grahamd1

My Feedback: (1)

And a bit more done

tubig

graham, your cockpit is looking nice. are all of the details you've added so far supplied with the kit or is there some scratch building in there too?

Mountain Man

I've been reading with great interest.

I wanted to do a Corsair or a P-40 at first. With all the talk about 90 degree rotating retract problems I think I'm better off with fixed gear or regular retracts. Am I being too concerned about retract problems? I really like the Corsair. Would a .90 (4c) fit in that cowl?

Any other kit suggestions for that size engine?

Thanks,

Jim

w0mbat

My Feedback: (1)

Jim,

I wouldn't suggest putting anything larger than a .72 4-stroke in the Val. I am currently flying one with an OS50SX and it is way overpowered. (and I like to overpower planes). Any of our other planes (except the Dauntless and Tempest) will fly great (and even be slightly overpowered) with a 90 4-stroke.

I have always had problems with the Robart 615's. I have had them in a TF P-40 with terrible results. They seem to hold up pretty well in our Hellcat and Skyraider as long as they are flown off pavement. But both planes come in under 8 lbs. The main problem that I continually have is getting the gear to come down while in the air. The wind resistance doesn't let them lock down completely. I usually tell people to skip the retracts and use fixed gear if they are flying those 2 planes off grass. I hate to bash a product that we sell, but I know how fustrating it is to work hard building a plane and have the retract fail on every flight!

I have tried to fit the Century Jet in our planes, but the cylinder is just too large. Same with the Sierra Precision. We are currently working on some new ideas to try and fix the problem - but like anything, it take time!

Mike Grey
Skyshark R/C

Wulfman

My Feedback: (5)

Hi Mike,

Have you considered mechanical retracts, with a sail winch servo?

I love the Val, what great airplane! Looks like a nice kit. I bought your Stuka, haven't started it yet though.

SC

Bars

Good afternoon. A question! Than you cut out preparations?

Canuck1

Couple of pics.

Craig

grahamd1

My Feedback: (1)

I sprayed on the primer coat last night, so I can spend the weekend rubbing down, and laying down the panel lines.

Canuck1

Looking good Grahamd1. Hopefully mine will be at that stage soon. Been spending far to much time on the Lanc. It is good to have a couple of planes on the go. I am at the stage of hinging all of the surfaces. I will use robarts except for the flaps. I plan on using flat Dubro hinges for that. Keep the pics coming. I have attached a couple pics. Still needs some cosmetic work with regards to sanding and shaping. I do like the feature with this kit of the seperate trim tabs. This will look great when it is scaled up. Have not done any cockpit work as of yet. Still thinking of the best way to paint it. I know the detail will be lost but that is not an issue, just have to do the details from scratch.

Craig.

grahamd1

My Feedback: (1)

Craig I sprayed my cockpit with a mixture of 50/50 enamel/thinners, even after two coats I could still see the detailing lines. Mike recomends Krylon sprays, but we dont have it in the UK.

Canuck1

That sounds like a good option. I wonder if Krylon Paint comes in the colour needed for the cockpit? I know on one of the paint sceme papers that came with the kit, it mentions Krylon for the finish colour. I am not to sure on its fuel proof qualities? I may have to check that option out even for the finish coat. It is a heck of a lot cheaper than the hobby paints!!

Craig.

Canuck1

Worked on the flaps tonight. They turned out well, better than I thought they would. I have attached a couple pics. Wheel pants are next, and I have been dreading this part.

Craig.

grahamd1

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Craig, I need the kick up the A*s to get on with re-doing my flaps.

Graham

grahamd1

My Feedback: (1)

Started applying the primer (light grey Enamel)

Canuck1

Well Grahamd

I have not touched mine in a while. Yours is begining to look great. Seeing yours is starting to give me more motivation to get my act together. Keep the pics coming.

Craig.

grahamd1

My Feedback: (1)

Ok Craig, I'm doing a Skyshark marathon at the moment, the VAL is at the primeing/painting stage. The Stuka is at the covering stage, and the Dauntless is still in the building stage.

Canuck1

Man, You are busy. Three on the go. LOL. I have four planes on the go. It is hard not to start different projects. Keeps me busy. I have to get going on the Val.

Craig.

grahamd1

My Feedback: (1)

Craig I've got the TBM sitting in its box, it keeps saying to me

"Build me, Build me"

John Sachs

My Feedback: (1)

I just started following this thread. Fantastic job!!! I've been reading up on the Skyshark kits and it looks like they're are pretty decent. Did you run into any problems along the way that stick out in your mind?
John

ICE_MAN

Very Nice looking VAL. My father and I go to Chino Airport every year the Full scale VAL is Quite a site to see as Is one of only 3 original Flyable Zero's! If you haven't Already been there It's worth the Trip Plus you can get a P-51 ride for the tune of like $550<i think>. BTW if you have any questions PM me and ill try to answer.

grahamd1

My Feedback: (1)

the only thing that sticks in my mind was the leading edge strip (3/8") I changed it for 3 X 1/8" and laminated the parts.
ie Fit one, then fit the 2nd and so on, much easier than trying to bend 3/8" round that wing tip

Tank Malin

Graham,

I just bought the Val whilst at Cosford LMA. Your builds have drawn me into the world of Skyshark.
I was hoping to buy the Stuka but they had sold out so the Val was my second choice. I really fancied a plane with fixed gear for a change. This being my first Skyshark kit I'm certainly impressed with the attention to detail. Are the 1/9 Jap pilot figures you have available in the UK or were they ordered from the States?.

I'm looking forward to the finishing of your build.

Cheers

TM

Canuck1

Graham

I was wondering how thw Val is coming along. I was also wondering if you solved the wheel size and wheel pant problem? I found the ABS tail parts to hard to work with so I decided to build it using balsa. I will post a few more pics soon.

Craig.

Canuck1

Continued working on the tail section. All hinges are fitted, with more work still to do. As I stated earlier, I am not using the ABS tail parts and have been building them out of balsa.

Craig.

Wingman357

My Feedback: (54)

Hi,
Post it! I've got the kit, and I agree it is very nice and of high quality. I won't be building it anytime soon, as too many others ahead, but I will follow/save your posts for when I do get to it.
Thanks