k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

I've started assembling the Viper. I started with installing the wing servos and ran into a problem. The servo mounts were glued in in such a manner that the aileron servo arm was past the opening (photo 2). This was fixed by cutting back the mount to move the servo into the opening. Then 1/4 inch plywood was epoxied under the mount and into the slot between the mounts. Now the servo arm sits within the opening.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

I'm using the sBus system on the Powerbox Royal and the cables have a MPX connector on each end. The wing cables were installed in the root rib of the and fuse using MPX cable holders. At the field when the wing installed, the cables plug together automatically.

I couldn't get my fingers and servos and wood to mount the servos in the horizontal stabs so I elected to install the elevator servos on the fuse side. I did the same for the rudder servo.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

I removed the wing servo cables from inside the fuse and painted the interior of the fuse textured paint.

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The front and rear trays were laid out and painted and then installed.

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The sBus servo wires and air lines are installed. I used the BVM air quick disconnects where the front and rear fuse join. The white quick disconnects are used so I can remove the equipment tray without having to cut air lines. A tray was made and glued to the air intake for the ECU.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

I'm not sure what the wind screen was glued in with but it easily popped out when it was touched. This actually made It easier to paint. The canopy and wind screen were paint with Alclad chrome for lexan. The chrome is painted on the inside of the canopy and is backed with a water based black.

Kirk

f106jax

My Feedback: (16)

Looking good Kirk! Of course, I'm somewhat partial to that paint scheme

DUCMOZ

Hey Kirk

How easy would be to clean the inside with the textured paint ? I am always worried about that.

Behzad

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Thanks Mike. I do like the paint scheme. Colors are close to my favorite football team's colors

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Behzad, If I was the worrying kind, I can think of a lot more things to worry about than how easy it would be to clean the inside of a fuselage painted with textured paint

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

I purchased a vinyl cutter/plotter and decided to cut some paint masks and change the Viper's scheme a little to support my favorite football team. All painting is complete. The horizontal fin/rudder and forward section of the fuse have been clear coated. The rear section of the fuse and wings will be clear coated next weekend.

Kirk

FenderBean

welp I was enjoying the build till you decided to throw the seahawk thing in here LOL

Bob_B

My Feedback: (11)

Looks great Kirk, will you be attending JOK this year?

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Thanks Bob. That's the plan. Chris and Sean has invited me to share their tent. Hope the EDF Jet Jam that you're CDing is a big success,

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The Viper has been clear coated with 2K clear. After the clear dried for a couple of days on the rear fuse, I wet sanded it with 800 grit, 1200 grit, and 2000 grit. Then I machine buffed it with 3M Perfect-It rubbing compound, swirl remover, and polish.

All of those hours spent sanding really paid off. The finish came out looking like a mirror. The first two photos are under fluorescent lights. The rest were taken outside on a cloudy, rainy day. You can even see the reflection of the clouds.

Kirk

gunradd

My Feedback: (9)

Very nice Kirk!!

Bob_B

My Feedback: (11)

WOW that's a white glove finish! Keep an eye on your inflation pressures.

erbroens

KIrk, do yourself a favor a reinforce the fuse below the cockpit arch.. seen one of the latest vipers and it was too weak for simply taking up the plane with two persons holding the nose and the tail. It simply bends and break.

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Thanks Chris and Bob.

Erbroens, mine came with carbon fiber along the sides. Did that one have carbon fiber?

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The sun is shining this morning so I got a couple of shots. The metallic in the blue really shows up now and the reflection is mirror like.

Kirk

erbroens

Yes, it came... but somehow the lateral sides even with the CF is very flimsy, specially compared with the first ones, like mine from a few years ago. The pic didnt show them because the fuse was painted inside for the looks.

Our fix here was adding 4 aditional CF strips lengthwise in the fuse corners.. a extra bulkhead would be nice too, but we skipped that for now. Mine has also a few roving laces of CF just ahead the windscreen as the fuse there is also soft.

p.s a drawing may help, and it also show the cabin reinforcement.

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

I wasn't happy with the way the Viper was turning out. Although is was shinning like a mirror, the scheme just didn't seem to flow very well.

So, I had the got the codes for the Seahawks colors and had some paint mixed and I went back to the drawing board.

First, I created and cut out all of the marking going on the plane. I decided to do the number 12 going on tail with the "feathers" just like the number on the jerseys. It was a lot of "fun" weeding out the unwanted sections of the mask. It turned out nicely and I got the effect I was looking for.

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The fuse has been painted with the new colors and scheme with the exception of the canopy frame and the intake lips. The canopy frame and intake lips as well as the wings and horizontal stabs will be painted this weekend.

basimpsn

My Feedback: (5)

All that work gone down the drain ...But I got to admit...I like the new scheme better

I wish I could paint like that..I would surely do something different with this scheme.