Wow Rick, you should be able to see that one! Don't drop a wing or the guy in the hot dog stand will notice! LOL

Just teasing, wow that really turned out nice! I really like the break line in front of the fin, that's really cool. Give me a call soon, when my server dropped dead I lost your contact info.

Cya,
-Mike

Here's a pic of the jig I made if it will help.

That looks exactly like the one I made Wendell! It works fantastic.

-Mike

Would either of you e-mail me a bigger picture of it?

BTW - Mike, did you get my e-mail on Sunday?

I got the info from your tread.

Dean - Sent you a PM if you have any questions let me know

Ryan - Yeah I'll be at Carls contest

Mike - Thanks man, I'll give you a call asap.

I should be able to get an all up weight if anyone is interested by early next week. I do know that the finshed wings are around 13 ozs without hardware.

Rick

Hi all,

the weather has improved this week and I've been busy painting the last couple of days and nights...

Looks like some lucky bloke will be picking up his new electric V2.2 this weekend !!!

I am shooting the purple nose stripe tonight and buffing this baby tomorrow night. Love that DCC...

the only downside here is my VF3 build is sitting on the sidelines this week. I have the fin/rudder ready to install. And I am waiting on a AR-80 to come from Merle so it's in a slight pause. I am also waiting on one elevator servo.


A note on the Vinyl Graphics offer...

I am indefinitely extending my offer for free fuse side "Black Magic" graphics, What I have in stock is in Black Carbon Fiber vinyl and is 2 1/4 inches tall and about 22 inches long. I am sending this out first class mail and I am only asking for you to return the postage. Just send me PM at deanfunk1(at)yahoo.com.

I am also offering full graphics packages with all the stuff you need, ama numbers, pilot name, dragons.... etc etc.... at super reasonable prices. Just let me know what you need and I'll cut it !!!

cheers all,

Dean

shot the purple last night...

will be wet sanding and buffing tonight

all up weight of paint is 1.35 oz


: )

Dean,

That looks fantastic! Gorgeous combination of colors and the weight is superb. Did you mention somewhere in the thread what you are using finishing and paint?


Mark

HI Mark,

I am using DCC concept. I am shooting with a Sata Minijet 4. I laid down 4 coats of each color, tonight I'll be wet sanding with 2000 grit paper and using the 3m perfect it and finness it buffing/polishing componds.

I am wanting to get to that super wet look.

I am impressed as well, with the primer coat I should end up at around 3 1/2 oz total with primer. All the color is only at 1.35 oz. The purple belly and nose strip only added .25 oz.

I almost don't believe it myself, I do have a great digital scale and carefully checked weights all along the way. I can't wait to get home tonight and start the wetsanding and buffing process. I still have to shot another coat of red on the canopy and purple on the belly pan.

I'll post some finished pics with graphics friday...

thanks,

dean

So that is 1.35 oz for the paint. Does that include the glass, resin and primer? Just trying to get a bead on the weight difference between glass and paint and monokote.

Thanks, Dean. I just did a quick search and that looks like 2 part auto paint, right?

Because I'm lazy and can't recall your glassing details, did you use epoxy for your glass or water based paint?


Thanks again,
Mark

HI Pete and Mark,

It's the 2 part automotive paint that Radio South sells and you can also get it at your local PPG Automotive paint stores. If your not familiar with it- it is really great stuff. It part of a full line of finishing products including primers, and clear coats. Tony does mono/ultrakote matching and it is easy to work with.

This is actually a plane that Mike Hester built for a customer, and the plane is set up for electric. Mike went way out and put together probably the lightest electric v2.2 built to date. Mike did the fiberglass work with epoxy, I think he used west systems and .5oz cloth. He also brushed on the first coat of K-36 primer. What he told me is he brushed on 3 oz of primer.

I took the plane from there and sanded off about half the primer using 220 and 280 grit paper. I shot a second coat of primer and sanded that smooth with 400.

It's been challenging for me to do this super light paint job, the next part of this is wet sanding with 2000 grit, buffing and polishing. There is 4 light coats of color on this plane so I am hoping I can wet sand it just smooth enough to take out the texture and then buff and polish it to a smooth high gloss....

