I built a plane back in 2017 that flew quite well with a Stalker .61 that I named Vertigo.  Unfortunately I only got 65 flights on it and only flew it in one contest before I put it straight in on asphalt.  Anyway, I decided to build another Vertigo, this time E-powered and I'm using a foam wing that I've had for about 7 years.  I am somewhat reluctant to start a build thread since I sometimes get distracted from the builds for long periods of time, but I'll give it a try.  The pics are of the first Vertigo before its first flight and after its last!  I did collect and assemble all of the pieces so it would resemble a plane for the final pic.

Don

I am reusing a 3D printed motor mount from my first electric build (a full size vector) that no longer exists.  Yes, I crashed that one too, but at least I got over 4 years out of it and flew it in many contests.

Motor crutch complete.

Fuselage construction is a lot easier with this jig that I obtained many years ago from my flying buddy and coach Ed Ruane.  Ed has since retired from the hobby and I no longer have a coach, which probably explains why I crash more often!

The top block is tacked in place for rough shaping before it gets hollowed out and the turtle deck is wrapped around the mold waiting to dry.

Great looking build, very clean. I look forward to watching this.

Quote from: Airacobra on March 19, 2024, 10:09:41 AM
Great looking build, very clean. I look forward to watching this.

Yep, Don builds very nice stuff. 

Thanks Keith and Wayne, greatly appreciated.

Don

The top block is sanded close to its final shape and the turtle deck came out pretty good.  The landing gear is salvaged from the Vector, but I still need to remove the paint and prepare it for the next paint scheme.

Carved/sanded the cowl after gluing a bunch of wood together to get the right size for it, and added formers to the turtle deck.   I was able to figure out how to attach the cowl with one 440 allen head.

Time to start on the wing.  I obtained an SV foam wing from Randy Smith about 6 or 7 years ago and decided to use it for this build. I've only built one plane with a foam wing, and it sure does cut down on build time.  I sanded the trailing edge with a 3 foot sanding bar to ensure it was true, sanded the center sections for a squared fit, installed the controls and epoxied the 2 wing haves together.  Seems like it came out straight!?

I used 2 ounce glass cloth and 30 minute epoxy on the center section and cut the flaps from a decent light weight piece of 3/8.  I ordered some wood for this build from National Balsa requesting "Aero Light", and although pricey, it was good quality.

Wing tips are next.  I glued a stack of balsa together (tack glue the center) and sand to rough shape with 80 grit on a sanding bar. I leave about a 1/16 inch larger than the wing, then split them in halve which makes hollowing them out easier.  Install the slider and weight box then glue them to the wing.  Then sand to final shape. I keep my vacuum close at hand while sanding that much balsa.

Rough sanding complete.

I took this photo before final sanding and cleaning up the inside of the tips.  I was able to remove a bit more wood to save a few more grams of weight.

Quote from: Don Jenkins on March 22, 2024, 05:21:34 AM
I took this photo before final sanding and cleaning up the inside of the tips.  I was able to remove a bit more wood to save a few more grams of weight.

ARE YOU GOING TO TAPER THE FLAPS OR LEAVE THEM FLAT

I glued the wing tips in place and did a final sanding.  The flaps have been tapered to 1/8 inch using the standard brass tube and sanding bar method.  I leave the trailing edge squared off.  I also made up the horn clips from 1/8 inch ply with 1/64 inch ply on the outside.  I use the Dubro hinge slotting tool and Dubro hinges.

Better view of trailing edge of flaps and horn clips.

I made an adjustable trim tab for the outboard wing for function and one on the inboard wing to look uniformed.  I will epoxy them into place with three 1/16 inch brass tubes after all paint work and polishing is completed.  I capped the flap ends and trim tab ends with 1/64 inch ply to keep the gap nice and clean.

I started on the stabilizer and elevators which will be half inch.  The stab is framed with 3/8 inch with 1/16 inch ribs and sheeting, the elevators will be tapered to 1/8 inch with the brass tube and sanding bar method.

Elevators are sanded and hinged to stab.  I need to shape the leading edge of the stab and make up the horn clips.

Quote from: Don Jenkins on March 22, 2024, 05:21:34 AM
I took this photo before final sanding and cleaning up the inside of the tips.  I was able to remove a bit more wood to save a few more grams of weight.

Don; I have a question: Why did you hollow out the outboard wing tip when you are going to add weight anyway?   

Just asking, Jerry

Good question Gerald.  I'm trying to reduce the weight of the plane as much as possible with a target weight around 64 ounces with a dope finish, including tip weight.  Most of my planes need about .5 to .75 ounces of tip weight.  It would be really bad if a solid balsa tip, (and there is a good chunk of wood in a two inch wide wing tip) added more weight than needed, then there is nothing that can be done to reduce tip weight.  Just my thoughts.

Don

Quote from: Don Jenkins on March 26, 2024, 05:45:23 AM
It would be really bad if a solid balsa tip, (and there is a good chunk of wood in a two inch wide wing tip) added more weight than needed, then there is nothing that can be done to reduce tip weight.  Just my thoughts.

Yep.

I completed sanding and shaping the stabilizer/elevators and did a final sanding on the wing.  I used a simple sanding jig to get a round uniformed and blunt leading edge on the wing.