Author Topic: Vector ARF (Read 5587 times)

Sam Laughery · « **on:** April 13, 2006, 09:39:05 PM »

I picked up my Vector ARF at Brodak's today. They just came in yesterday. It looks pretty good. I did a little work on it tonight. Hope to finish it up tomorrow so I can fly it on Saturday. Quite a dif from the kit I've been working on for six months or so. I'll put some more info and pics up tomorrow.

Sam

frank carlisle · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2006, 11:34:40 PM »

They are shipping mine today (friday) so i'll probably have them weds. or thurs. next week.
I'm glad you're posting pics of yours today, I really didn't want to wait too long to see 'em.

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2006, 09:53:00 PM »

Here are a couple of pics. Very much like the kit vector particularly the cowl which has to be carved to fit your engine. As you can see on the pics I haven't carved mine yet. If I can't complete by tomorrow it will have to wait for a week or so. Going to Myrtle Beach to play some golf.

Sam

Bill Little · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2006, 10:02:12 PM »

Quote from: slamminsam on April 14, 2006, 09:53:00 PM

Here are a couple of pics. Very much like the kit vector particularly the cowl which has to be carved to fit your engine. As you can see on the pics I haven't carved mine yet. If I can't complete by tomorrow it will have to wait for a week or so. Going to Myrtle Beach to play some golf.

Sam

Naw, you should come here to the Pinehurst Area for your Golf!

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2006, 10:07:07 PM »

We are getting a Condo on the beach at Myrtle for free. Hard to pass up. I've played 5 or 6 of the Pinehurst courses including #2. Fantastic place. I prefer it to Myrtle. I'll be moving to Wendell NC near Raleigh in the next year or so. Not sure how far that is from Pinehurst.

Sam

frank carlisle · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2006, 10:24:39 PM »

Before you go...will you please post a pic of the cowl?

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2006, 01:38:47 AM »

Is this pic of your kit Vector that you built, or the ARF that you bought the day before you posted this pic?
Thanks,
Chris...

Quote from: Sam Laughery on April 14, 2006, 09:53:00 PM

Here are a couple of pics. Very much like the kit vector particularly the cowl which has to be carved to fit your engine. As you can see on the pics I haven't carved mine yet. If I can't complete by tomorrow it will have to wait for a week or so. Going to Myrtle Beach to play some golf.

Sam

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2006, 07:55:26 AM »

Chris,

These are pics of the ARF. Here are a couple of pics of the cowl. The all white one is from the kit I'm building. The ARF cowl came without any holes for the engine. I've just started cutting holes for my Brodak 40. As you can see, some carving required.

Sam

brucefinley · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2006, 08:21:51 AM »

Is the cowl foam???

Bruce

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2006, 09:13:10 AM »

No it's all balsa except for the plywood former.

Sam

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2006, 09:18:28 AM »

Sam
Could you post a picture of the bottom of the plane without the cowl just to see how much engine and tank room there is? how does it ballance with the Brodak 40, I'm thinking four stroke
Willis

Leester · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2006, 03:27:50 PM »

What size 4s?

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2006, 04:28:02 PM »

I'm thinking Saito 40 or if it won't fit, a Brodak 40. If it needs more power a LA 46. I'm waiting for my ARC to arrive shortly, I hope.
Willis

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2006, 05:21:12 PM »

The Saito 40 won't fit. Looks like the OS 46 would be a tight fit. The Brodak 40 is a perfect fit.

Sam

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2006, 07:00:25 PM »

Quote from: Willis Swindell on April 15, 2006, 09:18:28 AM

Sam
Could you post a picture of the bottom of the plane without the cowl just to see how much engine and tank room there is? how does it ballance with the Brodak 40, I'm thinking four stroke
Willis

Here it is. I don't have it completely together so I haven't attempted to ballance it.

Sam

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2006, 09:09:04 PM »

I see an easy fix to use the Saito 40, but there might be problems with the muffler and tank in the cowl.
Willis

Harleyman · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2006, 10:06:36 AM »

Sorry if I missed it but, does the ARF come with a fuel tank?

Leester · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2006, 01:01:59 PM »

Won't swear to this one but my Oriental did not.

