Author Topic: Bellanca Viking 300 By James Young (Read 6881 times)

Gordan Delaney · « **on:** April 22, 2011, 01:27:26 PM »

I heard someone out there is or has built This Bellanca. If so could you post some pics.
Mine is almost ready to paint.

Thanks
Gordy

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2011, 03:17:09 PM »

Gordy,
Jim Treace has one almost finished. He built it from my short kit that I have been making for about 5 years, with my good friend Jim Young's approval.

I have helped Jim Treace, over the last few weeks, with some of the graphics since he is painting his Bellanca like the full size Bellanca that he owned. (Yes, I now cut custom masks and decals for people). I have some recent update pictures of his Bellanca, and it looks beautiful. I think Jim T should be the one posting the pictures. If he doesn't, I'll post them. I talked to him a few days ago.

I have some color pictures of Jim Young's original Bellanca that I think I got from Stunt Hanger. I'll post them if you have not seen them.

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2011, 04:46:50 PM »

Tom,

Please post pics. I should have base color on by next week.

Thanks
Gordy

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2011, 05:31:35 PM »

Gordy,
I don't have them with me. I'll send the pictures when I get home after midnight, or tomorrow.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2011, 11:02:12 PM »

Yes yes! Post up the pics! I have been drooling over the Bellanca plan for a short while now due to the neat semi-scale look. I'd love to see a finished one.

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2011, 04:11:55 PM »

Hey Clint - I knew you'd have to chime in on this post sooner or later...good choice Gordon, can't wait to see it.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2011, 02:02:16 PM »

Gordy,
Here is a color picture abd some B&Ws of Jim Young's original Belanca.

Also Here is an up date on Jim Treace's progress.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2011, 02:04:28 PM »

And more of Jim Treace's progress

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2011, 09:36:09 PM »

Tom, thanks so much for the pics. First time I've seen anything other than the plan drawing. This is a must do model for me.

louie klein · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2011, 09:16:27 AM »

That plane has a whole lot of "WOW" factor, super craftsmanship!---LOUIE

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2011, 04:00:55 PM »

Tom,
Thanks for the pics. James did a great job on his Bellanca. Mine is in the same shape as Jim Treace`s airplane.I`m letting set for a couple of days before doing my final sanding.

Thanks again
Gordy

PS: If you see James tell him I said hello. It should be ready to fly in a month or so.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2011, 06:33:23 PM »

Quote from: Gordan Delaney on April 25, 2011, 04:00:55 PM

Tom,
Thanks for the pics. James did a great job on his Bellanca. Mine is in the same shape as Jim Treace`s airplane.I`m letting set for a couple of days before doing my final sanding.

Thanks again
Gordy

PS: If you see James tell him I said hello. It should be ready to fly in a month or so.

Gordan, knowing how spectacular your planes usually are, I can't wait to see the pictures of it. Post 'em up ASAP.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2011, 09:35:57 AM »

>>It should be ready to fly in a month or so.<<

Yea, I always say that when the plane is in primer. Sigh...

John Miller · « **Reply #13 on:** April 26, 2011, 10:16:11 AM »

When Gordy asked me to re-draw Jims design into CAD format, I was not totally enthralled with the design, but as I worked on it, it grew on me.

He had me adapt the wing into a self jigging construction that uses the same method he used on his Pathfinder L.E., and Tony. I give him credit for the method, but he says it comes from Ed Southwick. In any case, the wing builds straight, and very accurately. He also wanted the parts to be laser cut, so I developed the cut files for him, and they were used to cut the one he is finishing.

As I see the plane coming together, it looks even better. Surely it's one of those designs that has been overlooked because it looks much better in the flesh. I'm looking forward to seeing this one fly.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #14 on:** April 26, 2011, 02:11:56 PM »

I notice that the name of this plane keeps getting longer.
First it was the Bellanca
Then it was the Bellanca 300.
Then it was the Bellanca Viking 300.
Now it's the Bellanca Super Viking 300.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #15 on:** April 27, 2011, 05:42:51 PM »

I have to brag about Jim Treace's Viking that he painting like his full size Viking. He built it from my Blue Sky Models short kit, and I also did the vinyl masks to match his full size ride.

Jim sent these pictures to me today. It is absolutely beautiful. All that is left is the clear top coat.

I am sure that everyone will agree that Jim Treace does astounding work.

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #16 on:** April 27, 2011, 06:50:19 PM »

Tom,

Yes,Jim looks great. It looks like his is about a week or so ahead of me. I just finished the final sanding today.I have a little more work to do around the canopy. Then I can spray the colors on. Do you know what engine Jim is going to put in his Bellanca?

