SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
ORIGINAL: Craig B.
Hi Shane,
Your cougar looks great! Are using a UMS hydraulic system on the gear? How is it going for you? What oil are you using? Baby oil?
Lov that paint scheme and your fitout....very nice.
Regards,
Craig.
Hi Shane,
Your cougar looks great! Are using a UMS hydraulic system on the gear? How is it going for you? What oil are you using? Baby oil?
Lov that paint scheme and your fitout....very nice.
Regards,
Craig.
Yep UMS system as in all my others and the best oil to use is sewing machine oil. I am starting to experiment with running door cylinders as well now as the big inner Cougar doors would not stay closed during flight.
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
OK rudder all done. To get better action, Iincreased the length of the
control rod in the rudder post from48 to 60 mm this allows for better mechanical
advantage from the servo arm to the rudder arm. It alsobrings the ends of the arm further away from the fuse
at high deflections!Now I have super smooth, slop free
+45 mm of travel.. now onto the elevators!
control rod in the rudder post from48 to 60 mm this allows for better mechanical
advantage from the servo arm to the rudder arm. It alsobrings the ends of the arm further away from the fuse
at high deflections!Now I have super smooth, slop free
+45 mm of travel.. now onto the elevators!
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
In order to get full defletion of the elevators without
drag or friction... Ihad to remove some of the edge where the
elevators meet the stab.. on my unit this was WAY too tight and Icouldn't get
the deflection called for in the manual.. SO I marked the stab with a straightedge
at approx 1/16" and removed material with a dremel equipped with a diamond wheel
This is NOTfor the faint hearted!! since a slip here could cause problems...
It all went well then Isanded where Ihad removed to a feather edge by hand with a flat file
Ikept doing this until Igot good deflection with "0"drag...
Isuspect this will have to be done for the Ailerons and Flaps too!!!
drag or friction... Ihad to remove some of the edge where the
elevators meet the stab.. on my unit this was WAY too tight and Icouldn't get
the deflection called for in the manual.. SO I marked the stab with a straightedge
at approx 1/16" and removed material with a dremel equipped with a diamond wheel
This is NOTfor the faint hearted!! since a slip here could cause problems...
It all went well then Isanded where Ihad removed to a feather edge by hand with a flat file
Ikept doing this until Igot good deflection with "0"drag...
Isuspect this will have to be done for the Ailerons and Flaps too!!!
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
There are no servo mounts supplied for the flap or aileron servos
Looking at the Skymaster manual online, this is how they did it.
I made a 1/4" thick "U" mount that will beattached under the wing skin
then the servo can be mounted to the sturdy tabs on this!
#31
RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
Make sure you add a vertical piece inder the "U" mount you made that ties the upper and lower wing skins together. If it's like every other composite wing I've seen, the skin will flex and induce flutter. The rest of that story is known....someone will be taking "the walk" wondering what the h*** happened to their brand new jet. []
#33
RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
Seen it too many times when someone doesn't take the little extra time to "do it right". Some are lazy, other just don't know due to lack of experience.
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
Here are the pics from the online manual
there seems to be a "stiffener" along the long side running
from underneath the "U"mount to the bottom side of the upper wing skin!
there seems to be a "stiffener" along the long side running
from underneath the "U"mount to the bottom side of the upper wing skin!
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
OK 1 wing done. I had to mill the servo mount tabs
so the servo cover can be installed flush with the wing surface.
It fits great.. WOW after I cut the slots in the aileron & flap. I discovered
that there is NO woodunder the surfaceto act as a backer!!! Hmmmmm more work!
this should have been done at the factory!
so the servo cover can be installed flush with the wing surface.
It fits great.. WOW after I cut the slots in the aileron & flap. I discovered
that there is NO woodunder the surfaceto act as a backer!!! Hmmmmm more work!
this should have been done at the factory!
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
OK Iam placing the backer pieces in the ailerons, flaps and elevators!
