Vector problems

Hi,
Getting ready to start my winter project, a Vector. After receiving my engine in the mail, a Stalker 40RE, I put the engine on the plans to check the fit, not even close, the belly of the fuselage looks like its not low enough, causing fit problems for the muffler. Also looks like the fuselage is not wide enough for the standard sized uniflow tank I got for it. Anybody else have this same problem?
Joe Bellcrank I think you're building this same combination, what did you do? Would there be a problem if I made new wider fuse formers and fuse sides that would come down low enough for the muffler to fit?
Also, I was thinking of using a flat built up stab made up of square stock and planking to insure a staight stab. Would this hurt the performace of the plane much?

Thanks in advance,

LAST EDITED ON Nov-22-03 AT 08:56 AM (CST)
 
OK, I just went and pulled out my clunk and a normal Brodak uniflow tank slipped right in, so you shouldn't have any problems with a tank. I have noticed some tanks are slightly wider than others. You can use a sullivan clunk tank or a Brodak Nobler fuel tank if the tank you have doesn't fit.
As far as the engine goes, you may have a problem, but nothing you can't modify the cowl for to cover. You can take the muffler apart with heat, cut it shorter and epoxy it back again, if it will help. Might take some of the drop out of it. You might also modify the cowl to enclose it. Having a drop in the cowl, similar to the P-40 Warhawk, can be attractive. You can make it look oh so cool if you modify the intake, ala Ted Fancher. Good luck. It should work with some work. My Stalkers are my favorite engines and this should be a good combo, but might take some extra thinking and extra work.

LAST EDITED ON Nov-22-03 AT 10:40 AM (CST)
 
Yes, I am building the same combination, but in checking agianst the plans and the Stalker .40RE I have, I don't find the same problem.

The plans show the inside of the nose is 2 inches wide. I plan on using an RC clunk tank as I did with the Legacy, so it should work fine. The engine bearers are a bit too tight. The Stalker measures about 1 5/16" across the crankcase, and the bearers are 1 1/4" apart. It looks like I'll need to shave 1/32" off the inside faces of the bearers to make it fit. I plan on doing this, rather than widen the fuse. I'll also be insetting some aluminum plates for the engine to bear on.

The engine and tank compartment appear to be exactly the correct legnth to fit the engine and muffler. The head will extend below the cowl. That's OK with me as I want the cooling. It also appears that the muffler will also fit within the outlines of the standard fuse, though it may be a bit thin in the area of the muffler. As long as the muffler doesn't hang below the fuse side, I'm OK with it as it is. I will have most of the material that would cover the muffler removed to facilitate cooling.

There is no problem with the Nose Mods you are considering. They can be accomplished easily, with very little weight gain. It may slightly complicate construction, but not beyond almost anyones ability.

As for the stab construction you are proposing, I personally would build it as to plans. I've come to favor an airfoiled stab, since working with Gordan Delaney with his Tony. You can build it flat, mark centerlines, and sand in the shape as shown on the plans. The Warren Truss structure in the stab will help insure adequate stregnth and alignment, plus build up lighter than what you are proposing.

I've been stalled with my build of this plane. Too much work and other items demanding my time. Winter is here though and things are winding down to where I should be back in the shop soon.

Best of luck with your project.

I'm wondering why everything is spinning around?

Great to here you guys are building the Vector 40,Stalker 40RE combo as I just received my new Stalker 40RE 2 weeks ago and have ran 30oz of fuel through it.Great handling motor.It is going in my Vector 40 kit also.It should be interesting to see all the completed kits in the spring.Good luck on the projects and may they not end up on the started but not finished projects list.Dennis

I also had a problem with a Brodak tank which was supposed to fit into the Vector but it was 2-1/16" wide.

I ended up using an older Smiths wedge which fit just fine. I expect that some of the Brodak tanks might fit without any problem.

My RE header ended up flush with the bottom of the cowl exterior--I put the open-front-and-rear scoop over it to protect someone from grabbing the hot pipe and giving the plane a heave.

The stab builds straight very easily--just follow the directions carefully.

LAST EDITED ON Nov-22-03 AT 08:36 PM (CST)
 
Captcurt, how about showing us some more pics of that purple vector? Looks good..... Thanks, I've got to build that vector of mine soon too.....

That is a very nice looking Oriental Rob.Did you just finish it this fall?What did you power it with.

What is the very nice purple Vector powered with also?

Nice work guys ! Dennis

Ditto with Duck. Show us the plane!

