Venture 60 Fun...
 

One of my favorite moments in building is putting it all together the first time before finishing.

Some of you work slow? I started this kit almost four years ago, built a few others along the way, and am now trying to get it finished before summer.

V60 enthusiasts can never see enough pictures, so enjoy. Those with a keen eye can note the little changes I've made.

Gary

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Very nice job, looks well worth the time you spent on it. what size of saito did you use?

Dwaine

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Thanks for the compliment. I do have a lot of time into it, but two other kits also got a lot of time while this one sat on the sidelines. I seem to average about one kit a year; can't wait to retire (only 20 years to go :eek: ) so I can bump that average up.

It'a a Saito 91 that's never been run. I bought it when I started this project, and now Saito's generous 3 yr warranty has already run out! Oh well; of all the hobby products out there, Saito probably concerns me the least. At least I know there are plenty of parts out there for this engine if I do have a problem.

Gary

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Nice workmanship. Please post some pics after you get it covered

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Thanks! I'll be sure to post finished pictures too. Gary

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Wow - can't believe it was six years ago that I started this thread, and just now finished my Venture 60.

It's been a long path for this model. I started it in 2001 and originally set it up for a Saito 91. I then built several other models, and eventually decided to go electric with this one. The first flights were a dream - best flying model I have.

It's covered with Koverall and Brodak dope. I used a Hacker A50-14L with 8S lipos, controlled by CC Phoenix Ice 75. With a 16x8E APC prop, I only draw about 45 amps static, with over 10 pounds of thrust on the ground. Performance is spirited.

Finally, I can enjoy flying this one this summer and move something else onto the building board!

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Really Sweet;);) Of all the models I have built and flown, the Venture 60 is tied for top place in the fun category. I have a Senior Telemaster with an OS 70 that is a hoot. Hammer Head stall turns at 40 feet above the ground, touch and go landings followed by 60 degree banked turn away from the runway on lift off, etc. A really good low altitude show is possible with the Telemaster. The Venture 60 was also very predicable and fun to fly. And of course, decent acro can be done with the V60. Again, your plane is very nice.

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Hey Gary, pretty cool V60! Congrats on getting her finished. Hope you enjoy your flying season with it...

That canopy paint job really changes the personality of the model. I like it!

What was your final weight with batteries installed? What landing gear and wheel pants?

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Very nice project.  I have wanted to build a V60 for quite some time now.  Does anyone know when they will be available again?</p>

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Thanks Bruce, Charles, & Airbus! I like the way the canopy came out too. The receiver and wire bundles are under it, so I knew I wasn't going to keep it clear. I had to come up with several schemes before settling on that one.

The main gear is the extended version that you sell, and the pants are from Fiberglass Specialties. I admit that I chickened out and removed the pants for the first flights. Good thing, as I ran it off the runway and into the plowed dirt once. I used a Sullivan unit for the tail gear.

The AUW is 9 pounds, which is much heavier than your design. The extra weight is primarily from the original build for the Saito (fuel proofing was already done), sheeting the leading edge, the fabric & paint, and a host of other little things that I like to customize my models with (e.g. the control surfaces are removable). Even so, it still flew like a dream and fits my preference for gentle sport flying very well. The extra weight will help flying in the constantly windy conditions we alway seem to have, and I found that I could stick it to the runway pretty easy without any floating. Stalls were gentle, straight, & much slower than my usual approach speed.

It sounds like Charles is waiting for you to cut some kits again!

Gary

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

I love the paint scheme, simple but striking.  Very nice job.

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Still looks like three or four months at least, sorry. Working on UAV contracts with deadlines, they have to be top priority. All of the material is here for another run of V60 kits, I just have to get the schedule cleared. As always, I'm happy to add anyone who is interested to my notify-when-ready email list for the V60. Send me a quick email saying "add me to the list" and you will hear from me as soon as they are ready.

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

GAP-RCU.........I have a V60 on my to do shelf.........I want to ask you how you sheeted the leading edge? That is something I want to do but do not want to mess up the ribs if I don't have to. If you don't want to go into it here just PM me with your comments and thanks in advance.
Andy

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

I see that it doesn't say PM on my post but if I check my profile it says that I have PM allowed.........I'm confused on what to do???

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Oldtyme, the sheeting was simple, but I did it only because I planned to use a fabric covering rather than plastic, and wanted a solid torque box that comes with D wing construction. I like the looks of it too, but it does add weight, which is not what many like to do. It's been 8-9 years since I did that sheeting, but I'll try to remember as best I can (getting harder the older I get!!).

I used the same thickness sheet that BTE uses around the center wing area. It was a simple matter of trimming that thickness from the ribs between the main spar and leading edge (before rib assembly, of course). I believe there is a stringer that needs to be inset further into the ribs as well. The curves are gentle, so the sheeting bends easy by moistening the outer side. I sheeted one side while the wing frame was still pinned to the board, then flipped it over, repinned the wing to the board, and sheeted the other side. If I recall correctly, a portion of the bottom sheeting, at the centerline, needs to remain off until after you have mostly completed the fuselage, and match drilled the forward wing dowels. As you can see from the pictures in the first post, the sheeting butts up to and is flush with the main spar cap. It also butts against the existing leading edge stock (not overlaps it). That's about all there is to it. Good luck!

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

If anyone on this old thread is interested, Bruce Tharpe just made another run of Venture 60's.

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

Does anyone remember the thread, several years back, where that fellow did some serious modding to a V60? I couldn't find it, but then my search-fu isn't that strong...

I remember he had an ingenious way of closing the nose in; I'd like to see that again.

I built one stock over 10 years ago; going to call tomorrow and order another one. As far as I'm concerned, its the ultimate BIY sport plane. My first one had a 70 Surpass; unfortunately, I am extremely underwhelmed with current OS four strokes, so I'll probably try a Saito 82 in the new one.

.

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

I wonder if you were thinking of this thread by Damifino. I can't seem to get the link to work, but do a search for: My Modified Venture 60 Colors. The guy does amazing work.

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

That's the guy. I wish we could access the other entire thread; it was full of great ideas.

.

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_20..._1/key_/tm.htm Try this.

John

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

That's it; excellent.

Thanks, John.

.

RE: Venture 60 Fun...
 

It works cause he raised the dash to blend in the cowl to the spinner. You have a smooth arc instead of the abrupt transition that you get if you just cut off the cheeks and blend to the spinner. It is one great looking plane.
John