jerrybern

I am going to turn this...... Into this only a little bigger....

This is the 1/4 scale Vampire from Kerry Sterner plans, I took the easy way out a got a full kit cut from National balsa. I have never seen anything cut as well as this new laser cutting, there is no way you can
do this the old fashion way with saws.
A little back ground ,I have been away from RC for the past 11 or 12 years my motorcycle touring took over, I did stay in touch with my friends from the Palos Rc club. Joe funk is a good friend of mine and I have been watching the 1/4 scale Panther project for years now. This past summer my wife saw Joe's Panther fly and told me I should build one, Well I just could not do a Panther because there are 3 of them in the building stage now. I remember seeing this ad for the Vampire and got a hold of Kerry for more information. I had to put a new shop together after two new houses in the last ten years. I can't get over the cost of stuff now. That's all for now I will be doing updates and hopefully my building skills come back.
later,
Jerry B

jerrybern

Is there any interested in me doing this on line?, or would I be wasting my time posting updates
Jerry B

Si_B

Please put as many pictures as you can, great to see a traditional build.

Simon

Jeti USA

More is better, I would live to have one for 120mm EDF fan.
Here is my smaller one 90mm

Zb

http://www.espritmodel.com/dh100-vam...per-scale.aspx

jerrybern

Well, I have started the building. The directions have you building the wings first, I find building wings boring,and I might loose interested. I started on the fuselage first,it is built over two crutches a upper one and a lower one. They are built over the plans. The long runners are made from 5/8th X 1/2 inch balsa.I was having troubles making the bends I tried soaking the balsa in ammonium and water and they cracked, I tried relief cuts with the same results.then I remember I saw metal rods bent being bent with a jig on the work bench. I got some 1 1/2 inch brad nails and used them as I went along, I tacked down the runners using the brads as I went along,no cracks this time.This all I have tonight its Saturday on a holiday weekend so it is date wife with my wife, I will post again after I finish the crutches
Happy New Year
Jerry B

highhorse

My Feedback: (2)

I'd suggest you edit the thread title to make it more descriptive by including "Vampire". Can't hurt.

jerrybern

Thanks that was a great idea !
Jerry B

Air Works

Hi Jerry,

Please keep us informed would be good to see the full build and if possible costs of additional building materials. What retracts are you using and did you buy the canopy?

Regards,
Paul

jeff naul

My Feedback: (16)

I'm glad to see someone else building jets from wood! I'm building a 1/4 scale T-33 right now. Please post!

bmetcalf

Wow, I pick-up one of these last summer ,1/4 scale Vampire from Kerry Sterner and would love to see the build. Brad "Maddog" Metcalf

Mike Haddox

My Feedback: (5)

Now that is a good looking model. Keep the pictures coming.

H.Dale

My Feedback: (3)

I'm glad to see someone building with wood too. I would like to build a MiG-29 but cannot find any plans or kit. Does anyone know if there is one available?

RDERC

Yes, keep posting pics. I just received my 1/6 Vampire from TND, got the retracts on order from Kingfisher Aviation [thanks to Simon making a call for me!], and am in the process figuring out servos. I like the design of the Vampire, and think it will make a great flyer with a Wren 80i. I will follow this thread with interest.

Richard

Air Works

Hi Jerry,

Any more updates????

jerrybern

I have a little over $600 USD in the laser cut kit and that is with all strip and blocks this cost was also the plans and canopy. I plan on using the Sierra gear for this, it is kinda costly at around $1200 for gear tires and brake
Thanks for looking
Jerry B

jerrybern

That looks great please post more pictures
Jerry B

jerrybern

I worked on the vampire for the last few nights, here are a few pictures that I have taken this is the crutch I

The next picture is the Stab/ elevator assembly that was very basic to build, the next picture is proof that I built the crutch level LOL( my friends bust my balls saying I never build strait or level)
The next one is all of the formers on the crutch waiting to be glued in place and the last one is a side view,it is in 20% scale instead of 25% that I am building, I guess that was done to hold down the cost of printing them that bag, you really don't need it full size for the build, however I would have liked too just to see the shear size of it.Please forgive the way I am posting these pictures I am still learning how to do it
More updates to follow
Happy New Year
Jerry B

jofunk

Looks good Jerry. keep it up.

Air Works

Hi Jerry,

Does the plan come with a list of wood to finish the Vampire? if so would it be possible for you to post the list?

Many thanks,
Paul

jofunk

Hi Paul,

I scanned Jerry's Vampire construction manual when he stopped by. I have the whole thing in a PDF file. It is too large to put up here. ( can you put a PDF file up here? ) I snapped a few pictures of what you are looking for.

Joe

Air Works

Hi Joe,

Thank you for the information very useful. Have sent you a private email.

Regards,
Paul

Air Works

Hi Jerry,

Have you made anymore progress since your last update that you can share with us since your last update?

Regards,
Paul

jerrybern

I am making progress on the Vampire, I finished off the stringers and started on the planking of the hatch area.
The first photo shows the bare fuselage pod ready for sheeting. Cutting the sheeting into 5/8 of a strip is a real pain,I made up a fence for my scroll saw and I feed them through it, I made them just a hair wider then 5/8th of a inch
then I run them through my belt sander to clean up the edge. I forgot what fun it is to do sheeting (LOL)
more updates to come
Jerry

Air Works

Taking shape now Jerry. Can the planking be cut with a straight edge and knife?

Regards,
Paul

jerrybern

Hi Paul,
yes it can. I tried to make it easier with the saw,however I did not like the results so I got a balsa stripper from master airscrew and it does a good job..
Here is my latest work most of the top is now planked. I was not happy with the way it was with some high spots. I was talking to Joe Funk (from 1/4 scale panther fame) and he told me to use a 80 grit sanding belt wrapped around
it it cut it down all nice and even,I still have places to fill but it is getting there
Jerry B