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Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Doug Burright on December 22, 2014, 08:58:42 PM

Title: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Doug Burright on December 22, 2014, 08:58:42 PM: I finished the Vector. It is from a REAL kit that I acquired from a member on StuntHangar. It is a Randy Smith/Brodak kit, and was not one that a beginner should attempt-in my opinion. The build had a few head-scratcher moments; I forget what they were, now. It went together great for me, though! Built in slightly less than two months.

All balsa construction, covered with PolySpan and SIG dope. Power is an O.S. 40 FP, that has been massaged by Lew Woolard.
I will fly it just as soon as the weather allows. The engine is cowled-in very tight. The instructions did not show any allowance for an exit of the cooling air, and I did not provide one, but it may be necessary to cut out a portion of the bottom cowling-under the fuel tank area, if the engine becomes too warm in flight. Does anyone else have one of these, to offer suggestions?(http://)(http://)
A couple of daytime pictures, too. The trim is chrome silver, not black.
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Matt Colan on December 22, 2014, 11:31:31 PM: Hi Doug,

First, that is a very neat looking vector! Second, I've had two Vector ARF's, one with an LA 46 and one with a PA 40 UL on a pipe. You need to have an air exit out the back of the cowling to provide cooling for the engine. A 2:1 air exit-air opening will help cool the engine adequately.
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Andrew Hathaway on December 23, 2014, 12:37:25 AM: It looks really nice Doug! You will want to add a fairly large exit for the airflow so it can enter the front of the cowl, blow over the cooling fins and then exit the engine compartment. A hole in the bottom of the cowl behind the head should do the trick.
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Don Jenkins on December 23, 2014, 07:21:54 AM: Beautiful job! If it flies half as good as it looks you will have a very competitive plane. The Vector is a great design and mine flies quite well. I attached the only photo I have of the cowl opening I used and it keeps the LA .46 cool. I hope you get some good weather soon!

Don
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Don Jenkins on December 23, 2014, 07:22:56 AM: Quote from: Don Jenkins on December 23, 2014, 07:21:54 AM
Beautiful job! If it flies half as good as it looks you will have a very competitive plane. The Vector is a great design and mine flies quite well. I attached the only photo I have of the cowl opening I used and it keeps the LA .46 cool. I hope you get some good weather soon!

Don

OK now I attached a photo.
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: john e. holliday on December 23, 2014, 09:30:58 AM: The Vector looks great and should be a great ride for you. Hope to see this summer.
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Dave_Trible on December 25, 2014, 03:13:21 PM: That looks great Doug. Listen to the boys above. See you in Topeka.

Dave
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Will Hinton on December 25, 2014, 04:11:21 PM: That is one unique and terrific paint scheme!! I love it.
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Doug Burright on January 04, 2015, 05:43:29 AM: Thanks to everyone that looked, and those who left a comment.

I have two short flights on it, but it was fairly cold, so my body didn't open up to testing- just around and around, and some gentle maneuvers- nothing inverted, yet. The engine did not seem to overheat, I think the temperature was about 30 F. More about opening up a cowl vent soon, though.

And Ty... I'm glad you like the paint scheme on the VECTOR! I'm flattered that something I did would inspire a fellow modeller to use my design to be a part of his design. You'll have to show me! And you know...Purple is making a comeback!

Thanks again, DOUG
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Larry Renger on January 04, 2015, 02:44:11 PM: If he doesn't make theexit vent, it can too cook! LL~
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Doug Burright on January 05, 2015, 01:18:34 AM: Thanks Ty! I like the way you think.
When I show up at the field with a new plane, they don't ask what it is, they say,"Oh, another stupid purple one." I guess they never heard of team colors. Well, Purple IS making a comeback!

Doug.
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: john e. holliday on January 05, 2015, 08:06:37 AM: Go K-State. #^ #^ #^
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: afml on February 01, 2015, 11:40:20 AM: Quote from: Ty Marcucci on February 01, 2015, 07:29:51 AM
I don't think Kentucky 's colors are purple..... LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~

Got dat right!!!!
GO BIG BLUE!!!
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Doug Burright on February 18, 2015, 02:17:17 PM: I've had several good flights on the Vector, now. Trim seems to be right on, for now- I haven't done any square maneuvers, yet. Mostly, it was just getting accustomed to starting the inverted engine, with minimal hassle. Have just about got the system figured out. The Vector flies really smooth! My abilities need to come up to the capabilities of the airplane. This is really going to be a fun one! I 've been reading Bob Hunt's article in Model Aviation about the Reverse Wingover, because that is a maneuver that has been keeping me from advancing past Beginner Class. Thanks Bob! Now, we're just waiting on the weather.
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach on February 18, 2015, 03:18:49 PM: Gol'dang'it that's a purdy airyplane! Just beautiful. H^^
Title: Re: VECTOR is finished!
Post by: john e. holliday on February 18, 2015, 05:02:08 PM: Quote from: Ty Marcucci on February 01, 2015, 07:29:51 AM
I don't think Kentucky 's colors are purple..... LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~

Here in KANSAS K-State is KANSAS State in Manhatten KANSAS.