I purchased a BVM F-86 AFS kit from Esprit Models last Sept. I've been collecting parts as the hobby budget allowed ever since.

After seeing the F-86 ARF prototyoe fly with the new EVF 5212 fan I decided to purchase it to power my Fury. I also purchased the new intake ducting. It has a cone that covers the fan's spinner and a couple of stators to straighten out the air flow before it gets to the fan.

The AFS kit doesn't have gear doors but the new soon to be released ARF does so I purchased the gear door kit. It includes some wood parts, gear doors, air cylinders, basically all the parts needed to install and operate the gear doors.

Next, I purchased the the internal structural part kit. This kit replaces all of the wood parts forward of the vertical stabs with the exception of the wing mounting formers. These parts are lighter than the AFS parts and updated technology is used, such as replacing the ply nose gear former with a former made from end grain balsa which is laminated on both sides with carbon fiber. It makes for a light, yet strong former.

Because I'm building mine as a Fury, I purchased the Fury parts kit. This includes a new carbon fiber former and wood. These parts make the vertical stabs sit flat instead of having the dihedral of the F-86. The kit also includes some vents and bumps found on the Fury that are not on the F-86.

Lastly, I purchased the new Air Blue retracts, struts, and V-Lite wheels and brakes.

Now I have everything to get started so here goes.....

The ARF instruction manual was included with the parts I purchased so the build of the fuse will be exactly the same as the build of the ARF fuse so here's a preview of how the ARF fuse goes together.


First thing to do was to cut out the nose gear opening. Then the nose gear was screwed to the flex plates. This assembly is slide into the slots on the nose gear former and maple blocks are screwed to the rear of the flex plates. The maple blocks butt up against the nose gear former and hold the flex plates in place. A couple of marked holes at the front of the fuse are opened up and the nose gear assembly is placed in the fuse. 4-40 screws are placed through the holes and used to attach the front of the flex plates to the fuse. Alignment of the strut is checked and if it isn't aligned adjustments to the holes are made. My assembly aligned perfectly. Next the nose gear assembly is removed and packing tape is applied around the front of the flex plates and the screws are lubricated with oil. The assembly is placed back into the fuse and the screws are started into the flex plate. Hysol is placed under the flex plates and the screws are tightened until the front tip of the flex plate is touching the fuse. Excess hysol is wiped away. Once the hysol has dried, it creates a light weight seat for the flex plates.



Kirk
Not a BVM rep, just a very satisfied customer