One more thing to check. I have 5 of those 4.8v 1500ma batts that come with the Spektrum equipment. I am not sure why, but it took approx. 10 chg/dshg cycles to get them conditioned where I would trust them. I never had any batts that required so much conditioning...

Thanks Spirit, when I get my 2.4 radio I will switch to a 6V battery. Much appreciated!

gaRCfield,

here is the pix of the front of the tank support. note the servo tray is used as a tank supprt, but it is installed deeper into the fuse than the origianl postion. this way it lines up with the tank top. note the triangle stock to make a bed for the ply.

ups just delivered my venus2...ordered from tower on 19th and got it today...some pretty deep gouges in the cartons, but just like the magician poking swords through the lady in a box, they all missed vital parts...i read the entire thread (whewww)...got some great tips from don m. and the rest of you guys...looks like my setup will be kinda unique (completely rebuilt os1.08fsr w/ abc piston/sleeve from perf spec (waiting on a wristpin))..if the stock muffler is a problem, i'll see if dub jett has a more compact tuned muffler...i'll cut back on my heli flying (fly, crash, repair), so i can finish and test fly an arf kaos40 w/ jett sj50, then get started on the venus2...ken

My box was gauged as well, but no damage. Covering has some creases, obvious clear stuff added to keep the edges of trim covering on, and the root rib was pulled away from the wing. But believe me, I'm not complaining!!! I'm so happy so far. I couldn't believe how big the Ailerons were - I opened the box and was like "what the heck are these things? OH! Wow, huge ailerons!"

My question right now is basic: If I cut the canopy into a windshield, will it NOTICEABLY affect the flight characteristics of the plane? I either want an open cockpit or will paint the canopy.

Thanks

Joe,
Paint the canopy silver on the inside and glue it in place. Add a few screws to hold it just in case too. DO NOT cut it open to make an "open" cockpit. Jeez. If you have ANY questions please send me a PM. I want to see you fly this airplane at Jackson in 2 weeks. Good luck.

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic

Thanks John, I'm blowing off work right now to try to get it done!

See you in two weeks!!!

Check post #890.
I painted my canopy with Pactra window tint. Does a great job and you can make it as dark as you want. Available at all Hobby Shops that sell cars.

Great tip on the canopy tint I was thinking about what to do with mine. I was going to call spectrum to see if they knew where I could find a test pilot figure that had 2.4 on his helmit because the other pilots that I have look worried ,LOL . I will give the tint a try.

I've used transparent blue model car paint for canopies too. It looks nice if you apply it evenly. The good thing about the silver canopy is it's more visible in the air. The blue or black tint is not. The silver is easier to apply too. If you don't apply the tint (semi-transparent) colors evenly, they look like cr@p.

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic

So things are going together OK. Last night I cut the former and ply for the CG mounted tank. Today I picked up the necessary balsa, and a bunch of other things to get my bench together before the assembly.

I spent 8 hours today and got the plane ironed, ailerons installed, wings built and 'belly' installed, servos pre-installed, and I think that's it. They are really kidding themselves, and us newbies, by saying it's a 10-12 hour assembly; this is my (4th?) ARF this season, and this one is the first to be assembled in a proper room with a workbench, and I don't think I will even get it completely done in 3 full 8 hour days.

I'm only having one problem; the right side (when plane is upside down) nylon wing bolt won't line up with the nut. The left one goes in fine, but the right just won't do it whether you try it first or second. Has anyone found an easy solution to this? I'm hesitant to enlarge the hole, though maybe it's the only option. I've been plagued with improperly drilled bolt holes in wings; Two Phoenix planes required me to plug and re-drill the holes, and this one the belly pan holes were not big enough and drilled too far inside. Actually the whole wing fits a bit funny and snug, but it seemed to at least go together as I was assembling the unit.

Should have stab and maybe gear and tank done tomorrow.

Great info, I didn't know that about the visability of the canopy, thanks for that tid bit of info.

gaRCField,


I have had this issue to with other planes but not the 4 venus's yet. Find out which hole is correct. that is mount the wing w/ plane upsidown on one bolt only and measure from the wing tips to the center of the back by where rudder goes. find which hole aligns the wing closest to perpendicular. that is the hole you want to use. then file or enlarge another way the other hole so that screw will fit. you should be fine then. let us know.

Thanks. At 3:00am last night it seemed like a bigger deal than it was...5 minute fix and it's fine. Got the stab done, everything hinged up, tank installed, servos installed, and gear built. Tomorrow will get engine, pump, and push rods done, gear put on. I painted the canopy Aluminum Gloss. I've painted a few canopies already this year and have not yet been satisfied - I used Lowe's brand paint for plastic, Krylon for plastic, but this time used Tamiya Plastic model paint...what a difference! As with everything else, you get what you pay for. One very light coat so far and it looks perfect already.

