The wing is finally completed...except for mounting the bomb - and all those extensions! BUT it all works (for now anyway.

Gap in one of the wing panels is a bit large, but they supply some black rubber tubing to fill that gap....the trouble is, the OTHER side is almost gapless! So now I have to go back and create a gap

I'm using a three wire disconnect to ease my field assembly...it helps some!

Just figured out I'm using all of my 8 channels on the RX and don't have a spot for a transmitter kill switch

Got the retracts in with the only problem being fishing the retract servo lead on the right retract to find its way to the center hole so it can exit the wing. That hole should be made larger because it will have 8 leads coming out of it! To reduce that number I used a "Y" connector for the retracts...still it is a mess

On to the wing...aileron servo (standard size) mounted on aileron hatch without any problems. Need a long extension to reach the receiver....18" should do the trick.

Next was the flaps....three servos needed - one in the center wing section, two in the outer wing panels....got to watch the orientation of the servo arms as all three have to work together.....

Got the retrats (cost extra, they are electric) in without too much trouble but can't go with the supplied gear doors as they stick out too far from the wing.

Going to have to change that as I think gear doors make this look better.

Just had to do it....bought a VQ Dauntless at the AMA Convention last month! Couldn't wait to start, so I did

Picked up a DLE 35RA for it and had to buy 11 SERVOS!!! This bird has two servos ailerons, two for dive brakes, three for flaps PLUS electric retracts - all in the wing!

Here are some preliminary shots....

Well I'm happy to report the plane has been finished given to its owner and a happy person he is....sort of....Maybe I should have followed my intuition and put that switch in the floor board instead of under the back seat. At that location it is difficult to reach!

Our first flights were uneventful, but the engine was giving us some dead stick training so Ron was called upon to adjust the needles and boy did he do a great job - once the clunk on the feed line was reattached!

So John is now happy and has a couple of flights on it. Here are some pics....

Coming down to the near end....still have some things to do before it is done..

First of all I love the RC Workstation I picked up at the AMA Convention - going to do a "Update" to the previous article I wrote as there are some improvements worth discussing.

Getting the two batteries ready - wrapped in foam and 'sealed' with some tape used to wrap packages - clear and sticky! Two packs - both 2000 NiMh , one for the radio, the other for the ignition. One of those packs is supposed to go in the floor of the fuselage and as you can see, it doesn't fit! So all wrapped up it is sitting next to the tank!

Wing panels fit! Love that hardware - nice and strong. And it is even painted No trouble getting the struts to match up with the fuselage.

Cowl was next....had to move the engine mount forward 1/4" for the prop to clear the front of the cowl. Might have to convince the owner to order a new cowl as I don't like the crack in the one he has (shipping damage).

Then comes the headache - putting all those wires, extensions, and plugs into the receiver and man it looks bad...the good part is the rear seat hides the wires from the front and an 'cover' on top hides the battery, receiver and wires from view!

Note how the rear seat is prevented from moving forward because the switches have leads only so long!...Continue Reading