Build the ring into the cowl. Simple with the part Mike supplies, ring is cheap at about $15, and the mount is LOT cheaper, and the whole setup is lighter. I don't find the ARIA mount works as well as a separate ring with the 1.60FX in airplanes that are otherwise absolutely identical. A lot less vibration. Also, buy the Hyde mount with plastic rails. Cheaper, and they support the engine on both lugs, not just one.

One warning, don't cut out the cheek cowl cooling holes until after the ring mount is in. Mine was ok, but it was CLOSE.

Andy Pollitt sells the rings. http://www.countryworkshop.ca/planes/andy/home.htm

Jon

Is there a one peice mount for the YS160?

yes, but I THINK it's more like the older ones.

One critical note about those nose rings: The ones for the 160dz are too tight. They will fuse to the engine and defeat the soft mount all together. I strongly suggest taking a dremel sanding drum to the O ring until it's a slip fit, and installing it with lithium grease.

Also I wanted to pass on a little something. Although central doesn't have them, if you go direct to Merle and ask him, he has a mount he calls an "AR80". This is similar to the ARA, but the beams pick up all 4 holes. the weight difference is small and you have to use a nose ring former mounted in your cowl, BUT....here's the sweet part....so far, this is THE smoothest, most quiet mount I have ever run, period. I am probably going to sell the mount out of my V2 and replace it with an AR 80 very soon. It's that sweet.

It DOES let the engine move around a little more, so you have to be sure that your header is tight and your muffler/pipe can move as well. But this mount is the ticket so far.

I have no long term data so I can't tell you if it has more of a tendancy to trash O rings or whatever, but right now this looks like the best mount for a YS. Time will tell, I'll try to remember to give a report after a month or 2 of hard flying.

The AR 80 is a prototype mount, so I'm not positive it can be had yet, but I know he's had the design for quite some time. He also has something really really wicked in the works....like really cutting edge stuff. If I get into that mount, I'll post pics.

-Mike

Hi Mike

When do we get some basic pictures of the VF3 ??? Im sure people are keen even to see the prototype

Thanks

Troy

I'll start a new thread very soon. We need to do some more flight testing to make sure it doesn't have any hidden suprises. It's VERY solid, actually downright shocking in some respects. But I don't want to make any more posts about it until I'm past the shock and fully into objectiveness. I don't want to say something and it turn out not to be what I say it is. Everything I've posted so far is dead on accurate though. I just want to be sure.

Also I'm not totally fond of the finish on the prototype...one day fast and dirty. but I do have some really good pics, so soon....

-Mike

Well after 7 months I finished building the BM. All that is left is to install the radio gear and motor. Well what do you guys think?

Awesome!!!!!!!!

For somebody who had never built a plane before, how did you find the build?

-Mike

Man, that is sweet!!! How much does it weigh? So far mine is amazing the heck out of me. It looks BIG but it's so light! I should be able to post some more details in a day or so. Real busy now. I have a cool wing retention method that seems to work really well. I'll post some pic's of that too.

John Pavlick

Looks great Tony!

The build was very easy. I had it built months ago but not painted or covered. I have only built arfs. The plane looks way better than any ARF I have bought. I used a one of a kind of jig for the build. The jig is only set up to make BM fuses. I would have to make another jig to build a different plane. The hardest part of the build was trying to make a decision on the scheme. You have one easy building kit Mike. I have not weighed the plane as of yet, but I am sure with radio and engine it will be way below 11 pounds. I did not use contest balsa, but I went to the hobby store here in town with a scale in hand. I used mike reccomendations on the weight of the woods. I then selected the lightest. Some of it was less weight than Mikes reccomendation.
A lot of the wood was contest balsa weight but a lot less price. so For those who have a hobby shop that sells balsa, take your scale with you and select the lightest woods based on Mikes recommendation. I can not believe I have 9 hours in covering both stabs and 11 in covering the wings. Painting the fuse took a lot less time

That's really cool Tony, I keep hearing that....LOL

What I really enjoy, just being honest, is watching all of the new planes being built and finished. They all can (and do) look a lot different.

If you liked the build on the V2, hang on because you aren't going to BELIEVE the VF3. I exchange emails and phone calls with dozens of people every day, and since the very first down and dirty version, we've tried to listen and always refine and make it better, easier, lighter, stronger, 6 million dollar man stuff (sorry if you're too young to remember that).

