Weight: ragwings vs As and Bs

trake · Post by **trake** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 11:37 pm

I keep reading that 48s are lighter. Dont think thats necessarily true. The A and B metal wing with the single strut and tapered shape save about 15 lbs over the internally braced 'tongue-depresser ' wing. Is there some other reason Im missing?

3958v · Post by **3958v** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 12:07 pm

I have read the opposite of what you have read. That said Cessna said they weighed the same. I reaally would be surprised if you ever found one as light as Cessna claimed. Most of us would be better off componsating for a plane which was 15lbs too heavy by eating less. I posted the weight I got from an actual weighing after restoration and was hoping some others would post their weights too. But most seemed like they would rather be caught posting the wifes weight. Bill K

tshort · Post by **tshort** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 6:47 pm

As soon as my work schedule and the weather mesh to where I can go get some flying time in 3949V I'll check the logs for the empty weight - just restored this year with pretty minimal equipment...

N4281V · Post by **N4281V** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 9:12 pm

Weighed my ragwing when purchased Sept 1996. After wing recover, installing shoulder harness STC (WagAero) and installing Whelen wingtip strobes, new carpet, removing all radios but for Garmin 300XL and King KT76A, my empty weight is 1368 lbs. as of Sept 2004.

jwmcgu · Post by **jwmcgu** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 1:27 am

Weighed my '52B after complete rebuild and restoration and came up with 1348 lbs.
John N2488D

c170b53 · Post by **c170b53** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:36 am

I'm at 1415 that was my calculated weight 0-300 powered 53 B, After lots of work and an engine change (0-320 and a constant speed). The a/c weighed in at 1415. Doesn't help that I'm hefty as well.

3958v · Post by **3958v** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 11:42 am

I came in at 1323 with 4 radios. IFR instuments. old style DG, whalen strobes, shoulder harness full interior and original paint pattern. Bill k

N170CT · Post by **N170CT** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 6:23 pm

Tracy,
My '56 170B weighed in at 1394 when I purchased it four years ago. BUT, the ADF/Antennas has since been removed, changed to Slick mags, and mounted 15X600-6 tires in lieu of the 800X6. (I'm more concerned with weight & drag than looks) Dropped about 20 pounds by my calc. Also did an extensive cleaning below the floor and in aft fuselage to remove accumulated crud. FWIW.
BTW, is that your 170 tied down at W66??
chuck

my 56 170B

trake · Post by **trake** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:28 am

Chuck, its not me. Im in one of the old swampy gravel floored hangars.

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:32 pm

My 53 B-model was weighed after it's restoration at 1304. I don't know if that's believable anymore or not. I've added a radio (9 lbs) and strobes (5 lbs), and a spin on filter (3 lbs) but that's about all (unless we count all the junk I throw in the back. (about 30 lbs. worth)

zero.one.victor · Post by **zero.one.victor** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:34 am

I weighed my fully-painted ragwing & did a new W&B sheet when I removed the gyro's & vacuum system 2 years ago. 1,332# with rear bench seat in place, 1,300# with no rear seat, 1,310# with single rear jumpseat (out of a 185).
I've heard guys say their fully-painted, vacuum-equipped,plush 170's weighed 1250 but I ain't buying it. Kelly Mahon weighed his B after stripping the paint & tastefully gutting the interior, and it weighed right around 1250 after all that.

Eric

N170BP · Post by **N170BP** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:09 am

My '54 B weighs 1393 with the back seat in, 1361.4 with it out
(weighed it myself).

This is with no venturies or AN gyros (I have a electric turn
coordinator in there for my "oh sh_t" gyro), 850 tires, double-puck
brakes, Sportsman STOL kit and a "pretty" interior. I figure getting
my B down to 1250 would take drastic measures indeed (naturally,
all the paint would have to come off + the interior would have
to come out). Still can't see the paint + interior weighing 111.4
pounds though! (difference between 1361.4 and 1250).

dacker · Post by **dacker** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:29 am

Yeah, my A model supposedly weighs 1290 (calculated)

. I use 1400 for my calculations to make sure I always have some fudge factor.
David

tshort · Post by **tshort** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 1:31 am

Looks like the empty weight of my '48 ragwing is 1315lbs

akflyer · Post by **akflyer** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 3:47 pm

I had my ragwing weighed last year. It has no vacum system, but two radios and a stereo intercom and CD player (the previous owner apparently liked his music) and it weighed in at 1343 lbs.