Author Topic: Sea Vixen- Progress finally! (Read 3119 times)

Tom Niebuhr · « **on:** January 13, 2011, 07:30:58 PM »

Having realized that I haven't built anything for myself for almost 5 years, I am working on 3 airplanes at once. The rebuild of the disastrous "Sea Vixen" for Classic, the new design "Hobo" prototype, and the "Curtis Swift" Old Timer.

I have been reluctant to show the Sea Vixen, since it has made me superstitious, with all the problems. I came close to stepping on it several times.
You might remember that the covering started to split on its own. I put the airplane aside and over the months many more locations split. We determined that this was caused by solvents reacting with the clear nitrate base coats. So it has sat for over a year.
I then stripped the entire airplane recovered it with new medium silkspan. Now with many coats of clear on the covering, the covering would still sag up to 3/16” between the ribs that had only 1” spacing. This would make it impossible to mask any color since the covering would move too much under any masking tape.

So, the covering was stripped again. (I came real close to stepping on it again.)

The airplane was again covered, but with polyspan. All butyrate clear on the polyspan and then auto primer. There is now progress .

I am using the Royal Navy paint scheme that is on the only currently flight worthy “Sea Vixen”. This airplane was flown in Red Bull colors for a few years, but by agreement, Red Bull repainted it to the Royal Navy scheme. I have closely matched the Gray on that actual aircraft. The actual airplane is in high gloss, probably urethane. Do to variant lighting, the picture with the close up of the flying fist shows the actual color of my “Vixen”. The color in pictures on the gear is a little off.

I made the final landing gear yesterday and will make the gear fairings this week. The main gear and nose gear are all removable.

All the graphics shown were done with low tack vinyl masks. I now have a vinyl cutter so I can size the masks as required and paint the colors instead of having to use decal sizes that are a compromise. I did the flying fist in Corel and then cut the mask. The custom masks also make it possible to be able to back mask very accurately. I am now offering custom graphics to everyone.

The airplane needs a considerable amount of detailing before applying urethane clear coat. I remember 911 on all my airplanes, so I changed the nose number to 911.

I was hoping that I would get the "Swift" and "Sea Vixen" to the 2011 VSC, but I am about out of time, since I want to do proper justice to honor both John Miske, with the "Swift" and Jack Sheeks on the "Sea Vixen". There is not enough good flying weather this time of year to get them finished, flying, and trimmed out.

I will give updates as the detailing is completed.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2011, 10:07:23 PM »

Very cool.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2011, 10:47:37 PM »

PERSERVERANCE!

Air Ministry . · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2011, 02:52:57 AM »

Far Out .

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2011, 09:27:30 AM »

Really nice Tom, love the interior and color scheme. Glad you stuck with it.

Bill Little · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2011, 11:04:33 AM »

Outstanding, Tom! I am so glad to see it in this fine of condition after all the times we've talked about the various "problems". Glad you hung in there and did it proud.

I hope it flies as well as it looks.

Bill

Dennis Saydak · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2011, 02:42:52 PM »

Quote from: Tom Niebuhr on January 13, 2011, 07:30:58 PM

I have been reluctant to show the Sea Vixen, since it has made me superstitious, with all the problems. the actual color of my “Vixen”.

You could always get one of the Voodo Queens in N.O. to make you a Voodoo Doll for good luck.

That should fend off any further gremlins. Wishing you good luck with the remainder of this project.

Arch Adamisin · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2011, 11:39:10 AM »

Fantastic!!
Like all the others, I too am glad that you stuck with it brought it back to this point. This one was always one of my favorite Sheeks design. I remember buying the plans when I was a kid, I just didn't have the skills then to build it back then.
It looks super. Best of luck with it, Arch

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:15:22 PM »

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

Arch,
This has got to be the most difficult build that I have ever had. Even now l am not sure that I am up to it or if I am just crazy.

The plans have numerous major mistakes. To start off the plans description for Flying Models say the span is 56". The plans measure out at about 52 1/2" as I recall. (I'll have to measure again to confirm that). So, I called Jack and he said the correct span is 56" This meant having to layout the wing moving the tips out to get the 56". This changes the angles of the L.E, T.E and main spar. Then the cutout for the I-beam in the fuselage is wrong. The draftsman allowed for the 1/8" spar caps on on the top but not the bottom ( or visa versa). This meant that the cutout on the plans was off by 1/8". Then I needed to know about the booms. The side view is shown, but it does not say whether the booms are shown at the center of the wing or at the actual boom location. As you can imaging, I spent quite a bit of time on the phone with Jack. Jack is amazing. With all the airplanes that he has designed, he has a vivid memory of the small details.

