Miss Vegas FE conversion

[properchopper]

Having gotten my appetite whetted for hydros with the UL-1, and ripping up the pond with the 31" H&M shovel [ Neu 1515 1Y, Hydra 240, 4S2P, @ 65 mph], I wanted to build a turbine cowl boat. Thought about a PT, but the Vegas [ re-badged as an Elam] came along from Paul Pachmeyer empty but with a CF floor, so I thought I'd give it a go. Having a spare 1515 1Y & Hydra 240 helped get me motivated. Thread continues below.

[properchopper]

Made a reinforcing bed for the OSE motor mount.

[properchopper]

It was time to go wire drive, so Jeff set me up with a .078 drive, Octura-type collet and a ball bearing 3/16" strut. Taking Jeff's advice, I installed a ball-bearing thrust washer on the motor with a Kintec spacer for what Jeff calls a " Full Floating Drive". The 5/32 " stuffing tube slides in the next bigger tube to allow strut angle adjustment and both tubes clamp together by the motor with a clamp I made from a Speedmaster rudder arm. Once everything was aligned & tightened down, I could spin the shaft [inserted but not tightened in the collet] by rubbing my finger on the bare propshaft. Yowzah !

[properchopper]

Waterproofing was a challange. I determined a sub hatch wouldn't allow sufficient room for the batteries, and the rear cowl wasn't remotely possible to tape up, so I cut some of the rear cowl off & fashioned a rear deck from birch plywood. Plugged the open turbine intake, exhaust, and turbine exit with CF sheet. Cut the nose off & epoxied it to the front of the hull as well. Lotsa' work, but whatever !

[properchopper]

Used the stock rudder with a Speedmaster rudder arm, passing through the nitro exhaust cutout covered with a CF patch & a AQ boot. Patched the drainplug hole with CF & an aluminum tube using the stock drain plug. [ makes draining the sponson tunnels easier should this be necessary.] Installed the electronics, used OSE's nifty new servo mount [way cool mount, BTW]. Tactic Rx so no antenna. Propped down to trial run [this coming week]. Will post results ; mid sixties for sure when trimmed out, hopefully.

[properchopper]

One last little detail I thought was pretty slick : using an antenna cap to seal the .078 wire !

[v-spec]

Lookin good, I've got a MV hull sitting next to me been to lazy to seal it all up!

[properchopper]

I'll tell 'Ya, It was a pretty tedious bit 'O work !

[domwilson]

Nice setup. So this is the project you've been working on? Can't wait to see some vids.

[tth]

Excellent work on the Vegas. I always did prefer Elam on the Vegas hull. Interested to see what it runs like. I did a conversion last year when the Gen 2 Vegas came out. Now I would like to try out the Deuce Vegas. Good job Tony.

[Ub Hauled]

Niiiiiiiice... it seems that I have to get my vegas in shape!

[properchopper]

First wet !

Lake was pretty smoth with a small wind ripple. Started with a conservative prop ; X 640. Needed just a small bump to get the nose out, & ran beautifully. Cornered at full throttle with a huge roostertail ! Propped up to a X642 & way faster. Wind had picked up & the ride got bumpy. Battery got a little loose & started pushing the hatch up & popped the tape off & water got in. I didn't realize this so I kept trying to get up&out with no luck, each time letting more water in .Retrieved and thanked myself for installing the " garage door opener clip /hatch retention thigamajigs" ! Probably saved my hatch. Anyway, way happy & will secure batteries better for more trials. Have way more prop to go with the 1515 1Y, but if I can reliably run 60mph for 2-3 minutes I'm good with that

[Flying Scotsman]

Well done you old/young fart

Douggie

[properchopper]

Well done you old/young fart

Douggie

Thanks, & back at 'Ya !

[nate]

My vegas had alot of problems with lift. Took forever to get going..