Doing this:
1. Removing one end of the surfaces to allow insertion of backer
2. Fab a backer out of hard balsa.. mark the centerline on the backer
3. Using a #13 acid brush on a long stick.. Iplaced epoxy inside the surface wher it goes
4. Butter up the outside of the backer
5. Slide it in, reglue the end removed in #1 above
6. Dremel out the slot for the horn, then attach the horn..seems like a lot of extra work for an "ARF"!!!
Doing this:
1. Removing one end of the surfaces to allow insertion of backer
2. Fab a backer out of hard balsa.. mark the centerline on the backer
3. Using a #13 acid brush on a long stick.. Iplaced epoxy inside the surface wher it goes
4. Butter up the outside of the backer
5. Slide it in, reglue the end removed in #1 above
6. Dremel out the slot for the horn, then attach the horn..seems like a lot of extra work for an "ARF"!!!
#37
RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
I think SMaster is one of the better Chinese ARF's out there, but they really need to get their act together on this issue.....they are either installed in the wrong location or missing all together. Such a simple thing to do during construction and a real pain after construction. Typically, all I build is SMaster in the ARF category, and this frustrates me every time I do a build.
Skymaster, you listening?
Skymaster, you listening?
#38
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
ORIGINAL: geh3
WOW after I cut the slots in the aileron & flap. I discovered
that there is NO wood under the surface to act as a backer!!! Hmmmmm more work!
this should have been done at the factory!
WOW after I cut the slots in the aileron & flap. I discovered
that there is NO wood under the surface to act as a backer!!! Hmmmmm more work!
this should have been done at the factory!
Bob
#39
RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
I typically slide the blocks in from the leading edge of the control surface if the hinge allows enough deflection without damaging it.
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
You could dremel a slot in the area inside thefont sideby bending the surface at a high angle so you
can access it with a thin grinding bit, then insert a backer in that slot BUTIhate to bend the surfaces too much
in fear of stressing it. The way Idid it the backer can be made to be almost an exact fit to both sides of the surface
can access it with a thin grinding bit, then insert a backer in that slot BUTIhate to bend the surfaces too much
in fear of stressing it. The way Idid it the backer can be made to be almost an exact fit to both sides of the surface
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
OK 1 wing all done
I made the following changes:
1. Tip tank removeable
2. Designed a different control horn for the flaps
with greater glue depth (all the way to the inside of the upper flap surface+ higher
formore mechanical advantage) + it is mounted 1/2" behind the hinge line as well
3. Removed 1/16-3/32 of the lower lip where the aileron closes against the wings for
more throw and vastly reduced friction here.
Now I have the following surface throws:
Aileron + 40mm
Flap - 128mm This will allow for a setting that gives greater drag than lift so steeper approaches are possible
I always put flaps on my right transmitter slider so these can be instantly adjusted for different wind conditions
I made the following changes:
1. Tip tank removeable
2. Designed a different control horn for the flaps
with greater glue depth (all the way to the inside of the upper flap surface+ higher
formore mechanical advantage) + it is mounted 1/2" behind the hinge line as well
3. Removed 1/16-3/32 of the lower lip where the aileron closes against the wings for
more throw and vastly reduced friction here.
Now I have the following surface throws:
Aileron + 40mm
Flap - 128mm This will allow for a setting that gives greater drag than lift so steeper approaches are possible
I always put flaps on my right transmitter slider so these can be instantly adjusted for different wind conditions
#42
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
Now that the wings are done (almost)I'm proceeding to the fuselage
The manual suggests this following sequence:
1. Loctiting all hardware
2. Install servos for body brakes
3. Install steering servo ( mounts on front retract NICE)
4. Install thrust tube & bellmouth
5. Install fuel tanks
6. Install air system
7. Install turbine
8 Install accessory tray.. holds the bulk of the running gear
9. install cockpit &details
10 perform CG activities
11 Program radio
12 Go FLy!
HOWEVER I'm doing this:
1. Leak (with leak-tec or similar solution) and function check all air cylinders &landing gear during this, install steering servo to front
(during this check Ialso look at any possible "blowby"leaking from the air valve exhaust nipple.. indicating a bad cylinder (VERYimportant)
2. Route all air lines to acessory tray area
3. Install fuse wires for elevators and rudder , route them to the accessory tray area
4. Install fuse wires for wings, route them to accessory tray (Imake my own custom lengths
to keep it all neat!)
5. Install thrust tube &bellmouth
6. Install LG mount upgrade set from BVM, inslall main gears
7. Install lower turbine bypass and turbine
8. Modify supplied tanks by adding BVMkevlar fuel tank fittings,install tanks
9. Install smoke tank on top of fuel tanks
10.Install new type acessory tray from BVM
11. mount running gear &batteries to accessory tray
12 check CG and make adjustments to components as necessary
13. program radio
14 go fly
Iwill post pictures as necessary to show most of this...
