FB 1/7th F15 scale build
10-29-2015, 09:36 AM
#76
I'll keep an eye on them Keith . if it was a piston powerd aircraft no way on the zip ties.
Now that most of the building is done I can start on the little things.
First up was the airbrake. The holes in the actuator are tiny and the holes for the mount where drilled to big. So filled the holes with hysol and will redrill smaller holes.
Started working on the targeting pods also. Cut cooling holes on the sides out and cut the little window out on the front side of the right lower pylon. Then used some tinted plastic to cover it .
Since the HUD was broken when I got it I made it more scale. The one in the kit was the wrong shape so cut it into the correct shape.
Now that most of the building is done I can start on the little things.
First up was the airbrake. The holes in the actuator are tiny and the holes for the mount where drilled to big. So filled the holes with hysol and will redrill smaller holes.
Started working on the targeting pods also. Cut cooling holes on the sides out and cut the little window out on the front side of the right lower pylon. Then used some tinted plastic to cover it .
Since the HUD was broken when I got it I made it more scale. The one in the kit was the wrong shape so cut it into the correct shape.
10-30-2015, 05:05 AM
#79
Time to start working on the CG. I made some supports that slide onto the wing tubes so I can lift the aircraft . I am setting the CG at the factory recommendation of 235mm back from wing root.
I normally like to have all usable fuel empty with uat full. On this aircraft since it has such a large fuel load and a huge main tank forward of the CG I'm going to put a little fuel in this tank. I should never get that low on fuel in this aircraft so basicly going with a slight rearward CG setting but with a little fuel in the main tank it will be fine.
I have not herd from anyone that has used the big main tank accept one. He was in grass and with full fuel could not rotate and damaged aircraft. So I will do some testing with the fuel loads while I have it hanging to make sure the CG does not shift to far with full fuel.
I normally like to have all usable fuel empty with uat full. On this aircraft since it has such a large fuel load and a huge main tank forward of the CG I'm going to put a little fuel in this tank. I should never get that low on fuel in this aircraft so basicly going with a slight rearward CG setting but with a little fuel in the main tank it will be fine.
I have not herd from anyone that has used the big main tank accept one. He was in grass and with full fuel could not rotate and damaged aircraft. So I will do some testing with the fuel loads while I have it hanging to make sure the CG does not shift to far with full fuel.
Last edited by gunradd; 10-30-2015 at 05:18 AM.
10-30-2015, 08:39 AM
#81
Gun, Jose had the stock setup and went full fuel on his, I dont know if you saw it fly at MS Jets or KY jets but I didnt notice any rotation issues or any bad flight issues. Even when gliding after the flames outs the jet still had pretty much full tanks and seemed to float very well.
10-30-2015, 09:58 AM
#82
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Looking good Gunradd, I'm also getting mine ready to balance this weekend. I'm running mine with 2 k140 and look like all batteries will need to go in the nose and I might need to add some 6 to 7 ounces of weight to the nose. Will know more Sunday. Did you ever change your air brake cylinder to get more trow?
10-30-2015, 11:36 AM
#83
Gun, Jose had the stock setup and went full fuel on his, I dont know if you saw it fly at MS Jets or KY jets but I didnt notice any rotation issues or any bad flight issues. Even when gliding after the flames outs the jet still had pretty much full tanks and seemed to float very well.
The main tank is huge.
10-30-2015, 11:45 AM
#84
Looking good Gunradd, I'm also getting mine ready to balance this weekend. I'm running mine with 2 k140 and look like all batteries will need to go in the nose and I might need to add some 6 to 7 ounces of weight to the nose. Will know more Sunday. Did you ever change your air brake cylinder to get more trow?
Got mine done and I did have to add some weight to the nose. Was not a crazy amount but a good chunk of weight. I don't have the pilots I want yet so they will help when I get them.
I fueled the aircraft up while balancing to see and it gets pretty nose heavy but I don't think Its enough to cause it not to rotate. I balanced it with 25%fuel left in main tank. I should never be lower then that even with a long 9 min flight.
I left the airbrake alone for now until after I get some flights on it. My buddy is having an event in 2 weeks so I'm trying to make that with the F15.
Just need to install a K210 when it comes in and its airworthy. The ordinance moves the CG back so need to watch that.
10-30-2015, 02:01 PM
#85
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Good deal. Thanks for the info. I think we're going to the same event. I'm planning on test flying mine over there if I can't test fly before then. Would be nice to have both flying there. Planning on having only wing tanks for the first few flights. Got the unilight afterburner in mine too. It's pretty bad ass....
10-30-2015, 03:07 PM
#86
Good deal. Thanks for the info. I think we're going to the same event. I'm planning on test flying mine over there if I can't test fly before then. Would be nice to have both flying there. Planning on having only wing tanks for the first few flights. Got the unilight afterburner in mine too. It's pretty bad ass....
. My buddy mike is bringing his also. Should be fun!
11-01-2015, 08:29 AM
#88
Gun you make me want to get all my jets like this now, I cannot wait to have a nice shop after I retire from the Army. I hope those internal linkages works great, I have wanted to try them for years, my F-14 has the same type of design on the flaps.
What kind of paint are you using?
What kind of paint are you using?
11-02-2015, 05:07 AM
#93
Gun you make me want to get all my jets like this now, I cannot wait to have a nice shop after I retire from the Army. I hope those internal linkages works great, I have wanted to try them for years, my F-14 has the same type of design on the flaps.
