While doing research on my other project the Viking S-3b, I stumbled upon a fun looking plane with the viking name.
I found a 3-view that hit me for some reason, Vance's Viking.
HISTORY
According to the Wikipedia Entry for Vance Viking, the Plane was borne of a desire to build a fast flying wing. The 1932 design was to be as a high speed, high altitude, long range air-freighter with thick wing lockers. This Tandem seated cockpit was limited to one seat Unfortunately the Designer and owner of Vance Air, Claire Vance, Died that year to a Foggy Mountain Collision, halting it's 1932 racing history. in 1933 it was entered to win the Bendix Trophy, a transcontinental race from Burbank (CA) to Cleveland (OH), but drop out from a fuel pump failure. The plane was then purchased and used to race in the MacRobertson AirRaces (England to Australia) but was abandon in Palm Springs. It was then picked up by a Texas tycoon for a Texas Moscow Flight, and was eventually used as the "Texas Air Ranger" painted white and red. I was slated to fly a trip New York to Paris, through London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Brussels, then after Paris, go non-stop to Dallas, Texas as a publicity campaign for the Texas Centennial Exposition but a pilot complication led to it sponsorship being dropped.
Besides Liking the look, I was impressed by it's specs. Specifically the range.
SPECIFICATIONS
General characteristics
That is almost 1/3 of the way around the earth. in 1932! Only a couple decades since controlled flight was understood.
DESIGN - Park Flyer
I wanted to setup Vance Viking with a 5-6" prop design. Turns out that make a 30" span, and generally it seems to fit on one sheet.
Origin Plan:
Preliminary Foamy Design (vA0.2):
[A0.1, used below, excludes the spar]
BLOG - Projecting a new way
With a plan ready, It was time to see how this works out.
Now I have a problem I don't typically have. My 8.5x11. Printer isn't working and I can't go to work and print large scale on account of my work computer is busted. So how do I transfer it to the foam. I have seen people playing tabletop games with a digital projection onto the surface they play on. Turning normal, to extraordinary. I have a projector, so I decided to give this method a go.
I first taped the DTFB to the wall, mostly lined up. I then adjusted the projector so the outline of the sheet. Lined up with the board.
Then comes the task of drawing the image. Now I am no teacher, so wall work is harder than it looks. I used a ruler, but had some pens and pencils be uncooperative. After a while it starts coming together. To check my progress and ensure i don't miss something. It helped to block of some of the image projection.
It went quicker than I thought it would. I will say though it is not terribly accurate. Two things. Worked against me. 1) The resolution - I was drawing over pixelated lines, guessing the specific location. And 2) drawing freehand on a wall didn't help accuracy either.
The final product looks workable. Time will tell. I found out I need more glue, so hopefully tomorrow I will be ready to cut and assemble. I suspect it will go quick. The Wheel pants/Assembly looks to be the hardest part.
Maybe this method can help someone. Wish me luck!
Here is @The Hangar flying his build:
I found a 3-view that hit me for some reason, Vance's Viking.
HISTORY
According to the Wikipedia Entry for Vance Viking, the Plane was borne of a desire to build a fast flying wing. The 1932 design was to be as a high speed, high altitude, long range air-freighter with thick wing lockers. This Tandem seated cockpit was limited to one seat Unfortunately the Designer and owner of Vance Air, Claire Vance, Died that year to a Foggy Mountain Collision, halting it's 1932 racing history. in 1933 it was entered to win the Bendix Trophy, a transcontinental race from Burbank (CA) to Cleveland (OH), but drop out from a fuel pump failure. The plane was then purchased and used to race in the MacRobertson AirRaces (England to Australia) but was abandon in Palm Springs. It was then picked up by a Texas tycoon for a Texas Moscow Flight, and was eventually used as the "Texas Air Ranger" painted white and red. I was slated to fly a trip New York to Paris, through London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Brussels, then after Paris, go non-stop to Dallas, Texas as a publicity campaign for the Texas Centennial Exposition but a pilot complication led to it sponsorship being dropped.
Besides Liking the look, I was impressed by it's specs. Specifically the range.
SPECIFICATIONS
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 (2 w/ tandem seating)
- Wingspan: 60 ft (18 m)
- Fuel capacity: 1,200 U.S. gallons (4,500 L; 1,000 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Wasp Radial, 660 hp (490 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed Hamilton Standard
- Maximum speed: 170 kn (200 mph, 320 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 140 kn (160 mph, 260 km/h)
- Range: 6,500 nmi (7,500 mi, 12,100 km)
- Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (11,000 m)
- Automatic Pilot
That is almost 1/3 of the way around the earth. in 1932! Only a couple decades since controlled flight was understood.
DESIGN - Park Flyer
I wanted to setup Vance Viking with a 5-6" prop design. Turns out that make a 30" span, and generally it seems to fit on one sheet.
Origin Plan:
Preliminary Foamy Design (vA0.2):
[A0.1, used below, excludes the spar]
BLOG - Projecting a new way
With a plan ready, It was time to see how this works out.
Now I have a problem I don't typically have. My 8.5x11. Printer isn't working and I can't go to work and print large scale on account of my work computer is busted. So how do I transfer it to the foam. I have seen people playing tabletop games with a digital projection onto the surface they play on. Turning normal, to extraordinary. I have a projector, so I decided to give this method a go.
I first taped the DTFB to the wall, mostly lined up. I then adjusted the projector so the outline of the sheet. Lined up with the board.
Then comes the task of drawing the image. Now I am no teacher, so wall work is harder than it looks. I used a ruler, but had some pens and pencils be uncooperative. After a while it starts coming together. To check my progress and ensure i don't miss something. It helped to block of some of the image projection.
It went quicker than I thought it would. I will say though it is not terribly accurate. Two things. Worked against me. 1) The resolution - I was drawing over pixelated lines, guessing the specific location. And 2) drawing freehand on a wall didn't help accuracy either.
The final product looks workable. Time will tell. I found out I need more glue, so hopefully tomorrow I will be ready to cut and assemble. I suspect it will go quick. The Wheel pants/Assembly looks to be the hardest part.
Maybe this method can help someone. Wish me luck!
Here is @The Hangar flying his build:
Last edited:
Vance Flying Wing
Vance Viking
Vance Flying Wing
