Well,,, I guess this is just about the best luck I've had yet ordering a ARF without first flying one to see if it was worth the trouble to build it. Ordered my Edge 540 early this morning on a whim and a prayer. Well not quite,,,I was impressed by everything I read on the Vector Flight website. And I had used a search engine typing Edge 540 .60 and looked at several dozen while having my coffee.
I planned to order one anyway. But not till I found one that matched my budget and spare hardware.
The price is about the best I've seen for a model of this class. Then I came here and did a search for Vector Flight. WOW !!!! What a thread you got here !! Can't wait to get mine and start flying her.
I'm going with an OS 91FX. Robbing my Spitfire for it. I rarely fly the Spitty anymore and I'm wanting something a bit more speedy than my UCD.46.

THANKS FOR THE TECH TALK AND PICS>.

Sturtz,

Welcome aboard the VF train my friend. You will not be disappointed in your decision. VF is an excellant company to deal with and they produce a first rate product. In the near future, I plan on adding their Extra 300 and possibly the SU-31 to my hangar. Like you, I was looking for a step up in size from my .40 class planes. I did much research when I came across the thread started by Primodus. I read the entire thread and then checked out VF's website. From their website, I clicked on the RCU link and read a thread that was 687 posts long. I read each and every thread on that post over a couple of days. These two threads help solidify my decision. Then I sent VF an e-mail and was surprised that they actually responded. Not only did they respond back, but they did it in only a few hours after I sent my e-mail. WOW !!! Their customer service is the best that I have ever encountered in the R/C industry.

Good choice on the engine. That O.S. 91FX will really move this plane. One word of caution: do not exceed the recommended throws for the elevator. With the solid foam wing, it is very efficient. It takes very little elevator movement to get thes planes to respond. In fact, to soften the elevator some I am using 40% expo on it.

Overall I think you very pleased when your plane arrives. Do not be surprised in any delay you may encounter with receiving your plane. I waited 6.5 weeks and was getting a little ansy. But when that big box arrived, all my worries melted away when I started unpacking and inspecting a virtual work of art.

Good luck and keep us posted. Keep checking out this thread. We add new posts constantly.

Welcome Sturtz, your going to love your new VF Edge. If you have any problems or questions during your build, don't hesitate to ask. There are a lot of good ideas floating around, and once your plane arrives you may have some to share with us.

Gary is correct about the elevator, it is very sensitive. Use the recommended throws and dial in some expo to soften it out and it will perform like a true master of the air. The 91FX will yank it around fairly well. I imagine it will weigh slightly over 8lbs when done, a perfect match.

Thanks guys. Makes a human bean feel right at home.
I know what you mean about the elev throws. I have a couple of planes that just love to snap in a roll on full rates w/no expo. "Extra 300."
Going to set low rates below recommended throws for the first few flights plus add enough expo to ease my maiden madness.
My Spit weighs in at 11lbs. Slightly more fueled up. And the 91FX w/Pitts muffler was tweeked by an expert. Starts up first time everytime and pulls that big old warbird around faster than I care to fly. Should be enough grunt for me.
Have you managed to come up with a system for landing that could help my first flights ?
Balloons and wants to stay in the air eh ? LOL !!!! That's great !! Much better than a 30mph landing . So this plane would do harriers with the right wind conditions , etc ? How was the 20 mistake high hovering ? I might have missed some of this info and need to go back and read this thread from start to finish again. Was just too excited about it all after reading the first few posts.

Sturtz, your perspective with the 91FX 2 stroke will be a welcome addition. Most of the current fliers are using 4 stroke motors so your experiences with a different powerplant will help. This will help others who may be considering the VF line to boraden thier horizons a bit.

As for landings, the VF Edge isn't such a bear. You have to fly it all the way down, it floats really well. A good flier can even land at trainer speed.

Sturtz: Let me also say welcome to this thread. Im just now finishing my build. Well i was finished till my little mis-haps. You would love building this plane. It went together so easy. Read some of the tips that were floating around this thread and you would have strong, durable plane that would amaze your pants off. The instructions that come with the plane arn't the best, but if you've have experinece building arfs you would have no trouble.

This is kinda off the VF topic but, has anyone had trouble with the muffler vibrating loose on the saito? Ive read to use the high temp lock-tite to hold it in place but, the high temp is the RED which is permenant. Kinda dont want an impact wrench to take off the muffler. Anyway what exhuast temps do you expect with a 4-stroke? Anything over 300 deg? Regular loc-tite is rated at that temp. Thinking that would hold up to the vibration of the Saito.

Welcome Sturtz, nice to have you here! I think you will be a happy camper like most VF owners. The only down side is the wait!

Rcfury, in full scale aviation sometimes thin CA is used to vibration proof a fastner. On metals it will just fill up and tighten the threads but still allow you to remove it although it will be very tight. But please do not do this on your new Saito before you can test it out on somthing else! or what about using a good spring washer, there are ones with radial indentations or grip textures on them to keep the nut or screw head from rotating. Hope your plane was fine after that runaway incident.

