jwmav528

I've started to build my vagabond 40 by Bluejay models. I have made progress on the fuselage so far. I have the fuselage sides, bulkheads and crossbraces installed. I am using primarily sigment because my building area (basement) is poorly ventilated and the use of CA always gets to me in there.

I am looking for ideas for covering so feel free to post pictures of your planes (preferrably classic pattern ships).

I also need input on how to set up some sort of wing jig. I was thinking I would be building the wing panels upside down because the plans show that there is dihedral in the bottom of the wings only.

I'm also deciding between engines. I already have a GMS 47 laying around that I'm not using but I am also thinking of an OS 40 SF (if I win the auction), 46 AX or Magnum 46. Any input on these is welcome.

I am having issues uploading pictures at the moment. As soon as I get is resolved, I will post them.

skypiratescotty

My Feedback: (32)

Looking forward to pics and following this thread. i've been looking at the Vagabond 40 for a while and just haven't pulled the trigger yet. This might light a fire under my butt. I couldn't really recommend an engine per say as I have no experience with this plane but I did just get a NIB GMS 76 for a steal and it is an awesome engine. Only have about five flights on it and it just gets better every flight (more power )!!

Scotty

jwmav528

Here are the pictures!

ckangaroo70

My Feedback: (51)

Very cool! I'll be watching with interest.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Bridi designs have always been my favorite and I have built tons of them over the years. Going through my photo files these are the only pattern planes I found, I know I have more, just recalled wherre I filed them but what the heck. This will give you an idea. My old Kaos 60, fourth covering job and a couple of new mods. The bottom of the plane is seen a lot more then the top so make sure you do something bold. Everyong I fly with was able to see the circles. They show up way better then just stripes. The Daddy rabbit was built by old school standards so I didn't do very many up to date mods at all. This plane tracks even better then the Kaos, built from plans.The Ariel is a 2 meter plane with a fiberglass fuse and foam core surfaces.
The Dirty Birdy is another Bridi design and a Blue Jay kit. Out of all the Bridi designs I think I like the Birdi best of all.
If you go into the classic pattern forum you can get a lot more covering ideas. Just make sure you can spot and tell the top from the botton on these planes or you can get into trouble in a hart beat.
I have the Ultra Sport 1000 kit for my next build. It's an 80 inch plane and we call it Grand Son of Bridi or Kaos. With a few mods I think it will be a good looking plane but I don't care for the cowl being mounted so far forward. I will change that little problem.
You can't go wrong with the Blue Jay kits, they stay true to Mr. Bridi and his designs. Very good wood too and the prices haven't gone up from Joe's original prices. Can't beat that with a stick!!!

jwmav528

Gray Beard: I really like your airplanes. Especially the circles, they are a very bold touch indeed. I am also a huge fan of your Dirty Birdy. I love those planes. A fellow club member used to have one right before he got into turbines and said that it flies like a jet. I am seriously considering building one. But that will come later after I get this Vagabond built, set up, in the air, trimmed and engine tuned. I also have two projects to wrap up before I'd get to it.

But back to your Dirty Birdy. I was considering black and yellow for my vagabond and I was thinking of some way to trim the underside to make it stand out. I love your circle and what looks like a tire track to me.

Scotty: I think I will definitely go with my GMS .47 for two reasons. 1) You and everyone else who says that they are great engines with a lot of power and 2) I already own it so I can save that money for my DLE modification that I'm doing on one of my other planes. I've read about carb leak issues but they all seem linked to improper carb installation so I will definitely make sure that gets sealed. I have the version from MECOA that came with the tuned muffler so it should sound real nice when it winds up too.

