bhoffo

I've already posted this - but was tactfully advised that I put it on the wrong forum (3d - aerobatgc) - so now I'm re-posting it here...

Hi all,

This is my first post here so be patient with me - I've been told that it always hurts the first time!

I've just started building a 'Vailley' design MkV Hawker Tempest - 96" span & 85" long. (Have had to renovate my modelling room to fit it in!) I now have a ZDZ 80cc engine to put in it so should have ample power, but have to save a few more $$ to get the servos and 'retract' system that I need.

Any advice on building one of these models is most welcome! So far I have the Fuselage framed up, the stab/elevators, fin/rudder also done but not sheeted and soon to start work on the wing.

A friend of mine is currently building a large scale 'Corsair' and found a design to build his own retracting tail wheel assembly (found it through a link on this site, it's quite sturdy and appears that it will work well). I've contacted the guy that designed this one but alas, he doesn't know anything about the Tempest system or where a design may be for making one - so if anyone knows anything about that it would be much appreciated too! For those that don't know, the Tempest's tail wheel retracts 'forward' into the fuselage..

Anyway, here are some photos of the model so far...

Regards,
Bruce

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

Bruce,
mate also have one of these waiting to be built, have the plans, spinner, cowl, canopy, Sierra scale retracts adn wheels and a DA-85 to put in it.

If you can afford it go the Sierras, they are exceptional quality retracts.

Lots of good tips on this build to be found here

http://www.rcmf.co.uk/4um/index.php/topic,17590.0.html

The thread has stalled of late buy Neilly pops in from time to time and shows a bit more of the build.

Of note is that the wings are not scale span, scale is in fact 2 middle rib bays wider which brings this beast to about 102" Check out Neils thread for details or crunch the numbers from a set of 3 views and dimension data from the full size.

Best of luckwith the build
cheers
PEter

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

forgot to add, Vailly plans build heavy so make sure you rout/drill lighening holes in all formers and ribs etc, especially in the tail feathers.

I have the similar sized Vailly Seafury and it is 42lbs

bhoffo

Thanks for the link to the UK site - some really good info. there for me... lots of stuff to consider!

Bruce H

JPate147

Hi Bruce,

I have a set of Sierra scale gear (twin struts) for this airplane if you want to buy cheap. They are like new and come with the tires and wheels. If you are interested, please send me a PM.

Jerry

spitmad

Bruce
I have a build in progress also

Alan

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7019845/tm.htm

Redback

See!!! Told you (tactfully) that you would get a better response here

Terry

bhoffo

Yes.... I'm the first to admit to a mistake!! Thanks...

bhoffo

I've been following this thread too... Am thinking "What have I got myself into!!!???" [&:]

As a post script..

My father loved this aeroplane, particularly the one flown by Pierre Clostermann and mentioned in the book about him during WW2 "The Big show" - (which I loved reading and still do every now and again - and would recommend to anyone who enjoys a read about WW2 fighter aircraft etc).

Dad built a 'Brian Taylor' designed model but converted it for Control Line. It had a linear cam which was operated via an electric pulse sent down the control lines to the model... the 'cam' operated the throttle, flaps and u/c in a pre-determined order. However in the 1990's he became sick with cancer and I hurriedly completed the model before he passed away so at least he could see it fly - it took him around 20 years to finish the thing (hopefully mine will be done within 18mths!) and it ended up pretty heavy - had a Fox .60ci engine in it and was a real dog of a thing to fly. The centrifugal force of it flying 'around' a circle made it difficult for the U/C to work - either up or down one of the legs was battling against it! It has never flown again since that first flight and is now hanging in my garage until my 'last' flight! (Which is a long way away!!)

Bruce

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

good story there Bruce and I'm sure seeing the model hanging up brings a tear every now and then.

I'd grab those sierra retracts if I was you. They are are top shelf quality and look spot on too.

bhoffo

I've bought them.... hopefully will have them in my hot little hands in the next week or two!

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

egg sell ant

rt3232

My Feedback: (6)

Pete

You spell worse than I do, but I love it

Bhoffo

Sorry about messen with your thread but just could not resist.

