A quick update, once the serial numbers were applied, I started to dirty the model down using my usual wash method then after a break for a holiday and the Nationals I made up all the lettering for the airframe, once these were applied I fuel proofed the airframe and finished off the radio and engine installations. This went smoothly until it was all done, then I pressurised the air systems only to find a leak and managed to blow off the end cap off a door cylinder.

Oh well, the leak would be in an inaccessible place, sods law, gear out and a y-connector found to be the culprit. I would'nt mind but having experienced this before I test each individual component before fitting, this one obviously stuck two fingers up at me 

Door ram replaced, gear back in and all is well, system pressure at 100 psi held for a 24 hour test, I'm happy !

Spent this afternoon programming the Weatronic reciever with my laptop and getting the servo senses the right way round and the throws to where I want them.



Also did a fuel system leak test, no leaks 

The engine compartment is "cosy".



 

Test flights in the next week I think.


Ian B

Amazing work Ian.

Please accept this as a compliment and understand the implications behind it - It looks like a British jet.

I don't say that lightly. It doesn't look like a model of a British jet - your detailing, painting and weathering looks absolutely outstanding. I hope I can achieve that quality myself one day!

i got grass just like that

lozza

I only did it 'once' 

Looks really great Ian, well done.

I now do my jet test runs on the patio having done the grass bit and been suitably bxx??@@ed Just afraid that next time I might set the fence on fire 

Pete,

How much as I am in deep Do-do's.

Went away for the weekend only to come back to find the situation worse !



My life is over.........................

Ian B

Have you tried astroturf, although I have heard it does melt....

Just dig it up, turn it over and tell the wife you thought it would be a good place for a flowerbed 

Today I test flew the Venom 

I actually finished it ready to fly mid September but I went off on holiday for a month and since returning, today was the first day where I wasn't working and had half decent weather !

A very grey day at my club strip  at Wroughton, but flyable ,with the wind straight down the runway, the model was assembled and two range checks were done, one without the engine running to establish performance of the Weatronic Receiver and then one with the engine running to see if I got the same range and no glitches.

A refuel then with Geoff White as my lookout/spotter and Dick Spreadbury lurking with a camera I taxied out and opened up.
Certainly the most relaxing test flight of any model I have built, it flew straight off the board needing one click of up trim which I took off on the second flight. I had 30% expo on the ailerons and whilst it was very stable around the neutral point the aileron roll was a tad quicker than scale so I shall increase expo to 50% and also reduce the throw. A few circuits, rolls and a couple of loops and then at 5 mins the timer reminded me it was time to set up for a landing. A gear pass was done then downwind I progressively lowered the flaps to 75%, no pitch up or down, great, so turning onto short finals I increased to 100% and let her just settle onto a very credible three point and no bounce landing.  ::cc

Chuffed or what ! So a little later I had a second flight, this time a little longer having though forgot to increase the timer, so a manual count after 5 mins and I think I managed 8 mins or thereabouts. Another smooth flight this time exploring aerobatics. Rolls, loops, reversals, Derry Turns and some low passes.

The light had gone and the rain was starting so I packed up and will have some more flights when the weather is better, but in the meantime here is two shots taken by Dick in very trying poor light condidtions.





Off for some Lunatic Soup down the Pub now 


Ian B

Excellent job Ian. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Can't wait to see her fly and meet you in person.

Steve

Morning Chaps

Thanks for the kind comments, got a sore head this morning..................wonder why ?

Ian B

Beautiful  .....

Nice to see it flying Ian. Hope to see it at the next CJ meeting.

Barry

Help yourself Andy, hopefully, on its next outing, the light will be better and some more pictures and even some video will be taken
and thank you all for the kind comments

Just starting the Hunter now 

Ian B

Don't forget Hunter pics 

Hi Dave

The tip rib I mention is the ones supplied in the MR semi kit and is standard ply, not lite ply. Make one more and remove 3/32 inch off this top and bottom and you have the tip rib template. Using the root section off the fuselage, do the same.

The flaps as shown on the plans are correct, almost, but refer to scale drawings and you need a servo for each flap (4 ) and don't use the method as shown on the plan to operate the flaps or you will  experience blowback and twist as the aluminium flap joiner has to distort slightly as the flaps are lowered, use litho sheet that has not been annealed so it is still springy and reverts back to its original bend as the flaps are raised. You'll note the difference in hinge line between the inner and outer flap ! On the full size the hinges are aligned vertically and offset to make the hinge line parallel. A little complex to achieve on a model and not necessary to achieve the scale flaps.

PM me if you've any questions and get cracking !

Ian B

OK, after reading this build thread from the master, I have taken the plunge and ordered a Venom kit from MR.
I hope I have done the right thing, and Ian, I hope you are a very patient man, as I sure there will be loads of questions that you will be able to answer.
Building experience so far on jets, Avonds F15, Avonds F16 and Boomerang XL, so the Venom is going to be one hell of a challenge ( but hopefully worth it ).
Fantastic Venom you have built there Ian ( if mine turns out half as good, I will be one happy man )
Sould be with me after Christmas
Happy Christmas to everyone on here.

Ian, I would like to congratulate you on your really superb Venom FB4, it looks stunning. I worked on the F4B for two years with 6Sqdn in Iraq, and Cyprus, so your model really brings back some happy memories. I would love to see it flying one day when you emerge from hibernation.

Hi Ian
The Venom looks superb.
Mine is about ready to fly, but without a lot of detail - will put in on later if she flies well.
Could you let me know how you fitted the nose door please.
Many thanks
Brian

Hello Brian,

I'll dig out some photos of the nosedoor attachment system, however, its done as per the full size which is shown on the plan. The top part of the door has two metal strips which are allowed to swivel and these in turn are attached to the u/c mounting plate and these too are allowed to swivel at the fixing point.. So far so good, the bottom of the door has two rods attached which pivot in the vertical plane, these in turn are fixed to the nose leg on a sleeve around the nose strut. These rods attach to the sleeve via a ball and socket fitting which allows the rods to swivel. As the leg retracts backwards the rods pull the door back and the two metal strips allow the door to swing down and backwards and fit securely to the fuselage when the leg is fully retracted. The length of the strips and rods are fairly critical but fine adjustments are made in the rod length as these are threaded 2mm push rods. The reason for the use of a sleeve over the strut is so the door stays in position as the strut rotates for steering purposes otherwise unwanted strain occurs on the door fixing points and also the sleeve can slide up and down the strut which ensures a good closure fit.
Clear as mud but all will be revealed in the photos.

Mark,

Hunter Mk5, straight leading edge, no extension............the classic Hunter..............Suez colours and piloted by Flt Lt J. R. Hartley !

Ian B