KitBuilder

Anyone build, fly the Estes Sweet Vee. My LHS has one for 99 bucks. Looks like a quick build but I'm not sure I'm sold on the nylon straps and glue to hold fuse to wing????

I found the manual [link=http://www.oldrocketplans.com/estes/est2116/est2116.pdf]here.[/link]

50+AirYears

I've had mine for a number of years, although the last couple I put a reinforcement on the trailing edge of the wing for a finger rest and often fly it as a hand launched glider. I've been satisfied with it, although I have found mine needs the highest power plugged motors you can find that fit.
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I was a bit late finding this topic, but if you haven't started building yet, get 2 or 3 hour setting epoxy, and follow the manual for the amount. You just need a light coating on the skins, just enough to give the skins a wet look. Mine uses Futaba .7 gram servos (S199?) and I've never had any trouble.

Also, make sure you pay attention to the instructions for which way the V tail turns. A V tail turns toward the DOWN elevon side, not the up.

Hope I wasn't too late. If you got the kit, enjoy it. RPBG is load of fun.

KitBuilder

hanks for the reply... one reason I haven't purchased yet is it seems the basic plugged motors (estes, etc) not easily found anymore.. large ones anyway. have flown V's before.. .What do you mean when you say a "Vtail turns toward the down elevon side".
Mike

50+AirYears

I think the details are in the instruction manual, but basically, as you hold a V tailed aircraft pointed away from you, and feed in say right rudder, the right elevator side should drop, and the left will go up to perform a right hand turn. Many people find this a bit confusing, since it works just opposite of ailerons. I've seen a couple V tailed planes re-kit on take-off because of this. I've personally found this confusing on the first couple, but I followed the manual, and never had any trouble, except when cranking in trim on the elevons. (or is the correct term rudervators?) My grandaughter gets me so confused sometimes. She's about 63.5 years younger and more active than mne.

ProBroJoe

I've been flying my Sweet Vee on and off now for about 15 years... Don't worry about finding motors for it - as long as Aerotech is making the 24mm F-12 reloadable, you have the perfect motor for it.... Seriously!

http://home.comcast.net/~jbwebst/SV-F12.wmv

Go for it dude!

50+AirYears

Wish mine looked that good but a few years ago, I had a sewer back-up in the basement, resulting in a bit of discoloration on the starboard wing.

Aerotech 24 mm reloadable without delay or ejection charge, obviously. I'll have to remember that in the future.

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

Love those black smoke motors!

ProBroJoe

Nah, go ahead and load up the delay charge - it helps to seal the forward closure, and it makes a nice little smoke trail... but DO omit the black powder ejection charge.



I dunno Vic, I'm kind of partial to the White Lighting motors, but they're a bit too brutal for the Sweet Vee... they'd prolly leave the wings behind!


http://home.comcast.net/~jbwebst/LH-MkII-E18.wmv

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

You just had to post the LHawk didn't you! [8D]

ProBroJoe

Yes... and if you build one, I'll sell you one of my 24mm motor cases cheap!

How's that for incentive?

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

When I build one I'll use one of the cases I made
I was thinking about going into production on them a few years ago and have some prototypes laying around.

ProBroJoe

Well, la-dee-dah, look at you...

I kinda figured that might be the case... Have you flown one yet?

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

I flew a couple of the engine cases but not an Lhawk.