Author Topic: Vector 40 Finishing (Read 2686 times)

Don Jenkins · « **on:** February 17, 2014, 06:33:25 AM »

It has taken quite some time to get to this point in the finishing process due to poor weather here in SC. Unusually cold and humid weather going on about 2 to 3 months has prevented me from spraying dope, we even got 6 inches of snow last week which is rare for this area. Anyway, I was able to spray two coats of white during a freakish warm dry day right before the snow storm, I brought the project in doors for masking. I attached a sketch of the intended paint scheme along with some pics of masking, which I actually enjoy although it is tedious, but much more fun than sanding.

Don

ray copeland · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2014, 10:58:42 AM »

Looking great so far Don! Can't wait to see it in person in May.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2014, 05:00:10 PM »

Thanks Ray. I shot the red trim and should be able to shoot some black tomorrow. Hopefully I can finish it up in the next week and see if it flies!

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2014, 06:16:01 PM »

Very nice!!!

Marcus

Matt Colan · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2014, 06:47:56 PM »

Looks great so far!!

Airacobra · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2014, 07:34:50 PM »

Great looking plane and nice paint job!

Will Davis · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2014, 07:37:09 PM »

White, red, black, never go wrong with that combination , looks good,

Ed Keller · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2014, 07:43:46 PM »

Don - I am just finishing a Vector 40, & it looks like you have slightly modified the shape of the tail. I was looking at the shape today after gluing the two pcs together, & don't like the shape, thinking of changing it. Is yours stock? Ed

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2014, 06:59:57 AM »

Ed and Ty,

I didn't care for the shape of the original fin and rudder, so I did modify it slightly, and Ty I have several other colored sketches of past paint schemes if you want to see those for ideas, just ask!!!

Don

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2014, 07:28:35 AM »

I had another good day for painting and shot the black trim. I have to admit my favorite part of building planes is pulling off the masking tape after the final color is on. Its like unwrapping a present at Christmas. I need to do a bit of touch up here and there and the weather looks good for the next few days so I should be able to get some clear on it and complete final assembly in the next week.

Alan Buck · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2014, 09:53:23 AM »

NICE JOB DON, cannot wait to see it fly at Huntersville

Bill Little · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2014, 11:05:58 AM »

Quote from: Don Jenkins on February 17, 2014, 05:00:10 PM

Thanks Ray. I shot the red trim and should be able to shoot some black tomorrow. Hopefully I can finish it up in the next week and see if it flies!

Hi Don,

Curiosity is about to kill this fat cat.......... what is the red material you are using to mask with?

Thanks
Bill

EddyR · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2014, 12:24:52 PM »

Stop pushing Don he will be calling me every day to go flying.

Oh no I forgot to paint the flaps.

This week is looking good Don
Ed

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2014, 01:26:58 PM »

looks good - but if I am completely honest - the second picture of your masking would have been the colour scheme I would have chosen..

the white, green and grey looks AWESOME ..... red, white and black - meh!

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2014, 06:30:54 PM »

I was able to get several coats of clear today, so once dry I'll epoxy the flaps and elevators into place (which I did remember to paint) mount the landing gear, tank and engine and go fly with Ed Ruane. Thursday still looks good for flying Ed!!! Bill, I mask with the green 3M auto tape so the red you see in the one photo is after I sprayed the red trim and pulled the mask off of the areas to be painted black, so it appears I have masked with red materials.

RandySmith · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2014, 08:07:46 PM »

lookin Good Don....

Randy

wwwarbird · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2014, 09:04:17 PM »

Great looking model Don, nice job!

Please post a few more pics once it's all assembled...

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2014, 06:49:44 AM »

Thanks for the compliments guys, I appreciate it. I will post a few more pics once its complete.

Don

Bill Little · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2014, 08:52:16 AM »

Hi Don,

Thanks for the answer, I just didn't see the picture too well or I might have caught that! LOL!!

BTW: That is probably the prettiest Vector I have seen! Extremely good job on it.

Brodak dope or??

