Here some pictures for you Chuck.

Some more

Wow that's Awesome!!

Where did you get your fuel tank tray material??

Looks Great and thanks allot for the pics!!!

Chuck

P.S. I see some kewl lookin' bellypan's in one of the photo's too... [8D]

This plane being large seems to fly its best a 10 1/2 - 10 3/4. If they get too light it does get bounced around in the winds. Mine was originally 10.5 and with the CDI is now closer to 10 14oz and it flies great there.

Arch

So can I use this same info for the V-2??

I got the blue V-2 from Dean a few months ago (one of Mikes first few airplanes) ...I'm getting ready to fly it for the first time after piddeling with it for a bit...I think it's pretty well "set-up" and obviously has allot of flights but it's new to me so I'm looking it over just to satisfy myself...

The last few things on "the list" are to set up the control throws and check the CG...I was gonna set the elev and aileron at 8* low rate and 12* high rate per Dean's suggestion...I wasn't sure on the CG...

Thanks Allot...

Chuck

P.S. I also bought a framed up and sheeted V-3 and am looking forward to getting to that one of these days!!

Chuck,

Yes, you can use the same setup on the V2. Get the CG on the front or just in front of the tube. Flies great there.

Arch

I make it, It is carbon fiber on 1/8" lite ply.

My control throw meter measures in inches...I found this formula in another thread on how to convert degrees into inches:

Read more: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_44...#ixzz0p5dxqSt6



So for me wanting 8 deg low rates and 12 deg high rates on the elevator I came up with:

Elevator Chord = 4" (I used the largest chord...Since it's tapered you want to be sure and use the same spot to set your gauge that you measured for the calculations... )

8 x 3.14 = 25.12 / 360 = 0.0697 (inches per degree which I rounded off to .070)

.070 x 8 = .56" for 8 degrees of throw

.070 x 12 = .84" for 12 degrees of throw


I know this is very basic Trig but I'm dumb and I couldn't remember way back to school so I had to go look it up...

Hope this helps...

Chuck

Frequent Flyer,

In post #1469 the last picture weigh the fuse by itself with no mount or any equipment inside, just the bare bones fuse ready for glass. I started around 27 ounces and by the time I'm finished and sanded ready to spray primer you should be about 30 to 31 ounces. That's using balsarite sealer, glass and micro balloons. If you have not, go to CAA's website http://www.customairframes.com/, to support and set up a user account. It's free and there is a world of info about this plane. He has a whole section on glassing and finishing that works great. I follow his methods and my last VF3 is below 10.5 with a DZ160. Just remember to think light keep track of you weights as you go. If you use single stage paint it's not necessary to clear coat your plane and it fuel proof. Also PPG Concept paint is what I use. It's more expensive but it has lots of pigment and it takes very little to get the cover you want. Less paint less weight. I'm just lightly touching the subject here and if you want send me a PM and I'll go in more detail with you.

Larry

Hello pattern plane constructor,

I would like to post a small message just to congratulate the creator of the Black Magic and all the constructors. Because I think that nowadays, only few people have the courage to construct a pattern themselves.

I invite you to have a look on my constructions: the [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9040604/anchors_9040604/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#9040604]Graviton[/link] and the [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9749764/tm.htm]Anti-Graviton[/link]

Hey Guys,

Just a little update on the plane my dad is finishing up for me. As of right now the fuse is in Primer but the wings are covered. It was our goal to have this plane ready for Nationals this year but with my Dad's work load at his day job kicking up he hasnt had much time to finish the plane. But he was nice enough to let me fly his brand new VF3 that he finished this past spring as long as I dont mess it up.

This particular plane is stupid light!! the fuse was framed by the Man himself Mike Hester and he used the best and lightest possible wood in the shop to construct the whole plane.
The wings are really light weighing in at about 10.4 oz per wing panel after covering and thats with carbon Veil added under the wood for a little extra strength and stiffness. . so should be about 12 to 13 oz per panel after all the hardware and wiring.
The fuse itself weighs about 30 oz before paint and Im not too sure about the weight now after primer but it couldn't be much.

I would just like to thank Mike and Melissa for putting so much effort into this plane and you have done more than enough to help me out through the years and I couldn't ask for better friends.

as for the scheme on the wings, I would like to thank Jason Shulman for helping choose a good scheme that would show up well in the sky but also look great on the ground. Thanks Jas!!

here are the wings after covering.

Thanks everyone. More updates to come after Nats.

I'm of the understanding that when epoxy resin is thinned, it doesn't cure very hard/stays rubbery. Does this not happen with this particular epoxy or am I missing something here?

No it does not happen with what I described.

Mark
Note they are thinning with acetone , not alcohol. That is the difference.

Eddie

This is my new Black Magic VF3 for the 2011 season. There are a few small things to complete before the plane is finished. I have it setup with all airtronics servos and a YS 1.70 ( 1.75 by spring time ).

I'm sorry if the picture is bad quality it was taken with my cell phone.

Niceeeee Chris looks sharp

Thanks Victor. I should have it ready by my contest.

Looks good Chris.

Has anyone approached Mike about maybe taking over production of this kit? Seems a damned shame that one of the few affordable contemporary kits has vanished.

Mike was approached and he did pass the rights along to another party, no I am not at liberty to divulge, and that party is working on the logistics of getting the line of planes available again....BUT just as with most people....this person has a day job and a life outside of RC. Once the logistics have been worked out I am sure there will be an announcement but until then you have all the info available.

Pete

That's fine.. Just happy this airplane is still going to be an option at some point in the future.

Me too.

Hey guys,
How much rudder deflection should be built into a VF3?
RC

Both of mine can hit the elevators at full deflection on high rates. If you want actual degrees I can break out a protractor. WHat are you worried about now?

I would try and get as much as you possibly can. You can always dial back the deflection with the radio.