tph1

My Feedback: (12)

I'm getting back into pattern after about a 10 yr. lay off in flying. I was trying to get an idea for a good first plane to build with the new size and weight rules now. Was thinking of the .91 Viper with an OS 91 FX. Any thoughts would be appreciated.[8D]

raptor5900

My Feedback: (4)

how bout a quest? very nice with the .91, BTW the weight and size can go to 2-2 and 11lb's if you dont already know.

tph1

My Feedback: (12)

yeah I saw the new size and weight rules, just don't want to plop down that much money yet for a super "Go Fast Fly High" yet until I get back into it. Have not seen a Quest yet, my last plane was a Jekyll with a Hanno on it so all this big stuff is new to me. thanks

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

Great Idea !!!

I have the first of this combo Viper 91 with the OS 91 FX, with fuel tank on the cg and weight is 7.5 pounds.. great vertical using the APC 15x10 prop and a macs pipe and a karl M. header..Dennis also has carbon fiber options which will save around another 7 oz with carbon landing gear a wing tube... The wood work is great with very little sanding from the shop... Here are some pics of viper OS 1&2.. If you have anymore questions feel free to contact me..Hope to see you become part of the viper team !![8D]

Scott Anderson
NSRCA 529
AMA CD 227026
SPA 239

tph1

My Feedback: (12)

thanks for the reply Scott, you have an awsome plane there, do the Vipers come with a tunnel for the pipes? I read on the site that the 91's didn't have one because they were to be flown by 4 strokes.

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

Yes, The whole viper family comes with a tunnel, even the 4 stroke has one... The plane out of the box needs very little sanding and is very easy to finish.. Another option is for the elevator which is the ballbearing bellcrank for the elevator.. Dennis does a very nice job in-laying this into the fuse sides and makes for a straight smooth sytem for the elevator... see pix ! If you have any more questions drop me a line..
Also here is a pix of a 2M viper for you to look at..

Scott

tph1

My Feedback: (12)

thanks, awsome pics How does the bellcrank hookup?

rodney tanner

Nice Viper you have there Scott. I have a Viper 2M with an OS 140RX. I am a big fan of Dennis Hunt and I know he put in a lot of work on the Viper 90. I hear he is using one in Advanced class. I have OS 91FX on a similar set up but without the cline regulator, in a Desire 60 - 7.5 pounds. What prop are you using and RPM?

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

Rodney,
Hello I have heard your name around the shop ( Viper Land ) When I have been down there.. I also am running a OS 91 FX without the kline or Ironbay regulator and using a 15x10 apc at 9200 , I think this year I'm going to try a 14x11 0r 12 some to see what happens, I know that I'll have increase of rpm... My 2m FAI Viper is on Dennis's work bench now and I'll be using a OS 140 in it.. Yes dennis is using the prototype 91 viper (ys powered) in Advanced...
It's nice to hear from others in the Viper family...

Scott

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

TPH1

The bellcrank is driven (pushed) by a carbon fiber rod with a swivel end on the crank end and clevis on the servo end...Very smooth and no slop at all.. and very strong and light !!!

scott

Boss248

Scott...I noticed that you mounted the aluminum control post aft of the hinge line with the top of the horn at the hinge line. Does moving the control horn base further back make it easier on the servo?? I have noticed that installing normal platic horns with the holes lined up on hinge line on extra large control surfaces hard to push up with my fingers so it has got to be doing the same thing to the servo...right?

tph1

My Feedback: (12)

Scott, If using the bellcrank system, do you need 2 servos or one and is this an expenxive option?
thanks

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

TPH1

The elevator is driven by ONE servo and as far as the price you would have to call Dennis.. I did mine on the 91 viper, But he is doing it on my 2M FAI version.. The inlay that he does keeps the bellcrank parallel( since the fuse has a taper) and no pressure on the ballbearings also makes for a very smooth system for the servo to work with... I really don't think its that much money, There is also all of the carbon fiber options for the viper family.. ( wing tube, landing gear) Either sive is a great value and fly very very well.. I'll have one of each size for this year..

scott

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

Boss248

Good Morning, The horn in moved back for 2 reasons so that the hard point is not part of the bevel for the surface (more glue surface area) also the control post is 90 degrees with the centerline of the surface..not at the angle of the surface tapper..and that way the horn is on the hinge line.. Aslo we are using a ballbearing control horn with no slop and very easy to move.. This short pushrod then goes to the bellcrank which is then conected with a carbon fiber pushrod to the servo..This makes for a very smooth, slop free and no drag on the servo install... However if you do not get get the bellcrank in straight you will pick up alot of drag and bindding...
Also I'm using the old fashion dubro pin hinges which also cuts down on drag.. surface very easy to move..

scott

tph1

My Feedback: (12)

ok thanks, then I assume you would use a heavier duty servo, are the elevator and rudder servos up close to the cg or are they in the back part of the fuse?

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

Im using Jr 4131 servos on all of the surfaces and yes the servos are in the hatch area...

scott

MrSteve09

I have always admired the Vipers, the 91 in particular. However back when I contacted Dennis Hunt about the cost of the Viper 91, I was hit by sticker shock. Don't get me wrong,... I'm sure its not a bad price for what you get and all the work that Dennis and his crew put into each and every ARC; its just that I'm trying to play this game on a very tight budget. I'd just assume build my own plane from plans or kit to keep the cost down. Unfortunately Dennis doesn't offer any "build-your-own" kits for the Viper 91, nor are plans and parts available for scratch building.

I obviously have no right to tell Dennis how to run his business, and he must be doing quite fine the way it is; however I was just wondering if anyone else would be interested in a "build-your-own" Viper? Anyone else trying to be competitive inexpensively? Just wondering if we could show a need for a plans built Viper if Dennis would consider releasing plan sets?

Signed,
Steve "Admiring Vipers from Afar" Teerlinck

tph1

My Feedback: (12)

Nice clean job Scott. Thanks for all the info on the Viper. All I have to do now is get the "boss" to OK my getting one.

Boss248

Steve...what class are you trying to be competitive in?? I am not trying to be nosey..just curious.

MrSteve09

Boss248,...

I've been flying in Intermediate for the past two years, and plan on more of the same this year.

Any thoughts, oppinions, or suggestions are always welcome.

Thanks,

Steve T.

Boss248

Steve...what have you been flying as your primary plane..? There are several kits on the market that don't cost a great deal of money.

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

mrsteve09,

I know what you mean about the cost I gave pattern up for 7 years and started again in 2003 flying both AMA ans SPA.. The viper 91 OS project was done just for that reason to keep cost down and keep it simple.. Thats why the OS 91Fx motor with the rap around header makes a great comb.. The ARC viper is still less than most fiberglass kits and the plane is jig built all by hand and all parts are custom fitted with many options available.. The workmanship from the cores to the wood working is great.. The prep work to finish is very minor.. There is very little sanding if any to do and all parts have been fitted and ready for final assembly.. The pane is fully put together(airframe) and weighed prior to shipping.. I really don't think you would be disappointed with the viper..As far as building yourself I dont think you could do it for less money or time.. All the wood is contest grade and every step of the viper (birth) it is in a jig and all parts are cut by hand in a jig of some sort for a nice straight light plane...


scott

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

Hope that the "boss" gives the OK that way you can become a member of the viper family...[8D]

scott

tph1

My Feedback: (12)

I'm pretty sure she will, just got to give her a little time to get used to the idea of me flying again.

PatternPilot

My Feedback: (58)

If she likes to travel on weekends this could be a selling point... Contest are a nice weekend get away...


scott