Frank Day Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 Just seen a HK video of the re-issued Durafly Vampire V3. V3 is a little cheeky. More carbon fibre, wee plastic nose cap, bit of plastic around nose gear opening, exhaust nozzle and a repaint otherwise all the same. 5 blade fan, no rudder. Was expecting a lot more from the promised make over. Of course global and US selling out, nothing for the UK until late Nov, they love our market. I showed them my displeasure by - pre ordering one! ver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARD WILLS Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 Might be worth buying 100ft of short pile carpet while you're waiting for the man in China to let you have one 😬 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 You’re not the only one Frank - pre-orders have gone in from me and several of my clubmates. Our earlier models are all looking a bit dog-eared and have suffered the ravages of 52 week a year usage and (sometimes too) close formation flying. The thrust tube modification sounds interesting - maybe something I’ll experiment with on my Canadian version. It has already pioneered substantial carbon wing reinforcement. I hope they have managed to extend the boom reinforcement into the wing roots - although the carbon cured the boom flexing of the original models, it left them very prone to snapping off in the slightest untidy arrival - all of ours have had the carbon extended across the joints. It’s such a popular model - second hand ones get snapped up almost instantly - so it’s a surprise that they’ve taken so long to re-release them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 14 Author Share Posted October 14 2 minutes ago, Martin Harris - Moderator said: You’re not the only one Frank - pre-orders have gone in from me and several of my clubmates. Our earlier models are all looking a bit dog-eared and have suffered the ravages of 52 week a year usage and (sometimes too) close formation flying. The thrust tube modification sounds interesting - maybe something I’ll experiment with on my Canadian version. It has already pioneered substantial carbon wing reinforcement. I hope they have managed to extend the boom reinforcement into the wing roots - although the carbon cured the boom flexing of the original models, it left them very prone to snapping off in the slightest untidy arrival - all of ours have had the carbon extended across the joints. It’s such a popular model - second hand ones get snapped up almost instantly so it’s a surprise that they’ve taken so long to re-release them! Looking at a couple of the youtube "unboxing/build videos, the booms look the same. I bought a pre-enjoyed, ready crashed Canadian with a spare set of wings, I've let in some 5mm x1mm CF top and bottom of the wings, previous owner added some top and bottom of the boom to wing area. I added a 3d exhaust printed incorrectly for a Dynam Gloster Meteor, perfect fit on the Vampire and twin rudders, 5.6g MG servos.. I did look at ordering a few spares but postage from global was outrageous, £75 for a £30 fuzz. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 14 minutes ago, RICHARD WILLS said: Might be worth buying 100ft of short pile carpet while you're waiting for the man in China to let you have one 😬 I got my pre-ordered Gloster Gladiator, only very slightly after the promised date and post free, too. £205 including 2 x 4S 2200 maH batteries seemed reasonable. It flies a lot better than the pilot to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 14 Author Share Posted October 14 26 minutes ago, Geoff S said: I got my pre-ordered Gloster Gladiator, only very slightly after the promised date and post free, too. £205 including 2 x 4S 2200 maH batteries seemed reasonable. It flies a lot better than the pilot to boot. That sounds pretty good. I fancied the Gladiator when they first appeared and had two in the basket, I think they were about £195 each at the time but the postage, I think for two was about £600. vaguely remember seeing a figure around £1k all in pop up at checkout, needless to say I dont own one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 The V3 Vampire looks very impressive in Stuart's review video and I immediately went to the HK site to find that, inevitably, they aren't actually available in the UK yet. I managed to get a V2 model brand new in box for a very good price, but haven't put it together yet - not mad keen on the RCAF scheme and really liked the original RAF scheme of the V1 that I assembled then passed on, unflown, to a pal. They fly superbly and that thrust tube modification looks to make a big improvement in the ability to take off from grass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 14 Author Share Posted October 14 I have a late/end Nov delivery guess, not too long to wait and it means it doesnt arrive close to other additions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 I came across a 3D print design for a cheat hole which fits behind the canopy. We’ve all fitted them and they add a lot of thrust. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4661278 As yet (of course) untested on the v3 but highly recommended for earlier models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 I've still got the other 3, recently flew the Canadian one, though the special edition one not flown in years and still hanging at the back of the shed. Only issue should have used a 12 blade fan not the inefficient 5 blade and out of date one- ok back in the day, but all new edf's are now using 11-12 blade fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 15 Author Share Posted October 15 (edited) 11 hours ago, Martin Harris - Moderator said: I came across a 3D print design for a cheat hole which fits behind the canopy. We’ve all fitted them and they add a lot of thrust. