RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Just a little more progress. Tail numbers on and rudder strips painted on. I used all Rust-Oleum rattle can paint. I think it matches the Shuttleworth Bristol (above photo's) just about perfectly.
Posted on: 6/7/2013 11:51 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11536394

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Well, couldn't get much done with Memorial day festivities getting in the way but I did manage to get a few coats of Poly C on the fin and rudder and couldn't resist trying the paint out. Home Depot was able to match my Shuttleworth, Bristol, mono plane paint chip exactly. A very kind gentleman made the chip right from the paint can used for the Bristol. Mike Bealmer was able to get the chip some how and pass it along to me. Big thanks to Mike. Anyway this is PC12. The Bristol mono plane served in the Middle East at the same time as the Vickers.
Posted on: 5/27/2013 5:09 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11524820

RE: Williams Bros 1/3 Scale wheels
I think it is a safe bet that the wheels used on the N.28 were the 40 spoke, 650x65, symmetric type same as used on the French built Spad VII. The British built Spad VII used the 700x75 Palmer Cord tires on asymmetric wheels.
Posted on: 5/23/2013 7:13 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11520857

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Hi Seth, yes the spoke impressions are there but no stitching around the valve hole. Also no sign of spokes on the rear cover. They do have the hooks that held the fabric to the rim. I think they could be a little less noticeable but that is easily fixed. All in all I am satisfied with the wheels. Would have been nice to have the Palmer Aero Cord on the tires however. We'll see if that ever becomes a reality. At least the tires will stay on these rims.
Posted on: 5/21/2013 7:10 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11518795

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
I started to play around with the William Bro's. wheels. I sprayed the base gray on which is Rust-Oleum auto primer and drys flat. I over sprayed the back of the wheel with a darker gray to get a dirty look. I'll use an air brush to paint the details on the front of the wheel. I scuffed the tire with fine steel wool to make it look used and get rid of the mold seam on the center of the tire.
Posted on: 5/20/2013 6:12 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11517684

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Just for the heck of it I stuck one of the new William Bros. 1/3 scale, British, Palmer Aero Cord type wheels on. Very nice indeed! Have to get them painted and detailed up.
Posted on: 5/19/2013 8:01 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11515992

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Forgot to mention the bracing wires will be reinstalled inside the window opening after it is painted of course. I took them out while I was doing the fabric.
Posted on: 5/19/2013 5:22 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11515871

RE: Williams Bros 1/3 Scale wheels
Finally got my wheels! Happy to say we finally have correct (British) scale wheels and I can't see using anything else. Even at $99. Will even be better when the Palmer Aero Cord logo can be added to the tyre.
Posted on: 5/19/2013 5:10 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11515861

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Hi Seth, thanks. Supposed to have my William's Bros. wheels today.
Posted on: 5/17/2013 4:27 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11514000

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Hi Martin, Congrats. on the award. You did an outstanding job with the Aviatik. Maybe I'll catch you at Rhinebeck next year. Looking forward to having the Vickers there.
Posted on: 9/14/2012 5:05 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228145

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Well I hated to miss Rhinebeck but I am glad I didn't burn my days off. Next year will be a different story I hope. I am working on the struts and have decided to use Dubro rod ends to attach the struts to the wings. I'll drill through the spars and hard wood blocks and screw the rod ends on. The struts will be bolted to the rod ends. Tricky part will be drilling the holes on the right angle through the spars but I think I know how to do that. I have modified the Mick Reeves stainless strut fittings and epoxied them into the BUSA struts. The flying and landing wire fittings will be bolted to the wings.
Posted on: 9/12/2012 5:28 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11225948

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Yes Stefan, the last thing I want to happen is for it to end up like the Aviatik because of a silly mistake or over-site. Don, thanks for that compliment. I would consider putting it on display but getting time off from work is also an issue and I would have to use two or three days that I really need for a vacation with the wife in October. You all know how that goes.
Posted on: 8/1/2012 4:26 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11176957

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Hi Stefan, Not looking good at the moment to make Rhinebeck. I only really have 12 days that I can work on and complete the Vickers and there is just too much to get done. It would also have to be maiden-ed before Rhinebeck. I am disappointed but I don't want to risk what I have done so far by rushing it.
Posted on: 7/30/2012 3:25 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11175008

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Thank you very much John. That's a great compliment coming from you.
Posted on: 7/24/2012 6:01 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11167941

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Some more progress. Everything is lining up well. Hope to bolt the center section in for good soon.
Posted on: 7/24/2012 3:21 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11167721

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Have to go slow with this and can't make a mistake here. I have determined the strut length's and angles and have assembled the Mick Reeves top strut fittings. I'll be using GTM J bolts to hold the struts onto the frame. I have slotted the BUSA struts to accept the MR fittings. Since the cabana struts will be painted I'll fiberglass them after they are JB Welded together. I am using a length of 7/32 music wire inside the strut. I'll be making a jig to make sure the center section will be where it should be. I have it pretty close in the photo.
Posted on: 7/24/2012 8:14 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11167219

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Almost ready to start gluing. Just need to finish sanding the ribletts to their final shape. The window frame and T/E cutout are made from 1/8" light ply. I'll use a piece of lexan plastic for the window. It will be sandwiched in between two frames. Rib caps will fall even with the frame. I had to relieve the holes in the ribs so the leading edge was straight. I have made some shims which will be glued to the ribs and the spars and fit the spars perfectly.
Posted on: 7/10/2012 3:40 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11150510

