Here you see the individual A123 cells. They are 3.3 V 2300 mah each. 4 cells make one pack. Each battery pack is comprised of 4 13.2 v packs. I used one main battery pack ( 4, 4 cell packs to start my car.....no problems! The only draw back I see at this time is my wind powered generator uses a regulator that has a shut off voltage of 13.5 v. It should maintain pack during flight, but may not charge pack. This my require a "top off" charge at end of day. I will have external charge ports and may "trickle" charge plane between flights
    Close up of strobe and mount on vertical fin

Covering fuselage now. Tomorrow I fully armed rocket and finish covering. I have made provisions for access hatch. On bottom fuselage in battery area for maintenance and inspection

Glade to see you are back at it.

Thanks aeronut! I never stopped... Life just slowed me down! Ballistic chute. Fully armed. Changed to lightweight zip ties vs the Velcro I was using. As per the BRS manual!

All covered ready to prime mask and paint!

Beautiful work!!!

Thank you vitek! Getting closer! Fuselage primed! Masked open areas.......Now painting the white....ability to rotate fuselage...priceless!

Looking  good, Brian!

Testing the plane for  a roll over. Good idea! 😄

You know it Ricardo! Who am. Kidding, if the rack was stronger I would be sitting in it with somebody moving it back and forth... While making airplane noises of course! Mmmmmmm maybe it is😉......Added some color! Controls going in! Ballistic chute fully armed..... Hope nobody pulls the handle...just kidding it has the safety pin attached.


Thank you Bruce.... How's your license problem going?

WOW it looks awesome, hope everything comes out the way you want it to.

Thank you for taking the time to post this thread. It is awesome to watch both the build and your weight loss program.

Your work looks beautiful, and will definitely be an inspiration and reference as i build my 'max.

Good luck on the conclusion of the build.......

Thank you aeronut and streffpilot. This has been fun...and what a learning experience! Wow have I learned a LOT! Glad to share! Hope other benefit from my mistakes! As they say....90 percent done...90 to go.
Soon we are off to Nova Scotia and PIE for two week Motorcycle trip! Anybody out there along the way let me know we will stop by for coffee

Amazing progress!

Thanks Jon
Your utube videos are great! Keep up the good work!

Okey dokey....back from motorcycle trip. Then a weekend flying radio control jets.... Back to my Minimax . Weight update...gained 6 pounds on vacation as usual. Despite hiking. Bicycling ect... But lost it all in 7 days....I really think it's the salt in the food from eating out...
   Now back to the Vmax... Here you see the heel brakes and rudder pedals installed. Along with aluminum heel protectors. Running final cables tomorrow. Also need to trim seat to fit max seat....I think I will secure seat with Velcro to the wood platform...also control stick installed. I hope to wire up PTT button to my radio....I used self adhesive anti skid material to both rudder pedals and heel brakes!

Nice seat, I need something like that! What's the use for the short strap in the middle of the seat?
The aluminum floor is very optimistic unless you plan to fly all they long ...Seriously,  I rather have a non slippery surface instead of.
Anyways, you're doing a remarkable job. By the way, if you ever have the crazy idea of selling that beauty, I'm the first on the list .  

I agree.....Great looking work as we've all come to expect!

I do have one question, but maybe I'm just seeing something wrong? In the photo of the rudder pedals/heel brakes, is there some particular reason the cable guides, just aft of the brake pedals, are off from what appears to be a more natural straight line of pull?

Lynn

Ricardo I do not know the purpose off the strap. It's Velcro at the bottom....perhaps to hold a headset when out of airplane??? No matter seat has been modified for a better fit. Strap is gone! Interesting point about floor. Time will tell. If necessary I can add an abrasive  material. The kind I used on the pedals!!!
     Lynn .. Good eyes! I terminated cables that way in order to check out heel brake ergonomics. I plan on running cables straight out of standoffs, but haven't placed them yet!

Looking great! I like your roll over device for the painting.