I haven't gotten anymore building done this weekend since I've been with my gf and her 4yo. But I should get a ton of work done on the fuselage this week. Progress is kind of slow because I have to wait longer for the Sigment to dry than CA but I like that I have the time to set things exactly where I want them and it forces me to be more precise and take my time. Both of which I like doing since I haven't built for a while.

jwmav528

I almost forgot to ask.  How did you set up the dual aileron servos in your Kaos 60?  I wanted to do something similar to that in my Vagabond.

skypiratescotty

My Feedback: (32)

ya know. i never really looked into it but now that you mention carb leak on the GMS it makes sense. i mean, mine idles forever even with the throttle barrel completely (?) closed. i assume it's still getting fuel somehow but i have to either pinch the fuel line or pull it off to shut her down. i guess this isn't such a "bad problem" to have so i just figure eventually it'll seal itself up.....i don't know.

sorry to go on about engines in your build thread here so i'll leave it at "good decision on your pick!"

scotty

markdam

My Feedback: (15)

oooooh goooody pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jwmav528

Here are some more pics.

jwmav528

I'm still having trouble uploading pictures forsome reason.  I have no idea why.  But here's an update.

I pulled the tail together and added all of thecrossbraces.  When I did this I created a bow in the radio compartment. After checking that everything was properly placed, I took two pieces ofaluminum angle stock and made a jig by clamping them to the bulkheads.  Ithen made the frame that goes underneath the cockpit and glued it in place andsanded it flush with the sides of the fuselage.  Earlier tonight, I addedthe wing mounting blocks and the triangle stock to reinforce them.  I hopeto get these pictures uploaded soon so that you all can see my progress. I'm liking how it looks so far.

Two things;
1:  I've decided on a trim scheme.  I'lldescribe it once I make final decisions of what I want to do.
2:  I'm going back and forth on whether ornot I want to add wing fairings.  I like the original lines a lot but I'veseen some kaos planes out there with wing fairings that look awesome.

skypiratescotty

My Feedback: (32)

just my opinion but I LOVE the look of wing fairings!!!! I'm sure it's extra work but well worth it. If it's worth doin', it's worth doin' right......an old man once told me "son, if you don't take the time to do it right the first time, when in the world are ya gonna find time to do it again?"

scotty

jwmav528

I'm having a lot of trouble with uploading the pictures.  I've seen forum post about RCU being buggy lately.  I'll get them uploaded in a day or two if RCU levels off and runs stable.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

My radio is a Futaba 9-C so it just uses ch. 1 and 7 or 1 and 6 for two ailerons. I also set up two elevator servos so my radio uses 2 and 8 for that. I use no Ys or leads. I solder in wire extensions on my servos. I hope that's what you were asking?

jwmav528

Success!!!

jwmav528

Two more. One of them is a distraction that my dad is building while I build mine. If I don't post for a bit that is a picture of the reason why. But this build is so quick that it shouldn't be a problem.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

I can frame up one of these old kits in a few days, then the build slows down, a lot! While in the bones I start deciding on where my gear is going to be placed or hard mounted. I finishe the build completely and have a working plane but still in the bones. That way I can get a good CG just by gear placement. It's more work but it pays off in the end. When it's time to cover I only remove things that will get in the way. Makes assembly after covering very easy. All of my control rods are already made up so I don't even have to do that.
I just love the older designs!

jwmav528

I love how easy this is going.  It goes together well enough for being my second build but open ended enough for me to make my own decisions about a few things.  I'm about to mount the engine and I will be adding the servo and radio tray once I design them along with the pushrods so I can get the locations of everything just right while it is "in the bones".  If this plane is as enjoyable to fly as it is to build, then I think that I will have a wonderful model this upcoming season!

jwmav528

Sorry for not posting for a bit. I've been really busy lately. I have the fuselage built up enough to start installing things so that it will go together a lot easier later. I test mounted the engine and I added rails in the radio compartment to mount the radio gear. The reason I chose rails is so that I can slide the radio gear fore and aft in order to place my cg where I want it without having to add extra weight. I have some ideas for a trim scheme floating in my head but I'm going to let you guys find that one out when the time comes. Let me know what you guys think so far. I'm open to lots of suggestions. Enjoy the pictures!

wildwillie3

Looks good, have you decided on a scheme yet?

Bill

jwmav528

I have decided on a scheme. I'm doing a few tweaks to it though.

wildwillie3

Any updates ?


Bill