The manual suggests this following sequence:
1. Loctiting all hardware
2. Install servos for body brakes
3. Install steering servo ( mounts on front retract NICE)
4. Install thrust tube & bellmouth
5. Install fuel tanks
6. Install air system
7. Install turbine
8 Install accessory tray.. holds the bulk of the running gear
9. install cockpit &details
10 perform CG activities
11 Program radio
12 Go FLy!
HOWEVER I'm doing this:
1. Leak (with leak-tec or similar solution) and function check all air cylinders &landing gear during this, install steering servo to front
(during this check Ialso look at any possible "blowby"leaking from the air valve exhaust nipple.. indicating a bad cylinder (VERYimportant)
2. Route all air lines to acessory tray area
3. Install fuse wires for elevators and rudder , route them to the accessory tray area
4. Install fuse wires for wings, route them to accessory tray (Imake my own custom lengths
to keep it all neat!)
5. Install thrust tube &bellmouth
6. Install LG mount upgrade set from BVM, inslall main gears
7. Install lower turbine bypass and turbine
8. Modify supplied tanks by adding BVMkevlar fuel tank fittings,install tanks
9. Install smoke tank on top of fuel tanks
10.Install new type acessory tray from BVM
11. mount running gear &batteries to accessory tray
12 check CG and make adjustments to components as necessary
13. program radio
14 go fly
Iwill post pictures as necessary to show most of this...
#43
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
ORIGINAL: geh3
OK I am placing the backer pieces in the ailerons, flaps and elevators!
Doing this:
1. Removing one end of the surfaces to allow insertion of backer
2. Fab a backer out of hard balsa.. mark the centerline on the backer
3. Using a #13 acid brush on a long stick.. I placed epoxy inside the surface wher it goes
4. Butter up the outside of the backer
5. Slide it in, reglue the end removed in #1 above
6. Dremel out the slot for the horn, then attach the horn..seems like a lot of extra work for an ''ARF''!!!
OK I am placing the backer pieces in the ailerons, flaps and elevators!
Doing this:
1. Removing one end of the surfaces to allow insertion of backer
2. Fab a backer out of hard balsa.. mark the centerline on the backer
3. Using a #13 acid brush on a long stick.. I placed epoxy inside the surface wher it goes
4. Butter up the outside of the backer
5. Slide it in, reglue the end removed in #1 above
6. Dremel out the slot for the horn, then attach the horn..seems like a lot of extra work for an ''ARF''!!!
#44
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
Well it's not too hard to do, just frustrating that it wasn't done at the factory
it IS a gorgeous plane with lots of nice features.. it always has been one of my favorite planes...
it IS a gorgeous plane with lots of nice features.. it always has been one of my favorite planes...
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
i am also looking at this and trying to find out why i would spend the extra money on a skymaster jet when these are basic problems that after all this time skymaster cannot get right there is no excuse for it its bad workmanship and even worse quality control my two jet legend models were better!
#46
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
Well Iwould say that it IS frustrating but when you get done you will have one of the best looking jets out there
I hope that it is just an oversight on their part and will be corrected on future builds. Ihave a Skymaster Viperjet MKII
and it is easily one of the best flying planes that Ihave ever owned... Also the ExtremeJets (Same Company) has a Viperjet 2M that is an awsome flier as well
SEE>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-iUzMtMToE
I hope that it is just an oversight on their part and will be corrected on future builds. Ihave a Skymaster Viperjet MKII
and it is easily one of the best flying planes that Ihave ever owned... Also the ExtremeJets (Same Company) has a Viperjet 2M that is an awsome flier as well
SEE>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-iUzMtMToE
#47
RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
Hi, all
I just maiden flight my F-9f Cougar , dry weight 18kg (40lbs) powered by K-170,
Video: http://youtu.be/J6YyRykZv3o
Best regards
Anton
I just maiden flight my F-9f Cougar , dry weight 18kg (40lbs) powered by K-170,
Video: http://youtu.be/J6YyRykZv3o
Best regards
Anton
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RE: SKYMASTER F9F Build Thread
Hi,
These kits were the first batch. I received the same batch for manual and suggested this in the manual. Also no accessory tray was supplied in the 1st batch.
The latest batch will have the wood in the control surfaces and tray.
Best regards
Morne
These kits were the first batch. I received the same batch for manual and suggested this in the manual. Also no accessory tray was supplied in the 1st batch.
The latest batch will have the wood in the control surfaces and tray.
Best regards
Morne