Blade47

I have been asked ( build and test fly ) and now received from Alex his up and coming F-16 Laser cut kit ( and what a great job well done on the wood quality and Laser cut as you will see ).

I have been asked to stick with the plan, take building notes, notes on problem areas and to ASK for approval on any MODS that may be done.

I am still awaiting approval from Alex on adding to this build thread as I build BUT he may want me to hold off till after the test flight will let you know.

If there are another four builders ( I may be on my own with this ) on this project they may added to this build as well.

I will post one picture just to wet your building skills of the Laser cut formers for now .

I have been PMing to Bob27 on engines trying to decided on going big block or small and want to throw out to you guys a idea of using a OS 55AX with the Jett muffler turning a APC 11x6 around 14500 to 15000 = 9.88 Static Thrust lb. ( I really do not want to hang $375.00 engine on a test plane ..just is case "Gulp" well you know )

I have built both the MIG29 and SU27 from AK and both came in at about 8.5 to 9 lbs but used big block and had to add lead to balance them and I think I can with the use of a small block keep it down to 7 lbs ( or less ).

Cheers for now and let me know what you think.

Mods-R-Me

My Feedback: (1)

Just signing on. F-16 should be good.

HaveBlue

I wonder if there are any design changes between this kit and the original..either way I have been waiting for this kit along time like many of you ..so I'm sure a refresher here will generate new interest.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.a...157678&key=AKM

hope it all goes well!!!!

Blade47

Well I have some good news for this thread ....Alex has given the OK for me to post my build on RCU.

The prototype kit that I received has only the wood and canopy ....NO... Hardware at all so it is going to be a blast making up the hardware list along with manufacturing my own parts needed.

I did get a start on the wings this weekend and have some pics to post ..a warning I will be building rather slow as there are no instructions and I need to try and trouble shoot construction.

As I do go along do jump in with what ever you like.

Cheers

bob27s

My Feedback: (19)

signing up to watch

phjoker

My Feedback: (4)

Count me in.. I'm watching this one also

martenson

Sign me up to.

Does AK models ship to Europe yet, I would really like to buy of of there kit's.
I saw some kit's on $bay and the seller would not ship to Europe.

Good luck with the build

Blade47

Martenson

Here is the link to AK

http://ak-models.com/

you check the site ..I am sure he has shipping Info

Cheers

YUKONFLYR

Count me in for watching the Build and being there for the test flight

Richard

daven

My Feedback: (1)

Looking forward to watching the build, if I had more time, I'd volunteer to build one myself

martenson

Thanks Blade.

Wich one is the best flyer the MIG-29 or the SU-27.

Take care.

Blade47

[X(] OH BOY! this is going to start a war

Both kits build about the same ...with more time spent molding the fuse skin on the SU

For all out speed and the clean look with the retracts the SU27.....(make sure you read the thread on the SU27 as there is a lot of hard earned mods and improvements that should be considered. )

The MIG29 being a bit more boxy looking and has fixed gear is slower but seems to be more forgiving on the landing ( I am flying the MIG at 6.5" c/g )

IMO if you have no jet time I would go with the MIG to get some In flight time then move up to ALL OUT SPEED

Cheers

Blade47

Here is one wing panel that is almost done ..need to shape leading edge, install servo, hinge aileron and make some kind of missile rail. I think the rail will be 1/2" wide as I want to be able put a drill hole in the bottom so I can add bird shot to adjust the lateral balance.

Over the stock plan I added 1" x 1/4" tri stock to the top of the slide in wing hold tang on the inside of W1 and W2.
The Aileron was cut from 2"x36" aileron stock and the left over cut out was added to the TE. The stock plan left the design of the aileron up to me ..if this style is used I am sure Alex will be able to laser cut from stock strip.

If you would like to see the build sequence for the wing up till now let me know..it is pretty much straight forward.

In making the wing paper sleeve for the main spar I found a neat way to make sure the rap is not to tight to slide in. I will have to take a picture or two if you are interested.

Need to finish both wing panels before moving on ..... wing span with out rails 48" with 49"

mcdonald77

[sm=biggrin.gif] this will be fun. Was it designed of a .60-.90 size motor? I know you mention ax55.

