20%VULCAN

[Vince Raia]

--think it will be late September before i start to crash on with it---DAVE

Dave, thanks for the update, (not a good choice of words in the quote ) looking forward to seeing this one finished and flying, trouble is, it will overshadow Andy's Victor

Without scrolling through the thread, what turbines will you be using?

cheers,

Vince.

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Vince--yes you are right,not a good choice of words in our hobby---i am using 4---Merlins---2 out of the old Vulcan and 2 new ones---should have plenty of performance with those in--

[Vince Raia]

Yes good engines those Merlins, so I suppose you are retiring the old Vulcan?

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Vince---i think at 18 years old,its is ready for retirement or a complete refurb,and once this new one is airborne i wont have time or incentive to work on the old one---i had intended retiring it at Rufforth last year,but the new one has taken me longer than expected so i have kept it going for another year--

[Stuart Solomon]

Dave,re the horns, wait till you see the carbon one I have now. Could make them thicker if you want. ;-)

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Stu---thats the concern i had with the original ones you sent me--they need to be thicker --can you bring samples to Elvington

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Now the show season is nearing the end,i decided to clear the workshop and start the final winter build of the Vulcan. the only parts of the airframe left to build are the control surfaces,so last night i built and fitted the first aileron and hinges etc,

2011-08-23_18.07.37FIRST AILERON.jpg (32.27 KiB) Viewed 12067 times

[DAVE JOHNSON]

After another good session this afternoon ,i have now completed the first aileron,and the second one ,and both servo boxes and servos installed

2011-08-25_21.29.032 ND AILERON.jpg (23.04 KiB) Viewed 12014 times

2011-08-25_21.28.53BOTH AILERONS.jpg (20.91 KiB) Viewed 12014 times

[DAVE JOHNSON]

The next stage now is to build the remaining two elevators for this wing---i intend finishing these and servo boxes before leaving for Catton this weekend,then the plan is to refit this wing to the fuselage and match up the under surface for final balsa sheeting

[AndyHopwood]

That looks good. Few questions. Are the horns wood or plastic ? Can't see from here. Also what kind of hinges do u use ? Regards

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Andy--- they are very large and strong epoxy/carbon horns--- and i have used the large pin hinges extended with metal tubing---DAVE

[AndyHopwood]

Nice !! Horns home made ?? Any pics of the hinges for us to see ?

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Took a little longer than planned,but the 2 ailerons and 2 elevators on the first wing are now built and hinged etc,the rest of this last week has been spent making up extension leads and cutting out twin radio boxes ,and temp fitting receivers etc and linking up surfaces----the rest of the bottom sheeting has been glued in place [other then one last sheet where the metal fixing plates need bolting to main and sub spars],this wing has now been put to one side untill the retracts arrive from Alec at Chester---he tells me they should be with me in approx 10 days---

2011-09-16_10.32.471st wing under sheet.jpg (26.9 KiB) Viewed 11698 times

[DAVE JOHNSON]

As can be seen in the last piccy,6 satellite receivers have been spread around the wing---these have been mounted under little see thro covers so each can be checked for logging on etc,they have then been covered in masking tape ready for final sanding and filling etc,which will be done outside on benches in the garden when the weather permits.

Whilst waiting for the mains retracts,the second wing has been brought into the workshop---the top surface was filled and rubbed down earlier in the year for the display at Bradford,but the underside had been left with the cyprus stringers etc needing finishing,this was started today,and the first few sheets of balsa glued in place.With the poor forecast tommorrow,i will probably finish the section of covering around the wingtip/undercambered area,which is the awkward part--after this its much easier and straightforward--

2011-09-16_21.44.102nd wing sheet start.jpg (30.97 KiB) Viewed 11696 times

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Another weeks work has seen the awkward undercambered section sheeted--plus the 4 servo boxes cut out,and all the extension leads installed.Some of the satellites have been fitted as well as the sheeting goes on---in the piccy the first 3 satellites have been fitted ,with 3 more to install when more sheeting done.The mains retracts have just been picked up from Alec Griffiths at Chester[he advertises in the journal for metal work] and they look superb---a little more work to finish,but they are staying with me now to install so it can sit on its legs for the first time at Gaydon---the front leg will be with me in a couple of weeks to the same stage.

2011-09-23_20.35.27UNDER PLANKING.jpg (29.68 KiB) Viewed 11535 times

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Last night,the first retract unit was test fitted,and some wood was shaved off to allow for clearance for retracting---the bearers will now be glued in place today so the rest of the surrounding balsa sheets can be fitted.
As can be seen in the piccies,the units are very close to completion,the scissor linkage needs fitting on the oleo,and several bolts etc need final fitting---the brakes are piped thro the alloy leg to save any pipes being on view and snagging on wheels

2011-09-26_20.06.001st retract fit.jpg (32.94 KiB) Viewed 11517 times

2011-09-26_20.06.38fisrt ret fit.jpg (35.65 KiB) Viewed 11517 times

1st leg retracted.jpg (33.37 KiB) Viewed 11517 times

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Another good few nights and the retract unit has now been test fitted and screwed in ready foor Gaydon---all the radio leads and satellite receivers have now been finished,and tonight the last sheet of balsa was glued in place.The leading edge was then rubbed down ready for the 1/2 "balsa to be added and rubbed into shape---this will be done tommorrow evening

2011-09-29_20.17.57last undersheet.jpg (21.62 KiB) Viewed 11438 times

[Paul Holt]

That undercarriage leg is a work of art!

[DAVE JOHNSON]

The last week has been spent rubbing down both wings---top and bottom---all sheeting now finished on these.

The retract tanks have been made up from metal gas canisters--each wing has 3 in parallel to give a good volume.The commercial valves were sourced thanks to many replies thro the forum---but in the end,LMA member Paul Hughes came to the recue with 3 perfect valves,which are being modified to fit as i type this thanks to Harold Dowbekin----the glasscloth and G4 pondsealer arrived today,so both wings have now been prepared for glassing---

[DAVE JOHNSON]

The rest of the wet Saturday afternoon was spent preparing the second wing for glassing

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