000 if I want something that size? I would imagine the construction not much more difficult from Hatz, if at all. In checking with some folks who know the 4000 I hear it is pretty straight forward to build.

On the engine weight, the Warner is no lightweight either is it? Seems to do ok on a slightly modified Hatz. So perhaps no need to scale up the Hatz up as high as 25%? Maybe 15% will do.

JD, is the fuselage lengthened as well as widened? I still think the enlarged Hatz is feasible.

I have a enlarged Hatz fuselage that I will not be using. It is made to comfortably seat two in the front cockpit. It was designed and built by someone else. It is TIG welded and done very well. I decided for my first homebuilt, I had better stick to the plans. I would think a 220 Cont or similar engine would work well on it. Right now it is hanging in my hangar, but I would much rather it go to someone who might finish it.

JD

Just did a quick looksee at the specs for the 220 Continental (R670). 465 pounds! Take off the starter and some other non essentials (for me anyhow) and it's maybe 440 lb.

Let's say scaled up 25%??? It makes the Hatz into a Waco!

MST

I have for years banged the idea around in my head to scale up a Hatz 10-15% and bolt a 220 on the nose. Mehlin Smith's Warner powered Hatz is the sweetest flying and sounding biplane I've flown, but Warners are too scarce. Plenty of Cont 220's out there though. Imagine a Hatz built light with a 220 HP radial thumpin up front! That's livin'!

So, I'm with ya...

Mark T
#493

Yeah, I really like the experimental route and you are right about Waco = expensive. Well something to chew on and think about. Anything is possible with experimental.

Hmmm....a Hatz "Beefy"? I love it! I've always wanted a round engine biplane, but like Mr. Hatz himself, I cant seem to get there from here. The hatz was designed as a scaled down Waco, so why not just do a Waco? Unless your like the rest of us, and not Waco worthy (read less than rich). I think the Hatz is a gorgeous design, and I love each of the variants. If it has the same lines as the "family" then it would look just as good. What biplane doesnt look good with a round engine? I'm not a engineer, but I dont think it would be too difficult to scale up. I say go for it cause I wanna follow your progress!

Greetings,
I have a set of CB-1 plans and might embark on construction soon. I like the idea of putting a round engine on one. I've seen the Rotecs and really really like the Warner powered Hatz.

My question is, has anyone ever tried or considered scaling UP the Hatz to better match up with more widely available radials like the Continental 220? The Hatz has been scaled down for light sport but I was thinking of scaling up. I would scale to say the size of a Travel Air 4000. Just a thought. Thanks for any comments.