k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Almost a year ago I purchased a partially built YA F-16 from a friend. During a move from Seattle to Honolulu the fuse received some damage and the nose gear was broken. While glassing, sanding, and filling the wood structures on the Maverick, I decided it was time to fix the F-16. Photos below show the condition of the plane when I purchased it.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Here are some photos of the damage and how I fixed it. The broken areas were glued back together from the outside with thick CA. The inside of the fuse was sanded with 80 grit and hysol was spread along the cracks. The next day after the hysol had set, the outside of the fuse was sanded and automotive body filler was applied over the area. The filler was sanded and a coat of glazing putty was added. The first coat of glazing putty was sanded and the area was primed. A second coat of glazing putty was added to fill in the remaining pin holes and the area was wet sanded. A final coat of primer was applied.

The build on will be a little slow until I finish the Maverick.

Kirk

jedijingle

My Feedback: (45)

I would recommend that you reinforce the cracked areas with some 2 oz to 4 oz fiber glass and some polyester resin. Note that the kit you have is polyester glass not epoxy glass, there for when gluing and reinforcing anything, you should use Glass and Polyester resin. Hysol does work well, but not quite as good as polyester resin. Also if the glass is bent out of shape you and heat it with a hair dryer, (not a covering heat gun, they get too hot) and bend it back into shape. You must hold the shape until it cools, so it will stay in that new shape. Hope this helps and good luck. Look forward to seeing the build. John

FalconWings

My Feedback: (57)

Yeah dude, your better add some 4oz glass with KB Finishing Resin underneath the repair work. Just Hysol ont he top is not going to cut it. looks good but when it is time to install the very tigh-fit fuel tanks the "Wounds" will open up.

Thisn about it, it is easy to do at this point.

David

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Thanks guys.

David, no fuel tanks are going in here. The F-16 will be powered with the new JHI E-Turbax.

Thanks,
Kirk

SPLIT S

Use the cloth. Adhesive doesn't have any structural integrity by itself. I'm sure that the repair you have done seems strong ( it looks great by the way ) but it does not have the strength required. Any twisting or compression applied to the area and it most likely will open up again.

Dan

Oosiksmith

My Feedback: (1)

Will be watching you to see how successful this turns out. I have the older version YA F-16A I'm thinking about going electric with. How did that electric A-4 of yours turn out?

Shaun Evans

Hi,

What's the static thrust rating of that setup?

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The A-4 turned out pretty well. When I moved from Seattle to Honolulu I sold it to a friend. The wings were glued on so I didn't think it would survive the move in one piece.

The technology has advanced a lot since then. With today's motors, controllers, and batteries, the 120mm fans are equivilant to, if not surpassing, glow ducted fan thrust outputs.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Shaun,

The numbers on JHI's site state the fan was tested using the Nue 1521 1.5Y motor. The rotor spun at 30,000 rpm and produced 11 to 12 pounds of static thrust. I currently have the fan and will be receiving the motor any day. Once I have the motor, I will run the system in the F-16 and report back the findings.

Kirk

SPLIT S

What kind of flight times can you normally get using electric power?

Dan

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Dan,

There are a few variables associated with flight times, battery capacity, battery discharge rate, voltage holding capablity of the battery, motor efficiency, and throttle management, but as a general rule flight times can vary between 5 to 7 minutes.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Now that the Maverick project is windng down I started working on the F-16 again. Here are a few photos:

Photo 1 -- A little more work was done to complete the repair where the fuse was crushed by the movers.

Photo 2 -- Main gear doors were fitted and hinged with piano hinges.

Photo 3 -- Some areas of the inner gear door were removed (where they hit the wheel and rear of the retract unit) so that the doors could close all of the way. The door air cyinders were installed.

Photo 4 -- Everything is working as it should.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The wings, ailerons, elevators, and rudder have been glassed with 3/4 oz cloth. They were sanded and a first coat of primer was added. No blemishes were found so the first coat of primer was sanded off. The fuse was wet sanded with 320 grit and primed. The pin holes and pits were filled with auto body filler. The nose gear was disassembled. The nose gear parts and the main gear were primed with etching primer, then painted white. Once the white was dry, the nose gear was re-assembled.

Kirk

AlW

My Feedback: (17)

Hi Kirk,
I agree with those who said you need to add a layer of glass cloth on the inside of the F16 fuselage to have a good repair and use polyester resin to attach it. Without a layer of 2oz glass the repaired area will crack and ruin your paint job-this will happen over time even though you will have no vibration to speak off.
How are you enjoying the weather in Honolulu? We are having some great weather in the Seattle area right now but its supposed to return to normal next week!
Al Watson

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Hi Al,

It's great to hear from you. The repair you've mentioned has already been made. The weather here is much warmer than back home but I think I'm finally starting to get used to it. I've been flying every Sunday since I got here. I talk to Roberto once a week and he's been keeping up to date with what's happening back home. I don't know if he told you but I lost my Maverick over the Memorial Day weekend due to lockout. I enjoyed flying it so much that last week I order the BVM Electra. I'm also going over to the 2.4 Ghz system. A couple of guys here have been flying on the 2.4 system with no issues.

Talk to you later,
Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The elevators were temporarly attached to help with alignment while the wings were glued to the fuse. The cockpit deck and canopy were rough fitted (Photo 1). The wings were faired to the fuse with automotive body filler and then primed (Photos 2 & 3). The elevators were removed from the fuse and panel lines were drawn. 1/32 chart tape was laid over the drawn on panel line. A light coat of filler primer was sprayed over the elevators and a couple more coats were sprayed over the chart tape. After the primer had dried, the chart tape was removed (Photos 4 - 6). The wings received the same panel line treatment as the elevators along with the addition of a few inspection covers (Photos 7 & 8).

Kirk

i3dm

My Feedback: (51)

guys,

has anyone actually flown the YA F-16 on E power yet ?

how is this system in your opinion for the YA F-16 ?

http://www.airpowernet.com/twe/produ...roducts_id=531

THis one looks interesting as well !!

https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITED...idProduct=4235

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The Air Power AP1200 fan works. I personally have no experience with the United Hobbies fan but from what I heard, I would stay away from them. Other choices of good fans are the Aeronaut TF4000 and the JHI E-Turbax.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The panel lines that were lost during the fuse repair have ben restored using the same method as on the wings and elevators. The missile rails were glued onto the wing tips and a final coat of primer was sprayed and wet sanded with 400 grit in preparation for painting.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

The bottom was painted with the blue/grey color. I didn't take a photo of the bottom. Once the bottom was dry, it was masked off and the tan base coat was paintd onto the top of the fuse. The paint used is flat exterior latex.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

After the tan dried, I lightly drew on the camo lines. I used my airbrush to paint the grey.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Once the grey dried, I painted the green. Things left to paint are the radome, the tail cone, and the Israeli national insignia. Later this week I should receive the decals from Pro-Mark. Once the painting is completed and the decals have been applied, I will start the weathering process.

Kirk

k_sonn

My Feedback: (32)

Does anyone know if the F-16 is CGed with the gear up or down. I sent a PM to YellowAircraft last week but have not received a response.

Kirk

FalconWings

My Feedback: (57)

ha,ha,ha I can see were you are going! Good choice!
Someday I will do another one just like it, but larger!