Scale finishing my BVM Hun
#102
Thread Starter
Kelly: Thanks.. I could not imagine building four of these things .. But then you never know.. It is a real labour for me, but the reward when they finally fly is up there..
#103
My Feedback: (13)
Thanks Kelly
Me too but our kids and dog are fine. Sad as the lost time is, the reality is its just stuff.
Everyone give your families an extra big hug when you read this and be glad for the "priceless" items in our lives
Again Roger, pure an inspiration to us all, great work!
Dave
Me too but our kids and dog are fine. Sad as the lost time is, the reality is its just stuff.
Everyone give your families an extra big hug when you read this and be glad for the "priceless" items in our lives
Again Roger, pure an inspiration to us all, great work!
Dave
#105
My Feedback: (13)
Nothing concrete. The devastation was so complete that I'm not sure we will know to be honest. They can point to where it started and there were a couple of cheap electric kids' scooters there but also an electrical outlet, propane tank, etc etc etc.
Doesn't matter. Sad to have lost my Redman phantoms but the rest can be replaced
Dave
Sorry for the off topic Roger, it really lifted my spirits to hear of your maiden!
Doesn't matter. Sad to have lost my Redman phantoms but the rest can be replaced
Dave
Sorry for the off topic Roger, it really lifted my spirits to hear of your maiden!
#106
Thread Starter
Dave...... That must be awful. Very glad that all your family are OK..
And you are quite right, it is just stuff. Even the stuff that you lavish all your free time and energy on. They are just things.
And you are quite right, it is just stuff. Even the stuff that you lavish all your free time and energy on. They are just things.
#110
Thread Starter
Here is a few more. These were taken a couple of weeks ago, when I assembled in in our yard for the first time.. This was the first time ALL the ordnance and air frame came together..
The Bull Pup missiles and rocket pod are not really typical for this aircraft.. I will need to make some Napalm canisters and iron bombs..
The Bull Pup missiles and rocket pod are not really typical for this aircraft.. I will need to make some Napalm canisters and iron bombs..
#113
Warmest congratulations Roger. Having seen your exquisite Bandit , I am sure this is a truly exceptional model to which photos cant really do justice !
Enjoy flying it, I am told it really is very nice to fly ! (and where was your test site, Temora?)
Best regards,
David.
PS my BVM F4, now in its 17th year and still going strong, had a very successful outing last week !
At long last my SkyGate Hawk was maidened two weeks ago, not as flawless as your first with the HUn, see the Skygate thread but at least its still in one piece, and now repaired. !!
Enjoy flying it, I am told it really is very nice to fly ! (and where was your test site, Temora?)
Best regards,
David.
PS my BVM F4, now in its 17th year and still going strong, had a very successful outing last week !
At long last my SkyGate Hawk was maidened two weeks ago, not as flawless as your first with the HUn, see the Skygate thread but at least its still in one piece, and now repaired. !!
Last edited by David Gladwin; 07-11-2016 at 01:42 AM.
#115
Thread Starter
Thanks David.
Finishing this thing was like climbing a mountain for me. The Bandit was relatively simple.
Scale aeroplanes just seem to have a million little items to address.. In the end I needed to tell myself enough was enough.. No opening canopy, no drag chute, no bumper, and lots of other details left off.. Plus I really want this model to be flown reasonably regularly, so weight was always a consideration.. It came out 15.25 kg empty which is average for these I believe).
I really take my hat of the the builders of museum scale world champ type models.. ..
Of course now I'm looking for a Scale competition some where..
The Test flight was at Pitt Town, off grass, which the BVM undercarriage handles with ease..
Finishing this thing was like climbing a mountain for me. The Bandit was relatively simple.
Scale aeroplanes just seem to have a million little items to address.. In the end I needed to tell myself enough was enough.. No opening canopy, no drag chute, no bumper, and lots of other details left off.. Plus I really want this model to be flown reasonably regularly, so weight was always a consideration.. It came out 15.25 kg empty which is average for these I believe).
I really take my hat of the the builders of museum scale world champ type models.. ..
Of course now I'm looking for a Scale competition some where..