Welcome Sturtz to the VectorFlight Fan Club. Glad to have you on board! I think you are really going to be happy with yourself for making such a smart buying descision after you see your new Edge when it arrives. The Plane is an absolute Masterpiece that anyone should be proud to have in their Hangar. You will also find out that you are dealing with a Company that takes alot of Pride in the Products they produce, and values the Customers they have. Hands down, the best I have ever dealt with! Besides having a Great Company behind you, you also have some of the Friendliest guys on RCU right here in this thread that get alot of satisfaction from sharing Tips, and suggestions on this particular VF Airplane. VectorFlight is also very good about sharing any tips or suggestions they have to, if you email them with any questions. They have answered every single email I have ever thrown at them no matter how dumb my question was, and was nice enough to not make me feel dumb for asking a dumb question.

You ever notice that when you drive through a Car dealership that the Cars on the Showroom always look 10 times nicer than the ones sitting outdoors? My Edge definately looked like a showroom car when I open the box for the first time. It had a shine that jumps out at you, and not a wrinkle to be found. The VF edge was actually the first New Plane I have ever bought that actually looked new. I have bought alot of new ARF's, but they usually look more like nice preowned vehicles when you open the box. A mark here or there, and maybe a couple bubbles showing in the covering, or maybe a spot that didn't get glued right. Well the VF edge had none of these Blemishes, and actually looked like something Brand New. As you can tell, I am very happy with mine!

I hope it's not too long of a wait. I'm already getting that 6 year old boy at Christmas time feeling here about this plane.
Maybe VF will feel sorry for me and kick one out on a bus before I lose too much sleep.

I just finished the document/pics cd of the thread. At least up till 7:15PM CST anyway. It's growing like a cat in a fish market.
Went out and flew my Ultimate Bipe this evening. But couldn't get the Edge off my mind . Is this normal or what ?[&:]
Anyway,,,I'll document with photos anything out of the ordinary during the build and do a short novel of the maiden .
The 91FX should save me some fuel expenses and give me long flights for my money. I hope to see some more video of the Edge guys. hint hint. I smell a VF FAN CLUB starting to form in this thread. I want in !!!

Stop by my online flight squadron's website sometime. [link=http://www.jg51.net]JG51 Mölders / VF-51 USN[/link]Look for the message board link ,,come on in and register. Starting to get some good RC pics in the Public Forum. Of course it's mostly warbirds because of our flight sim. But it may give you something to do while you wait for the sun to come up again so you can take your VF Edges out for a spin.

>S>

Everyone,

The edge may be delayed a little bit but most likely they will give you decision either way if you ask. Keep reading.

Back before Christmas (about a week) I had already started a very detailed review to be posted here on RCU and ran into a problem with the fuselage being warped on the left side. Now even though it was not bad it did leave a little gap that was enough to make it look ugly.

After a few emails back and forth to VectorFlight, it has been decided that they are redoing the fuselage design to allow the wing to sit inside the outside skin by about 1/8 inch. As of this past monday, they were expecting the new design to be finished and in the laser cutting stage by the end of January. They will then be sending me one to test it with about a week after that and if all looks good the design will become permanent. Knowing these guys, I bet it will be a permanent design.

Other than that, this plane is going to be worth the wait. What fantastic craftmenship and the customer service cannot be beat by anyone. A lot of the other places could learn a lot from VectorFlight.

You can see the pics of what is done so far and the gap I had at:

http://www.krcs748.com/edge540pics/

Nice detailed photos Bill. I was able to see the slight gap you are refering to in your photos. Mine had a similar slight gap just like that which just required a little adjustment. Thanks to Gary's mod with the nylon Bolts, it was a super minor 10 minute adjustment. I spent probally a whole 30 cents for the nylon Bolts and drawed mine together so nice and tight that you couldn't get a grain of sand through there now. Thanks for sharing your photos, and please keep us informed on how you like the new design.

Bill,

Most of us can relate to the wing/fuselage gap. If you have read the thread, than you also know that I have come up with a simple, yet effective method to close the gap. You can find it here: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_24..._4/key_/tm.htm It is post #118. Check it out and you may be able to use this or a similar method to eliminate the gap. I have flown three times with the mod with absolutely no problems.

Good luck and happy flying.

Hey Guys,

Just want to put this out. I just put a used, but in excellant condition, Futaba 8UHPS for sale. If any of you guys need a very capable computer radio I will be happy to work something out.

Check these photos and read the add here: http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemID=71579

Later...

Gary: No sorry i got me a 8UAF allready, what a beautiful radio huh? I took out the ratcheting throttle in the radio to make the throttle much smoother.

Bubbagates: what muffler is that? dont look familar but looks great!

Any other ideas?

RC
I think the red high temp Locktite would be fine as long as a guy didn't get to carried with it. Maybe put it on just 3 or 4 threads so you will still be able to get it off ok if you would need to sometime. Make sure you are getting as much of the threaded muffler pipe threaded into the head as possible. If you just put it in a little ways you stand a good chance of ruining the threads inside the head should the muffler get whacked, or if it gets to vibrating to bad. This is just my 2 cents, and someone especially in an All Saito Thread here on RCU might have a better solution.

