Dracula ready for flight

[Matt Colan]

I began building this airplane in December of 2016.  Between having a significant other in my life now, and getting a career started, progress slowed to a crawl, but made progress nonetheless. Yesterday, I can say I finally completed my new SV-11 and have it ready for flight.

This airplane is a bit different than a standard SV-11.  I am using the geo-bolt airfoil and ended up extending the wingspan to 64 1/2".  The wingspan addition was made on accident when I added an extra rib to the end of the lost foam jig to square off the tip to make it easier carving a block for the wingtip.  The tail is larger than stock and also has two small counterbalances on it as well.  Paint is all Randolph with the Home Depot Klean Strip thinner.  I never had any issues with the paint as I went along and only had one lift. I haven't rubbed out the mainframe yet but will be doing it periodically over the next couple weeks when I have time.

Weight is 59 ounces with a PA 75 up front.  This is the lightest airplane I've ever built in my life and I can't wait to get it up in the air! Test flights hopefully will come early next week.

[Joe Gilbert]

Looking forward to seeing it fly. I think it will trim out very quickly. See you soon.

Joe

[Dennis Adamisin]

Looking REALLY good Matt, that weight is awesome.  Just be prepared for all the "Dracula sucks" commentary from the peanut gallery...

[Dave_Trible]

Lookin' good Matt!

Dave

[big ron]

Someone better be working on a new design named GARLIC !

[Ken Culbertson]

That should scare away that stupid bird.  Great job!  I beat you to the test flight by a week but I think you will be the 1st to clover.  You know I love high aspect ships and this one tops the chart.

Ken

[FLOYD CARTER]

How did you manage 59 oz on a large plane, with all that paint?   I guess silver and black are two colors that will cover in one coat.

[Howard Rush]

I'll take my Fox four-way wrench to the Nats.

[Perry Rose]

Someone better be working on a new design named GARLIC !

That's funny right there.

[Ken Culbertson]

How did you manage 59 oz on a large plane, with all that paint?   I guess silver and black are two colors that will cover in one coat.

He weighed it after it turned into a bat.

[Matt Colan]

How did you manage 59 oz on a large plane, with all that paint?   I guess silver and black are two colors that will cover in one coat.

I’ve been asking myself the same question. I think I just used really good wood from the start. My wing was about 6 or 7 ounces lighter than my Staris wing, the last built up wing I did, so I think that’s mostly where the weight savings came from. Also I molded both the top block and turtle deck instead of a block in the front. Everything covered in one coat, including the red over silver. From the start of finishing to the end I put on 8 ounces of material

[Matt Colan]

Someone better be working on a new design named GARLIC !

    Dracula has to fly good first before any Garlic airplane has to be created

[Randy Powell]

Should have built it with a clear canopy. You could have put Dracula from Hotel Transylvania in the cockpit.

[wwwarbird]

 Looks great Matt, some serious Kyle Franklin influence eh? 

[Ken Culbertson]

  Dracula has to fly good first before any Garlic airplane has to be created

Darth wants to know if you have an extra cape he can borrow?

Ken

[Randy Ryan]

Looking SUPER Matt!!!

[Sean McEntee]

Looks great Matt, some serious Kyle Franklin influence eh? 

    Some of us on the CL facebook page tried to peer-pressure him into attempting the blood-spatter effect, but he didn't give in 

[Matt Colan]

Looks great Matt, some serious Kyle Franklin influence eh? 

That’s exactly where I got this scheme from! I’ve thought about it for years and finally decided to try it

    Some of us on the CL facebook page tried to peer-pressure him into attempting the blood-spatter effect, but he didn't give in 

I thought about it, but if I did it, I’d still be sitting there painstakingly trying to get the blood splatter right and would have gone insane more than likely 

[wwwarbird]

That’s exactly where I got this scheme from! I’ve thought about it for years and finally decided to try it

 You captured it perfectly, nice job!

[TDM]

Should have built it with a clear canopy. You could have put Dracula from Hotel Transylvania in the cockpit.

+1000
And he would have to say Bla bla bla bla bla on the soundtrack. That is because he never said bla bla bla bla bla bla

[Ken Culbertson]

Should have built it with a clear canopy. You could have put Dracula from Hotel Transylvania in the cockpit.

I think it has to be silver to keep from hypnotizing the judges and protect him from the sunlight.

ken

[Elwyn Aud]

Looked good.

[Matt Colan]

Got the first ten flights on Dracula today. After battling the usual issues with a new plane, tank shim and wing level, I started to see what it was made of. By the end of the day, we got it flying incredibly well. It’s one of the most locked in, hardest cornering, best tracking airplanes I’ve ever flown. Line tension galore everywhere in the pattern,  flies round loops automatically, and will have you fall asleep in level flight because it does it on its own.

It still needs a final tank shim, and a little more trim but I’m absolutely thrilled at how well this airplane has flown right off the bat 

[Ken Culbertson]

Got the first ten flights on Dracula today. After battling the usual issues with a new plane, tank shim and wing level, I started to see what it was made of. By the end of the day, we got it flying incredibly well. It’s one of the most locked in, hardest cornering, best tracking airplanes I’ve ever flown. Line tension galore everywhere in the pattern,  flies round loops automatically, and will have you fall asleep in level flight because it does it on its own.

It still needs a final tank shim, and a little more trim but I’m absolutely thrilled at how well this airplane has flown right off the bat 

Add to that that it looks great.  I would worry a bit about falling asleep around Dracula.

Ken

[Jim Svitko]

I thought Dracula could not tolerate daylight.  How is it that you can fly it in the daytime without the sunlight hitting it and causing it to burn up?

If you bring it to El Dorado, I will bring the crosses, holy water, and wooden stakes in case the plane attacks.  Do you transport it in a coffin? 

[Ken Culbertson]

I thought Dracula could not tolerate daylight.  How is it that you can fly it in the daytime without the sunlight hitting it and causing it to burn up?

If you bring it to El Dorado, I will bring the crosses, holy water, and wooden stakes in case the plane attacks.  Do you transport it in a coffin?

I think that the pilot is Dracula and that is why the silver.   If the canopy was clear he could only fly at night.

Ken

[Matt Colan]

I thought Dracula could not tolerate daylight.  How is it that you can fly it in the daytime without the sunlight hitting it and causing it to burn up?

If you bring it to El Dorado, I will bring the crosses, holy water, and wooden stakes in case the plane attacks.  Do you transport it in a coffin?

Unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to make the El Dorado contest.  I'm in Oklahoma City for the next month training for work so plans for the El Dorado and Houston contest have been put on hold 

[Matt Colan]

I think that the pilot is Dracula and that is why the silver.   If the canopy was clear he could only fly at night.

Ken

The rain drops on the canopy also help protect him from the sun!

[TDM]

I guess no one has seen "Hotel Transylvania" movie. You have to watch it is very funny. 
Matt this is a must when you fly the plane: Vampire fangs and cape.
I like the looks of it. And I also agree on the bold spatter requirement in the paint job .

[Jim Svitko]

I think Bela Lugosi would approve of your effort.  For the younger guys who have no idea who Bela Lugosi is, do a search.