The Test flight was at Pitt Town, off grass, which the BVM undercarriage handles with ease..
#116
Thread Starter
UP DATE.
So I have 15 flights on my Hun now, the last few were even quite enjoyable.. As yet, there has been no surprises..
I did hurt it once, when I got low and slow on approach.. I was under a wee bit of pressure, flying at a big event, (Temora Jets) and ended up forcing a landing when I should have gone around. It actually dropped a wing!! But I managed to level it again before it contacted the ground.. It touched down quite hard, nose first, with about 30 deg of yaw. It bounced hard, then landed, and skidded to a halt.
The only damage was a scraped wing tip (new nav light) and busted nose gear rails.. The Landing gear on this jet is robust indeed..
It flies like a freight train..
I have a little gyro help on ailerons, rudder, and nose steering.
It takes off with a lovely long roll, and a shallow climb out.
Once the gear and flaps are up, it flies like a big heavy Bandit. It does drop the nose ever so slightly when banked. It rolls very straight and true, even with all the ordnance on board.
It lands very predictably, but you need keep the power on and not get into excessive sink.. Actually it settles on the runway better than my Bandit, even when landed a bit fast!!
So I have 15 flights on my Hun now, the last few were even quite enjoyable.. As yet, there has been no surprises..
I did hurt it once, when I got low and slow on approach.. I was under a wee bit of pressure, flying at a big event, (Temora Jets) and ended up forcing a landing when I should have gone around. It actually dropped a wing!! But I managed to level it again before it contacted the ground.. It touched down quite hard, nose first, with about 30 deg of yaw. It bounced hard, then landed, and skidded to a halt.
The only damage was a scraped wing tip (new nav light) and busted nose gear rails.. The Landing gear on this jet is robust indeed..
It flies like a freight train..
I have a little gyro help on ailerons, rudder, and nose steering.
It takes off with a lovely long roll, and a shallow climb out.
Once the gear and flaps are up, it flies like a big heavy Bandit. It does drop the nose ever so slightly when banked. It rolls very straight and true, even with all the ordnance on board.
It lands very predictably, but you need keep the power on and not get into excessive sink.. Actually it settles on the runway better than my Bandit, even when landed a bit fast!!
#120
Thread Starter
And finally some flying shots. These, and the photos above are at Tokoroa New Zealand last weekend. . . Courtesy Steve Ingalls of the New Zealand Jet Modelers Association..
I took it to New Zealand for the annual NZJMA Trans Tasman Jet meet. Another great weekend in NZ with old, and some new friends. Traveling with the hun internationally is quite easy as it mostly packs into my bandit carry Case. It made it Sydney / Auckland / Sydney undamaged despite the best efforts of the baggage handlers.
I just love these two pics in the landing configuration. I put such a lot of effort into the underside of the model, which is usually never seen so it is nice to see it displayed from this angle.
I took it to New Zealand for the annual NZJMA Trans Tasman Jet meet. Another great weekend in NZ with old, and some new friends. Traveling with the hun internationally is quite easy as it mostly packs into my bandit carry Case. It made it Sydney / Auckland / Sydney undamaged despite the best efforts of the baggage handlers.
I just love these two pics in the landing configuration. I put such a lot of effort into the underside of the model, which is usually never seen so it is nice to see it displayed from this angle.
#122
My Feedback: (13)
Well Roger, now you’ve done it
Because of you I had to hack open those vents all around the airplane as well (FYI you owe me a week of my life!). They were a real pain but I think the visual effect will be worth it
I’m getting close to paint on mine. I’ve had a little more time on my hands lately
Some of the mods I made were to add an invisible hatch retention system (instead of the latches), single elevator servo (for the same reason Lindbergh didn’t fly a twin), LAU-59 rocket pods, opening canopy (standard on the F), retractable landing lights, D4S drag chute/hook/refueling probe, piano hinges on main gear doors, different “pushrod” for the main doors for more positive actuation and scale looks, etc
It’s been a big build and has stretched me personally but I’ve also enjoyed it due to the level of engineering. I bought the kit from Ad Clark 2 -1/2 year ago and started in it six months later. I’m a slow builder with a busy life but you can do the math
Roger as we discussed earlier my intent has always been to do it up as a Misty FAC from Vietnam. Thankfully I stumbled into a group of the former Misty’s and they’ve been amazingly helpful. Don Sheppard, Don Jones and Dick Rutan have regaled me with stories, sent me a memory stick with 1500 pics, patiently answered questions and been all around great guys.