Blade47

I believe the kit was designed for that range yes.
The debate on me using a small block for this build will rage on till the test flight I am sure. [>:]
As I get closer to finishing I will be better able to determine the total flying weight and that will help make my choice of engine.
.90 would make it speed monster for sure but I would like to see the plane fly on its own ability and not be over powered.
IMO

cheers

Blade47

Just finished the wing panels as far as I can go till the fuse is built. No surprises on the build for them other then my own design of the ailerons.

This is my first run at making missile rails ...used 3/8" balsa so that I can drill the bottom out for the bird shot that I use for the lateral balance. If you have a better idea for them let me know or post picture ...better yet draw a design and send it to me.

I will start laying up the fuse this weekend and I have to wait for supplies from the LHS and mail order ( GH Edmonton is about as local as I can get )

cheers

snowman101

Pete
I have a 55ax in my old Telemaster and it weighs in at 11lbs 4oz with the floats. It gets off the water just fine and it will cruise
at half throttle. I running a 12x6 apc prop. Don't know much about the high speed planes but at 7lbs the 55 ax should be fast enough.
Ron

Blade47

[X(] Very good Ron love to hear that for sure ... is it a 55SX or 55AX? ... BIG guess at this time that it may be in at 8 Lbs+ but less would be very cool.

Nice part about this build is I can almost leave the power plant choice till the end... As the F1 has been pre drilled for .60 to .90 size mount and I am going to be able to use a smaller mount with out interfering with the above holes ..so.. if need be I can change up to a bigger engine at any time .. as for the cowl it is remove able and can start off with a smaller hole and be expanded to accommodate the larger engine as well.

Just starting today laying up the fuse.

snowman101

Pete
It's a ax and it runs real smooth. Don't know what the rpm is on the 12x6 apc prop, definitly works good.

Blade47

[X(] The quality of the laser cut and the placement of the notch's on the formers is ( top notch ) pun ...as you can see I started out with F1 to F3 pinned into place and checked with tri angle ...they are spot on except F1 which seems to have 2 deg down built in and no side thrust angle ( have to check later ).

Pinned F4 to F7 into place oops don't do this ..you need to place the fuse side and doubler onto F4 and F5 then pin to the board ... continue with F6 and F7 and check for fit and angle to the work top ...again spot on.

Working from F3 to F6 glued all joints and notches ...make sure you STOP gluing at F6 ..you have to slide into place on F6 the ply servo tray holder and ply bottom rudder support then add F7 ,,,,,, almost made this mistake . both F6 and F7 have locking tab that you have to slide over and I do not think you would ever do it if F7 was glued. well with out hacking and cutting

With just the Fuse side / doubler glued and locked into place it has kept the formers evenly spaced and at the correct 90 to the work bench with out a lot of fuss ..this has been so far one of the easiest fuse lay ups I have ever done. Good work Alex.

Well more work to do ...hmmmm. make that a lot of work to do yet

Hope to see most of the hardware I have ordered come in this week. I will be using some NEW products that I have not used on a build and will point them out as I go

hattend

My Feedback: (20)

Typical fast build for you, Speedy.

Good Job

Don

Blade47

Don !!! I am still waiting to see the finish of this one.

hattend

My Feedback: (20)

Me too, brother...me too!

heheheheh

Don

phjoker

My Feedback: (4)

So far how would you compare this build to the Su 27 or the Mig.
This one seem easier or harder? I know there is now instructions to go by for this one
Just curious

Blade47

It seems to just get better as I go ... IMO I would say that this is Alex's best work ..he has been perfecting the over all engineering of the build and even with out instructions ( if you have built before ) placement of the parts ( lack of a better word ) is quit logical.

Mind you there are now holes in the build picture sequence that he sent ( which I am taking pictures of ) that has me slowed down and have to think of what should be next.

A couple of things that you may find very cool is that the fuel tank compartment is built to take a 16 oz tank no problem and you should be able to get 18 oz with padding room to spare.

The Stab jigging and reinforcement is some thing I have never seen before ..very cool .... ( picture latter ) I will stick with the stock stab but has great potential of being turned into a full flying stab. The stab being locked into the fuse former gives both half's a perfect downward rake ....he has taken out hours of trying to keep both sides even and lined up [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

More later