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Let’s begin by cutting out as many parts as is
practical to give a partially complete kit which will make assembly of the
model quicker and easier.
TAILPLANE
Construction of the tailplane is straightforward being
built up over the plan from 10mm balsa sheet. Once removed from the
building board shape the leading edge, tip and bevel the inside edges to
obtain the dihedral angle of 110 degrees. Both halves are then joined with
the two ply dihedral braces. I also wrapped the join with a cloth bandage
and PVA.
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Cut and shape the ruddervators and trial fit to the
stabiliser. I used pin hinges which were epoxied in place after covering
and painting.
FUSELAGE
Commence construction of the fuselage by glueing the
6mm x 3mm spruce longeron to formers F1 through to F7 using a jig to
maintain the correct alignment leaving out F8 until the rear stabiliser is
installed.
Install the wing seat, FD 1, FD 2 and the 6 mm square
balsa stringers to form the fuselage framework. Next glue the fuselage
sides to the framework again maintaining the correct alignment.
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The ‘V’ tail assembly and F8 can now be glued in
place making sure it is correctly aligned with the wing.
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Complete the fuselage by fixing the undercarriage
mount, cockpit floor, top and bottom sheeting and the tail cone. I made
two access hatches, one under the fuel tank for easy access and
installation of the tank and one under the "V" tail to make installation
of the push rods easier. |
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Mount the engine and make up the nose cowl and then
prepare the fuselage for final finishing.
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WING
Commence construction by cutting standard wing ribs W1
and W2’s leaving the W1’s in one piece at this stage.
The two wing halves are made up over the plan in a
straight forward manner. Pin down the bottom spar over the plan then pack
up and pin down the leading and trailing edge stock remembering the
trailing edge carries through to the tip. Glue in place all W1 and W2 ribs
remembering to angle the root rib to allow for dihedral.
Glue in place tip rib W3, then the top spar. Shear webs
and triangular gussets can also be installed at this stage. Before
removing wing panel from the building board glue the top leading edge
sheeting on.
Cut out slots in W1 ribs for the dihedral brace and the
aileron servo. Install the ply dihedral brace thus joining the two wing
halves together. Install the torque rods and aileron hinges to the
trailing edge and pin with bamboo skewers. Make up and glue in place the
trailing edge centre sections remembering that the top and bottom centre
sheeting will be laminated to these making a stronger joint.
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Cut and shape the aileron and tip trailing edge section
and trial fit to the wing. I made mine out of 12mm sheet with a 1.5mm
lamination to the top surface. Complete the wing top, bottom and centre
sheeting, cap strips and also glue on the tip blocks and fuselage fairing
block. Careful shaping of the wing, especially the tips is critical to the
final performance of the Vee-Bee. Sand the wing in preparation for
covering of your choice.
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FINISHING
I chose to paint the fuselage, ailerons and
ruddervators with gloss enamel after a base coat of pink primer.
The wing and rear stabiliser were covered with profilm.
The aluminium undercarriage was mounted to the bearing
plate using 3 ‘T’ nuts and bolts. Make up the pushrods (as I did) or
as an easy alternative install snakes during construction.
With ample room in the fuselage the radio can be
juggled around with ease to find the correct balance point.
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FLYING
The Vee-Bee is assembled and the control surfaces
checked for correct response and a range check carried out on the radio.
The OS 25 was started and the Vee-Bee carried to the
flight line. The tail rose off the ground quite early in the ground run
and was easily kept tracking straight with the ample rudder control. Once
flying aileron and elevator were switched to low rates and the Vee-Bee was
still quite lively. |
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After several low passes for the camera the Vee-Bee was
set up on approach and landed with no problems.
With elevator and aileron throws reduced another flight
was undertaken this time for the Vee-Bee to undertake some basic
aerobatics. The stall was gentle with no tendency to drop a wing. It
rolled well with little elevator input needed to maintain an axial roll
and performed inside and outside loops with ease. It was difficult to
maintain level inverted flight without the Vee-Bee wanting to right
itself.
The Vee-Bee is a model with a different line to
conventional models and being reasonably small is easily transported.
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It is easy to construct and would be an ideal aircraft
for the modeller who wants something different at the field.
The OS 25 provided enough power with the thought that
the Vee-Bee would be a lively performer with a larger power plant.
The final setting of the control throws were as
follows.
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