Hoping to be flight ready by the end of tomorrow, Monday the latest (not including cutting the cowl). I think this is a record time for me!!! 3 full days.

Got the engine mounted today. The cowl doesn't fit on the plane though; the profile of the cowl is exactly the same size as the nose of the plane, and trying to squeeze it on it cracked. Also the cutouts didn't really line up properly as the cowl couldn't be fully on the plane when I marked them. Hopefully Hobbico can send me another one. Had the control rods soldered today, installed the fuel tank and plumbing (2 line system with "T"'s and a check valve, Perry V30 pump. Pretty close!!!

Joe,
Sounds like it's coming along well. Good luck and build straight. We'll see you at Jackson.

Yes, the cowl is a too tight of a fit, but depending on your engine/muffler configuration you are probably going to have to make a cutout on the bottom of the cowl. Doing the cut-out first will definitely help alleviate some of the stress on the cowl. If this isn't enough, it is also possible to make a neat slice in the bottom of the cowl to permit expansion. Spread the cowl a little, then use some CA hinge material and CA glue to make a little bridge for the gap.

These things always take longer than expected to assemble. (One exception: my AW Yak 50cc that took 10 hours flat!) Keep in mind that you are making some significant modifications, which always complicate and slow down the process. Even little additional things such as painting/tinting the canopy can end up taking a couple of extra hours.

When you are finished, the most important thing to do is to SLOW DOWN, use the checklist in the instruction manual, and to get another knowledgeable pilot to go through it with you. Even for someone with lots of experience it is very easy to breeze over items in the checklist without really critically looking to see if they are done right.

thanks guys, great advice. To tell you the truth, I'm really proud of myself - I've actually put the plane down when tired, or frustrated, and closed the door to that room and forgot about it until later or the next day. Definitely taking my time and going through the instructions over again to make sure I didn't miss things. I got the cowl mounted - it doesn't look that great, but it's on (and I've got another one coming now I know what to expect - wouldn't have minded except it cracked when trying to squeeze it on, so will cut the bottom first on the new one).

speaking of things taking time, it took me over an hour to get one of the elevator control horns mounted this morning! Looks good though

Question: my pump came with red rigid tubing to use for pressure line. It kept splitting when I tried to install it - it might be pretty old as it's an unused unit but was purchased (I don't know when) from a closeout sale. So I used some regular (silicon) heavy duty fuel line. It's a V30, which runs off a tap in the crank case, not the oscillating kind.

Is this OK?

If the line is the same diameter as the original line it cannot be more than 4 inches long. if it is larger diameter it needs to be shorter.

Great, all set then.

another question- how do i fuel/defuel? I have line from clunk to pump with a t between going to a dot, and line from vent to check valve with t between going to dot. How do i get fuel to go to tank and not carb, and how do i defuel without drawing air?

plane is close to balancing right, nose heavy with muffler extension and tail heavy without, and the extension needs to be cut. Done tomorrow =)

Joe, My 120Ax has a tee setup like yours, all I do is make sure that my throttle is fully closed in the throttle kill position before
fueling or defueling. I never have a problem getting the fuel in or out. You may see a few drops from the carb when fueling but
that's normal. I consider pre primed
Make sure you remove your vent checkvalve when refueling.

I now have 19 great flights on my Venus II. However, with the Saito 150 and the stock 14 oz tank, 9 1/2 minutes seems to be the limit at Pattern speeds.
I can't find a 16oz tank that fits like the 14 oz that comes with the kit? I think the originally had one in the kit??
Has anyone used a Dubro 16 oz and mounted it on its side???
I am happy with the tank where it is since I always use elevator trim throughout the flight and I don't want to mess with too much cutting a fit for a larger tank.
I know!!!! Just fly for 9 minutes[>:]

I also have an issue I just purchased another Venus and this one was in great shape except for where you join the wings together the small piece of wood that extends in the fuse was broken off. I was wondering if I should make one or what? I know, send it back is a good idea too but I bought it from someone who didn't want it so I thought I would assemble it for a second plane just in case. Thanks guys any help would be great.

I installed a Dubro 16 oz fuel tank in the Venus II.

I had to remove about 1.mm on each side of the slot in the former in front for the tank to fit in sideways. With the tank chin mounted to the right, that lines up the tank stopper with the hole in the firewall.
A strip of foam padding on the chin. around the former and at the back of the tank as well a 1" thick piece of foam above the tank all fit just like the supplied tank.

This will make the 10 minute flight with ease.