Then I had to add to the complexity to make the main and nose gear removable. The nose gear had to be in a space of about 3/16" below the tank shelf. I designed a system that holds the cowl and removable nose gear in place with one bolt.

I still have a lot of work left, but it is finally looking like something.

EddyR · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:50:23 AM »

Tom you have out done yourself on this one. Four part flaps and a stab elevated on top of the rudders must have been a control system nightmare.
Ed

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2011, 12:26:47 PM »

Ed,
Like I have said, this is the most difficult build that I have ever done. I guess Jack is insane. He even has a larger RC version of the Sea Vixen.

With all the rework that I have had to do, it proves beyond a doubt that I am insane.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:25:38 PM »

A lot of Jack's plans leave a lot to the imagination as to how to complete. however, Tom, you proved (as many others have before) that you CAN build an excellent model with the plans as a GUIDE. Your 3rd pix, the close-up of the boom/fin/stab is a priceless reminder of why we love Jack's imagination.

Ty same thing for your Knight. Another tough build because of the high tail but it sure looked great.

THe Swinger was not too bad but it had some things that I thought had to be changed. If I built another I would change it a little more!

I keep looking at the plans for the Demon (cannot figure out the jet exhaust area) and the Torino (pretty clear I think) and the first Stuka and wonder when I will be ready to take on another one!

Bill Little · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:33:04 PM »

Hi Denny,

I just recently got the Demon plans, it is my favorite of Jack's "Jets".

(well gotta love the Stunt Liner, too! LOL!! )

Big bear

EddyR · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:53:54 AM »

I sat down with Jack with the Demon plans and he couldn't explain how the body goes together. It seems to be a body within a body.

Ed

Bill Little · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2011, 12:18:35 PM »

Quote from: Ed Ruane on February 01, 2011, 10:53:54 AM

I sat down with Jack with the Demon plans and he couldn't explain how the body goes together. It seems to be a body within a body.
Ed

Hi Eddy,

With the plans, and pictures from the articles, I can visualize the Demon a LOT better than some areas of the F-5-F Skyrocket!

Bill

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2011, 07:04:59 PM »

Here is the bottom of the Sea Vixen. Leave it to our British friends to have numbers face in two directions.

Bill,
Has anyone built the Sky Rocket?

wwwarbird · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:06:44 PM »

Looks like you're getting close Tom, please make sure and show us some finished pics!

Bill Little · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:57:17 PM »

Quote from: Tom Niebuhr on February 16, 2011, 07:04:59 PM

Here is the bottom of the Sea Vixen. Leave it to our British friends to have numbers face in two directions.

Bill,
Has anyone built the Sky Rocket?

Hi Tom,

I have never seen another F-5-F in person, or print, other than Jack's.

The Stunt Liner is one of Jack's "rare Birds" and the only other of that design was John Davis' one. John had a pretty high NATS placing with his Stunt Liner at Dalla in 1964, IIRC.

I have heard the FW-190 could well be Jack's overall best flying design. Jim Lynch had a really nice one.

Since I have met Jim Vornholt (a great guy!) I have asked him about the Me 262, also.

My "Sheeks" favorite is tending to lean towards the Demon now. I just need to dig back out the FM that it's in and take a few more looks. Maybe with an Aero Tiger .36 these days! LOL!!

I love Jack's designs. Maybe they aren't WC caliber now, but at the time I thought they were cool. And any of them will fly good enough for me to build to enter in Classic/Nos. 30! LOL!!

But The F-5-F is tops on the list of twins I would like to build. I have two Bigf Art OS .35S picked out for one. The Del Gatto B-25 is next on that list! LOL!! (even cut myself a "short kit" for the B-25!) "Would love to use a pair of '57 Fox .25s on it, although a pair of OS .15FPs would probably be plenty. Four of those flew PAul's B-17 pretty darn good! LOL!!

I have built or have gotten together almost all the models I wanted to build. I could start on any of them after I can get back to the couple of projects I have going and can wrap them up. On the bench almost finished (need a new compressor! LOL!!) is a P-51 B modded from Bobby Hunt's P-51D, The Airon, The "ShockWave" (from a Steve Buso profile sketch), Randy's "Classic", and a Pat Johnston F-4-F reduced to ST G.51 size. I built a wing waiting for the "rest" of Champione's Sabre to be built around it.

