20%VULCAN

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Sunday morning was another lousy weather day,so decided to make a start on the glassing---the first wing top surface was given a final rub down and the first section of glass was painted on with G4 Pondsealer---the area needed 3 sections of cloth to complete as it came in 1 metre wide rolls

2011-10-08_11.36.13latest2.jpg (25.97 KiB) Viewed 13789 times

2011-10-08_11.36.40latest 4.jpg (26.1 KiB) Viewed 13789 times

[DAVE JOHNSON]

The only parts left to build on the model now were the 2 ailerons and 2 Elevators for the offside wing,so while the cloth was drying in between layers,i decided to draw up and build the 2 ailerons for this wing---i had kept the drawings and rib sizes etc from the first wing,so it was just a matter of cutting out some more light ply and balsa ,and in a couple of hours this afternoon i had the ailerons built and hinge points drilled and lined up

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2011-10-latest6.jpg (29.66 KiB) Viewed 13786 times

[DAVE JOHNSON]

The last ailerons are now sheeted and the elevators have been cutout,hopefully will get these finished and sheeted later today after work

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2011-10-09_15.59.29ele stringers.jpg (35.19 KiB) Viewed 13754 times

[DAVE JOHNSON]

All the surfaces have been completed and hinge points sorted and test fitted---the next stage was to rub down and glass cloth--the piccy also shows two of the turbine lid covers also glassed

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[DAVE JOHNSON]

After everything being test assembled at Gaydon,i have decided now to complete each section to a state for white primer----the first section to come into the building shed is one wing panel---this has been finished and glassed on top surface,and this last week,all servo boxes built and servos and linkages fitted.Pics to follow.

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2011-10-29 21.08.45servo2.jpg (18.21 KiB) Viewed 13432 times

Today,the bottom surface was glassed ,and servo hatches etc fitted.remaining now are a couple of radio hatches,and fit and wire the control valve for the retracts and brakes--thats tommorrows evenings job.

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The retracts have been returned to Alex at Chester for final finishing and polishing,and after weight testing at Gaydon,the final spring s will be fitted ---once these are returned,they will be finally fitted

[AndyHopwood]

Dave

The light at the end of tunnel is getting brighter for the vulcan! almost done. Brakes are operated by electric or fluids ? just wondered.

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Andy--yes you are right--each night i work on it now i can see the end is in sight--just come in tonight from giving the glasscloth a second coat--all hatches for the first wing made now and retract and brake valves fitted---will be putting this wing away this weekend and bringing the other in to get to the same stage---then just the fuselage to finalise fitting out.The first jet pipe arrived from Mick Reeves this week,all test fitted,so the other 3 have been ordered and expected thro the post tommorrow.The brakes are the o ring type,made by Len Gardner. DAVE

[DAVE JOHNSON]

As expected,the first wing has now been put away for spraying---all radio in and working---glasscloth top and bottom wet and dryed down to a finish ready for primer whenver the weather allows for an outside spray day !!

2011-11-05_15.12.22first wing top final glass.jpg (20.96 KiB) Viewed 13259 times

2011-11-05_15.12.33first wing top final glasscloth.jpg (27.01 KiB) Viewed 13259 times

The other wing panel has been lifted into the building workshop tonight ready for final fit out of radio and final coats of G4 pondsealer to get to the same stage as the first wing----hoping to be able to start the final fit out of the fuselage by the end of this month,the 4 fuel tanks have been made up ready for installing at some point in the next week---

[Andy Boylett]

Looking good Dave. The weather was fantastic here today so I did get out with the spray gun.

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Andy--yes the weather was fantastic here as well---would have been a good painting day,but made the most of it and spent the day flying instead---

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Well ,another couple of weeks work done,the wings are now in final stages--all radio fitted and working---Main retracts now back from Alec and test fitted and tested---but removed again for painting-----finally today the first coat of primer filler applied to the first wing underside---the some stopper applied to several areas,and then re-primered---

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Whilst at Gaydon--Mick Reeves and son Jim took a look at the jet pipe sizes---they have now been made by them and delivered ready for fitting once the wings are put away next week---

2011-11-12_08.11.04 jet tubes.jpg (35.79 KiB) Viewed 13070 times

[AndyHopwood]

nice!!! you brushed or sprayed the primer ? what is a stopper? some kind of body filler ??

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Andy---niether of those options--i used a small cheapo roller from Wickes---i tried out first on test piece ,and it spreads the high build primer great,it will roll out as thick or thin as you need,and it settled to a good finish---after a couple of hours i wet and dried down and put on another thin coat----and thats as far as it gets for test flying.It also solves the worry about harmfull 2 pack paints to some extent---when spraying this stuff inside,special masks are needed--but with rolling it on there were no or very little paint floating ---in the workshop so just a normal mask was used -----i used a small brush to apply around hinges etc where the roller wouldnt get.The second wing is on bench and rubbed down tonight ready for the two coats of primer tommorrow---DAVE

[Tony Collins 1073]

Coming along nicely Dave. I'm sure It'll be all white on the night. Just needs finishing with a nice coat of gloss on top of the artwork. Job done mate.

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Tony--i wondered how long it would be before you came on about the white !!! i asked especially what colour filler primers they did ,and matt white was on on the shelf---so i thought i better get it---you would have given me grief if it was any other colour---i must admit it went on well and covered great---DAVE

[AndyHopwood]

Dave Ah Roller of course nice and simple and easy! following Tony collins about white primer are you gonna go the final colour in white or in army camouflage ?? or are yer gonna do summat different and paint dark blue with few logos red bull racing !!

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Andy--eventually it will be in XH558 camo,but for next year i think it will be in white---if its only to please Tony !!!!!

[Tony Collins 1073]

You've just made an old man very happy Dave. It did spend the first thirteen years of its operational life in white as it happens. The next thirteen in camouflage before becoming the RAF display aircraft.

[DAVE JOHNSON]

several more sections now finished for primer----

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That just leaves the centre section to fit out and finish--the 4 fuel tanks have been made up from 5 litre glow contaners,and today the woodwork was installed and these fitted--next job is to run the pipes for the 4 fuel systems--

[Joshua Henderson]

Hi dave
This is looking really good;-)
Is your old one going in a museum? Or are you selling it?