BIG A-5 Vigilante build
06-09-2020, 08:51 AM
#628
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I did a little work this weekend. I balanced the Vigilante where the glider flew well, with the plane tipping nose down on the front spar. It took a lot of lead, Just like my Panther. I made a tray to secure it as far forward as possible. the fixed gear seem to be handling the weight .
11-28-2020, 07:36 PM
#629
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didn't get a chance to go to any jet meets in 2020 so maybe a test flight next year......... I wasn't going to put any more work into the Vigilante but I am tired of looking at it......... I glued a new probe on the nose and sprayed the repaired area on the nose. I'll probably wind up spraying on the gray and white and putting on a few rivets. The plane I modeled 149278 was shot down during the Viet Nam war. They both got out ok and eventually made it home. Hopefully the model flights are a depiction of the full scale flights in reverse order.
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jescardin (11-29-2020)
11-28-2020, 08:03 PM
#630
Many of us know how you feel, we know for sure that you will make the Vigilante fly again, it only took me 11 years and 5 months to get to the maiden day for my Turbinator, I'm so happy I got it done, it flies so good.
I hope you keep working on it little by little 'till it has flown again, hang in there.
I hope you keep working on it little by little 'till it has flown again, hang in there.
01-14-2022, 05:19 AM
#631
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Location: MandurahWestern Australia, AUSTRALIA
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This was one heck of a story from start to finish, but I want a happier ending. A few thoughts:
1. Never go to so much effort finishing a new design until it’s proven. I did this with an F18 recently. It was unpainted for its maiden flight.
2. Balancing “nose down” is a misguided hangover from the bad old days. Find where the true balance point is with the aircraft level. Nose down just means the true balance point is forward of the pivot, not “nose heavy”.
3. The CG on a jet is rarely at 25-30% MAC. The fuselage contributes proportionately more lift than on a prop plane and its center of lift is a lot further forward than the wing’s CL, so the combined CL is much further forward.
This was a fantastic project over a long timespan. I hope you report back here someday that you successfully flew it.
1. Never go to so much effort finishing a new design until it’s proven. I did this with an F18 recently. It was unpainted for its maiden flight.
2. Balancing “nose down” is a misguided hangover from the bad old days. Find where the true balance point is with the aircraft level. Nose down just means the true balance point is forward of the pivot, not “nose heavy”.
3. The CG on a jet is rarely at 25-30% MAC. The fuselage contributes proportionately more lift than on a prop plane and its center of lift is a lot further forward than the wing’s CL, so the combined CL is much further forward.
This was a fantastic project over a long timespan. I hope you report back here someday that you successfully flew it.
01-14-2022, 03:32 PM
#632
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Hi S.U.,
I was more upset about twisting up the nice scale retracts my friend machined than busting up the airframe. The next attempt will be as is with fixed gear. I think I have the CG figured out in the video of the hand tossed glider I posted previously. The story is not over. It is sitting ready for another attempt. I just need to find a place and commit the time to try again.
Thanks,
Joe
I was more upset about twisting up the nice scale retracts my friend machined than busting up the airframe. The next attempt will be as is with fixed gear. I think I have the CG figured out in the video of the hand tossed glider I posted previously. The story is not over. It is sitting ready for another attempt. I just need to find a place and commit the time to try again.
Thanks,
Joe
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SHANEC (01-07-2023)
