JoeJr1485

Looks Awesome Keith. I am still waiting on some parts to come in and I also have family in so I can work on mine much right now.

JoeJr1485

I forgot to ask, what size carbon fiber rod did you use on the back of the tank? I am going to do that as well but trying to find out the size

FenderBean

its close to a 1/4 in, its not solid just a carbon tube.

JoeJr1485

Okay cool. I have to see if my local rc shop has any in stock.

FenderBean

You could use some ply blocks as well.

IFlyEm35

My Feedback: (5)

Thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these in this scheme:



Any cliffs notes how the Global FB Viper compares to the Skymaster?

Thanks!

FenderBean

Actually I do, I have recently built both and both have ups and downs. The FB one seems to be built a bit stronger, but it will be a bit heavier than the SM, SM is more scale than the FB. I REALLY REALLY like the FB surface hinging over the SM. The SM does not have the speed brakes but you can cut them out and make them functional with some minor mods, the panel lines for the speed brakes are there. The FB speed brakes have large slits cut over the doors that deploy so I doubt they will have much slowing power in flight. Both cockpits are a pain but I will say the FB cockpit detail is much better than the SM. The FB has some nice built in light mounts on the wing tips for scale lights, the SM does not. The FB has landing gear bays, the SM does not but because of this they normally have paint all over the air cylinders and shafts so you are 50/50 on the cylinder work/leaking. The wheels on the FB are heavier but beefier, but will probably last longer from less wear. Both gear seem to function the same and have no issues getting up and down with minimum air.
Nice Scheme my bud has one in that scheme looks good in the air.

FenderBean

Well finishing this thing up since KY jets is right around the corner, I have been working on the lights. The owner wanted to try braincube lights, I really like the LEDs they provide. I am uploading a video explaining a the install so far.


video uploading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef5e...ature=youtu.be

JoeJr1485

Keith! That's awesome. what light kit did you end up going with? I am in the process of wanting to get a kit for mine but trying to decide. You have done a great job on it! We did the maiden this Sunday and it went well. Had a few issues with the landing gear and the gyro stopped working prior to flight. We flew it with the gear down and no gyro. With decent gust of wind and it flew like butter haha.

FenderBean

Braincube lights

FenderBean

Well last picture before it ships to the owner, he said he wanted lights!

JoeJr1485

Keither you done an outstanding job on this build the lights look great.

FenderBean

Thanks, there are some things about the kit that I wish I could make look better for the owner but its just a fact of life when dealing with the chinese arfs. The cockpits for example, I had to come up with a way to make it look better but still functional. The problem with this jet is the cockpit is so visible so I tried to make the cockpit scale with a not so scale cockpit. It turned out pretty good I just hope the owner is happy, the cockpits are so brittle the crack and break so easy. other than that im happy with the build. I made the front bucket stay in the jet when you remove the canopy while the aft buck is attached to the canopy. The front is removable but only when you need to for maintenance or battery removal, this will prevent the wear and tear on the cockpit. The good thing by doing this the dash on the front seat now fits like the scale and looks 10X better.

JoeJr1485

HAHA I know what you mean. After completing the build I took notes of things that could be better and what to do next time whether it be another viper or another model of jet. You hit it on the head with the cockpit. They are a pain in the Rear due to them being so brittle. The top black cover of mine has already deformed due to just a little heat. I have to say that with the stock settings and CG, when we flew mine it was very nice. I had an issue with the landing gear that I just fixed so we will send her up for another flight with that fixed. What is going to be your next build? I say we both get A10's and do another build thread again haha or add to the mibo one!!!

FenderBean

Well my next personal project will most likely be an f-18. I'm also waiting for the A-6 to come around. These are long term projects, I'm pretty much done for this year on jet builds I have other things that will require funds.

JoeJr1485

lol the F-18 does look nice. I understand I am like you with funds needed for other things.

FenderBean

Okay so now that this viper is about to ship out the owner I decided to jump back to my viper and install the lights. After installing the braincube lights on this viper I just had to have them for mine and when Marvin put two up for auction I jumped at getting a great light set at a crazy price. My buddy bought the other set based on my comments so they both got good homes! I did buy a few lights to finish off mine since the kit was the basic light set, the viper set comes with 11 lights!

Making videos and posting pics again so here we go!


Youtube videos are uploading
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOoM4SfdKNw&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2obDioodL0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihxkyCp9uS4

FenderBean

managed to finish up this light install

I think evening time is going to be a lot more fun now, I opted to put the aft strobe below the rudder facing aft. If I had the kit prior to the rudder install I would say go rudder but to much of a pain with the rudder on. I really like the cockpit lights as well, I am uploading a video showing the lights now. Cheers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Irf...ature=youtu.be

vankie

I think Brain cube closed down about a month ago, emailed them about lights etc and got that reply and missed the last purchasing opportunity! But no issues, once my Viper is in the air I might get back to considering lights. Anyway:
Question: did you glue the two fus sections? Or just the supplied screws?

vankie

On the tail fin things fitted at the rear, below. Supplied with two, one without blind nuts and one with one working blind nut. Open and add blind nuts OR remove paint an Hysol to fus? Somehow the open sounds like the better plan or both perhaps?

FenderBean

used bolts for the joining, I would not recommend just gluing. I used lock nuts since the fins have threaded rod its the only way to attach them or you could glue them. I made them removable

rcflier53

My Feedback: (7)

Hi guys, just about to start on my 2.5m FB Viper.

Fenderbean, how did you figure out where to place the control horn on the flaps? I have all the same horns and was curious how it would/could work, much less the correct placement on the flap. The only thing I guess is that the horn will need to be cut down to a shape like you had in one of the pictures.

FenderBean

I installed the servo and then used that to cut the opening on the wing side for the rod and flap control horn to be marked. Once I cut the hole for the rod, I removed the servo and then closed the flap up and marked the opening on flap with a marker. Then I just cut a small slit for the horn to slide into. I put the horn in a spot that gave the most mechanical advantage while still clearing the rod. I don't remember trimming down the control horn to install it.

rcflier53

My Feedback: (7)

Ahh ok cool. Thanks! I just have all the same control horns that are used on the normal control surfaces. Which won't work on the flaps. I'll have to either trim down 2 of them or make a pair that work. Appreciate the help and your build thread. It's helped out tremendously!

FenderBean

I have a lot of videos on youtube as well but anything I can do to help just let me know.