12' DH Vampire

[Bob Johnstone]

Looking good Andy. I could be lucky and see it fly this year.

[andy johnson]

Thanks Bob, I hope to fly it early July and would like to get it to Elvington and marcle this year. Tonight has been spent wiring, making up all the extension leads, so far I have used just over 14 metres of heavy gauge servo wire and will proberly need around another 5 metres to finish it.
Andy

[andy johnson]

The retracts have now arrived from Dave Brown and they are fantastic , the main wheel hubs and brakes really make a big difference ,

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the fuz and centre section is now in primer and the 2 booms have been glassed tonight , there is no more building to do now ,i need to prime the booms and fins then fit all the control surfaces that have already been hinged . I am going to fly it in primer to make sure its right before painting and detailing it .

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[andy johnson]

After working day and night for the last 2 weeks it’s ready to test fly, I took it to the flying field last night for taxi trials and to have it signed off. I was disappointed to need 4 1b of nose weight but was very pleased to find that its total weight will be 60 1b, on the scales it was 62 1b full of fuel and 56 1b dry so allowing 4 1b for paint and the canopy. I had originally hoped to get it out at 75 1b so very pleased. I gave it 6 runs up the field and had the nose wheel off a couple of times; I have no worries about the power as it raced away .

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I will fly it in primer if the paperwork comes quick; will work on getting the canopy fitted this week. nothing fell off or come loose so that’s a good sign ,my inspector was very happy with it so hopefully my paperwork will be on its way soon .he is the full size I will be copying

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[andy johnson]

While I'm waiting for paperwork to test fly I'm getting on with all the little jobs left before paint , I have finished off 1 air intake , fitted the back of 1 boom over the rudder linkage and fitted the 4.5 1b of nose weight ,I have melted it down into 1 block then epoxyed it in .

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the inside of the nose cone looks like the wood has been shewed by a dog ,I must tidy it up .

[John Greenfield]

Andy

I hope you have not attached the lead to a removable hatch. it looks like you have from the pictures.

John

[andy johnson]

Hi john , the lead is mounted in the removeable nose , once I have the c+g correct it will be glued on as well as the metal bolt that holds it in place at the moment , the nose was only built this way to allow me to get the weight as far forwards as posible I will have no need to get in there once the c+g is correst . All the other nose weight as in the batterys are in the fuz above the nose retract. The nose will be glued on with 1 hour epoxy before it flies.
Andy

[John Greenfield]

Good idea Andy. I always worry when I see essential equipment fixed to removable parts. far too many times I have seen the removable bit come loose or fall off and always the result is bad !!?

Look forward to seeing it in flight, nice paint scheme.

John

[andy johnson]

After spending allot of time looking for a canopy I managed to get a 1/5 Mustang canopy thanks to Maitland Baff, I have only used the back half as the front half could be made out of flat sheet, I altered the back of the mustang canopy by fitting a ply former and screwing the canopy to it.

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Then built a frame for the front half and glazed it in three flat sheets .

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It’s not totally scale but is very near and I'm pleased with how it turned out, I think I would have had to mould a full canopy to get it any nearer.

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[James Stewart]

Looks like it came pre-made Andy, well done on getting the shape =)

[andy johnson]

Well last night was the night with all the CAA paperwork in place it was off to the field to see it fly , and fly it did ,6 perfect flights with not even 1 click of trim on any control surface.

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I now have just over a week to get it painted ready for its first outing at Pampa Jets .

[andy johnson]

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a couple of flying shots

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[Denis Brown]

Well done. Look forward to seeing it in action

[David Brown]

Fantastic Andy, can't wait to see it at the shows.

Dave

[andy johnson]

Thanks Dave , your retracts worked spot on , I'm in the middle of painting it tonight the plane and me are now yellow .I hope to get it to Elvington for its first uk show but its of to pampa jets first .
andy

[andy johnson]

base coat yellow

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[andy johnson]

Ive been today to get the stickers ,I had the roundals done at Signs Direct

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[paul needham]

Looks great mate, well done, do you ever sleep or are you permanently in the building room ? This vampire has came from a few bits of wood to flying in less time than most people take to think about building a plane.

[andy johnson]

Hi Paul , I will sleep when its finished I normal start in the workshop at 4.30 in the afternoon and work till about 2 am , this is the way I build its a good job I have an understanding wife

[andy johnson]

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getting there ,the back end is now painted and stickers are on