grahamd1

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Looks good Craig

Canuck1

Graham

I think I have it figured out. I do have a question? Did you leave the underside of the wing fillet open or did you enclose it? I was wondering what the strenght of it would be if left open. I was also thinking of placing a couple of balsa supports in the fillet for some added strength.

Craig

grahamd1

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i infilled with balsa, otherwise they warp [X(]

Canuck1

I take it that you infilled them after they were attached, or did you try it before you glued the ABS to the fuselage?
Well I glued mine, then added some 1/64 lite ply to the base. It seemed to work out well. I am now in the process of sanding filling and cleaning them up. I have attached two pics after I attached it. I will post a couple more once it is cleaned up.

Craig

grahamd1

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The same as you Craig, Afterwards

Canuck1

Well I got the fillets in, and finished. Still have to do a bit of filling and sanding. I started work on the cockpit. Just playing around trying a few things out. I think I will work on the landing gear spats. I am also dreading doing those.

Craig.

Canuck1

Well, did some work on the wheel pants. Took a while to get them to look good. I posted a couple of pics of it hanging off the basement ceiling.

Craig

Canuck1

Well, I have more accomplished over the last couple of weeks due to constant rain. The engine is mounted, as well as the cowl. The small pieces of paper that you see in the picture are going to be my cowl flaps. I plan on constructing them from alluminum. This allows me to have the cowl extend out slightly fwd, they should loook good when complete. I also have all the linkage set up less ailerons. It is finally beginning to look like an airplane. Still lots to do that's for sure. All the radio components are located in the gunner area. It sure is tight but I will manage to get the gunner in as well. Balance seems to be good so far, but I will have to wait and see after it is finished.

Craig.

Cubano8

Looks Great Graig,

I'm watching closely on this one, for i am also building the VAL. I am working on the left wing now. The only difference i have from the plans is; that I am using two slim servos for the flaps instead of one in combination with a reverser.
Is there any flight reports and pics for this model out there?

Best of luck

Canuck1

Cubano8
I have not heard any info regarding flight reports. This seems to be a very slow thread, thats for sure. I am glad someone else is building this plane too. As I do more I will post some pictures.

Craig.

Tank Malin

Canuck1,
Have you thought about fitting the under wing dive brakes(non-functional)as the scale VAL had or do you think they could effect the flight characteristics?. I have this kit to build and I am reading your build with great interest. What scheme are you planning to finish it in?.

Cheers

TM

Canuck1

Tank;
I am planning on the off white colour sceme. I think it would stand out nice with the black nose and those bright red insignia's. I also plan on making the dive brake, non functional. I have glassed the entire airframe, and have been priming, sanding, priming, sanding, etc. I need to final sand the fuse and give it a good once over to check for any pinholes. There have been a few' and the autobody spot filler works great and wet sands great too. I have attached a couple of pics. The wheel pants were a nightmare, but she is beginning to look like a Val.

Craig.

Tank Malin

Craig,

This is really starting to look the business. Reading this thread is making me want to get on with mine. Do you have the 1:9 scale pilots from Skyshark for the Val and do you plan an open or closed canopy?. I want to go with an open canopy but we shall see when we get down that route.
I really think this will fly as good as it looks!

Cheers

TM

grahamd1

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Shes looking good Craig. Now I've maidened the 109-E, I'm getting back on with my Val. Took me hours yesterday to find some of the parts [:-], but I found them in the end. Installed the pilots (had to cut their legs off at the knees, big swig of whiskey, and they never felt a thing). I also installed the RCV 58-CD, boy talk about fitting in the cowl [X(]. I've also done some thinking about the spats, as they were my main headache, and I think I have a solution, but more on that latter.

Canuck1

More completed on the Val. All the panel lines are drawn on. All access hatches have the alluminum tape, and all sanding has been complete. I have painted the canopy and rivited it as well. The dive brakes are also installed as well as the aileron covers and wing bomb racks. Still need to finish the control surfaces, trim tabs and I do believe one more round of priming and painting for the wheel spats. Also I will start applying the panel line tape shortly then the first primer coat will go on. She seems almost bang on balance wise, but that will be checked after painting. I will be replacing the cowl flaps with fibreglass ones that are in the drying stages as I type this email. Some more triming and sanding of the cowl as well. I have posted a few pics. This plane will look good once all the weathering is completed. The Val has a real nice outline that I find very appealing to the eye.

Craig.

Tank Malin

Craig,

Excellent job!, adding the additional scale features makes all the difference. I'm really looking forward to seeing this plane in its final finish. I think Skyshark have produced a real eye catching kit with the Val.

Cheers

TM

Canuck1

More progress to report.
Applied the panel line tape, primed, and did a couple coats of alluminum as a base. I removed the panel line tape and I was quite happy with the results. It will take another couple days for the paint to harden up. Then I will give it a quick going over with some 400 wet paper to remove any high edges. Then riveting will begin. I even made the scale lifting points on the main wing for a nice touch. I will post more as I do more details.

Craig.

grahamd1

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Craig did you see Matrock19's update on his Val, very nice. (http://www.*************.co.uk/4um/i...?topic=13121.0)

milkman-RCU

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Grahamd1-

I saw you were using the RCV-58 in the Val. I also know you have the Skyshark SBD with a different engine. What do you think about using the RCV-58 in the SBD? Will it provide enough power? Do you believe it will fit inside the SBD cowl without cutting?

I have been trying to come up with a engine that will not require cutting the cowl. It would either be the RCV-58 or a .61 2-stroke inverted and coming through the bottom of the cowl where it is not as obvious. Inverted 2 strokes would not be my preference, but I have made them work in the past.

Thanks for the input.

grahamd1

My Feedback: (1)

The RCV58-CD will be fine in the SBD, I have a .60 4-s but never use full throttle, as it just dont need it.

Canuck1

Graham

Matrock19's Val looks great. I am nearing completion here on my Val. All panel lines are complete, all rivets are complete and it has been given another alluminum dusting to cover the rivets. Soon I will begin the final coat. I plan on doing it white, and weathering the heck out of it. The cowl is also complete, riveted, with a little weathering and finished flat black. The rivets are well worth the effort. The main wing picture did not turn out as nice as I hoped.

Craig.

Cubano8

Super Job there Craig!!

I'm in the process of glassing mine. I don't think I will do any riviets or details on her. I'll just keep it plain and simple.
I want to see this bird fly.

Sam

Canuck1

Sam
It will not fly until spring, which is a long time from now. Plain and simple is good too. It all depends on time I guess. Well it is all painted less the control surfaces. I still need to work on those. I will be painting the black on the front end as well as the black on the wing walk area's tonight. It is nearing completion. It sure will look good when I get those red meatballs and lettering placed onto the airframe. As soon as I get the black on I will post a couple of pics.

Craig.

Canuck1

Well more progress. Got the main airframe painted white as well as black. I will be starting the control surfaces shortly.

Craig.

Canuck1

Couple more pictures.

Craig.