Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Here is one way to make scale removable surfaces. Rudder ,elev ailerons.
To start with you need HLH805 flex cable pushrod from Hobby Lobby. I will be using just the outer plastic tube 1/8 in dia. 1/32 music wire or welding rod. and some 1/8 printed circut board or 1/8 ply.
After I make the stab and elev I sheet the bottom of the stab leaving about 1/4 in overhang to seal the gap for the elev. This gives me a guide to center the elev and hinges. I cut my hinges from pc board or 1/8 ply<Not light ply> then drill a 1/16 th hole through hinge.
On the elev . I am working with an elev that is 3/4 thick. cut off the leading edge of the elev 3/4 in. Now make 1leading edge 3/8 thick with a 1/8 in grove down the middle. I do this with my table saw. It can be done with an exacto knife. Most elev and rudders are tappered, so I make the leading edge a constant width and a little oversized. after the grove is cut<this is for the plastic tube that will go all the way accross the elev> glue it to the elev with the grove fasing out. Next glue another leading edge to the one with the tube installed,Round the leading edge. The plastis tube should be in the center of the circle. Next on my band saw I cut a 3/16 gruve in the leading edge where I want my hinges. Cut through the plastic tube. Now install the hinge into the leading edge of the elev, put the rod down through the tube , through all hinges. TYhey should move free . next cut a slot in the trailing edge of the stab to match where your hinges go. I place the hinges where they will fit up agaist a rib to glue to. You should do this before cutting the slots in the elev.
With the hinges on the elev slide them into the stab slots you have cut. Use clamps to hold the hinge to the ribs, center the elev in the stab , making sure it moves enough for your travel deflection. sand til you get what you need. When you are happy with the fit glue hinges to the ribs. Pull the rod out and sheet the top of the stab .
I put a U bend in the end of the wire and push it in and glue it to the end of the elev when I am finished. T o remove the elev simplly pull the rod out. This will tahe some time to do on you first one. But it comes in real handy building a warbird. How many times do you have to put them on and off to get everything right. I would suggest trying this on something that has a constant width elev to begin with. If you have ? just ask. Rich

t_burley

My Feedback: (59)

yep Rich, I like that system as well. have used it on quite a few
warbirds over the past couple years.

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

I forgot to mention the Val is scratch build from partial plans ,3 view and a plastic model. Has a 85 in ws.
also if you have a wing tip, leave it off till the ailerons is done draw a straighrt line from the hinge line onton the wing tip before shaping drill a 1/8 hole for the plastic tube, slide the tip over the tube , then glue ti the wing. Shape wing tip to fit wing. Rich

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

I got a little more done on the Val.

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

I mounted the wing to the fush with wax paper between them. Then glued 1/32 ply to the fush. Nexed I added 1/2 soft balsa for deviders and shaped to form the fairing with 80 grit sandpaper glued to 1 in PVC. After shapping I glued 1/16 balsa to the top.
The wing and fush is almost done. Working on the landing gear now.

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

I have been working on the dive brakes for the Val. I mede it from 1 1/2 ail stock added a spruce leading edge. The dive brake is held on with 4/4o bolts with blind nuts mounted in the wing, The hinges is made from musis wire imbeded in the leading edge. I haven't made up my mind if I will make them functional.

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

We'll try it again with the pictures.
Also the lower bomb site was added to the bottom wing. Made the wing tip lite covers by heating the clear plastic with a heat gun then pulling over the wing tip.

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

I will get it richt yet.

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

Rich,
Maybe I missed it, but what plan are using? I've been wanting to do a VAL for a long time.
BTW, saw your Mustang in another thread. You need my license plate:

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Terry I used a combination of plans I foun d on the internet and 3 views and a plastic model to make my own plans. not real good but I can build from them.
I like your license plate. May you need the plane to go with the plate. Your P39 is really looking good. I like the color sceme. Rich

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

Ahh yess!! A Val has been lurking in the back of my mind for awhile now. I think I know those plans and 3-views. I saved them from the web a few years back with the same intentions as you. I'd be interested in seeing some updates from time to time on your build.
Edwin

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

I sure wish someone, (with more talent than me) would produce a nice set of plans, or good kitfor a VAL. 80-85" is just right for a 40-50cc engine.

Sturtz

My Feedback: (20)

I'll second that statement !!!

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Since I started the plans and the plane I have a lot more respect for people who draw up good plans.
The Val has a big eliptical wing and a small cowl and fushlage. After building the fushlage I kept measuring. I thought i mess up. but as near as I can tell it is right. Rich

clifford

Hi Chaps,
A friend pointed me in this direction...
Just so happens, I"ve a TIF file for an 80" Aichi val, going to start building her very shortly, I"m extremly impressed with baldeagle"s val, if anyone would like to hear more about my build pleae drop me an e-mail...or post back here..
This is my plan printed out..

Cliff

clifford

Chaps...
How do I uplaod my pics??

Thanks,
Cliff

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

Very interestyed. Start a build thread when you get started. 80" is about the perfect size.

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Looks good Cliff. Welcome aboard. Rich

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

Clifford,
I think I have those same plans in DXF format. I cant find them on my home system, must be on my work system in my office. Ooops, did I say that? I'll have to look tuesday. I knew those looked familiar. Dont remember where I got them but in dxf format they can easily be scaled. Let me take a look and see whats involved. By the way, I do mechanical and electical cad work for a living.
Edwin

clifford

Hi Chaps,
Edwin...........I have them re-drawn already, once printed out, the lines are nice and thin, I have them stored in PDF Format, easy for any printer to use...if you"d like to have me e-mail you the file over, just give me a shout...

Richard........Thanks for that, I"m just going to answer your e-mail now, lots of things to ask you about the Val.....proposed power etc?

Cliff

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

I wish I would had found those plans a few months ago.
Depending on weight I plan on using a MVVS 35 gasser. I am shooting for arround 16 to 17 lbs. With that big wing it should be easy to fly.

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Just an update on the Val. Have the wing painted. The fush is rivited and has pannel lines. working on hatches for the switches now. Cowl is made and installed with motor . Just recieved the dummy radial yesterday fromGreg Nammy at IMP Scale.
A big thanks to Cliff for the books he sent me on the Val. I recieved my stencil from Gary at Get Stencil. <supper guy to deal with>
I hope to get some pic this weekend. Rich

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

It is getting closer. The elev and rudder posh rod and pull-pull is all hidden. kind of tight but seems to work fine. still have to make the wheel pants. She is weighing right 18 1/2 lbs ballanced. Still have to put the satin coat on. Interior is done except for piolit and crew . Rich

JIMARRINGTON

That is one awesome looking Val. One of my favorite planes. I too have both of these plans stored and have even printed them out at the larger scale. One of them I believe was for an electric version at about 65" span. It is the earlier version of the Val and the other plan is the later version of the Val and was drawn for glow. The two versions can most easily be told apart by the size of the cowling. ther earlier version had a smaller cowl and a large upslope to the cockpit and the later version is larger with little slope.

I am very interested to see how this one flew.

Jim

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Jim I hope to test fly it in the next month if it warms up. My plans were for the elec version butb I did a lot of changing to get it closer to scale. For a big bird they have a small cowl. Thanks for the comment. Rich