Large Model Association Forum

Finally started a new project; a 1/4 scale DH Vampire. It is from the Kerry Sterner design and plan/laser cut pack from Belair, but with several mod's to convert it to the T11 trainer version.

Power will be one of the Merlin's from my late Hunter and scale retracts are to be made by my modelling mate, Peter Johnson. Wingspan 9' 6", projected weight, 40lb.

The prototype will be based on the Vampire Preservation Flight's WZ507 which is finished in a very attractive trainer colour scheme.

Used to see alot of Vampires in the early days of jet modelling, look forward to seeing this model.
What happened to the TSR2 Keith?

Paul Holt wrote:Used to see alot of Vampires in the early days of jet modelling, look forward to seeing this model.
What happened to the TSR2 Keith?

Re TSR2
Government cuts and massive pressure from the USA to see UK nuclear airbourn capability stopped.

Paul Holt wrote:----------------
What happened to the TSR2 Keith?

Project cancelled.

Too big.
Too expensive.
Too complicated.
And I've got too old!

The Hunter and it's problems exhausted me - I've had enough of 'cutting-edge' mega models for one lifetime ---------!

thats understandable. Was a hell of a project.

Finally, after a 2 year lay-off, I've got back onto it.....

Sadly, not a job I particularly enjoy - planking! The ole' Vamp' fuz' has more double curvature than my good lady's derriere, so no alternative.

There's one consolation; this abortion of a Summer means projects are being progressed (all say 'Aye') .............!

looking good Keith...........

yep a lot of planking!........are you making 2 removeable panels on top of the fuz or the 1 shown on the plan?........1 just seems rather large......you can still get at everything with 2........

Dave

Dave - the opening that you see is obviously the 2-seat trainer cockpit. There is also a hatch towards the rear-end of the fuz' above the engine bay which will be cut-out once glassed (you might just be able to see the outline on the pic').

I'm preserving as much of the monocoque as possible as I don't like Sterner's method of having a vast fuz'-long hatch which leaves you with something that resembles a 'canoe' and weakens the structure considerably.

Two wing-tubes will be incorporated for the detachable outer panels as the break will be just outside the booms. The booms will be permanently attached to the centre section for rigidity ........
K.

sounds good.....

my one is the 1/5 scale version.......i would have liked the booms to fit to the center section but it won't go in the car....

so having to make them removable....using small wing tubes instead of the method suggested......

using a P80 on mine

I agree about the hatches, looking like a canoe is very apt, I never liked the idea of removing all of the top, but I followed the plan when I built my Sterner Vamp. I am building Tony's Vamp at present listed in the Jets section and he uses 2 hatches which work well for access. What size turbine are you going to use, I had a 120 in my 1/5th and it had loads of power and flew most of the time on half throttle weighing in at 32lb dry. Will watch your build with interest.

Dave

Dave(s) - boom-mounting: right-wise to go with tubes - the method adopted is a potential weakness (there was a report of a boom failure on the RC Universe build thread as I recall .....).

Turbine - see thread intro., Merlin 160. This will be more than adequate and will be very useful to overcome drag on our grass strip at Longhorsley.
K.

Hmmm! I hope I've not cocked up. I'm building the 1/5th scale version for a mate, he wanted removable booms as well. We decided replace the supplied boom rib with one with an extended tongue so that it passed through the second former in the boom, sandwiched between two 1/4" liteply plates and secured with two 4mm bolts into captive nuts. The boom rib in the wing was also lined both sides with 1/16" marine ply to stiffen it up. The structure feels secure, do you think this will be strong enough? Dave Jones.

........ should be OK, Dave .......
K.

Nice to see these jet builds, far more interesting than the ARTF stuff, and great that Tony's now ventured into designing jets. unfortunately I have to stick with the ARTF types as I'm not (unfortunately) a carpenter/builder type of modeler, my wood working skills are cr**p!

It's nice to see traditionally built models of jet aircraft, which designers like Tony and Shane Harding are now designing. Shane's new Hunter design is in the latest RCJI mag.
The thing I like about my Boomerang Intro and XL is the fact that the booms are removable, because if like me you live in a terraced house, it makes getting the airframes in & out of the house, + storage in doors a whole lot easier.

Good luck with your builds guys and look forward to reading about your maidens.

Thanks for the quick response Keith, I was gatting a bit worried when I read the bit about "potential week spot". This build is almost complete, just a bit of cosmetic work to be done prior to my handing it over to Mike for finishing. I might do a mini build thread and post some pics if anybody is interested. Cheers, Dave Jones.

PS Stick it in the "JET" section Dave please, easier for us jet fanatics to find it.

........ don't think so, Vince, it is a 'New Project' ... and there are many other jet projects in there.....!

I'll sort it after Cosford. Dave Jones.

I suppose one (small) compensation of a 'crap' summer is that one can get on with some building.......

Port wing now framed-up with 2deg's washout and ready for wing-tube sockets (neither in original Sterner design...).

Using a twin-tube/socket mounting method requires that the respective pairs are installed absolutely parallel in all axes. A jig was required which would hold them in place whilst they were glassed and then demountable so it could be removed from the panel(s). Over to Maestro Johnson for a solution - machined from MDF.........