Do epoxy/glass models rot over time?
03-03-2016, 07:37 AM
#1
Do epoxy/glass models rot over time?
I have a very old BVM bandit (Original full composite), never started. Owner said he bought it in 1998 from BVM. I never had anything this old. No idea how it has been stored.
The inside is a dark yellow. Is this normal or a bad sign?
Don't want to put a brittle turbine model in the air for everyone's safety. My guess is its fine but better safe than sorry.
To be clear, its a new kit so its never been built so its not from fuel.
Thanks.
The inside is a dark yellow. Is this normal or a bad sign?
Don't want to put a brittle turbine model in the air for everyone's safety. My guess is its fine but better safe than sorry.
To be clear, its a new kit so its never been built so its not from fuel.
Thanks.
03-03-2016, 10:52 AM
#4
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I think it'll be fine. There are full size composite gliders from the early 70s still flying. I have a BVM Viper from about '91 that I built for EDF that is structurally solid.
03-03-2016, 11:09 AM
#6
The dark yellow color is from the type of epoxy that BVM used for all of there lay-ups. If you where ever to see an old Aggressor from back in the day they where the same way.
The kit should be fine if it was stored inside the house.
If it's in the original box that would be even better..
The kit should be fine if it was stored inside the house.
If it's in the original box that would be even better..
Last edited by Greg Wright; 03-03-2016 at 11:56 AM.
03-03-2016, 02:16 PM
#10
Good quality epoxy resin/glass lay ups are exceptionally stable, chemical resistant and for the most part don’t really age at all if kept away from direct sun and high temperatures.. . As Oli stated, extended exposure to UV will degrade epoxy. The exposed surface gets a white/chalky coating, but this takes years. High temperatures also will damage epoxy/glass, along with repeated flexing, or over bending..
The wood parts of your kit will degrade much faster than the FRP parts..
Nice find by the way. A NIB Classic Bandit is a rare thing..
Roger
The wood parts of your kit will degrade much faster than the FRP parts..
Nice find by the way. A NIB Classic Bandit is a rare thing..
Roger
03-03-2016, 03:35 PM
#11
Ravill,
I just pulled the picture off of google for an example of the color of the fuse.
It's not my project. All though i do have a Agressor III in the basement that is electric.
It is/was Garland Hamiltons record setting 200 Mph ducted fan plane.
I just pulled the picture off of google for an example of the color of the fuse.
It's not my project. All though i do have a Agressor III in the basement that is electric.
It is/was Garland Hamiltons record setting 200 Mph ducted fan plane.
Last edited by Greg Wright; 03-03-2016 at 03:39 PM.
03-03-2016, 06:52 PM
#12
My Feedback: (3)
I flew a friends original BVM F-86 that started life sometime in the 80's or early 90's as ducted fan. Newly converted to 10S EVF. Structurally solid and flew great!
As a humorous note, I asked him what the whirling noise winding down was when he turned it off and he said it was a mechanical gyro! And it was! Wow ...
JS
As a humorous note, I asked him what the whirling noise winding down was when he turned it off and he said it was a mechanical gyro! And it was! Wow ...
JS
03-04-2016, 08:35 AM
#13
I was 18 back in 1998. Who would have known that someone in my hometown is purchasing a BVM for me nearly 18 years later. He got all the options even the ram 500 install kit. He was missing the brakes. I picked up a a dirt cheap set of purple retracts and brakes so I can convert it. It comes with the retracts with external cylinders.
The ARF doesn't have any wood in it currently, but has the wood in a sealed back so it should be good. I don't trust the pipe it came with but easy fix.
I have a spare k140g I am deciding if its too heavy or not.
esistant and for the most part don’t really age at all if kept away from direct sun and high temperatures.. . As Oli stated, extended exposure to UV will degrade epoxy. The exposed surface gets a white/chalky coating, but this takes years. High temperatures also will damage epoxy/glass, along with repeated flexing, or over bending..
The wood parts of your kit will degrade much faster than the FRP parts..
Nice find by the way. A NIB Classic Bandit is a rare thing..
Roger[/QUOTE]
The ARF doesn't have any wood in it currently, but has the wood in a sealed back so it should be good. I don't trust the pipe it came with but easy fix.
I have a spare k140g I am deciding if its too heavy or not.
esistant and for the most part don’t really age at all if kept away from direct sun and high temperatures.. . As Oli stated, extended exposure to UV will degrade epoxy. The exposed surface gets a white/chalky coating, but this takes years. High temperatures also will damage epoxy/glass, along with repeated flexing, or over bending..
The wood parts of your kit will degrade much faster than the FRP parts..
Nice find by the way. A NIB Classic Bandit is a rare thing..
Roger[/QUOTE]