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4661278 As yet (of course) untested on the v3 but highly recommended for earlier models. I think someone in this thread has/had printed some of these, i had one from them for my Canadian. Don't want to name them and they get inundated. I dont have a 3d printer as yet but Christmas is approaching. A guy on ebay Puppies 123 will print at sensible cost. He is an RC guy. I message him with a need and he recommends which of his other items listed is a price match. My ebay purchases look weird and wonderful. I may have a direct link now but would need to square that with him first. He also did me the pair of bottom cheaters and some tip tanks, he modified the thingyverse thingy to include led's fore and aft. He's also just done me a 3 blade spinner for a Durafly Me163 that im running a lower kv motor on, again modified thingverse download. On the Canadian i also cut off the wing leading edge profile at the fuzz shaped and smoothed the now visible fuselage and looking into the intakes reshaped the foam so there is now a clean view of the fan as air seems to be directed at 45deg across the fuselage Edited October 15 by Frank Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 A picture would be great Frank to see what you did? Anyone fitted an 11 blade 4S fan as an upgrade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 (edited) 2 hours ago, Piers Bowlan said: A picture would be great Frank to see what you did? Anyone fitted an 11 blade 4S fan as an upgrade? Yes did that a few years ago on a v1 that I was given to me with no fan in it. Bought a cheap fan from ebay that took a fair bit of balancing . Stiffened booms with carbon strips as they were comically flexible. Fan unit sounds great like a proper mini turbine and flies it well but still a bit sticky unless grass is very short as wheels are very small. Last flight i had with it was at Barkston Heath Nats in the evening. After it landed I could have sold it a dozen times ! Edited October 15 by Engine Doctor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 15 Author Share Posted October 15 (edited) 10 hours ago, Piers Bowlan said: A picture would be great Frank to see what you did? Anyone fitted an 11 blade 4S fan as an upgrade? I have a Powerfun 4s 12 blade (Aliexpress £28 or 4Max £47. 50)with a Hobbywing 80A ESC V2 Ill post a few pics, yet to fit the lower cheater and the tip tanks but will put up a few pics. My 3d print guy flogged me some nice discontinued trailing link gear for the Vampire, he had one but never fitted. Bit of foam bashin and filler, with larger wheels Edited October 15 by Frank Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 15 Author Share Posted October 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 16 Author Share Posted October 16 (edited) The light weight filler is under £5 at Screwfix, identical to model filler at 1/4 of the price. (quantity + price). I picture searched the image to check, some [chancer] on ebay is selling at at £19!!. and is selling it. I was a little slow. Edited October 16 by Martin Harris - Moderator Edited. Frank - please read the code of conduct re. the use of wildcat characters to disguise coarse language. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 How are you getting on with those Lemon receivers Frank? 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 16 Author Share Posted October 16 10 hours ago, leccyflyer said: How are you getting on with those Lemon receivers Frank? Fitted one in but the signal is rubbish, probably go back to Orange. I thought it looked quite artistic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 19 Author Share Posted October 19 Well, having pre-ordered the Vampire from the UK warehouse I've ordered a second from Global, about £20 cheaper plus I had some credit /funds there. Should be VAT and Duty free so hoping for a little saving, UPS may come up with a fee. Free delivery should be by the end of the coming week. I noticed that HK now offer you a choice of value declaration twixt 0% - 100% of actual value! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RottenRow Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 2 hours ago, Frank Day said: I noticed that HK now offer you a choice of value declaration twixt 0% - 100% of actual value! So how much did you declare? And what difference does it make if, as you suggest, it should be VAT and duty free? I thought sellers now had to add the VAT at their end for items above a certain value. I also thought that the VAT accounted for the difference between Global and UK warehouse prices, in recent times anyway. It will be interesting to hear whether UPS add the VAT plus their fee before delivery. Brian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 19 Author Share Posted October 19 I left it at 100%. Rightly or wrongly my perception is that VAT is paid already (UK, NZ and Aus) and is under the £390 excise amount. Delivery was free so just waiting to see if UPS come up with something. Perhaps someone else has knowledge of this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Day Posted October 22 Author Share Posted October 22 (edited) On 14/10/2024 at 17:47, Martin Harris - Moderator said: You’re not the only one Frank - pre-orders have gone in from me and several of my clubmates. Our earlier models are all looking a bit dog-eared and have suffered the ravages of 52 week a year usage and (sometimes too) close formation flying. The thrust tube modification sounds interesting - maybe something I’ll experiment with on my Canadian version. It has already pioneered substantial carbon wing reinforcement. I hope they have managed to extend the boom reinforcement into the wing roots - although the carbon cured the boom flexing of the original models, it left them very prone to snapping off in the slightest untidy arrival - all of ours have had the carbon extended across the joints. It’s such a popular model - second hand ones get snapped up almost instantly - so it’s a surprise that they’ve taken so long to re-release them! I ordered a second Vampire from Global, arrived in 4 days with no additional Fedex ransom. Thats under £150 with some bonus I had built up. Quick look over, has a plastic nose cone and fairings around the retracts and a nose gear cover that prevents easy access to the the retract and servo screws. New thrust tube outlet seems to be a 15mm long piece of fizzy drink bottle glued in the pipe, prob 0.5mm thick creating a lip, I guess reducing the outlet size slightly for a little extra velocity. Canopy seems to be a lighter foam, needs more magnets or a canopy latch and the extra room was created by hacking off the bottom of the cockpit with a hot cutter. Pilot has gone AWOL - Lighter! Wings are considerably stiffer. Going to give it a clear coat and put it away for a while while I finish other models. Very pleased as I've only had my used Canadian until now, will probably drop in a 4s Powerfun 12 blade, currently under £30 from Banggood or a Freewing unit Edited October 22 by Frank Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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