LAST EDITED ON Nov-23-03 AT 11:01 AM (CST)
 
Think these are here someplace else but thanks for asking.

The plane (my piloting) has come into its own the last part of the season. Didn't have it finished for the Nats but we did progressively better each time out in the fall with a second at Cleveland and a win (intermediate) at Huntersville.

As you can see, the header would have been even with the lower cowl surface--I was going to just use a slot, but figured someone would get burned picking up the plane.

Thanks to alot of helpful folks, I think it is a great combo. Dave Hemstrought gave me some excellent engine run and prop advice at Huntersville. And the RoJett engine has run exactly as Richard Oliver said it would.

Plane weighs 46 oz ready to fly with pants and alum gear.
PPG Omni finish--per Brad Walker

Colors are (GM)Hawaian Orchid, Porscche White, and (GM)Laguna Green metallic

PS: This is actually a half-scratch-built SV-40.

Thanks for all your great responses.

If my Vector turns out half as nice as the two pictured here, I'll be a happy camper.

MCM,

Double checked my tank against the plans, and its about 1/16" too wide. I'll just have to find one that fits. I like your idea of dropping the cowl down, should take care of the muffler fit, and at the same time enclose the engine all the way. Should look sharp too. I also have a LA .46 and considered using it, but a heard there was a problem with prop clearance on the Vector. By the way, how does your fly with that combination? Prop size?

John,

I guess its John bellcrank not Joe, sorry about that. The reason I asked about stab was the one that came in the kit is slightly warped, and Iam scared that I'll end up with a less than straight stab. I guess I can get a plank of 1/2" balsa and give it a try. This is my first full bodied c/l ship, and I've never had to sand a airfoil into the stab. I've built up quite a few with airfoils for R/C, but this seems more critical.

Curt,
The front end of your plane is stunning. Whats the reason for the scoop?

Thanks again guys,

I would like to see more vector pics. I'm going to try to build one this winter after I get my SV-22 done. The oriental was finished in August. All Brodak dope, powered by a George Aldrich Fox 35 abc. Has not flown much yet. Only 2 flights. Too cold now. Just finished watching the NHL heritage classic hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens. Its -25 celsius. More vectors....

I have used an 11.5 x 4 and am currently using a 12.25 x 3.75 cut down 1/2". Have had absolutely no prop clearance problems. Stock gear with pants. I don't think you can go wrong with either engine, but I like the looks of rear exhaust better. Stalkers are the easiest starting engines I have ever used, too.

CaptCurt

What did Richard Oliver say about the engine run?? And are you happy with it?

Richard told me that the engine liked to run in a particular RPM range and that is right where I run it. He indicated that the engine had a very broad needle range--ie very stable. I didnt touch the needle for three months.

He indicated that the engine would run in a fat 2 cyc but if you prop it correctly, it will do a soft 424. That is exactly how it runs.

The engine, with a tornado (!) 11-4 stock magnum prop would 4 stroke nearly the entire pattern with the 46 oz SV40. At 5.2 sec laps on 65' lines.

I changed after FCM to an APC 11-4 and got a slight improvement. At Huntersville, Dave helped me by suggesting an slight increase in pitch . Did so and the plane is even more solid than it was--wspecially in some turbulence and wind.

It took several hours to break in. Has never needed to be shimmed & has used one thunderbolt plug since beginning to fly in July.

I would say that it has made a believer out of me in the value of a high-end, application-specific, powerplant.

I plan on another one for my JVL Chip!

PS: Everyone that hears this engine run comments positively on its sound and solid run. This engine is a "I KNOW I CAN" engine!

I'm doing some more prop development this fall based upon adjustments to the Phelps CF prop.

Curt

Dumb question, but are you using just an open header on this ship, of is this a header muffler? I am curious as to how it works for muffling and performance. I am also wondering how much the "rubber duckie" loses in performance. When we tried one of those on the end of a muffler, it took a significant bite out of performance.

Hi Leonard:

THis is a standard header but has a perforated insert in the end.

Sound-wise, it sounds like a loud tongue muffler.

I'm sure the rubber duckie extension has some effect on the performance but there is no lack of grunt from this combination.

I was actuall thinking of molding up a larger one that was the same as the header OD instead of the insert size--just to see if it made any difference--but this engine is so solid, it let me focus on the other stuff that brings up the scores. I just didn't need to mess with it at all.

Plain old uniflow wedge--to atmosphere. Adjusted the nitro down a bit in the fall to control some of the charge--then just flew.