Thanks
Gordy

Jim Treace · « **Reply #17 on:** April 28, 2011, 05:54:42 AM »

Hello Gordon,

I am using a Ro-Jett .51 SE. I made the wing panels equal, lengthened the fuselage 1/2" for engine and designed both wing and nose gear to be removable, so all of this added a tad of weight. This model as you know, has a rather hefty fuselage anyway. During my early planning, I talked with several about it, including Jim Young, Tom Niebuhr and Tom Dixon and they were all a great help. Tom Dixon strongly suggested at least a .46. I had a PA .40 SE and a Ro-Jett 51. They both weighed the same, so I went with the 51. It fits very nice. Total weight is now about 49 oz. I was shooting for under that, but this is what it is. I still have some clear coats, the boarding black walk strip, and the Bellanca logo.
Sure would like to see pictures of your build!
Jim

roger gebhart · « **Reply #18 on:** April 28, 2011, 01:55:01 PM »

I have one of these short kits I will sell with controls if some one is interested. To many other irons in the fire.

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #19 on:** April 28, 2011, 02:37:03 PM »

Here are pictures, taken today of my Bellanca. It's still in the paint stand. The cowl, flaps, elevators, and wheel spats have their blocking coat on them, just needing a little sanding prior to final color coats.

I still need to apply the blocking coat on the rest of the plane, but as usual, I noticed some problem areas that need some attention.

I'm planning on using a Brodak .40 for power with a CF copy of the Grish 3 blade prop. The gear is removable, with the nose gear mounted to the cowl.

Sorry about the interior views, I've not yet applied any clear to clean up any sanding marks.

The weight at this stage is 40.8oz. With everything installed. Have to thank John for the pics.

Gordy

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #20 on:** April 28, 2011, 03:16:38 PM »

Gordy,
Thanks for posting pictures of you Belanca Viking. It looks great. The cockpit is also great to see. Could be that you know that fellow on the Flying Models cover?

After all these years, Jim Young is seeing two fantastic versions of his airplane being built at the same time.

Can't wait to see it finished. What colors are you using?

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #21 on:** April 28, 2011, 03:59:44 PM »

Where are you guys getting the front windsheilds for this model?

BTW, Gordan, it looks fantastic!

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #22 on:** April 28, 2011, 09:26:32 PM »

Gordy,
I would love to see more on how you made various cockpit details, like throttle and prop knobs, small switches, seat belts, etc. Is the cowl molded? We can all use more info on these details. Sure would be interesting.

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #23 on:** April 28, 2011, 09:27:26 PM »

Clint,
I built a MOLD AND STUCK IT IN THE OVEN AND OUT SHE CAME.
Really it took several trys to get it. But once you get it figured out
It wasn`t that bad.

Gordy

Thought your Tempest was absolutely beautiful. Good Job.

Jim Treace · « **Reply #24 on:** April 29, 2011, 06:35:17 AM »

Quote from: Clint Ormosen on April 28, 2011, 03:59:44 PM

Where are you guys getting the front windsheilds for this model?

BTW, Gordan, it looks fantastic!

Clint,
I got mine from Tower http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPYR7&P=7
And cut it to shape. Actually, I bought two because I knew I would mess up one anyway, which I did.
Jim

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #25 on:** April 29, 2011, 09:19:51 AM »

Tom,

No,the cowl is just balsa wood and plywood mount for the nose gear. The nose gear comes off with the cowl. The colors will be base coat Diana cream with some yellow add to it. Then trim will be red and black. It will be painted like the full scale bellancas. The instrument
panel was made from scrap wood and pins. The yoke shafts are aluminum tubing. Glad you like it. Bart Klapinski will be happy. Tom, I do know that guy on the cover better than anyone.

Gordy

John Miller · « **Reply #26 on:** April 29, 2011, 10:31:13 AM »

Yesterday, before I left Gordan's home, he took the Bellanca off of the paint stand, and assembled all the parts , for a weight and balance check.

The weight at this stage is 40.8 Oz's, and the balance is about where we figure it should be. about 1/8" off or so. Gordy now knows where he should be mindful of the possible weight build up as he applies the color coats.

Here a some pictures I took of the plane assembled.

WhittleN · « **Reply #27 on:** May 05, 2011, 09:50:12 AM »

Guys
Stopped by Gordan’s house yesterday. Boy is that a nice model and the interior is something to behold. There is a miniature Flying Models magazine on the seat with Gordan on the cover and his red ‘55 Chevy on one of the exposed pages – very subtle.
Norm

John Miller · « **Reply #28 on:** May 05, 2011, 10:11:02 AM »

One more subtle detail, for those who know Gordy, The left seat has been set in the forward position to accommodate a short pilot.

Jim Treace · « **Reply #29 on:** May 10, 2011, 03:56:48 PM »

Finally finished my Jim Young design Bellanca. Only took most of a year! I used similar paint scheme as my 1976 full size Viking, which is turbo charged, hence the TURBO VIKING. My full size has cowl tunnels for the bigger engine, so I made the nose cowling with tunnels and kept the cowl open for cooling and looks. Tom Niebuhr made the paint masks for the name and "N" numbers. Power on this model is Ro-Jett .51. I made both wing panels equal so WS is 53 1/2" and shortened and off sized the flaps, OB 14", IB 14 3/4" . All gear is removable. Had to make the nose gear slightly longer for prop clearance. All dope and polyspan. All up she weighs 51 oz. Last couple of clear coats did that!
Jim

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #30 on:** May 10, 2011, 05:46:47 PM »

Jim,
Absolutely beautiful. Congratulations on doing a great job. Can't wait to see it in the air.