Quoted from tjtheaviator

Looking great! I like your roll over device for the painting.

Lol it's the true definition of "hanger flying" canopy on for final fitting. Also UK seatbelt " upgrade" ??? I guess ......for want of a better term incorporated on lap belt Lap belt. Also incorporated on shoulder harness as noted in an earlier post. Seat cushion modified to fit the smaller V-max seat. I plan on holding it in place with Velcro. Note transponder antenna ground plane. Looks like I need to fabricate a standoff for the rudder cables.... That shouldn't be to difficult. On the weight loss front. I think the excitement of flying this guy has me motivated even more. Back on track all vacation weight gone plus another 3.8 pounds

Looks really great Brian! Do you think you will be flying this fall?

Quoted from aeronut

Looks really great Brian! Do you think you will be flying this fall?

Thanks Aeronut.... I am hoping late fall.... But we will see.. Lots of stuff to still do😀😬

... and I was told: Your first flight will be when you run out of parts... and excuses  
If you follow a manual about how to test and perform your homebuilt aircraft, your first flight will be a complete joy  
I spent many hours, first on slow taxi tests and later on fast taxi test (tail up included)  to developed the necessary skills to control the Max at high speed while still on the ground , at the same time you'll be testing the plane structure and  controls system.
By the way, Do you you plan to perform the maiden flight?
Keep up your great work!

Quoted from Ricardo

... and I was told: Your first flight will be when you run out of parts... and excuses  
By the way, Do you you plan to perform the maiden flight?
Keep up your great work!

Well still plenty of parts lol. I am sure I will come up with many excuses😉....as far as the first test flight.....I have spent considerable time thinking about that. I would really like to be the one to take her into the air for the first time.... But I am seriously considering stepping aside and letting a more experienced pilot have that honor. Seeing as I am under 80 hours total time with less than 7 in a tailwheel airplane. That being said if I am unable to find the right person I will then be PIC for the first flight! But you never know!


Fuselage made its way back to hanger! Firewall forward next! I tricked a couple pals into coming by for coffee..... Didn't tell them it was at the airport... And since we were heading that way might as well take the fuselage with us😉

Great progress!- very exciting.    I will humble myself here and say that I have about 160 hours Tailwheel time and I may not do my first flight in my new Hi-max derivative.    I have some VERY experienced pilots at my disposal with Military test pilot training, many many initial flights of experimental designs and 20-30,000 hours of flight time.   I understand the value in the EAA community and ensuring that things are rigged properly and "feel right" to take off the ground.    I cannot stress enough doing a proper weight and balance, and get a group to check everything first.  The issue with building is you look at it soo much you may not see something obvious.  If you don't find at least two loose fittings your not ready to fly  etc..  

Quoted from Seaplane Pirate

Great progress!- very exciting.    I will humble myself here and say that I have about 160 hours Tailwheel time and I may not do my first flight in my new Hi-max derivative.    I have some VERY experienced pilots at my disposal with Military test pilot training, many many initial flights of experimental designs and 20-30,000 hours of flight time.   I understand the value in the EAA community and ensuring that things are rigged properly and "feel right" to take off the ground.    I cannot stress enough doing a proper weight and balance, and get a group to check everything first.  The issue with building is you look at it soo much you may not see something obvious.  If you don't find at least two loose fittings your not ready to fly  etc..  

I agree I am heavily bias toward a test pilot. And a second set of eyes goes a loooong way! There sure are a lot of "little" things to do. I am sure one or two critical but small items would be easy to miss!!

A little more progress! She is looking adorable if I say so myself!

very nice Brian.... wheel pants?

monte

Looking fantastic Brian. Not long now - you may yet beat me into the air!

Bruce

Hey Monte I do have wheel pants. I plan on final fitting after wings  are on. I don't know if I will fly with them at first. Right now I find getting in and out easier by using the wheel as a step....
Thanks Bruce. I doubt I will beat you into the air ......but I hope to be closely behind you!!!