Alex48

Thanks

Some pictures...

well I tried to upload them to RCU but no luck, sorry...

you can see them here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...3151924&type=1

Alex48

I'll try the upload again but do keep an eye on my Facebook page as its more reliable than RCU.

sorry still no luck...

j.duncker

My Feedback: (2)

test

Hmm pic load failed for me too 500 error.

I know that this is a current issue with the HTML guys.

Ali

My Feedback: (5)

I went over to TJC today to see my F-104 for the first time. Wow! I could write a page on this one, but would only really be going over what Alex has already said. Simply put. This is the best ARTF scale jet I have ever seen.... by quite some way!

Regards Al

dubd

Ali, that says a lot given how many planes come through your hangar! I look forward to hearing your flight report.

Alex48

I've got all the bits from Al so it's full steam ahead! Weather permitting the test flights will be early next month

I'll do another video tonight on my progress and a few photos if RCU allows it. I have to say Im really enjoying this build! The model just looks awesome from every angle. I do think this will be my next model as long as the flying goes ok

Alex48

A few of it together...

ianober

My Feedback: (12)

Wow, thats a big boy!

Alex48

yeah, it has great presence.

I managed to finish the wings before going away for a few days. I'll make a video at some point explaining my initial thoughts on the build and whats going in it etc... I didn't have time last night as I wanted to get the wings done.

Issues I found with the wings...

- The airex construction is light but soft, on closer inspection against lights you notice indentations and low spots, hard to see but they are there. Its minor but worth noting.

- The tip tanks attach vie two screws, SM didn't install any blind nuts, you can use self tappers but as Ali said these will always be removed for transport I decided to go with something stronger. It's impossible to install blind nuts so I made my own by going in from the top then capping it with ply so it doesn't pull out.

- No blocks installed for horns, I did my usual injection of epoxy from various angles to build up an internal mount.

- I went for internal linkages on the flaps and slats as these worked well with plenty of ATV available although I elected for external on the ailerons.

- One of the slats binds badly on the white gap fairing when retracting, this required loads of careful sanding to ease the servo load I also had this problem on one of the ailerons.

The fairing that covers the gap when the flaps/slats are deployed is just white and looks very toyish. I applied flight metal to all of these and added flush rivets with some brass tube.

Geoff White

Hi Alex,

Interesting to see your comments and compare them to my experience.

- The airex construction is light but soft, on closer inspection against lights you notice indentations and low spots, hard to see but they are there. Its minor but worth noting.

Yes, I found exactly the same thing.

- The tip tanks attach vie two screws, SM didn't install any blind nuts, you can use self tappers but as Ali said these will always be removed for transport I decided to go with something stronger. It's impossible to install blind nuts so I made my own by going in from the top then capping it with ply so it doesn't pull out.

I also put captive nuts in but in a different method but the end result is the same.

- No blocks installed for horns, I did my usual injection of epoxy from various angles to build up an internal mount.

Same.

- I went for internal linkages on the flaps and slats as these worked well with plenty of ATV available although I elected for external on the ailerons.

Same.

- One of the slats binds badly on the white gap fairing when retracting, this required loads of carful sanding to ease the servo load I also had this problem on one of the ailerons.

I had the problem on both of my slats and ailerons but its all sorted

I have had another issue with my wings. The endcaps in both wings for the wing tube have both come off and are rattling in the wings so I have put a sleeve on the wing tubes to stop them pushing too far into the wing. As an aside, my Airworld hunter had exactly the same issue.

Geoff.

Alex48

Hi Geoff, yours must be nearly finished, good luck with the test flights! Where have you finally decided to put the CG? lots of conflicting info... how did yours balance? did you have to move any equipment around?

Cheers, Alex

Geoff White

I am doing the final balancing over the weekend which is why I am trying to get from Roland/Anton where the CG is meant to be(see other F104G thread).

It will fly in a few weeks time, weather permitting of course.

Alex48

ahh yes the end caps. This is the same although the last three models Ive done from SM had this issue so I think they just don't install any. I was thinking of just glueing them into the wings as they don't protrude that much but I need to ask the boss first...

Alex48

The cockpit comes in four parts, I glued the seat onto the base and made some ply brackets to fit it on. The main instrument panel slides in on rails and is held in place by the two cockpit sides. Ive also cut down the canopy frames to make it look more believable as the huge 3/4 inch surround didn't look that good. The forward section of the nose will be painted black to help the cockpit blend in.

Philip Baum

Hi Alex,

I am flying the big Jetwelt 104 - so I am very interested in Anton's 104.

I saw your pictures and I saw that you use the "normal" servo control horns. I assume only for pre-installation? Later you will change them against servo horns from aluminum or CFK. I am right or do you trust the normal ones? Are the pushrods 3mm?

Best regards

Philip

Alex48

Hi Philip. I just put the standard horns on for fitting only. Heavy duty horns are in the post as we speak, I wouldn't recommend using the standard horns that come with the servos. I forgot to add the horns to my long list of equipment I sent to Al. The rods are close to 3mm but the imperial equivalent.

Philip Baum

Perfect! I have the same opinion...

Best regards

Philip

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

I have used the stock JR horn many times without any problems. Can you explain why you shouldnt use them??
Thanks,
Vin...

Alex48

Hi Vincent, only that I never have... the standard horns may well be adequate but I don't want to start experimenting with other peoples models... when I build models for Ali (or anyone for that matter) I'm conscious that they travel all around Europe at large public events with thousands of people in the vicinity so I tend to go overkill on everything like this. When I hand the model over I'm confident its as safe as I can make it. Doing anything else and I'd constantly be worrying. Ali's flying style isn't exactly sedate I have no scientific evidence or personal experience that the standard horns wouldn't be up to it but I know I've never had a problem with the HD horns and feel happier using them so recommend their use.

Some of the larger JR servos come as standard with Heavy Duty horns but the 8411's are the last in line with the standard pack.

Cheers, Alex

Philip Baum

Hi Vin,

I saw them already when they collapse. It was on 1Flap within an BVM Ultra Bandit. From my point of view the manufacturer has to put stronger servo control horns in the package if the servo is so strong. I found stronger horn already within the boxes of Hitec and Savöx. Years ago also within a Graupner package from a DS8511, never in a Futaba package.

Best regards

Philip

Ali

My Feedback: (5)

The standard JR servo horns do not have as much plastic ( meat ) around the spine as the super servo ones. I have stripped quite a few of the standard horns in use. Remember the design/ construction of these has not changed since they were introduced. On the other hand the servo power we put through them, and quite often the flight loads they have to deal with have increased considerably. I am not saying that standard servo horns will fail, its just that I have seen them fail in use, and its never good ! Thats why I try and always use the JR Super servo plastic horns. If you hold one of these side by side to a standard horn you will see the increased plastic area around the spline.
Regards Al

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Hi Ali...i will get some of the JR super servo horns.
Thanks!!
Vin...

Geoff White

FWIW. I am with Ali/Alex with ths one. I only ever user the JR Super arms as they are super strong. My 104 has them on all surfaces, apart from the elevator that uses an aluminium arm.

Alex48

Hi Guys

Al's wanting a full light set put on this model, I'm struggling to find the correct positions for the strobes and anti col. It looks as if the nav lights are mounted towards the back of the tip tanks but I'm not sure with the others. Any help would be great, thanks...

Cheers, Alex

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Alex,
If you want a really good source of info on the -104 the newly released book titled 'uncovering the F-104' is fantastic. http://ultra.glo.be/daco/KDCB005.html
I'll see what I can find regarding the lighting per your question in my docs (I've got quite a collection, love the F-104!).