I was actually about to post a "coming soon" thread on the VF3, but I think I'll wait. It's still a ways off, I just wanted to share some pics and ititial reports....but I think it better to wait a little more. But not much....

-Mike

Ok, I am well behind my goal but the big stuff is finally done. Finished mounting the canopy to the frame on Friday and all that is left is everything else.


Also, have some cowl details showing the bracing and nose ring mount. Jon had a great point a few posts back install the nose ring before you make the holes in the cowl.

Looks cool Anthony, great job!!

Make sure and glass that nose ring former in with 4-6 oz cloth, or carbon. Looking good!

-Mike

Hey All,

I am offering a Spring early bird vinyl graphics special, if you have a completed or near completed Black Magic V2 - send me a picture of your build or finished plane or post it to this list and I will send you for FREE "Black Magic V2.2" Fuselage graphics, you just pay postage.

I also have full graphics packages available, all the dragons, pilots names numbers, etc. Anything you can think or dream of I can design and cut it !!!

Just send me a email to deanfunk1(AT)yahoo.com. and tell me size and color - I'll be doing the fuselage graphics in either the super cool black or silver carbon vinyl look vinyl- your choice.

I am cutting vinyl this week, and I am sending Dave S's. graphics out to the great white north this week,

so don't miss out -

Cheers all,

Dean

PS - Hey Anthony - let me know what color vinyl you want, I think I still have your mailing address, your build looks sweet.... : )

Hay Mike, ? for you. What do you think of putting a Magnum 180 4s in my next BM. Is it possibli. Like as far as motor mounts an exsaidra. Can't spell worth a flip!!!!! an do they make a pump for this engine? Tell me something.

Doable, IF you keep it really light...and you'll have to move the wing tube forward about 3/8".

I wouldn't suggest it personally. That engine is a brick, and not sure it puts out enough power to make it worth the extra weight.

Pumps: I'm sure there's a way, but I'm not aware of the specifics. I know there's a way to pump a Saito, so there has to be a way to pump the magnum. But how the magnum reacts to it, that's anybody's guess if you haven't tried it.

I dunno, doable but...worth it?

-Mike

Wendell,
It is about $100 more than an OS 1.60 2 stroke, and weighs about 6 oz more; why bother? OS 1.60 also burns 15% fuel.

Come over to Huntsville sometime as see my Black Magic with an OS 1.60 in it. I did an article for the KFactor a couple of months back on it. Easy to set up, proven formula, gobs of power.

Jon Lowe

I thought they closed huntsville down or was that just SPA? Can the K-factor article be downloaded an if so were? Let me know when to come , me an my better half will come, An my better half is not my BM, it is my wife. She reads my E-mail, I'am not stupit!

No, Huntsville is alive and well, contests and all. Just lost a CD for SPA. We are having a Ballistic Pattern Event and an AMA Pattern event this year.

I fly most flyable days this time of year after work, around 4:30 PM. I'd be out tomorrow, but the forecast is really crappy. I will be practicing for the GMA event that is next weekend. I wil send you an email to give you my cell number so you can call to see if I will be out on a particular day.

Jon

dang this weather...

all ready to paint a couple black magics and it's raining !!!!

Just thought I'd share my finished Black Magic V2. Well almost finished, I couldn't wait to put the ailerons, elevators, and rudder before sharing!!

Rick

Nice Rick, send me a PM with your mailing address and I send you some graphics for the fuse...

Dave S and Tony A. yours went out today.

I am finally painting - it's still 63° here in atlanta at 9:45 pm...

: )

Damn Rick, it'd be nice if you smiled.

That airplane looks KILLER. Are you going to be at Carl's contest this weekend?

Dean,

I put the diagonal bracing in and the bottom turtle deck on today. Top turtle deck will go on tomorrow and we are off the races. Good thing you had a good jig to build those fuse crutches in ;-)

BTW - Pens lost to Ottawa last night...

Pete

Hi Pete,

Good to hear about your build. Sounds like your on track. Just Keep moving forward, if you ain't measuring, cutting or gluing your wasting time : ) When you get ready to do the canopy give me a call and I'll give you some pointers. I've done a few now and it's actually easy. You need to make a little gluing jig...

I am staying up late tonight painting an electric V2.2 fuse. It's going well, it's warmed up a bit - it's 60° right now at 11:00 - about 67° in my painting shop (garage).

sorry to hear about the Pens,

later friend, dean