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All Forums >> TEAM RCU >> Team RCU - Don Szczur >> Magic VF3 building thread
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Magic VF3 building thread - 1/8/2008 5:20:25 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		I was considering a building thread on the Mike Hester design Magic, if there is interest. I like to take the building one step at a time, if that would be helpful to those considering building this kit.

Since I've been flying the Brio design for a while, now entering the 4th season, it seems that the time is right to move on to another design. I flew this Magic last fall, version VF3. I specifically observed the handling during knife edge loop and rolling loop maneuvers required in F09, as well as the snap to knife edge. This flew superior to all designs I've flown to date. The decision to go this route was an easy one.

Don
       Post #: 1

RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/9/2008 3:52:41 AM   
DMichael


 

Posts: 747
Joined: 11/1/2002
From: Laurel, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Sounds awesome Don- bring it on.


I'll give you $100 for your Brio. Just let me know when to come over and pick it up.


Dave

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/9/2008 5:21:40 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks Dave here we go.

OK, well the first thing I did was glue the two fuselage pieces together and then added the four stringers. I used a small tool for sanding good 45 degree angles on the stringer pieces. Used the bulkheads and formers to position the stringers.

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/9/2008 5:25:23 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		I glued the three firewall pieces together. There is a plywood piece, a balsa piece in the back, with the ply circle in the middle. I drew a center line and the engine offset line, offset per the instructions. I put some weight on it to let it dry.

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/9/2008 5:32:05 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Then I put the doublers in. I put the wing and stab tube in to make sure they were aligned, but found I could get them better aligned by just putting the fuselage sides back-to-back and then carefully positioning them so they are aligned. A triangle helped get these within about a 64th of an inch accuracy. The laser cut pieces are very accurate and easy to work with. I lightly sanded the edges of the doublers to get them to fit between the stringers. Then I added some weight to let them dry. Note the straight edge use when gluing the fuselage sides together.

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/9/2008 5:40:33 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		For the rear doublers I used the stab center rib to position the second-to-last doubler in the right spot. Also note the difference in length at the front of the right and left side in the picture above. This provides the appropriate right thrust built in.

Tonight while waiting for the fuselage things to set I trimmed the vertical fin sheeting and sanded the surface with a sanding block. I glued the leading edge on to the fin. I took a triangle-size piece out of the leading edge which saved a few grams of weight. The LE does not go all the way to the base because that part will eventually get trimmed off. It extends upward to allow for the top plate, or to be trimmed off depending on the approach.

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/10/2008 4:48:26 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Fin tip fitted, and in place. I dremel'd out the inside of the forward stab tip, saved another gram. I did not glue to the rear part of the fin because that will be cut out for the rudder.

Stab sheeting edges sanded. Its nice to match them up to check and they are in fact perfectly sized and matched.

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/10/2008 5:41:21 AM   
Jeff Boyd 2



Posts: 332
Joined: 3/18/2005
From: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Status: online 		This is great, Don . .

Following it with interest

Jeff

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/11/2008 4:59:04 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Stab Leading edges glued on. Masking tape holds it tight to the stab, per the instructions. A block with 80 grit works effectively to true up the LE, TE, tip and root area of the wing. It is very precisely cut and sheeted, and very light.

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/13/2008 6:04:58 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Sanded leading edges with 80 grit sandpaper and large sanding block. Balsa is light and it sands quickly. Per plans just sanded bevel but not the rounded LE.

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/13/2008 6:09:46 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		more pictures

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RE: Magic VF3 building thread - 1/13/2008 6:16:33 AM   
Don Szczur



Posts: 959
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Chantilly, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Now, mark the lines on the control surfaces to cut them out. Rudder is first. Notice I did not glue the rear of the top part of the rudder to the block which facilitates the easier cutting out. The rudder, fins, and wings stay in the chuck which really helps to use a band saw for a straight cut. Cleaned up with sanding block. Ailerons measured per plans. Note recessed section for 1/4 sheet Wing TE cut which strenthens the section where the aileron cutout corner starts.

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