Heli-Driver Elite Veteran Location: Arlington, TX
| Shot the base color today..After way, way too much pin hole filling and sanding I shot a base coat of color today with my touch up gun. It was my first time to use the gun and it worked great. So much more versatile than a spray can or an airbrush. I have to sand the nose piece again and fill in some re-occuring pinholes that is really starting to p*ss me off. The fuselage looks good and the paint went on very nicely. I plan to put a final thicker topcoat to give it a nice gloss finish.
I tested some exhaust tubing on the Raptor today following Peter's suggestion about opening my exhaust up larger. I doubt the tubing I have will be the actual one because it is that clear vinyl tubing you get at the hardware stores. I don't think it will handle the heat of a full flight. I added 3 different sized sections together, a 1/2" ID that slipped on the exhaust nipple and then about a inch out I slipped it inside another piece of 3/4" ID tubing about two inches long which slips inside another piece of tubing that is 1" in diameter.
I only ran about a half talk of gas through it and didn't lift off as the wind was blowing about 35 MPH today... sheese. anyway, after the running, I felt the tubing, it wasn't melting or anything like that, it just felt slightly softer from the heat. It looks like the tubing will work and let the motor breathe properly, I just don't think it can stand up to the heat. I will test fly it as soon as the weather and schedule permits.
I hope to have some pics tomorrow night showing the base color, not much to look at yet, just a yelo heli right now.
I still don't know what is the best tubing to use, I can't find anyone local or online that sells silicone exhaust tubing in the sizes I need.
Raymond
Predator Gasser SE/231 X 2 Century Helicopters |