Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Hi Everyone, Welcome to my Coquette build blog. For the vintage mass build I have decided to tackle the Vic Smeed Coquette, a pretty little biplane of 30" span. I haven't decided on a power train yet, although it will be electric. Originally a free flight ic model, the Coquette has an appealing shape and lines that promise a stable flier for calm weather and, thanks to its diminutive size, should tuck easily into a corner of my overcrowded workshop as well as my car. I ordered a semi kit from the Old School Model Aeroplane Factory and the box arrived within a couple of days. The kit contains all the cut parts of balsa - all laser cut very cleanly from excellent quality balsa wood, saving me many hours of tracing and cutting out, not to mention being cut far more accurately than I could manage! Now, my job requires me to spend a lot of time away from home in hotels around the world and so for this build I decided to put otherwise wasted time to good use and cobbled together a transportable building kit consisting of a small building board and basic tools to fit into a suitcase and take away with me. There are, however limits to the amount of building I will be able to do on a hotel room desk and while small components such as the tail can be built, I am going to run into problems when it comes to building the wings and fuselage, even for such a small model, so these larger parts will have to be made at home. Well the build started this morning, the rudder parts having been stuck together on my portable board in the hotel here in Chennai, southern India. I'll upload some pictures shortly, as soon as I have figured out how to do it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 17, 2011 Author Share Posted December 17, 2011 There it is - the first bit! Incidentally, I should have mentioned from the outset that for the "charity" element of the mass build I am supporting Dreamflight - an organisation that provides seriously ill and disabled children with a much needed holiday of a lifetime to Disneyland, Florida. Please take a moment to check out some of the videos at www.dreamflight.org Edited By Jim Newberry on 17/12/2011 11:15:23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Grigg Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 I like the design of Vic Smeas models so will enjoy this thread and youe build Jim ,.I have Mamselle in about 54 inch wingaspan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bandit Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Hi Jim, I'm looking forward to this one as I don't recognize the model by name, although I'm a great fan of Vic Smeed designs. Cheers, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 17, 2011 Author Share Posted December 17, 2011 Tail feathers complete, tailplane and elevator awaiting final sanding, fin and rudder ready to cover. The covering will be translucent blue Profilm - mainly because I had plenty left over from a previous build but I always think it's a shame to cover open structure with opaque film. I had been thinking of using natural Solarfilm - my favourite covering - but was concerned about the weight gain (story of my life!) So far I am very impressed with the fit of the laser cut parts and the quality of the wood from the OMAF kit - anyone looking to build this or a similar model would do well to check out their range. Well that's all for today as it's 3am here in India but I'll be back tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bandit Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Hi Jim,Just been looking for the Old School Model Aeroplane Factory and can't find a site for them, just a link to Ebay which doesn't list the model your building. Do you have a link. Cheers, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 looking forward to following this build Jim. Like Chris I am not familiar with this model but the tail bits look very similar to the Mam'selle -Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share Posted December 18, 2011 Hi Chris, You could try emailling them at [email protected] I know Derek hasn't been well lately so the eBay shop was taken down for a little while. I also know that at the time I bought my Coquette kit it was the last one, so there may be a little wait until they have some more cut. Meanwhile I'm just warming up the ol' covering iron and about to get busy with the Profilm. Incidentally if you want to see a Coquette flying there is one on youtube - just put "Vic Smeed Coquette" into the search box and it will pop right up. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share Posted December 18, 2011 For those of you who aren't familiar with the Coquette, here is a picture found on the interweb of a completed one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bandit Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Much appreciated Jim, I'll do that although I have 3 models to build for the vintage mass build and a garage / workshop to re-roof so there's no hurry . The model looks good and the video shows it off at it's best, good choice. As I said I'm a great fan of Vic Smeed designs and I'll need something for the May fly at Old Warden for 2012. It's different. Cheers, Chris.Edited By Big Bandit on 18/12/2011 18:23:16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Jim, Excellent choice Mine is powered with an Indian Mills .75, it is marginal and needs all the power from the motor to climb. But its great fun on those calm summer evenings (well was!..in need of a little repair). Here is one of its flights. Watching with great interest. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share Posted December 18, 2011 Rich, I have watched that video a few times, nice to "meet" the owner, albeit in a cyberspace way! Looks like a fine model, I noted the comments on youtube and will try to make sure mine has plenty of grunt. Big Bandit, you know you can never have too many kits! When I ordered my Coquette I asked them to make sure the wrapping had nothing on the outside to alert SWMBO to the fact that it's another model - and it worked! "This? Oh it's a christmas present, nothing for you to worry about!" Order one before Xmas and stash it in a quiet corner of the shed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Grigg Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 LOovely looking model And the thing about this forum is you only have to go through a few posts to find lots of excuses as to why youve had the latest build for years and have just decided to build it after all thid time,glad Im single but I hide them from myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share Posted December 18, 2011 And when the models are this small you don't have to try too hard to hide them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bandit Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Hi Richard, Wicked , want one. Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bandit Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Jim, that'll be with the other 60 kits then .Cheers,Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 Not much progress to report today - I've covered the tail feathers with Profilm which is one of my least favourite jobs, especially as I have a rubbish covering iron! Flying back to the UK tonight so I should be able to get some of the bigger bits put together over the next few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 Hope you like the colour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 Hi Jim, that's a nice choice and funnily enough I happened to video a clubmates model day after Boxing day .....it flew very sweetly, helped by the calm conditions...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted December 31, 2011 Author Share Posted December 31, 2011 Thanks for adding the video David, looks a good flyer and I'm looking forward to getting my Coquette in the air. Oh hang on, that didn't come out how I meant it to! There has been a bit of a hiatus on the building front due to Christmas, but I hope to get going again in the next few days. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Lovely model - great choice Jim. I hadn't realised the Coquette was a bipe! Like all biplanes it has a really beatiful presence in the air! I'll be watching your build with interest. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 Well everyone I've just been chewing over servo choice and as this size of model is significantly smaller than anything I'm used to I thought I would canvas opinion. Do you reckon a pair of 2.5g servos from 4-Max would do the job or should I be looking at something a bit beefier? Surely a tiddler like the Coquette would only need the very smallest servos? Let me know what you think please. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bandit Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Hi Jim, I only use anything smaller than a 9 gram on indoor stuff, personally I'd go for 9 Gram. Cheers, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I would agree with Chris on this. Its a small model with "radio guidance" I know, but 2.5g is really pushing your luck I feel. Remember the only real penality for over-speccing servos is weight, and 9g isn't much of a penality for a model this size and gives you that little bit of extra security. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Another vote for 9 Gram versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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