Valve floater

I have a Victa Airtourer from Sportsman Aviation. I also posted this on general questions. I cracked up the canopy pretty bad today on landing. I flipped it upside down in some thick grass. It looks like parts are no longer made. Where can i find a canopy that would fit this plane. It is very wide. Any companies that you guys can recommend that i could call to fab one? If i could find one that is close i am not that particular.

Richard m Crapp

I can give you the E-Mail of the designer on Oz; Chris White [[email protected]] Might be able to help.

If you like the Victa Airtourer there is an old thread by me on the Scale Builder Forum. 3.5 scale, Laser 360 power.

Valve floater

Thanks Richard,
I left an E-mail for Chris. My canopy can be from 15 to 17 inch`s long and 9 to 10 inch`s wide. I have found many canopies to match this size. The only problem is the rear. It is wide and flat like the front. Most of the ones i see are designed for a high raking round curve of the fuselage on the rear. That would leave a gap on my plane. I do have a damaged canopy that was shipped when the plane was new. If i could find someone to fab it for me this could be used for the mold. ??

Campy

My Feedback: (1)

Vacuum form your own canopy.

If you have a "shop vac" (or even a vacuum cleaner, although the shop vac is better) you can make a vacuum former for $10 - $25 depending on what stuff you have around. There are numerous free plans available for them.

As for your mold/plug, tape the OUTSIDE of your canopy so it will stay together. Then make a wood box frame around it. Use DAMP sand between the frame and the canopy to support the canopy so it doesn't twist/warp. Put a THIN coat of vasoline on the inside of the canopy and fill it with plaster of paris and let dry. Do to the size of the canopy I recommend imbedding some 3/16" or 1/4" spruce in the plaster of paris for strength.

Once the plaster has dried, remove it from the canopy and glue it to a 3/4" thick (or thicker) piece of plywood. The plywood should be be 1/16" largrer than the canopy tapering out to about 1/4" larger than the canopy.

Let the plaster of paris dry for several weeks or place it in a 175 degree oven for 3 - 4 hours to dry the plaster.

I suggest using PETG for the plastic. For that size you will need a minimum of .040 thick (.060 would be better).

Make up your frame and box and go to it. You will most likely ruin the first 2 or 3 you try because the plastic will be too hot or cold (getting the right amount of "sag" takes a little practice).

It is not as hard as it sounds.

cholubaz

Hey I just found this model online and I think I'm going to buy it.
Can you tell me how it flies? I was thinking of converting it to electric too.
Would you say it flies more docile like a trainer or more sport and touchy like a Extra 300.

Thanks,
Chris

CJ-1

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I would touch base with anyone who might have any questions with regards to my design (VICTA AIRTOURER) and if I can help in any way please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards


CHRIS WHITE

TAS Flyer

Chris,

The Victa is a great design and flies like a dream. I am onto my second one (first first crashed), flown with electric, and now an OS 75AX. I am about to refit again with a Saito 82. Is it possible to get replacement cowls for the Victa in Australia. Thanks again for a great flying model!

Richard m Crapp

I have been flying mine, Laser 90 fitted.
I am fairly sure it is the only one in UK. Got a replacement canopy via USA.
It flies very well. nice and accurate. Light and easy to land well.

I also have a 1/3 Victa Air Tourer from Peter Bons in Australia, fly's much the same but has a Laser 360 V. and a full set of flaps.

musterpilot

Valve floater

you can get a canopy from HOBBY SHACK

a cowl $50

canopy $35


John

musterpilot

update on victa canopys
you can also get one from TATES RC WORLD
In australia

musterpilot

this is my victa got a 15cc rcgf motor in it
also made a scale nose leg for it

gravityking

My Feedback: (19)

Hey Musterpilot,

I just picked one of these ARF's second hand but new & unassembled and have been pondering power plants.

I thought about the RCGF 15 or 20cc but wasn't sure of fit. Yours looks good. Is the 15cc enough for better than scale flight? Been toying with the idea of a Saito FG21 as well but that's a big bullet to bite! I have a couple other RCGF 20's and love them! But the Saito sounds so cool!

Also any build tips you can throw my way would be appreciated.

Thanks

musterpilot

G'day Gravityking

She flys scale with the rcgf 15cc very nice in matter of fact

the only mods I did to mine was hide the rudder controls by putting
a tee bar on the ruddder going down into the fuselage and still used the pull pull system
also made up a sort of scale nose leg the only mod I did to fit the motor was shorten the
engine box by a inch a simple task you will enjoy flying this bird

John