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #31 on:** May 10, 2011, 07:46:14 PM »

Jim,
Looks great. Let us all know how it flies. I`m having problems blending the side windows. I thought I`d have the color on by now. Your side windows looks really nice.

Gordy

Jim Treace · « **Reply #32 on:** May 10, 2011, 08:17:19 PM »

Gordy,
Side windows..look nice? That's because I didn't take a close up photo

I had a challenge there, too. I only made the windshield into the cockpit clear. The side windows are painted silver on the back side and seated into the fuselage with small amount of epoxy. I originally installed them perfectly flush with the unfinished fuselage, big mistake, which after paint finishing, left them looking low and inset. I redid them to bring them up level with the fuselage. Live and learn. I finally just had to call it quits and job completed. Tom(his Sea Vixen) and I are looking for the guys in the white coats to get us if we spend anymore time on these projects.
Looking forward to seeing your completed Bellanca. Pictures you posted are absolutely great! Cockpit is a knock out!
Jim

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #33 on:** May 10, 2011, 10:45:53 PM »

Great job, Jim! What a beautiful semi-scale!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #34 on:** May 11, 2011, 02:13:24 PM »

Gordy,

You better get busy. The Regionals are only 3 weeks away.

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #35 on:** May 11, 2011, 02:34:03 PM »

Randy,
Sorry, but it`s not going to happen. Should be done for VSC 2012. I had some problems around the windows I had to take care of.
Just what you said last week.

Gordy

Randy Powell · « **Reply #36 on:** May 11, 2011, 05:02:58 PM »

Gordan,

Man, what a pain. In the end, I was glad I just did it all again, but at the time, I was not happy.

That's OK, mine's not going to be done for the Regionals either. It's so close, too. Oh well, I can fly it at the Stunt-A-Thon.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #37 on:** May 11, 2011, 10:47:32 PM »

Very nice pair of Vikings guys, cool stuff!

John Miller · « **Reply #38 on:** June 20, 2011, 09:24:29 AM »

While visiting Gordy yesterday, I took some pictures of his Bellanca in it's base coat of Diana Cream. The finish looks to be very good, smooth, and flat. Well done buddy

Randy Powell · « **Reply #39 on:** June 20, 2011, 09:31:27 AM »

Looks sorta green under the florescent lights. Nice base.

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #40 on:** June 20, 2011, 11:00:20 AM »

Thanks Randy, They all look good in pictures you know. HA!

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #41 on:** June 20, 2011, 07:38:23 PM »

Gordy,
I saw Jim Young yesterday. He is excited about two of his Bellancas being built. He says both yours and Jim Treace's are much better looking than his was. He also said again that he loved the way his Bellanca flew. We are looking forward to hearing flight reports on both airplanes.

Bill Little · « **Reply #42 on:** June 21, 2011, 12:00:24 AM »

OK, Gyus, great builds!

A question on the interior: are both the front and back seats, "split bench seats" like in a older large car (not buckets)?

I got a mold from The Sawyer canopy business that looks like a perfect fit for all the "glass". Just need to fit the mold to the plans.

Thanks!
Bill

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #43 on:** June 21, 2011, 04:14:39 PM »

Bill,
The front seats are bucket seats and the rear seat is a bench seat.

Hope this helps.

Gordy

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #44 on:** June 21, 2011, 04:19:35 PM »

Tom,
Tell Jim I said hi. And I`m sorry I didn`t get it done sooner.But it will be done in the next month. Test flown and ready for VSC 2012.

Thanks
Gordy

John Miller · « **Reply #45 on:** July 10, 2011, 02:15:20 PM »

I was over at Gordy's last night for a BBQ, and I managed to get a couple of pictures of his Bellanca with the some of the trim on it. That's a scale trim scheme, and looks darned good to my eye.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #46 on:** July 10, 2011, 03:47:23 PM »

Now that is cool. I really like it. Gordan is doing a bang up job.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #47 on:** July 10, 2011, 07:14:37 PM »

What Randy said. That is just awesome, LOVE those colors!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #48 on:** July 10, 2011, 09:40:53 PM »

That is really cool, I love the "period" colors and overall look. Maybe it's still coming, but an "N" number would be a neat addition. Very nice.

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #49 on:** July 10, 2011, 10:02:28 PM »

Thanks guys for the nice comments. I still have to put the name and numbers and ink lines on it. And then the clear coats. I put it all together today to check weight and cg. Looks good. 42.6 oz. And thanks John for post the pics.

gordy