Pictures of first Volksplane

[Dave Robelen]

Hi friends,
I am looking for photographs of the original VP-1 Volksplane. This is the one that is mostly white with the natural wood side panels. It was built about 1959-1960.
Thanks, Dave robelen

[GHMBO]

Dave
Some images of the VP-1 and VP-2 can be found at:
http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/evansvp.html
I doubt that it is the first one built, but it may be of interest.

Jim

[Dave Robelen]

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the effort. I had found that site in running searches. My problem is twofold. I have a model already of the original machine based on one inflight color pictur of the left side. This is fine for sport activity but I would really like to follow up with a documentable competition scale electric. I may have to choose another version, but I am going to cast around a bit before changing.
Cheers, Dave Robelen

[cometkid]

Dave,
I have Peanuts & Pistachio's #4 by Bill Hannan. Page 18 features the Evans VP-1 as drawn by W.S. Evans. Although it is a B&W drawing, a legend clearly lays out the original prototype colors. By AMA scale judging rules a textual description is as good as a photo - although not as compelling. Email me and I'll shoot you a photocopy if you so choose.

Finally, I've had great luck with the librarian of the EAA in Oshkosh. They may respond to a phone call if you know exactly what you want. Since the 3-view I have is 10/06/66, you can infer that Sport Aviation may have some photos around that time. As to what library near you may have a collection (As a professional researcher, I'd get friendly with your local public library's interlibrary loan staff.) that will be up to you and how far you want to push the research.

[Dave Robelen]

Hi COMETKID,
Thanks for the tips. I own the Peanuts and Pistachios volume 4 myself. You are quite right in that the judges are "supposed" to accept written evidence of the color scheme. I have a cover from a 1960's Mechanix Illustrated that has a photo of the Volksplane in flight shown from the left side. The difficulty is the amount of detail that only shows in a color photo. That is a very good point about the EAA librarian. I will give them a call and see if there is something on file in back issues. This particular bird was "hot stuff" in its day, so they probably can help me.
If all else fails, Scale Model Research has a data package on a VP-1 in different colors that I could use. This aircraft flies so well as an electric scale that I really want to pursue a competition version.
Regards, Dave Robelen

[cometkid]

Greetings again Dave,
It's nice to be able to help once in a while.

I had a good friend who did a Slingsby Skysailplane finished in clear varnished ply with uncolored fabric which was confirmed by a letter from the Slingsby forman who said all examples "ex-works" were delivered that way. The owner could then use whatever color scheme they liked. We both entered an LSF scale competition. We got our static point sheets after the standoff judging and my buddy went ballistic!

The judge (a modeler chose from the group as a judge because he'd built one model) shot the builder down in "proof of finish, color and markings." A protest was subsequently lodged with the CD and the judge grudgingly reinstated full points. All the while I was calming my buddy down and explaining how it would work in a protest.

Point is that we work so hard to make our scale models correct in every way and we read the rule book when choosing a subject - only to find out that life has dealt us a judge who hasn't thoroughly read the rule book. And, so it goes.

I'm glad the VP does so well. I'm inspired to continue documenting a miniMAX that I'm thinking of doing. (See my other post.)