Cheers Bob T

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

hey Bob it was intentional hehe a pun on words

rt3232

My Feedback: (6)

Yup

bhoffo

Ok... time for a quick update... I now have the Sierra scale retracts- mains - (courtesy of someone on this site that was selling some) and a new Sierra tail wheel retract assembly... Now pretty well finished the Stab/elevators and the Fin/rudder - commenced building the centre section of the wing yesterday (I'm doing it as a 'one' piece wing..) - OMG - the more I get into this thing the more complicated it seems to become!! Can't get over the chord and depth of the wing section - it's huge!! Well here are another couple of photos showing the centre section of the wing under construction and the stab/fin etc sitting on top of the fuselage skeleton.. For those that are interested, the model in the background is a 1/6 Scale Me109E (Brian Taylor plan) - the model was finished off in the colours of the 'Adolf Galland' aircraft..
Bruce

cmreefer

Bruce,

I documented my Vailly Tempest build on rcscalebuilder.com

You may find some useful info there...

http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/forum/...TID=13243&PN=1

Flight Video... Mine has a Quadra 100M and is 46 lbs dry...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxUHN9kC6dI

Good luck!
Danny

bhoffo

Hi Danny...

Just read your post on the other site and watched the video..WOW and Thanks!! I really enjoyed both! Currently have the centre section of my wing built and as I type have put the laminated leading edge together on the port wing panel (which is now pretty well finished apart from the shear webbing..)

Will keep you posted on how it's progressing... hope its finished as well and flies as well as yours!

How many flights have you had on yours now?

Bruce

bhoffo

Well I've been too busy to come on line the past few weeks but now the wing is complete except for building the ailerons. All sheeted and just waiting for some glass cloth to arrive from Tower Hobbies - I intend to glass the wing pretty quickly to prevent any idea it has of warping while in its 'raw' state.. Have attached a couple of photos of it showing both the upper and underside and the 'rough' outline of the undercarriage doors.
Have all my servos on order (should be in the post with the glass fibre) as well as a new 12ch 2.4ghz Transmitter (Futaba Fg) coming from another supplier...(seem to have been spending money lately like I've been printing it myself!) Received my U/C air tanks, valves etc a week ago from 'Century Jet', couldn't wait to give the system a test run so hooked it all up in the building room with the retracts held securely in a vice (with timber on the jaws to prevent damage) - video'd it and put it onto Youtube for anyone who is interested in having a look... the 4 Way Valve certainly makes the mechanism look realistically 'slow'..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhIMe4h-ZV0 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WT5k...eature=related

Well... back to the building room now... I have to build a small Freeflight model for some 'fun' events ( Day and Night "Scramble") at the Aussie National Championships in early January....

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

nice work

should hook up my sierras and give them a twirl too

got a vid on youtube of my P51 rectract sequence up and down.

seafury test flight is on there too

bhoffo

Thanks Pete..

What is the youtube link to your Sea Fury and P51's ??

I've been building this little Free Flight model to compete in day and night Scramble at the Nats - the design is a "Gaucho' by Neville Willis back in 1959.. will be powered by a Mills 0.75 Diesel - somewhat different to the Tempest; 8ft span with a 80cc engine!

In the photos the Tempest Wing is in the background waiting patiently for more bits and pieces to arrive so I can take construction to the next step - it only just fits across my building room! This morning I ordered from Vailly Aviation the Fiberglass cowl, Canopy, Flying spinner, elevator shrouds and dummy engine exhausts - thought I'd get in whilst the Aussie dollar was 'high'!

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

good time to buy! you know I sell glass cloth don't you? Off the roll.

umm not sure of the link to it now, do a search under Seafury test flight and you should find me.

bhoffo

I found the links... Very impressive...! I'll know next time about the cloth..[sm=72_72.gif]

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

no worries [8D]

bhoffo

I've slowed down a little over the past few weeks - developed 'Tennis' elbow on my right (dominant) arm - can't believe how painful it is; and more than likely caused by sanding the wing etc back and forth in preparation for 'glassing' and then over the 'glass' finish again for the second coat. It's now looking pretty good and standing by while I wait for some servos to arrive prior to doing much more. (While waiting it at least is giving my arm some time to hopefully recover!)

I purchased some gear from 'Vailly' which arrived earlier this week (cowl, flying spinner, canopy, dummy exhaust stubs & elevator shrouds) - unfortunately there was some damage to the cowl which I am pretty sure did not happen during transit - I'm in the process of communicating with 'Vailly' regarding this so will keep you posted with the result..

However, I laid out the model last night on the lounge room floor just to see what it all looked like together for the first time (Note; the cowl hasn't had the L/E portion of the wing cut out of it so it will go backwards about 3 - 4" and I forgot to pin the rudder on for the photo, but you get the general idea!) there wasn't much room left around the model on the floor! Pretty happy with how it looks though..

Further updates soon - I hope!!

Bruce