New Yellow Aircraft Mako (F-16) EDF Project (Full Build)
#1
Thread Starter
New Yellow Aircraft Mako (F-16) EDF Project (Full Build)
Hi,
I'm about to start building what I think is my 7th Y/A F-16 for a customer. It's going to be a little trickier because the way this airplane builds requires the builder to have the fan (or at least the inlet) in hand. In this case, I believe the customer is opting for a Stumax system. Stu no longer has the mold for the custom inlet for this plane with his fan, so I'm not sure what the plan is going to be for that. Meanwhile, I'm going to try to get as much done without that as possible.
I'm about to start building what I think is my 7th Y/A F-16 for a customer. It's going to be a little trickier because the way this airplane builds requires the builder to have the fan (or at least the inlet) in hand. In this case, I believe the customer is opting for a Stumax system. Stu no longer has the mold for the custom inlet for this plane with his fan, so I'm not sure what the plan is going to be for that. Meanwhile, I'm going to try to get as much done without that as possible.
#7
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http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/elec...edf-build.html
Ed
#8
Thread Starter
Ed,
Yeah, I saw his build from when he started. There's some nice stuff he did, but generally I scratched my head a lot wondering why he took the longest possible route around many tasks and solved a bunch of problems that don't exist. This build will be per the instructions so I'll get it done in a third the time with half the headache.
Yeah, I saw his build from when he started. There's some nice stuff he did, but generally I scratched my head a lot wondering why he took the longest possible route around many tasks and solved a bunch of problems that don't exist. This build will be per the instructions so I'll get it done in a third the time with half the headache.
#9
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Great. Did not know if you had seen it. He has taken a very long time to complete it (I don't think I have the patience to be on a build for that long). I agree with the comments regarding worrying about problems that did not exist. After having built 7 of these I am sure you have a plan and know how you want to do this or that. Years ago I built about 7 of the Y/A A-4's and I had an approach/method on how I wanted to do the plane just I am sure you do on this model.
I had one of the early Y/A F-16A's (bought it at the old model show in Pasadena in 1986) and it was a real disappointment. A few years later (1991) I bought one of the F-16C's and the difference between the two was noticeable. However, after looking at the one you just got in, the improvements (in the layup of the fuse alone) seem the be orders of magnitude better than the ones I had in the 1990's. I will be following along as I have thought of buying another one but the cost of the scale gear kept me away.
Is this one going to be turbine or EDF?
Subscribed.
Ed
I had one of the early Y/A F-16A's (bought it at the old model show in Pasadena in 1986) and it was a real disappointment. A few years later (1991) I bought one of the F-16C's and the difference between the two was noticeable. However, after looking at the one you just got in, the improvements (in the layup of the fuse alone) seem the be orders of magnitude better than the ones I had in the 1990's. I will be following along as I have thought of buying another one but the cost of the scale gear kept me away.
Is this one going to be turbine or EDF?
Subscribed.
Ed
#11
Thread Starter
Ed,
You are right about the evolution of the kit. The old A model is a mess by today's standards, but in '86, there were hardly any jet models with pre-cut wood and sheeted wings at all so they were attractive to the prospective jet guys back then. Those built into very light, good-flying planes, though. The newest kit is a totally different animal as you've said. Everything is modular. The wings come off; the stabs come off; the tail-cone comes off; the fin comes off and even the ventral fins come off (the way I install them). When I'm done with this, I'll be able to ship it in the same box it came in. Some parts of the build feel like a chore, but it's pretty neat when you're in it, working on it.
You are right about the evolution of the kit. The old A model is a mess by today's standards, but in '86, there were hardly any jet models with pre-cut wood and sheeted wings at all so they were attractive to the prospective jet guys back then. Those built into very light, good-flying planes, though. The newest kit is a totally different animal as you've said. Everything is modular. The wings come off; the stabs come off; the tail-cone comes off; the fin comes off and even the ventral fins come off (the way I install them). When I'm done with this, I'll be able to ship it in the same box it came in. Some parts of the build feel like a chore, but it's pretty neat when you're in it, working on it.
#12
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Great. Did not know if you had seen it. He has taken a very long time to complete it (I don't think I have the patience to be on a build for that long). I agree with the comments regarding worrying about problems that did not exist. After having built 7 of these I am sure you have a plan and know how you want to do this or that. Years ago I built about 7 of the Y/A A-4's and I had an approach/method on how I wanted to do the plane just I am sure you do on this model.
I had one of the early Y/A F-16A's (bought it at the old model show in Pasadena in 1986) and it was a real disappointment. A few years later (1991) I bought one of the F-16C's and the difference between the two was noticeable. However, after looking at the one you just got in, the improvements (in the layup of the fuse alone) seem the be orders of magnitude better than the ones I had in the 1990's. I will be following along as I have thought of buying another one but the cost of the scale gear kept me away.
Is this one going to be turbine or EDF?
Subscribed.
Ed
I had one of the early Y/A F-16A's (bought it at the old model show in Pasadena in 1986) and it was a real disappointment. A few years later (1991) I bought one of the F-16C's and the difference between the two was noticeable. However, after looking at the one you just got in, the improvements (in the layup of the fuse alone) seem the be orders of magnitude better than the ones I had in the 1990's. I will be following along as I have thought of buying another one but the cost of the scale gear kept me away.
Is this one going to be turbine or EDF?
Subscribed.
Ed
#13
My Feedback: (57)
Sean it would be great to make a mod to install the aileron servo inside the wings. many folks have used the thin wing servos on F-16s and seem to work great. This would ease the removal of the wings.