Yes Pete there is only 1.35 of color on the plane after about 2.5 oz of primer. It's got solid coverage and is fairly thick looking at the taped edges.

I am anxious to finish things tonight, if this plane polishes out at this weight, wow -

Pete,

I would definitely recommend glassing and painting. The ultra light/soft balsa used in the finish will not hold up well with monokote. Every slight ding this plane encounters monokoted would show. They can all be taken out, but the glass/paint method is so much more durable. I had a Dennis Hunt Viper with the same problem. The wood was so soft that when my dad would carry the plane out to the runway, if he had a button down shirt on, it would leave marks on the fuse. I'm sure Mike and a lot of other guys will agree with how much more durable the glassed/painted fuse is, and will hold up so much better over time,

Arch

<-- Fellow wood roach builder, first, beautiful, ok not realy... monokoted plane, DING MAGNET... 2nd... glassed and painted, gained no additional weight.

GO GLASS and don't look back.


Chuck

Wood Roach Addict # 5
OFC Member (Organic Fiberous Composite)

Arch,

I think I'm going film; if I used the logic that it would ding I would have stripped the covering off my Focus and glassed it.

In the air you won't see the dings. Function over aesthetics.

Pete,

The Focus isnt built with the same quality of wood as the V2's. They can handle some dings as the one in my garage proves...This airplane was designed with these woods for the purpose of painting. I think even the designer will chime in here recommending glassing and painting.

Arch

DONE....

well except for the graphics....


She is one sweet machine, I reshot the yellow to get it a bit deeper. only added another .3 oz.

Mike and I where talking that this is the best electric Black Magic to date. very light weitght.

Man 0 man did I learn a lot finishing this beast in something like 4 nights. wow, my brain is swelling... And I get to paint my build next week. I used a lot of really cool product the 3m buffing and polishing compounds are awesome. And I've gotten close and personal with my minijet now, I can flow this paint like glass now.

I am heading to my PPG store to see my paint babes next monday... need more colors !!!!!

you guys are getting to know me now, I am amped to the max here. we have a big meet tommorrow, I haven't flown or been outa my shop in a month, but I am happy as hell! It looks I can slip out this evening to get a little airtime.. I am just glad this baby is OUTTA HERE !!!!

Now WITH Graphics!!!

Okay, I guess I am done now : ) Some lucky dude is getting a most awesome plane.... I hope he just hates it's cause I'll take this baby home, no problem...

it's been a super busy week painting this awesome electric V2.2.

It's late, I am supposed to fly in a meet in the morning, I haven't been out of my shop in so long... hope it's not too sunny in the morning.

cheers all!

Dean

OK the Black Magic Gasser is back! with new colors. The plan is to maiden after the GMA contest tomorrow. Good news is the new plane is lighter about 10 lbs 4 oz. Here is a pic of the new plane right off the bench. Was planning on attending the contest today but after being sick all week I just could not get there.

I am going to or want to use an 160FX on my next BM What type of header an pipe is the best to use an who has them All i see aroung are the pitt style.

Karl Mueller makes the prettiest ones...Central Hobbies also carries one that works well. You can reach Karl at: [email protected]

Arch Stafford

All that I see that Centreal Hobbies carry is for the 140, will that one work on the 160 O.S an what is the web for the other?

Wendell,

It is different from the OS 1.40 (1.40RX is rear exhaust)...Central doenst list all of their products on the website. if you call them and ask for Mandy she'll help you out. It is somewhere about 30-35.00 if I remember correctly. I know they have one, because I've ordered them before....they will take good care of you,

Karl Mueller doesnt have a website...he does them in his spare time. You have to email him and you have to know the rise you need and such. He does great work though...


Arch

Thanks to Mike and Mellissa for a great GMA Meet this year. You guys are awesome and we all lucked out with the best weather ever at a local meet herein D3. I finished painting the red plane friday afternnon and Mike finish the final work for John, he is happy.

It was a "Gathering of Dragons"

enjoy the pics ya'll