Vector Finally Finished (well almost)

[Sam Laughery]

I've nearly finished my Vector hopefully in time for the Flyin.  I've built quite a few planes mostly RC but this is the first one I've buffed out.  After all that elbow grease sure hope it flies.  Hopefully I'll find out if the rain ever stops.  Here are a couple of pics.

Sam

[Leester]

Nice job, it will definatley stand out.

[frank carlisle]

hey sam that looks good. and it'll fly.

[Sam Laughery]

Thanks Frank.  I'll let you know.

Sam

[Randy Powell]

I like the canopy. It's different.

[RandySmith]

HI Sam

Nice  job
the plane  looks  like it will show very well in th e air  and  on the ground

Randy

[Tom Cappadona]

Sam,

Sure is a nice looking plane and should be a great flyer!  Best of luck!

trcap1

[Sam Laughery]

Man is this thing tail heavy.  It balanced at about 4 inches back from the LE.  Took 8-10 Oz to get it to the correct CG.  Anyone else having similar problems with the Vector?  My Vector ARF was good right out of the box.  If I have to add that much weight I'm going to need a bigger engine.  I have an TT 46 I could use but I'd have to trim the crap out of the cowl.  Anyone out there have an 8 Oz spinner?

[bob branch]

You might want to check the accuracy of the recommended cg. My Brodak ARF vector 40 manual specified a CG 1 7/8 inches aft the leading edge. It looked way wrong so I contacted Randy Smith. He said the plane is designed for a cg 2 7/8 to 3 1/4 inches behind the leading edge. Mine balanced 2 7/8 with a Brodak .40 and stock muffler and when I went to a chip muffler went to 3 1/4 inces back. It flies very nicely there.

bob branch

[RandySmith]

Man is this thing tail heavy.  It balanced at about 4 inches back from the LE.  Took 8-10 Oz to get it to the correct CG.  Anyone else having similar problems with the Vector?  My Vector ARF was good right out of the box.  If I have to add that much weight I'm going to need a bigger engine.  I have an TT 46 I could use but I'd have to trim the crap out of the cowl.  Anyone out there have an 8 Oz spinner?

Hi The plane  normally balances  at  3 inches from the leading edge, this is near the high point of the airfoil.
I have never  seen one  take  8 to 10 ounces to balance?
What is the weight of the  plane?

Regards
Randy

[Sam Laughery]

Hi Randy,

I appreciate your help.  The plane is very heavy.  I knew it would be when I was building it and decided to  plank the wings and glass the wing and fuselage.  I also did some major damage to the elevator and fuselage when I dropped a heavy metal object off of a high shelf onto the plane.  I'm sure the repair added weight to the rear of the plane.  Fully loaded it weighs 55 Oz.  I balanced it again using 3 1/4 inch CG and it required  6 Oz. on the nose.  I hope to try it tomorrow as is and see how it flies.  Any suggestions?

Sam

[RandySmith]

HI Sam

I wished I had  something  better I could tell you, most of these  planes  weigh 40  to 45  ounces, 55 ounces  I am afraid  , maybe more weight  than the plane can handle and still fly well, what will it weigh  when you add the 6 ounces  of nose  weight?
I can tell you that it is  very  tail  heavy  and  that almost always  comes  from  way  too much  finish. Can you  refinish  and  lighten up the rear  of the  plane?

If not  I would suggest  flying it  tail heavy  with a  handle  that  has  about a  3 
to 3 1\2 inch  span.
Let me know when  it gets  in the air,  the plane  will  fly, I just am not sure  how  well

Regards
Randy

[Sam Laughery]

Thanks Randy.  I'll let you know how I make out.  If the plane was in the 40-45 Oz range and well trimmed, what would you recommend the span be on the handle?

Sam

[stunt1]

Hey Sam,
For a first attempt at a stunter for C/L, that's a beautiful job. Good luck with it and I understand your frustration with the rain. We've been getting a lot here in NY also and our back circle at Flushing Meadows Park, looks like a lake front piece of property. The other day when the guys went flying they said there was a duck family swimming in the water.
Yours in STUNT,
Bob "Champione" Lampione

[Sam Laughery]

Thanks Bob.  It looks pretty good but might not fly as well as I'd like.  I'll know tomorrow.  If not I'll fly my Vector ARF instead.  See you at the Flyin.

Sam