Author Topic: Vertigo II Build (Read 229717 times)

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #150 on:** October 05, 2024, 11:30:58 AM »

I had a few areas where the paint pulled up down to the primer when removing the tape.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #151 on:** October 05, 2024, 11:31:35 AM »

I wet sanded those areas with 2000 grit then airbrushed clear to seal the paint. Then back-masked and air brushed color, then wet sanded with 2000 again.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #152 on:** October 05, 2024, 11:34:33 AM »

Once clear goes on and it's polished, it should be as good as if it didn't happen. This photo was taken after the color was airbrushed and the paint lines were sanded with 2000 grit.

Mike Morrow · « **Reply #153 on:** October 05, 2024, 11:59:44 AM »

Wow!!!

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #154 on:** October 06, 2024, 07:18:56 AM »

I had some paint problems with the battery compartment cover and ended up stripping it down and starting over. I finished it yesterday.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #155 on:** October 06, 2024, 09:18:03 AM »

The paint lines matched up better on this go-around. My next paint scheme will avoid stripes on the battery cover!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #156 on:** October 07, 2024, 06:42:21 PM »

Quote from: Don Jenkins on October 05, 2024, 11:30:58 AM

I had a few areas where the paint pulled up down to the primer when removing the tape.

Next time, more thinner.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #157 on:** October 08, 2024, 06:36:47 AM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on October 07, 2024, 06:42:21 PM

Next time, more thinner.

Yep, like I said earlier in this thread, I learn something new with each build, usually after screwing up something!

Don

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #158 on:** October 08, 2024, 07:27:52 AM »

Quote from: Don Jenkins on October 08, 2024, 06:36:47 AM

Yep, like I said earlier in this thread, I learn something new with each build, usually after screwing up something!

Don

If we learn from our mistakes then why can't I get 20 points and fly a 640 pattern after all of this screwing up!

Beautiful plane - Ken

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #159 on:** October 10, 2024, 04:59:02 AM »

Quote from: Ken Culbertson on October 08, 2024, 07:27:52 AM

If we learn from our mistakes then why can't I get 20 points and fly a 640 pattern after all of this screwing up!

Beautiful plane - Ken

I'm assuming that's a rhetorical question! Someone once told me right after I crashed a plane, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it! Thanks Ken.

Don

Ronald young · « **Reply #160 on:** October 15, 2024, 06:04:30 PM »

I would just like to say awe inspireing work thank you so much for sharing

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #161 on:** October 16, 2024, 05:33:45 AM »

Quote from: Ronald young on October 15, 2024, 06:04:30 PM

I would just like to say awe inspireing work thank you so much for sharing

Thanks Ronald! You are welcome. I hope this thread will help and encourage beginner/novice builders to learn techniques (and avoid mistakes) that have taken me years to figure out!

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #162 on:** October 19, 2024, 06:09:45 AM »

Clear is on. I shot the bottom first, then flipped it over on an old landing gear and used a piece of 1/16th inch wire in the tail wheel hole to clear the top. That way I didn't have to wait for the bottom to dry before shooting the top. Once the dope cures, I'll start the polishing process. Wet sanding with 2000/3000 grit, then polishing with fine grit compound and a palm size air driven buffer with foam pads.

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #163 on:** October 19, 2024, 06:50:04 AM »

Absolutely beautiful

Ken

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #164 on:** October 20, 2024, 06:01:12 AM »

Quote from: Ken Culbertson on October 19, 2024, 06:50:04 AM

Absolutely beautiful

Ken

Thanks Ken.

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #165 on:** October 22, 2024, 05:03:49 AM »

I temporarily installed the flaps and elevators to ensure they had proper clearance and operated freely after painting. I got lucky, no issues!

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #166 on:** October 23, 2024, 12:32:52 PM »

I couldn't resist putting a few parts on to see how it would look. I guess I'm done goofing around, time to start sanding, again!

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #167 on:** November 10, 2024, 05:46:45 AM »

I now have about 30 hours of wet sanding with 2000 grit and I'm about 40% complete. I decided to sand the landing gear and polish it to break up the monotony of sanding on the plane. Here's a pic of sanding before polishing.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #168 on:** November 10, 2024, 05:47:38 AM »

This is what I'm using to polish.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #169 on:** November 10, 2024, 05:48:32 AM »

Landing gear ready for installation.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #170 on:** November 10, 2024, 05:56:34 AM »

Here's a pic before wet sanding. From a few feet away it looks pretty good, but up close it looks like the paint went over sand!

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #171 on:** November 10, 2024, 06:00:09 AM »

After 3 hours of sanding, the wing panel is about half done and the sanded area is completely flat and free of most defects. It should polish out well.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #172 on:** November 21, 2024, 04:39:04 AM »

I polished one elevator (on the right), it took about two hours. It think it does does make a difference, and although labor intensive, well worth it once complete, if that ever happens!

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #173 on:** March 07, 2025, 05:57:19 AM »

Yes, I am still wet sanding, but now I'm about 95% complete with just a bit more on the fuselage and fin/rudder. However, I did start polishing the other day after getting bored with sanding and got the outboard wing done. If life stops getting in the way, I might finish this plane in a few weeks!