Thanks, again
Bill

P.S. I hope to get to Huntersville and see it in person.

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2014, 06:57:50 AM »

Yes, Brodak dope with Crystal Clear. Since I have not progressed to the point of inking and polishing my planes and I just live with however the final coat of clear turns out, the Crystal Clear gives it a bit of pop.

Eric Viglione · « **Reply #20 on:** February 20, 2014, 03:00:07 PM »

That looks great Don! If it flies as good as it looks, you are golden.
EricV

Bill Little · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2014, 09:18:47 AM »

Quote from: Don Jenkins on February 20, 2014, 06:57:50 AM

Yes, Brodak dope with Crystal Clear. Since I have not progressed to the point of inking and polishing my planes and I just live with however the final coat of clear turns out, the Crystal Clear gives it a bit of pop.

Hi Don,

It does look great. As to "rubbing out" the finish, that is a time consuming but simple affair. Not a whole lot more than waxing your car. You use some super fine sandpaper to "flatten" the surface then rubbing compound and wax. Just takes time and caution with the sandpaper.

It is the process used on Hot Rod show cars.

BIG Bear

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2014, 06:55:51 AM »

The Vector is finished except I cannot find the needle valve!!! It came out at 49 ounces ready to fly which was under my goal of 50 ounces. An OS Max .46 LA and a 12 X 4 APC sport prop on 60 to 63 foot lines ought to work well I hope! I'll let the dope cure for a few more days, find the needle valve, and post the results of test and trim flights.

Don

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2014, 07:36:55 AM »

I like the paint scheme!!

Marcus

john e. holliday · « **Reply #24 on:** February 22, 2014, 10:01:11 AM »

That is so nice. I love it.

EddyR · « **Reply #25 on:** February 22, 2014, 10:10:48 AM »

Now I will need to wear sun glasses to launch his plane on a cloudy day. All of Don's planea are like this one, Front Row Finish

Is that my phone ringing

? "Hay Ed lets go flying"
We did fly this week at the Huntersville field.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2014, 06:10:56 PM »

Quote from: MarcusCordeiro on February 22, 2014, 07:36:55 AM

I like the paint scheme!!

Marcus

Me too! Very nice looking plane. Good luck finding that NV...

Steve

wwwarbird · « **Reply #27 on:** February 24, 2014, 07:26:59 PM »

Very nice work Don, great looking plane.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2014, 02:52:02 AM »

I like it, too. Great colors. I'm glad you didn't keep the masking tape.

RC Storick · « **Reply #29 on:** March 01, 2014, 01:21:34 PM »

Looks great. That nose layout looks familiar.

55chevr · « **Reply #30 on:** March 01, 2014, 03:32:31 PM »

I really like it ... everything works ...

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #31 on:** March 02, 2014, 06:54:00 AM »

Thank you gentlemen for the compliments. Sparky, I saw your beautiful Continental at Brodak's last year and really liked the overlapping paint scheme on the nose, so I told myself I have to use something like that on my next plane.
Thanks for the idea!!!

Don

55chevr · « **Reply #32 on:** March 02, 2014, 08:00:13 AM »

Don,

I like understated paint schemes that grab your attention. Very nice.

RC Storick · « **Reply #33 on:** March 02, 2014, 08:52:50 AM »

Quote from: Don Jenkins on March 02, 2014, 06:54:00 AM

Thank you gentlemen for the compliments. Sparky, I saw your beautiful Continental at Brodak's last year and really liked the overlapping paint scheme on the nose, so I told myself I have to use something like that on my next plane.
Thanks for the idea!!!

Don

That's ok I copied Tom Warden. Looks good

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #34 on:** March 09, 2014, 06:31:43 AM »

I got in two flights yesterday with the new Vector and it flies great and turns on a dime! I flew the entire pattern on the second flight without any issues, but I think it may need a bit more tip weight and I will fly it on longer lines next time with a little richer NV setting, but otherwise I couldn't be more pleased. Great design Randy Smith!!!

Author Topic: Vector 40 Finishing (Read 2686 times)

Eric Viglione