I had the muffler vibration problem on my Saito 120 at first. I just tried to get it as centered on the threads as possible and ised the supplied wrench to tighten it down as much as possible. Now it won't budge. I don't recommend putting Loctite on it since it was designed to stay as is. Just put a little muscle on it and use the muffler lock nuts to do the work for you. Also, if the muffler has Loctite on it and won't budge, it could cause sever damage to the head in an accident.

You might as well prepare yourself for a 4 to 6 week wait. I think they have to age them in oak barrels like good wine before they send them. LOL

Serious though, it will be a bit of a wait, and time goes slow when you are waiting for something as neat as these Planes are, but the old saying rings true in this case "Good things come to those who wait"! As long as they keep turning out high quallity Planes, then a little wait time is bearable. Hang in there though, once you get it then the time you waited will be forgotten!

Thanks Ray,,,, I guess I'll finish the "Queen of Twitchy Flight" Model-Tech Extra300 .25-.32 . Unlike the VF Edge most of the reports on this plane are bad. LOL Well,,, a couple of guys did the conversion to elec and had a good time before they augered.
I wrote VF this morning and asked for a ballpark time on shipment. But I figure you've probably nailed the answer for me here. (Wipes tears from eyes.)
Guess the time spent waiting will give me the chance to order a couple of after market items. Would you guys do me a favor and list the brand,,sizes and anything else you can think of for the spring loaded tailwheels and the tailfeather bracing ?
Anyway,,,I'll be following and documenting this thread as she goes. Gonna go out and fly today. Looks like we'll be in the 60's w/ 5 to 15mph winds. UCD.46 , Carl Goldberg Shock3/D and maybe my Tribute will take some of the edge off for me today.
For you other fan club members that already have your model flyable. I'm jealous.[:'(]

Sturtz, I used a Sig tailwheel assembly. I can't remember the exact model number, but it was made for .60-.90 size planes. I think my LHS made an error when they priced it because I only paid $2.65. The other ones thay had were in the $12-$14 range. Naturally I didn't mention this to them . Check out the pic of my tailwheel. Sullivan also makes a good, solid tailwheel assembly. I am not a fan of stock tailwheels that go up the rudder hinge line and into the rudder. I feel they put too much stress on the rudder.

As far as tail braces/wires. That is really a matter of preference. I made mine out of airfoil-shaped, hollow aluminum tubing. Since one fo them got bent when my plane fell off my work table, I will be replacing them with flying wires. You can get a flying wire kit, or you can make your own barces out of 2-56 rod like Primodus did. As long as you put something back there to tie the tail group together.

Good luck with your flying. Looks like my flying time is shot for this weekend. Mother nature is bringing some nasty weather our way. Severe thunderstorms are expected to roll in on Saturday, followed by high winds and near freezing temps on Sunday. Hopefully, I might try to get in some time Friday afternoon. If not, it looks like I'll have to wait for the following weekend.

Here's the pic of my tailwheel assembly.

Later.

Hi Guys. On the muffler issue you could always drill a hole through the head of the bolts and safety wire it. like on a real airplane. Anyone have any suggestions of a fueler valve for this plane? I will be using a 91 fx
Thanks
B. Matt

Hiya B.Matt, welcome to the thread.[8D] I used a fuel dot on my plane with a 3 line setup.

Sturtz, I used the Sullivan medium tailwheel assembly, and like Gary mentioned, 2-56 pushrods bent by hand and bolted to the stabs. (shown below)

B. Matt, I have used Dubro's refueling valve on my planes before with great success. These valves require just your standard 2-line setup for the tank. Once the refueling probe is inserted into the valve, it cuts off access to the carb and goes directly into the tank. You can even defuel with these.

Oh, and welcome to the thread.

Primodus, in the pic of your tailwheel I noticed the covering ripped. Is this where the tailwheel broke off on that hard landing?

Slimline Pitts for the Saito 91. Fit great

ez2,

I was only slightly aware of this thread until you pointed it out. I may still try that and when the new design comes in I will try that one also.

Thanks

Bill, no problem. That is precisely why I started this thread. Vectorflight is probably the best kept secret in the industry and I know that many people have these planes already. It is the experience, good or bad, from the other flyers that we need. Everyone had his/her own way of building and modifying their planes. And it is this wealth of knowledge that can help us all become better.

The nylon wing bolt through the fuselage mod has been working great for me. I decided to keep the factory dowel and just placed the bolt about an inch back from it. The bolt helps to positively key the wing to the fuselage to elimenate any gap that may have occurred during the assembly process. I was fortunate enough not to have a gap when I did the wings to the fuselge. But I didn't want to form, from the wing possibly rocking back and forth, either and that is why I decided to do the mod. A good buddy of mine is putting a H9 Futana 90 together and he gave me the opportunity to look it over. The Funtana's wings slide onto an aluminum tube and a couple of small dowel in the rear and secured with ONE nylon bolt. So if those wings can endure the stress of 3-D flight, than I sure that the method I described can withstand the flying that we will put our Edge's through.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.