Roger, your thread: ok if I post some progress pics?
Also; to any of the BV Hin big brains: CG? I know stock is too far forward. I’ve seen anything from 1/2-1” aft. Thoughts?
a few pics to follow:
1/4” diameter CF arrow shaft inside gave this the depth
Polyply central keel for the rudder to make it easier to finish
Scratched up floors from getting in and out
Gun vents internal pics
Piano hinge on main doors
Poly ply piece to hide the flap gap which is actually scale believe it or not
Random
Cockpit frames on the intake
Gun vents with landing light cutouts as well
Pitot tube
Because of you I had to hack open those vents all around the airplane as well (FYI you owe me a week of my life!). They were a real pain but I think the visual effect will be worth it
I’m getting close to paint on mine. I’ve had a little more time on my hands lately
Some of the mods I made were to add an invisible hatch retention system (instead of the latches), single elevator servo (for the same reason Lindbergh didn’t fly a twin), LAU-59 rocket pods, opening canopy (standard on the F), retractable landing lights, D4S drag chute/hook/refueling probe, piano hinges on main gear doors, different “pushrod” for the main doors for more positive actuation and scale looks, etc
It’s been a big build and has stretched me personally but I’ve also enjoyed it due to the level of engineering. I bought the kit from Ad Clark 2 -1/2 year ago and started in it six months later. I’m a slow builder with a busy life but you can do the math
Roger as we discussed earlier my intent has always been to do it up as a Misty FAC from Vietnam. Thankfully I stumbled into a group of the former Misty’s and they’ve been amazingly helpful. Don Sheppard, Don Jones and Dick Rutan have regaled me with stories, sent me a memory stick with 1500 pics, patiently answered questions and been all around great guys.
Roger, your thread: ok if I post some progress pics?
Also; to any of the BV Hin big brains: CG? I know stock is too far forward. I’ve seen anything from 1/2-1” aft. Thoughts?
a few pics to follow:
1/4” diameter CF arrow shaft inside gave this the depth
Polyply central keel for the rudder to make it easier to finish
Scratched up floors from getting in and out
Gun vents internal pics
Piano hinge on main doors
Poly ply piece to hide the flap gap which is actually scale believe it or not
Random
Cockpit frames on the intake
Gun vents with landing light cutouts as well
Pitot tube
#125
Thread Starter
Dave.. JUST WOW!
Firstly, of course you can share this build here. Your ‘F’ Hun is obviously going to be a very special piece of work. You are going way deeper down the rabbit hole than I did.
Your contact with the Misty group must be very special. I have read (several times) both ‘Misty’ and ‘Bury Us Upside Down’. The Misty memoirs are truly “unvarnished”
These books actually started my interest in the overall Viet Nam conflict and the whole geopolitics of the 60s and 70s. Viet Nam has since been a favourite subject of mine. (So many lessons to learn from history). I would be fair to say that the books have changed my world view a little. The Misty pilots are true legends. Anyone remotely interested in military aviation, or recent history should read these books.
I will check my CG notes. From what I remember, you are correct in assuming BVs CG to too forward.
Firstly, of course you can share this build here. Your ‘F’ Hun is obviously going to be a very special piece of work. You are going way deeper down the rabbit hole than I did.
Your contact with the Misty group must be very special. I have read (several times) both ‘Misty’ and ‘Bury Us Upside Down’. The Misty memoirs are truly “unvarnished”
These books actually started my interest in the overall Viet Nam conflict and the whole geopolitics of the 60s and 70s. Viet Nam has since been a favourite subject of mine. (So many lessons to learn from history). I would be fair to say that the books have changed my world view a little. The Misty pilots are true legends. Anyone remotely interested in military aviation, or recent history should read these books.
I will check my CG notes. From what I remember, you are correct in assuming BVs CG to too forward.