Looking to do something out of the ordinary next. A Hutchinson Warbird, Gabris MASTER from '58, Genesis 46, Pat Johnston "Brazilian" P-47, The Playboy (a kit made up from "seconds" from the late Bill Sawyer), Stuntwagon 30, UHP Bear kit ("might" go to Aaron), Jim Young's Bellanca Viking (Blue Sky's excellent short kit!) ........I have never built a "civilian semi-scale stunter"! LOL!!, Shark 35 short kit from Tank, Kolnesnikov KA 10..... and of course a '62 Ares, Juno, and another USA-1 sometime! LOL!!

My "MOST WANTED" or "Holy Grails" are two particular models, and NEITHER are stunt ships.

The 1st, all time "gotta have" is the 1963 British NATS Scale winning B-17G. Been waiting for 47 years on that one, even have the American Modeler I bought for it. Working flaps, retracts and throttles (plus some more things! LOL!!) and powered originally by (4) Cox .049 Babe Bees!

Lots of "homemade stuff" going on there. I have assembled (5) Cox engines to power it (All identical, one spare) over the years. but will have to use "external tanks".

The 2nd is a Top Flite 1"-1' scale Superform fuselage P-51D kit. I have had the kit started for about 35 years............

Throw in Al's P-51D stunter, and Billy's P-47Razorback and all that would be left is my double super secret collaboration with Ron Burn on a Scale Stunt that has never been done, but should be awesome!

I have my work "cut out" for me, but I am feeling better than ever about building and flying so it's "all gravy'! (might even begin to make a dent in that wood pile I have been building up for the past 30 years! LOL!!)

Big Bear

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:25:53 PM »

Bill,

With all those potential projects, you will need almost all of Santa's elfs to help you!

Bill Little · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2011, 12:03:09 AM »

Quote from: Tom Niebuhr on February 18, 2011, 03:25:53 PM

Bill,

With all those potential projects, you will need almost all of Santa's elfs to help you!

Hi Tom,

Yeah, you are right! But I can still dream. LOL!! Plenty of models I still want to build, and plenty I will never get to, but would like to have. The hardest part is culling down the list! LOL!! And then there is Aaron.......... he still has to use my "shop"! LOL!!

Did you get my reply to your email?

Bill

EddyR · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2011, 07:47:39 AM »

Bill Jack shower me pictures of the Stunt Liner that John built and it is very different than the one that he published.It may not have had a swept back wing.
Ed

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2011, 10:26:17 AM »

Quote from: Ed Ruane on February 19, 2011, 07:47:39 AM

Bill Jack shower me pictures of the Stunt Liner that John built and it is very different than the one that he published.It may not have had a swept back wing.
Ed

That's cuz it didn't. John Davis had a straight wing version, Jack later built/published the swept wing version

Bill Little · « **Reply #22 on:** February 21, 2011, 03:01:32 AM »

Quote from: Ed Ruane on February 19, 2011, 07:47:39 AM

Bill Jack shower me pictures of the Stunt Liner that John built and it is very different than the one that he published.It may not have had a swept back wing.
Ed

Hi Ed,

I have a set of plans for John Davis' version. IIRC, it only had two jet engine pods instead of four like the one Jack published. I need to get them back out, they have several differences from the one Jack published, but the overall "look" is not too much different.

I also have a set of Argus plans that were not published, They are of the model Steve took to the World's. More wingspan, etc.. Not the Cobra, either, but an Argus. Different form the published plans, also.

Thanks!
Bill

Air Ministry . · « **Reply #23 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:08:36 PM »

What did young Vornholt have to say about the 262 ??

And how does one go about getting a copy of the W/C Argus plan ??

Please Bill.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #24 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:42:54 PM »

The WC Argus plans were drawn by John Davis. The plans even show the paint outlines and the FAI stamp. There was one major mistake on the side view that would have had the I-beam partially out of the fuselage. This is simple to correct without changing the wing position or out line.

At the time I built my Argus Bill Werwage and I spent quite a lot of time on the phone. He was taking measurements for me to make sure that I got it 100% correct. A quick look at the article reveals that the WC airplane that Steve was holding was not the same airplane on the Magazine plans. The Mag plans had round tips.

Here are pictures of my Argus at VSC. That's me with Fred Carnes. That picture and one that Rene Berger took convinced me to lose the excess 60 lbs. The picture of 3 of us are are me, Tim Meeks and Henk DeYoung. You can see that the tips on mine are different and the others also look a little smaller.

Bill Little · « **Reply #25 on:** February 22, 2011, 01:33:10 PM »

Thanks, Tom. I actually acquired a piece of silkspan from the plane Billy has to match the paint. I have shown my "magazine built" Argus, but have not gotten to the WC version, yet. My old one did me pretty well in Classic at Brodak's the last time I got to go. The WC plane should corner better, IMHO.

Did you get my email reply?

Thanks!
Bill