I'm finally back. Flew the Vector and got in one, 3 minute flight.
Flew level at 10', solid, no hunting, clime and dive, then flew inside and outside loops perfectly
and a few basic wing overs, then ran out the tank.
This was the short story.
Now the long story...
Finally got to fly. Field was mowed with a 1/4 circle take off strip and the rest about 3".
Dragged out the stooge and set up to fly. Did I mention I hate flying alone!
Got the Vector connected to the stooge. Put in 4 oz. of fuel, and checked the lines.
Wrong! Upon release gave full up and it ran along the ground until it hit the high grass, tipped over and stopped the engine. Dragged it back to the stooge. Did I mention I hate flying alone!
Turned out full up only got the elevator about 1/4" up. Readjusted the centering. Had to move it about 3/4", no wonder it wouldn't lift.
Restarted and launched again. See above, plane flew great.
Landed, retrieved the airplane and took it back to the stooge. Did I mention I hate flying alone!
Filled the tank, 5 1/2 oz. restarted and launched. Screaming lean run as soon as it went air born.
Went 7 or 8 laps then probably overheated and started to quite. Then saw something drop off the
back of the engine into the field behind my house. Another lap and it shut off and landed.
Checked the drop zone first but did not find the mystery object. Did I mention I hate flying alone!
Went to the airplane and found the exhaust deflector missing from the RE muffler and the foam block that was
holding the fuel tank in position completely gone. How it got out of the cooling hole is a mystery.
Got the airplane back to home base, near the stooge. Did I mention I hate flying alone!
The tank had dropped about 1/2 to 3/4". No wonder it went lean. Decided to fix it later with a more
secure tank strap, etc. Started to de-fuel the airplane with the syringe. Needed at least 2 more hands.
Did I mention I hate flying alone! After pulling about 4 oz of fuel out, while trying to hold the plane, the plunger
pulled out of the syringe, spaying fuel all over me, the airplane, etc. Did I mention I hate flying alone!
Decided to run the engine out to get any alcohol out of the bearing before putting it away.
Hooked up the glow driver, held the airplane, and hit it with a starter. It ran, and ran, and ran. About 8 to 9
seconds, seemed like forever. Finally quit. Figures it was done, right! Wrong. Started it again, 2 second run.
It did this six or seven times, until it finally went dry. Plane was on the ground with a metal tank. Since it was empty, and the fuel pickup was out of any fuel that may have been in the tank, I have no idea where it was coming from.
Did I mention I hate flying alone!
Packed up quit.
Jerry