Or some green ones, or some blue ones?  

If you don't want to show their faces then you could always put a smiley face on instead of blacking them out like that.

Anyway, well done for giving something back to the flying community that you've not long joined yourself. There should be more people like you around, helping the next generation of kids to be inspired to fly. Keep up the good work!

Best regards,

Bob

There was once a rather lengthy discussion regarding the wisdom of cutting kerfs in the forward fuselage longerons ... even though the 1550V plans clearly call for doing so. Aside from the theoretical discussion pro or con, it was apparently difficult to corral the epoxy and keep it in the kerfs while curing. Tape was suggested as a possible solution, but the  owner of this thread said he cut and glued strips of 1.5 mm plywood to the narrow side of the longerons inside the fuselage before glueing the 1/8 " plywood doublers. The result gave the epoxy no place to go other than remaining in the kerfs. That sounded like a good idea to me so that is what I did. It worked perfectly. I simply brushed a generous amount of epoxy ro the remaining side of the longerons which had the kerfs exposed ... the side facing skyward ... and let gravity do the work. (The bottom first and then the top when the fuselage assembly is flipped.)

If I ever had any concern about the strength of the forward fuselage because of the kerfs it is gone now. With the longerons being wrapped on all four sides with plywood and the kerfs being filled with epoxy, the result is a SUPER STRONG forward fuselage. There will be no sleep lost over this "issue"!

Thanks guys for the help with my build.

Hey, just thought I would check in and see how you are doing......I am eagerly awaiting some flight reviews as I am basically copying your build......Super excited to hear about your flights!

Still waiting for weather. My free days and the test pilots free day to coordinate. Any day now! Meanwhile I changed over to the cold weather canopy. Also love a deal! Picked up the AOA indicator from Belite aircraft at 33 percent off! Now installed you can see wind vane mounted on LE left wing. AOA indicator mounted center canopy. You can sort of see it thru the windshield. Will get better pic soon. The one I took was very out of focus
Here are some pics. I didn't forget your request Ricardo.

Awesome! The black lines are painted or is a tape decal?

I'm sure the cutout for the starter is not doing anything for aerodynamics but as Brian (or maybe some other buzzard) pointed out back when he was doing it, It sure looks "cool" to see it like that.
TTT

Well....does she fly??  Been admiring this thread for awhile and the anticipation is killing me!
DC

Quoted from 436

Well....does she fly??  Been admiring this thread for awhile and the anticipation is killing me!
DC

It’s killing me also! New England winter hit with a vengance. Weekly snow storms and sub zero temperatures. Toss in high winds and test flight has not happened yet! I still have a few pound to loose to feel safe in my max ! Working diligently on that. And working with test pilot for first flight. Sorry to keep everybody in limbo... hopefully flight updates soon!
Happy 2018
B😀

I think you’re doing  the right thing Brian, when all conditions are perfect you’ll be concentrating only on the plane and not with the weather also.
In the other hand, You can exchange a few extra pounds for less fuel in the tank 😀, meanwhile, just keep that baby shinning.

Brian it will happen and when it does you will be one happy flyer. The grin will last a long, long time. You have very much to be proud of evan at this point. And the fact that you have been so very generous in sharing your build with us speaks volumes about your fine character. Best wishes for an early spring.

I officially built an airplane folks!!! Today at 3:45 PM V-max N417BJ proudly took to the skies! 3 years 10 months to build and about 1400 - 1700 hours to build.
Flight went very well. The test pilot stated “ you built a great airplane here” ! I’ll post more video and pics later. CHT we’re climbing at full power. May have to riches up the top end.
Who hooo! Couple “squawks” to sort out! Will be flying her soon! Thank you all for your support along the way😀😘 And a great big thank you to Dave and the crew at Team Minimax for their invaluable advice and support during this journey!  

https://www.facebook.com/brian.lloyd.3517/videos/410470622726412/

Brian congratulations and best wishes I hope there is a lot more to come for you In your journey thru aviation. WELL DONE !  

Thanks Aeronut. Once I fly off my 40 hours. Don't be suprised if you find a little red and white Vmax coming to visit! Here is another photo! For those looking at these photos on a regular computer. Click on photo and I am told it will show up upright and correctly sized! On my iPad it looks great. Sorry guys. Guess l never figure out this photo stuff.

Great rate of climb

WOW that is a great looking airplane. It must feel fantastic to see it gracing the sky. Now go out and try to wear it out. You have a awesome build recorded on Buzzards and we have all benefited from it. Blue sky's and tail winds to you and your lovely wife cause she must be very happy for you.

here we are.

How's this Dick

And tjis

Ok, you're getting better.

4 years and over 33 pages you think I would have figured it out by now😉😳 luck I am adorable

Congrats Brian on the first flight and sharing the journey with us. Now it’s time for your first flight.

Monte

Am I the only who cannot see the video ?

Congrats. Very well done i hope it brings many hours of flying and fun. Thanks for bringing us along on your journy

Well done Brian! Congratulations on your great build. A huge buzz to see your baby flying - but an even huuger buzz when it's your turn!

Bruce

Quoted from Dick Rake

Congrats Brian! Great job on your airplane but you can't post a good picture to save your ass! LOL
Dick

Brian, Your pictures were showing up inverted and about 3 times the size of my computer screen. Aeronut just emailed me and said if I would click on the picture attachment they would open up ok and they did. They now show  right side up and fit my screen. Good to know your test pilot wasn't flying inverted on his first flight in your airplane.
Dick

WOW!!!! Congratulations!!!!

I hope to hear your flight report soon!!!!

I know I am curious about numbers such as fuel burn roc and cruise, as I am building the same style you did.

Fantastic!
Congrats Brian.
Your hard work paid off.
Can't wait to see the grin on your face after your first flight...

Cheers
Reto

Quoted from bigbrixx1

I officially built an airplane folks!!!

Yes, you did....you did indeed! Congratulations on your goal coming to fruition!

Lynn

Congratulations Brian! You did a fantastic job building that beauty.
Get ready for it !


Ricardo

here are videos of first flight and landing on you-tube

https://youtu.be/YLh6T92A3PY

https://youtu.be/UdIJyYb2lyE

First official time she left the ground

https://youtu.be/0TfmboRLNPE