Don

Kermit Payne · « **Reply #174 on:** March 07, 2025, 07:16:47 AM »

We'll need sunglasses to keep the glare down around this one!!! Mighty fine work there, Don. She's a beaut!

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #175 on:** March 07, 2025, 12:00:30 PM »

Front Row!

Ken

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #176 on:** March 09, 2025, 07:01:36 AM »

Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words. Now back to sanding!

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #177 on:** May 19, 2025, 09:52:36 AM »

I finally completed wet sanding the entire plane. The flaps, elevators and other parts have also been sanded and polished. Now I need to do a few airbrush touch ups with color and clear where I sanded just a bit too far. Then a day or two of buffing. Getting closer!

Don

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #178 on:** May 19, 2025, 12:06:16 PM »

Simply beautiful. How you can wait to fly it is above my pay grade. I would have had in the air at least once before I even put primer on it!

Ken

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #179 on:** May 20, 2025, 07:08:45 AM »

Thanks Ken. I think if I flew it before I painted it (at a weight of about 50 ounces) I would probably never paint it. Then it would be my go to plane at all venues without appearance points! However, I do enjoy most of the finishing process, except wet sanding and the final polishing, which is nerve racking since you can screw things up in a hurry with a pneumatic buffer!

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #180 on:** May 22, 2025, 06:28:05 AM »

Polishing has commenced.

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #181 on:** May 24, 2025, 05:16:42 AM »

After three days of polishing I have 3 wing panels remaining. It turns out I can only polish for about 3 hours then my hands get real tired and start cramping (getting old can't be stopped)!

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #182 on:** May 28, 2025, 06:13:37 AM »

The bottom of the wing is next.

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #183 on:** May 29, 2025, 06:05:31 AM »

The bottom of the wing is polished. Next I'll glue on the elevators, flaps and trim tabs, then put all the stuff in the nose that makes it go. Bench trim it and go see if it flies!

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #184 on:** May 30, 2025, 05:55:34 AM »

I installed the control surfaces. I scuff the Dubro hinges with 80 grit, put a drop of 3-in-1 oil on the hinge pin and have a bunch of Q tips cut in half with a mixing cup of alcohol to wipe off the excess 30 minute epoxy as the hinges go into the slots. Once the flap/elevator is in place I make two sleeves of paper towels and masking tape that slide onto the wing/tail and the further on it goes the tighter it gets to hold the control surface against the trailing edge unit the epoxy cures. This avoids using tape directly on painted surfaces which has a high risk of something bad happening when the tape is removed (yes I learned the hard way)!

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #185 on:** May 30, 2025, 06:04:30 AM »

I installed the Cobra 3515 motor, spin 66 ESC and Igor active timer and got everything programmed. I should have some time today to finish bench trimming and glue some balsa in the battery compartment to keep the battery in place once I determine the CG. I still only have two flights on my recently completed Dreadnought, so I plan to keep trimming that until it's dialed in, then I will maiden this one.

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #186 on:** May 31, 2025, 06:15:50 AM »

Vertigo II is ready to fly after a 15 month build! That's a better time line than my recently completed Dreadnought, which was on and off for about 4 years! Thanks to those of you who took a look at this thread and for those who made some nice comments.
I'll give a maiden flight report at some time in the near future. My current plan is to take this one to the Nats in July, if all goes well.

Don

Matt Colan · « **Reply #187 on:** May 31, 2025, 07:26:22 AM »

Looks incredible Don!! Been following this for a while. Another front row airplane for sure!

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #188 on:** June 01, 2025, 05:45:46 AM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on May 31, 2025, 07:26:22 AM

Looks incredible Don!! Been following this for a while. Another front row airplane for sure!

Thanks Matt! Greatly appreciated, are you going to make Brodak's or the Nats this year! I plan on attending both, hopefully I'll see you there!

Don

Matt Colan · « **Reply #189 on:** June 02, 2025, 07:12:30 AM »

Quote from: Don Jenkins on June 01, 2025, 05:45:46 AM

Thanks Matt! Greatly appreciated, are you going to make Brodak's or the Nats this year! I plan on attending both, hopefully I'll see you there!

Don

Won’t be at Brodak. The NATS is doubtful this year as we’re in the middle of getting ready to move. I hope I can make the NATS but we’ll see

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #190 on:** July 08, 2025, 10:08:04 PM »

Let me be the first to congratulate you on the thread. You earned it!

Ken

Jake Moon · « **Reply #191 on:** July 09, 2025, 08:27:37 PM »

Don's plane looks incredible in person and flies great too. He stomped our qualifying circle today.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #192 on:** **Today** at 05:35:49 AM »

Thanks Ken and Jake. Jake, it was a pleasure flying with you all week, I'll polish the trophy to get it ready for you next year! The maiden flight report is that Vertigo II flies quite well. I had 16 flights on it before heading to the Nats, with adjustments after every flight. Then 5 flights before my first official at Muncie, with adjustments after every flight. It still hunts a tad inverted, but that may have been nerves!

Don