What kind of paint are you using?
What kind of paint are you using?
The color of the F15 is FS36118 Gunship Gray. I am buying the FS36118 color chip for my scale documentation and had to have this color match and model masters seems to be the best match for it. Biggest problem is its not fuel proof so needs to be clear coated to be durable.
I only have internal linkages on the rudders. I was unhappy with the torque and resolution on the ailerons so went conventional on them so I have a safe good flying aircraft.
11-02-2015, 07:55 AM
#94
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Kris,
The F-15 is looking sweet! The model masters are decent and usually are pretty close to the FS colors. Though, I can only imagine how much paint it took to paint that huge F-15, haha! That being said, the best way I've found to ensure you have truly matching colors is to have your paint mixed to the FS color chips. At one time, you could buy the FS color books with all of the color chips in them, but not so much anymore it seems. I have one book for having colors mixed to and a fan deck I use to cut the paint chips out of to place in my documentation.
The F-15 is looking sweet! The model masters are decent and usually are pretty close to the FS colors. Though, I can only imagine how much paint it took to paint that huge F-15, haha! That being said, the best way I've found to ensure you have truly matching colors is to have your paint mixed to the FS color chips. At one time, you could buy the FS color books with all of the color chips in them, but not so much anymore it seems. I have one book for having colors mixed to and a fan deck I use to cut the paint chips out of to place in my documentation.
11-02-2015, 09:26 AM
#95
Gun, Does model master sale paint in bulk or are you using the little spray cans? I like their paint it goes on so well and like you said matches and gives a true flat finish that I like in models. Thanks for the info on the linkages, looking good! I really hated to get rid of my 1/7 scale f-15 they fly so nice!
11-02-2015, 09:53 AM
#96
Gun, Does model master sale paint in bulk or are you using the little spray cans? I like their paint it goes on so well and like you said matches and gives a true flat finish that I like in models. Thanks for the info on the linkages, looking good! I really hated to get rid of my 1/7 scale f-15 they fly so nice!
11-02-2015, 11:56 AM
#97
I have used model masters to create "cards" that I took to my PPG guy and had them match the FS color. I did use model master for a vertical fin, it turned out nice. Just be VERY careful with the clear coat. I used PPG (Deltron) 2060 flex and flat and it melted the model masters. Fortunately I caught it on my test article. I misted the first coat and that locked on the model masters and then I could spray the wet clear coats.
Be careful, I have had a terrible time getting Promark dry transfers to transfer over certain flat paint, even with the transfers brand new and heated, etc. Maybe Tailormade is different
Be careful, I have had a terrible time getting Promark dry transfers to transfer over certain flat paint, even with the transfers brand new and heated, etc. Maybe Tailormade is different
11-03-2015, 03:59 AM
#98
Matt you are very right on all those points. I went through the same things doing my F22. I have used promark before prefer tailormade decals. On my F22 it was all metalic paint and it gets no harder then getting stuff to stick on that. Was a huge pain. I have a system down now with the dry transfers and when I get to that point I will share on this thread. I do the same with the clear and do a light coat to seal it in. Since I am always doing flat paint jobs anyway I dont really give it a heavy wet coat just lots of thin coats sprayed with higher pressure far away from the model to give it that flat finish. This F22 was done all with model masters.
I have used model masters to create "cards" that I took to my PPG guy and had them match the FS color. I did use model master for a vertical fin, it turned out nice. Just be VERY careful with the clear coat. I used PPG (Deltron) 2060 flex and flat and it melted the model masters. Fortunately I caught it on my test article. I misted the first coat and that locked on the model masters and then I could spray the wet clear coats.
Be careful, I have had a terrible time getting Promark dry transfers to transfer over certain flat paint, even with the transfers brand new and heated, etc. Maybe Tailormade is different
Be careful, I have had a terrible time getting Promark dry transfers to transfer over certain flat paint, even with the transfers brand new and heated, etc. Maybe Tailormade is different
Last edited by gunradd; 11-03-2015 at 04:02 AM.
11-03-2015, 10:35 AM
#99
Well started painting the ordinance today... On the missiles they look like they are supposed to be AIM120s but the front fins are in the wrong spot. They are also wrong shape to be sidewinders. As far as I can tell these missiles don't exist so after getting them mostly painted I'm going to have to change them. I think I can move the front fins backwards to be AIM 120s.
Also looking at FBjets website it shows pics of the F15 with the ordinance installed and they painted the targeting pods like bombs lol. No attention to detail drives me crazy.
Here are the painted targeting pods
So if you get the F15 and install the ordnance please repaint the targeting pods or I am going to smack you at the next jet meet lol.
Also looking at FBjets website it shows pics of the F15 with the ordinance installed and they painted the targeting pods like bombs lol. No attention to detail drives me crazy.
Here are the painted targeting pods
So if you get the F15 and install the ordnance please repaint the targeting pods or I am going to smack you at the next jet meet lol.
Last edited by gunradd; 11-03-2015 at 10:41 AM.
11-03-2015, 02:47 PM
#100
Great tips. Since you have more experience than most with RDS (by using them on your F-22 rudders), why do you think they did not work on the F-15 ailerons?
I am debating whether to try to try them on my next plane and yours is the first real negative report I have seen (from someone who has actually installed them)
Thanks
I am debating whether to try to try them on my next plane and yours is the first real negative report I have seen (from someone who has actually installed them)
Thanks