Barry, not sure if you are still reading these comments (I couldn't find your email address). But after reading your excellently documented story of your superior work, I thought I would make a comment about your Phonenix accident. In addition to what you found out about the equilizer hitch, etc. I believe you might have had one additional physics factor in play. I did 20+ years as a Naval Aviator and there is a situation in aviation that I believe could also have played a part in your case. Whenever you have a vehicle in motion, and the vehicle has its weight distributed along its length (or worse case, concentrated at its ends), a situation can occur called inertial coupling that can cause the vehicle (including aircraft) to swap ends- literally flip end over end. The more the center of gravity, center of mass, center of pressure (especially applicable to aircraft where there are high high air loads) and the physical center of the vehicle are the same the less chance this can occur. You might want to check with an engineer to discuss this. Again, truly unbelievable work!!!!!
Stumbled on this site and your Spartan project. My name is David Winick. I designed Airstream's 75th anniversary Bambi trailer.
Your conversion is terrific. Give me a shout. winickdesign2@comcast.net
I live in Grand Rapids and visit the Ann Arbor area frequently.
Posted by: KrashingV8
03/24/2009, 06:04pm
thats a nice classic cruiser. i love it.