Vega 35 by Lew McFarland

[tom brightbill]

I found the construction article for the Vega in the June '62 American Modeler.  Does anybody have any experience with it? Pros/cons? Thanks, Tom

[Balsa Butcher]

I would say it is worth a build. Don Hutchinson brought one to VSC maybe 10 years ago. I remember it as being a good flier. A nice alternative to the more common PT-19 as an open cockpit trainer stunt scale subject.  Plans available from Tom Dixon among others.

[tom brightbill]

Thank you sir.  The idea of something a bit different than the PT-19, yet keeping the style of the era, is what caught my eye. I'll check Tom's web sight. Do you recall what power Don used?

[Balsa Butcher]

I can't say for sure but he used FP-40's in a lot of planes at that time. He is a member of this forum so will probably chime in when he sees this post. Check out his profile warplane designs. They are excellent.

[Dan McEntee]

  Hi Tom;
     I would not hesitate to build anything that Mr. McFarland designed. I don't think he had a bad one. I like the look of the wing, and I thought I might have the original Hobby Helper plan, but that number, 662A, doesn't show up on my inventory list. I'll have to do a physical check this weekend.
     I don't think you will remember me, but I remember you from my R/C sailplane days. I flew the NATS at the sod farm in Lincoln, Nebraska, in '82 or '83 when you were flying with the Dodsen crew and flying Windsongs, if I remember correctly. I was with the St. Louis gang and several of us were flying Bird of Time. I was in the hunt in Unlimited until the last round and a drew a second to last slot in the flight order, about 6 o'clock in the evening and dead air! Hard to do a ten minute thermal duration in those conditions!
   I eased out of sailplanes in the late 80's and been doing the stunt thing ever since. I have some soaring stuff stashed away for one of these days, though. have you been in the stunt wars for long?
    Good luck and have fun,
    Dan McEntee

[Don Hutchinson AMA5402]

Hi-
Yes, I built a Vega some years back. A real nice flying airplane, had an FP 40 that I had retimed in it. They do not like to run rich! I pulled the nose up for the wingover and the engine just shut off. Sent the airplane home with Bob Brookins who fixed it up and still has it far as I know. A delightful little airplane! I have considered building another one.

[Bill Hummel]

I believe Lazer works has a short kit of this ship, based on the Tom Dixon drawings. 

[FLOYD CARTER]

That Vega looks like a knock-off of an early British lightplane.  Perhaps Miles?  Looks good.

Floyd

[Bart Klapinski]

         Don Hutchinson brought his Vega 35 to VSC and I had the honor of flying it. It was quite a good flying plane. I don't know the weight but, knowing Don, who is a championship Nordic Glider man, the Vega wasn't a heavy weight. I was so sorry that Don lost the model. It sure was a "cutie".

                Tempest

[tom brightbill]

Seeing Don's picture, and all the positive remarks has now put the Vega on the must do list. Maybe just behind the Shark....  Thanks all.

[Balsa Butcher]

Here's some inspiration for your Shark Project. That's Charles Reeves with an immaculate Shark 45 at VSC 25.

[tom brightbill]

BB, Yup, I saw Charlie fly it at VSC last year.  That was a great time for me as Charlie was one of the guys that tried to help me fly c/l as a kid in Paducah, Ky. in the early 60's.  45 years later...

[Steve Helmick]

That Vega looks like a knock-off of an early British lightplane.  Perhaps Miles?  Looks good.

Floyd

I only remember enough of the article to recall that the full scale plane was a USAAF competitor for a monoplane trainer, before WWII, and that it lost the competiton, although it was a good flying plane. And only one was built, but I can't recall what factory built it. Certainly not "a knock-off of an early British lightplane".  Steve

[Bart Klapinski]

      Look up Lockheed Vega 35 and you will see just a bit of info. on this plane. There are a couple other little known planes as well and some interesting comments from those who were involved. I found the comments about the Tri Star to be a bit captivating and some what contradictory to what I've heard from others. I was a passenger on a Tri-Star and it was very enjoyable.

                           Tempest

           

[tom brightbill]

Steve, I dug out the article and it only mentions that the Vega concern was a subsidiary of Lockheed, Burbanck. There's three photos of the real plane(s), two of what seems the same plane, and another with a different tail number and not as much, if any, paint.  This should be fun! (Oh yes, thanks for the stooge!  See you in Portland soon?)
Tom

[Mark_Gerber]

Hi Tom,

Here's another photo of Don's very nice Vega.  Build one and bring it to VSC next year.

Mark Gerber

[Randy Cuberly]

Here's some inspiration for your Shark Project. That's Charles Reeves with an immaculate Shark 45 at VSC 25.

Actually I think the picture of Charlie Reeves is with his "Humbler".  I believe it's a fore runner of the Shark.

Randy Cuberly

[tom brightbill]

Thanks for the picture Mark.  Is there a chance you could send me a higher res copy?  Maybe if I can get Jack to commit, it would be enough to get both of us back to the VSC.  Give him a little nudge, tell him that I need to know that he will go before I can build the Vega!

[Bill Little]

Actually I think the picture of Charlie Reeves is with his "Humbler".  I believe it's a fore runner of the Shark.

Randy Cuberly

Hi Randy,

Lew McFarland had a sense of humor.  He first called the Shark the "Humbler" in reference to the Nobler.  His "Ruffy" was a response to the "Smoothie".  As far as I know from talking to Charlie Reeves is that the Humbler is the same as the Shark "45". 

I seem to recall that Jetco may have come up with "Shark", but I could be wrong there.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM