BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

In case anyone is interested, I've started a "User review" thread about the BVM Super Balsa Bandit:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...04&forumid=142

The build is far from complete (had too many distractions recently to get it done), but may be of interest anyway - and I will update it frequently during the rest of the build.

The way the "User" reviews work, is that you can not reply to that thread - this keeps the review thread "clean" from diversions etc. If you want to ask any questions though - fire at will via PM, email, or by responding to this thread.

Regs,
Gordonn

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

wow, really good review, keep it flowing.......



L.R.

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

Thanks - shall do. Might be slow progress for a bit though, as I have my inlaws visting for a month, and need to spend time with them instead of just running off into the garage all the time. ;)

Gordon

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

Maybe as the month progresses the build progress will accelerate exponentially as you find every excuse for running off into the garage! :D

A month with the outlaws! Man you're my hero.........LOL.

review
 

well done Gordon.

keep it up.

buck

Updates
 

In case it's of interest - I have posted quite a few updates to the review. Might get some more done this weekend if I don't make it up to Woodland for the jet meet.

BTW - just to re-emphasize... this is a very early kit, and BVM is already actively working on addressing the few minor issues I've found - so even if you were to place an order for the kit today, these things will have been taken care of by the time your kit arrives. (Just wanna make sure that my reporting of even the smallest of "niggles" doesn't give the wrong impression - the kit truly is awesome.)

Gordon

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

Good work Gordon, This excercise will sharpen your skills for the 2nd SB:):)

What's your weight projection for the frame only with retracts and wheels and brakes before glassing? The Bobcat XL with retracts and wheels came in at 12 lbs before glassing. If you can get the SB at 11-12 lbs, then the RTF weight can be controlled to 17-18 lbe w/o fuel and that would be nice.

shim
 

Hey Gordon, why do you need that little plywood shim that goes under the front part of the port nose flex arm?

Also have you heard about an upgraded lower operating link for the nose gear?

My wings are done, it is called C_O_M_P_O_S_I_T_E, so I was happy to see you switched to the fuse, I hope to catch up with you, but I obviously want to stay a few steps behind:-)

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

G'day Ehab - long time no see on RCU !

I have no idea what the weight might be. Can try to get some estimate later today. I'm still missing some parts though (e.g. fuel cells, canopy kit etc) so you'll need to bear that in mind.

If you want, when I build yours, I can use less glue, and add lots of lightening holes. Would 3 inch diameter holes in each rib suit ? ;) Seriously though - I will pay much more attention to saving weight on yours.

At least this is a comparatively quick build. Not as quick as the Bobcat obviously, but way simpler than your Mig 15. Will get back to that one of these days - but when a project starts p'ing me off that much, it needs to be put aside for a while, lest the sledgehammer come into my peripheral vision while I'm fighting against uncooperative parts.

Should be ready to glass your Bobcat wings for you in about 3 weeks. Actually, Bob (Sideshow here on RCU) wants to learn how to do glassing, so maybe I'll let him use your aircraft to learn on - he can watch me glass my SB, and mimic the actions on your Bobcat !

Gordon

Re: shim
 

Originally posted by mr_matt
Hey Gordon, why do you need that little plywood shim that goes under the front part of the port nose flex arm?


According to the manual, it's to keep the nose-gear strut straight when viewed from the front of the model.

The only reason I can think of for that to be a concern is if the holes in F1 for the flex arms are not perfectly symmetrical about the centreline, and effectively "tilt" the gear to port. Given that this would be highly dependand on perfect siting of F1 though, I'm not convinced that that is the reason. For now, it's in there because the manuals says to do it. Once I get the aircraft up on its gear with the surfaces mounted, I'll check the gear alignment and see whether to leave the part, remove it, increase the shim, or whatever is needed.

Also have you heard about an upgraded lower operating link for the nose gear?

No - sounds like you may have though ... wanna spill the beans ?

My wings are done, it is called C_O_M_P_O_S_I_T_E

Yeah - I've done a few of those, back in the days when I was part of a team that created composite 1/4 Lancair kits for the giant-scale race scene. Really neat stuff - especially when we used the top surface of the wing as the actual hinge (a'la full-scale glider technology). However, I'm one of those guys who actually enjoys building (most of the time !), so I wanted to get the balsa version. Also, I'm a Scotsman (a.k.a. "cheap"), so saving $1000 on the kit was something that appealed to me. ;)

I hope to catch up with you, but I obviously want to stay a few steps behind:-)

Oh, I see ... using me as a guinea-pig, huh ?

Later,
Gordon

SuperBandit
 

I have heard of people like you..........

Without a doubt!


OOPS forgot to mention the gear. I heard that early gear used an aluminum lower arm, now they are steel. I will dig mine out and check

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

If you are going to hold some sort of workshop on glassing wings I would love to attend.

This is the only part of a build I need more knowledge of! :)

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

Hi Maverick,

I'm no expert - but I've done a fair amount of glassing and have developed methods that work for me. My approach is different than some (e.g I don't use two layers of epoxy - just one), so you could no doubt find many folk who think what I'm doing is wrong.