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Getting some work done on the top wing. Just fitting parts right now. I have made hard wood blocks for the strut attachment points. I drilled a hole through them and the spar passes through. It will all be epoxied together. I'll be cutting out all the center section ribs to make the big window of course. I am using Mick Reeves stainless fittings for the struts and bracing wires that cross inside the window. The wings will plug into the center section.
Posted on: 7/3/2012 3:17 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11141758

RE: Siemens-Schuckert D.III 1/3 Scale
Really cool Jim, I am sure they will be great. I know the shorts are a stretch [;)]
Posted on: 7/3/2012 3:05 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11141752

RE: Siemens-Schuckert D.III 1/3 Scale
That's really cool Jim! Here's a couple of idea's. I am sure you know what you want to do already but these are all Middle East flying garb. Just something a little different and besides if you decide to make a few more I could use one for my Vickers.[:D]
Posted on: 7/3/2012 4:29 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11140981

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Time to get the wings done. 1/2" composite spars are used. The spar goes through the fuselage and the wings plug into it. The spar was cut at the correct angle for dihedral and glued back together. Wood blocks are used on the inside of the fuselage to reinforce the spars. The wing is very rigid and light. I'll show more of the inside of the fuselage later.
Posted on: 7/2/2012 7:58 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11139755

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Thanks Don, she is coming along. Today I picked up the wings which were started by Ron Prestin. Next week I hope to have some photo's with the wings on. Ron has given me a great start on the wings. I have to build the ailerons and upper wing center section and finish some wing tips. Stay tuned. BTW, I must have missed what happened but glad you are back on your feet and building again.
Posted on: 6/27/2012 6:46 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11134514

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Some more details done. Here is the cockpit combing which I used leather like vinyl for and 1/4" vinyl tubing/hose. I am using "hemp" cord for the lacing. I used 84, 3/32" eyelets also.
Posted on: 6/27/2012 6:35 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11134502

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Hi Don, I think I did a pretty good job of searching the internet for eyelets and tools that would work. The problem is although I found another source for 3/32"x 1/16" eyelets they do not have a tool to use. Mick Reeves sells eyelets but according to Mick "one size fits all" and that doesn't work for me. I think most people use 1/16" or 1/8" and to me these are either too big or too small. I contacted GTM and Glenn had nothing to offer. His eyelets for the SE5 are "custom made". I am sure they would work for the Vickers but I guess Glenn is not ready to sell them or just doesn't have enough. I will use approx. 450 eyelets on the Vickers. Just can't bring myself to do something I am not satisfied with. The eyelets on the Vickers are a major attention point on the model and couldn't be more visible so it is just not possible to get by with something that is too big or too small to the eye in my opinion. Grinding the eyelets down is not a big deal. I stick an eyelet on the end of a Allen wrench I have which has a nice aluminum body to hold and touch the rivet to the sanding disc. It's quick and painless. Just another step in doing the job right and getting the results I want. It's not the first time or the last time I will improvise or make my own tools to get the result I want. It's just part of the hobby to me. Stay tuned!
Posted on: 6/20/2012 4:39 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11124870

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
So, I wanted to use 3/32 eyelets but could not find them 1/16" long. Mine were 3/16 so I had to shorten them. Time consuming little project but after about an hour grinding them down on my belt sander I had the 150 I needed to start with. I punched holes along the tape edge to keep them as straight as possible and spaced right. Flipped the fabric over and used a sawed off Phillips head to "flower" the eyelet. Using the small hammer I gently hammered the eyelet "flower" flat. I think you'll get what I mean. Didn't take that long to do once I made my mind up to do it this way. I have applied the piece of fabric to the turtle deck but will not finish it until I have the side pieces on. In the mean time I can now do the cockpit combing, head rest and the trim along the bottom of the tail fin. Stay tuned.
Posted on: 6/19/2012 3:25 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11124281

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Done with the gun and interrupter gear.
Posted on: 6/13/2012 11:15 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11116949

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Other than painting it I think I can say I am finally done with the gun and Challenger Interrupter Gear. Hopefully I'll have all the eyelets I need soon so I can continue with the fabric.
Posted on: 6/12/2012 4:47 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11116104

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
I have been working a some details. I made the cowl ring and reinforcing trim around the slots. As you can see no rivets or screws were used. Instead a clip arrangement on the inside of the cowl was used. I started working on the Challenger Interrupter gear. I made the tear drop cover from a block of balsa. I will add detail to it since it was hinged to open to service the gears inside. The push rod was inside a tube which eventually operates the firing pin via some mechanical stuff. I still have to make that. I have also installed all the control wires which are 175# test, 49 strand, Shark leader. Waiting on some fabric so I can start that and all the little eyelets. Stay tuned!
Posted on: 6/6/2012 11:56 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11108904

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Hi Doc, I hope you are right. Really want the wheels If I make it to Rhinebeck in September.
Posted on: 5/11/2012 7:23 AM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11076860

RE: 1/3 Vickers F.B.19 MKII
Okay, this is what I am working on now. You can see in the full scale photo the nice big hatch with a hole in it hanging down. I am using piano hinges I salvaged from some eye glass cases. This will give easy access to batteries,servo's and receiver.
Posted on: 5/9/2012 7:19 PM by Author "JohnF" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11075191