Mike Clark · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2006, 02:27:23 PM »

Hi Guys,
How tight a fit is the LA46? If it is a tight so then will be the LA40 or Fp35 or 40. I wonder, was the vector built for the B40 only? Just a thought because some of the Brodak P40's surly were or at least that's the way it looks.

What engines were listed on the building manual?

Mike Clark

frank carlisle · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2006, 03:16:20 PM »

Mike,
I haven't gotten my hands on a Vector ARF yet. I have some on the way.
I'd think with a little effort you will be able to fit most any .40 size engine inti it. The Brodak .40 would be a good choice, but any will do.

Perry Pelham · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2006, 03:21:56 PM »

The LA 40 and LA46 have the same footprint. The LA's will fit with minimal sanding/ carving on the bearers. But as Frank said the Brodak 40 would be a good choice.

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2006, 10:25:15 PM »

Mine is going to get an Aero Tiger 36!!!!!!!

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2006, 11:24:23 PM »

I have an LA 46 in mine ( kit built) but cant see why the ARF/ARC version would be too much different.....the 46 fits in easily......

Leester · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2006, 12:04:36 PM »

What tank do the dirrections recommend?

Bruce Shipp · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2006, 06:37:40 AM »

will a ST 46 fit?

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2006, 03:35:15 PM »

I got my first flight in today. I hadn't put in any tip weight and the outside wing was up quite a bit. I thought I had some weights in my flight box but didn't so I only got in the one flight. It flew very well considering the wind.

Here are a couple of problems I ran into while putting it together.

Nylon hinges were included although the control surfaces were not notched. The cuts for the hinges were longer than necessary. I used the nylon hinges for the wing and CA hinges for the elevator. I should have used the CA hinges for both. The nylon hinges left a big gap between the wing and ailerons.

The gussets for the elevators were the wrong shape. I trimmed them to fit and they worked fine.

Shaping the cowl was a little more than I expected for an ARF but it came out fine. After coating the inside with epoxy I used Miss Ashley red to coat the wood that was exposed around the engine. Seemed to match pretty well.

All in all it went together well. Hopefully I'll get in some flights tomorrow.

Sam

frank carlisle · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2006, 03:45:54 PM »

Sam,
If you'd put up a picture or two of your finished model I'd be a happy camper.

I got 5 of the Vectors from Brodak last Friday. Sold two SaturdaY. I looked at them a little it's a pretty well finished model.

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2006, 04:22:35 PM »

Frank,

Nothing worse than an unhappy camper.

Sam

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #28 on:** April 25, 2006, 04:24:24 PM »

One more pic.

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #29 on:** April 28, 2006, 02:14:48 PM »

Happy Camper,

One last tidbit on the Vector ARF, it weighs 43 Oz. with a Brodak 40 and wheel pants.

Sam

frank carlisle · « **Reply #30 on:** April 28, 2006, 04:48:58 PM »

That's a sharp model you did a nice job on the cowling. That B .40 will treat you good. I KNOW you're flying it this weekend.

Be careful though so you don't have to post pics on the crash and repair thread.
And thanks for all the pics.

Perry Pelham · « **Reply #31 on:** April 29, 2006, 10:18:31 AM »

A flight report with the Brodak 40 would greatly be appreciated. How did it balance? Lap speed, line length etc. Thanks, Perry

Leester · « **Reply #32 on:** April 29, 2006, 01:24:58 PM »

Looks like the muffler could stand some time in the crock pot.

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #33 on:** April 29, 2006, 07:22:24 PM »

I finally got in some good flights today with the Vector ARF. It wasn't a particularly great day as the wind shifted constantly usually in mid pattern. I'm using a Brodak 40 an APC 11X5 and 60 foot lines. I put 3/4 Oz in the outboard wing, 1/4 Oz on the tail and put the adjustable leadouts right in the middle. I took the first flight very lean, over 10K RPM. Lap time was under 4.5 seconds. It took several flights tweaking the flaps to get the wings level. I ended up with the outboard flap up about 1/8 inch. There may be a slight warp in the wing but I haven't had a chance to take a real good look at it. I had fixed a couple of warps in the flaps the night before with my heat gun. The balsa in the flaps is very soft. That may be something to swap out some day. That way I could reduce the gap some. I adjusted the motor a couple of times working my way down to about 9500 RPM which was about right. Lap time a hair over 5 seconds. It flies fantastic. Glides perfectly and lands very soft. A few more minor tweaks and it will be the best pattern plane I have and it looks great.
I think I'm going to keep it.