I had a YA F-16 built by a YA Rep that had a "slot an tab" built between the aileron and the fiberglass inner piece that worked perfect (no servo wires to dettach, as the servo remained on the fuselage) but it looked tricky to get it right.
If Yellow's had a bit of more leg room inside I'd be building one right now. Cant beat the price and quality.
David
I had a YA F-16 built by a YA Rep that had a "slot an tab" built between the aileron and the fiberglass inner piece that worked perfect (no servo wires to dettach, as the servo remained on the fuselage) but it looked tricky to get it right.
If Yellow's had a bit of more leg room inside I'd be building one right now. Cant beat the price and quality.
David
#15
Thread Starter
David,
I agree that it would be easier to take the wings on and off with the servo in the wing, but the time you'd save wouldn't be worth having a servo sticking out of the wing in my opinion. Half the point of the system is that you've got a smooth airframe with no servo arms or control horns poking out anywhere. Some people don't mind, but I really don't like that on a jet. The first one I built had the tongue-in-slot thing and it worked fine. This new way is a tad more laborious to build, but worth it in the end, I think. It doesn't take any more time to slide the wire out, remove the flaperon and take off the wing than it does to plug in the servo wire. It's a bit more time depending on how you install your missile rail, though.
I agree that it would be easier to take the wings on and off with the servo in the wing, but the time you'd save wouldn't be worth having a servo sticking out of the wing in my opinion. Half the point of the system is that you've got a smooth airframe with no servo arms or control horns poking out anywhere. Some people don't mind, but I really don't like that on a jet. The first one I built had the tongue-in-slot thing and it worked fine. This new way is a tad more laborious to build, but worth it in the end, I think. It doesn't take any more time to slide the wire out, remove the flaperon and take off the wing than it does to plug in the servo wire. It's a bit more time depending on how you install your missile rail, though.
#16
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The Dynamax unit is very heavy, at over 3 pounds for the fan and motor, it's about twice the weight of the Stumax. The BVM unit is at 2lbs 3oz for the fan, motor, and ESC. I plan on a 10 or 11S set up, and at that range the BVM even provides higher thrust.
#17
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I have n Extreme RC 127mm fan in my XXX and love it. It puts out 17.5lbs on the bench at only 115 amps which is very efficient. Installed I get 13.5lbs. Sounds awesome in the air too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN1CbdTkOb4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN1CbdTkOb4
#20
My Feedback: (9)
I would use a 90mm fan or a 100mm fan on this plane if I built one again.
With an EDF you can only push out the back what you take in the inlet. Anything bigger then a 100mm fan is wasted weight. I did get to fly my old a few months ago and its still flying great for the guy that bought it. Was a real joy to fly. Dont forget to move the CG about a 3/4 inch forward
With an EDF you can only push out the back what you take in the inlet. Anything bigger then a 100mm fan is wasted weight. I did get to fly my old a few months ago and its still flying great for the guy that bought it. Was a real joy to fly. Dont forget to move the CG about a 3/4 inch forward
#21
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I have a bvm F-16 that flies with a dynema/ scorpion 630kv 12s 5300mA. I also have a un-bulit green fuse/scale gear Yel F-16 C.
The entire air frame ready to fly is around 16.25 lbs. It also has extra weight from the LE flap servos and hardware.
Still dead stick landing on a gradual slope holding decent air speed (no flaps deployed) it's still forgiving.
Steve
The entire air frame ready to fly is around 16.25 lbs. It also has extra weight from the LE flap servos and hardware.
Still dead stick landing on a gradual slope holding decent air speed (no flaps deployed) it's still forgiving.
Steve
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I would use a 90mm fan or a 100mm fan on this plane if I built one again.
With an EDF you can only push out the back what you take in the inlet. Anything bigger then a 100mm fan is wasted weight. I did get to fly my old a few months ago and its still flying great for the guy that bought it. Was a real joy to fly. Dont forget to move the CG about a 3/4 inch forward
With an EDF you can only push out the back what you take in the inlet. Anything bigger then a 100mm fan is wasted weight. I did get to fly my old a few months ago and its still flying great for the guy that bought it. Was a real joy to fly. Dont forget to move the CG about a 3/4 inch forward
#24
My Feedback: (9)
Yes Shaun a good friend of mine that lives down here built one with a wemotech 90 fan and it flies great. That's not even a good fan and it still flies great. It lands so dam slow its night and day difference in how mine used to fly. Mine was heavy with the functioning canopy working drop tank and afterburner light system. I would rather have his with none of this stuff because his is so easy to fly and so much fun. Hes at around 14 lbs ready to fly. Mine close to 17 lbs.
I don't really know what fan is best. Does Stu still make fans? How about the Jetfans? I will ask around to some good friends.
The bigger fans will fly it just fine BTW. But you taking on extra weight with no extra performance. My BVM EVF would put out 19LBS of thrust on bench. Puts out 16 pounds installed in the electra. But only out out 12 pounds installed the F16.
I don't really know what fan is best. Does Stu still make fans? How about the Jetfans? I will ask around to some good friends.
The bigger fans will fly it just fine BTW. But you taking on extra weight with no extra performance. My BVM EVF would put out 19LBS of thrust on bench. Puts out 16 pounds installed in the electra. But only out out 12 pounds installed the F16.
#25
Thread Starter
Gunn,
Thanks. Did you ever get any video? I'd love to see some. I see a few old F-16A's on 90's, but not the C's with scale gear. What did your friend do for inlet ducting?
Thanks. Did you ever get any video? I'd love to see some. I see a few old F-16A's on 90's, but not the C's with scale gear. What did your friend do for inlet ducting?