With that caveat in mind, you are more than welcome to drop by when I'm doing the glassing. If that ends up happening, what I might try to do is arrange it so that instead of just me showing my approach, I might be able to get my good friend Reggie to come over and demo any differences in his approach, as well as explain to you guys what the differences in epoxies, wetting properties of glass cloth's etc are. (Reggie owns PIC Adhesives, which produces a line of really great epoxies, CA's, aliphatic resins etc.)

Regs,
Gordon

Re: SuperBandit
 

The nose gear I have right now for my Super Bandit has the steel part. I will have to dig out the box of parts for my "backup Bobcat kit" and see if the earlier gear I got there is different.

Thanks for the heads-up.

BTW - I should get some more added to the review today. Right now my SmartMedia card reader on the PC refuses to read the card containing the latest photos, but I'll re-take them as necessary and add some more info to the review.

Another note of interest - Bob Violett contacted me yesterday to let me know that he has read the review so far, and that he and his staff will be addressing every one of the comments I've made - this will ensure that the build goes as smoothly as possible for everyone else. From my past experience with the Bobcats I can tell you that this response isn't lip-service - it's genuine. It sure is nice to see the commitment to quality and the fact that BVM acts so promptly on feedback. I've built enough kits from enough manufacturers to know that this is not the norm.

Okay - enough of that warm-fuzzy stuff ... on with the build !

Later,
Gordon

Tanks
 

Hi Gordon,

I saw the new super bandit kevlar tanks at Superman.


Do you happen to know if F-2 and F-3 are already sized for the new tank? In the manual they look to be sized for the old kev hopper tank. Since you are tight with BV, I thought you might know :-)

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

Hey Gordon, I still want to come and watch, but maybe you detail the glassing of the SB's wings like the rest of the construction article. I know there are a few techniques posted elsewhere on the net...but another variation would probably help a few people......like me....

Bob

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

I think That Gordon and BVM are doing us a great service by improving the product for all of us to enjoy. The response by BVM, as Gordon mentioned, is what I expect from all companies but only a few will act in that manner.

Gordon, I want to get the straight fin too so I can try both styles.
I will also have the BC-XL ready for you in 3 weeks!!! Thx a bunch!!

Re: Tanks
 

Originally posted by mr_matt
Do you happen to know if F-2 and F-3 are already sized for the new tank? In the manual they look to be sized for the old kev hopper tank.

No idea yet. I'm still waiting for the fuel cells. BTW, you have to call them that - not tanks - otherwise the folks at BVM assume you're talking about the under-wing pylon mounted doo-dahs. (That's a technical term that we engineers use, BTW).

Same with the turbine mount kit, clear canopy and cockpit kit - they are still on back-order right now. Not sure about the rest, but the fuel cells will hopefully be avaiulable in about 2 or 3 weeks according to Dana. Once I get 'em, I'll let you know about the fit etc.

Since you are tight with BV, I thought you might know :-)

LOL ! Dunno about that ... not sure if he's even forgiven me yet for my past sins ! ;)

Later
Gordon

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

That would be great! Please keep me in mind.

Wing
 

Does anyone know if the new balsa Super Bandit wing is the same or different than the original balsa Bandit wing? I thought that they were the same. I just purchased an original balsa Bandit kit and I'm just wondering if I need to take heed with Gordon's mods and notes---

Gordon---you are doing a wonderful job and a great service to all of us interested in this kit. Keep up the good work!!!

Kevin

Wing differences
 

Hi Kevin,

I have not built any of the original (non-Super) Bandits, so can not be 100% sure of this - but I am about 95% certain that the wing on the Super Balsa Bandit is largely based on, but different from the original - in other words, I believe they took the original wing and asked themselves "How can we make this better ?" It's those brand-new changes that introduce the possibilty of a couple of minor teething problems.

BV just doesn't allow things like a mis-sized part or a mis-sequenced build step to stay in his kits for any length of time at all. So, given that the original Bandit was around for something like 7 years, the odds against there being any part of that kit or manual that still needed attention would be very slim IMO.

I know that David Shulman (form BVM) hangs around here occasionally, so I'll see if we can get an absolutely definitive answer from him (or any other BVM folks) just to put your mind at rest.

Regs,
Gordon

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

As I understand it from talking to BV, the wing airfoil has been maintained, but the LG, Doors, Ail, flaps have been improved for ease of assembly and painting. The stab and rudder went thru the same procedure. The fuse has been strengthened in the stab mounting area.

Metal Blocks
 

Those 1-2-3 blocks you use look really useful. Who makes them and what is the approximte cost?

BVM Super Balsa Bandit
 

I was going to ask the same thing about the 1-2-3 blocks. Look like a really handy item.

Garrett

1-2-3 blocks
 

Got them from Penn tool company:

http://www.penntoolco.com/catalog/products/2245.cfm

Price is $9.95 per pair, and they come in a handy little carboard box with a flip-top so that you can keep them protected without it being a hassle to get them out & put them away again all the time.

Gordon