I hope the one I'm building from the kit flies as well.

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #34 on:** April 29, 2006, 07:45:03 PM »

What is the dry weight of your Vector 40 ARF?
Thanks,
Roger V.

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #35 on:** April 29, 2006, 07:46:00 PM »

43 Oz.

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #36 on:** April 29, 2006, 07:51:59 PM »

Thanks, sent an e-mail
Roger v.

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #37 on:** April 29, 2006, 08:26:46 PM »

Leester,

Thought you knew, the new Brodak 40 mufflers come in two colors, metalic silver and brown.

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #38 on:** May 05, 2006, 09:44:40 AM »

I have started my Vector ARC but i’m going to make a few changes I’m going to cut about a quarter of a inch off the nose so I can use a 2 inch spinner I like my two and three bladed plastic spinners. then i’m cutting out the outboard tip to match the inboard one and adding a adjustable outboard aileron. The adjuster idea is one that I stole from someone at the King Orange this year.
Willis

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #39 on:** May 11, 2006, 06:23:45 PM »

Great idea Willis. I don't know why I didn't think of that. The kit has one built in. Before the tab I had to put the outboard flap up about an eighth of an inch to get it to fly level. With the adjustable tab I was able to even out the flaps. The tab is up about 3/16". I got in about 15 flights on Wed. It's a great flyer. Here is the setup I wound up with.

Lines 65', 11X5 Zinger wooden prop, Brodak 40 at 9400 RPM.

Sam

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #40 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:48:14 PM »

Sam
Are you having any cooling problems with your engine? I’m planing to make my cowl like yours with what I call smoke stack cooling. It works fine on speed planes goes in the front and blows out the top. The head fins have to be exposed. I used it on a magnum about 10 years ago and it worked fine.
Willis

Sam Laughery · « **Reply #41 on:** May 11, 2006, 10:20:13 PM »

Willis,

No problem at all. As you can see I left a lot of room around the engine and the head fins are exposed.

Sam

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #42 on:** May 12, 2006, 06:24:49 AM »

Sam,
Did you have to add nose or tail weight to your plane?

Will start mine this week, plan to do a "pin it together" weight and balance before assembling.
thanks,
Roger

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #43 on:** May 12, 2006, 11:11:49 AM »

Here some pictures of my cowl cooling system. I have used this system for years in speed planes but with tighter tolerances then stunt. The air is forced through the fins and out the top rear behind the engine. The duct system keeps air moving close to the rear of the engine pulling off the heat. I have used this in a Magnum years ago and it worked great, at least for me. I haven't made my mind up to what kind of air intake I’m going to cut, probably do the same thing Sam did with his.
Willis

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #44 on:** May 12, 2006, 11:15:24 AM »

A few more pictures
Willis

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #45 on:** May 12, 2006, 11:25:02 AM »

A few more notes on what I’m doing to my Vector I had to grind the bell crank mount a little to use the inside push rod hole. The cowl mounting slots was just balsa so I installed some 1/64 plywood for extra strength and to tighten the cowl in the mounts.
Willis

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #46 on:** May 12, 2006, 11:38:35 AM »

This is where I stand now The out board tip on top is opened up to match the inboard tip. With a Brodak 40 I’m worried about coming out tail heavy, It’s going to be close.

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #47 on:** May 12, 2006, 10:41:10 PM »

Looks great Willis! Maybe it won't be raining/windy on Sunday, and you can test fly it since you'll be finished by then!

Do you still need a spinner?

Steve

Author Topic: Vector ARF (Read 5587 times)

Willis Swindell

Willis Swindell

Willis Swindell

Bruce Shipp

Willis Swindell

Willis Swindell

Willis Swindell

Willis Swindell

Willis Swindell

Willis Swindell