Stig Andersen

I mounted the gear and here are some pics of the model from a side view. I moved the main gear almost 4 inches closer to the CG. As you can se from the detailed photo, I still need to lenghen the nose leg in order to NOT have the model suck itself to the runway on the take off run. I also mounted the inlets.

BTW I love working with hysol. Its a lot easier to work with that normal slow curing epoxy.

jetjohn

Hi Stig,

It's looking good already.

It goes together really well & quite quickly,but I found it a bit fiddly at times.[]

It looks as though you put some carbon or similar on the wing tubes in the Fuz? Am I right?

I will alter the title of the post.

All the best,

John C

Stig Andersen

Hello John.

Yes, thats true. The wing tubes carry all the load on the wings. So I thought I'd strengthen the gluejoint with CF.

You are right. It is fiddly at times, but is is fun to build it.

More pictures next week, I hope.

Stig Andersen

I made the canopy today. It is a good system that Anton had developed here. It is easy to do, and I beleive it is stronger the with a normal canopy lock.

jetjohn

I have started putting the gear doors on,what fun & games they are.[]
Also put an angled support onto the rear of the front leg former to stiffen up the radio mounting tray were the Canard servo will sit to help support it.
Finished off fitting of the Dual walled tail pipe,forgot how sharp the edges of these items can be.Ooops.[X(]
Still its getting there.
Set up the radio,all control movements as per recommended settings,just the Canard servo to fit,& set up.
Then to install the turbine after a few flights with my F15.

Regards,
John C

jetjohn

Whilst waiting for a few bits to arrive to finish the installation,also still waiting to re fly my F15 prior to taking out the Turbine & fitting in the Rafale. Fitted door air cylinders ready for their pipework,put a few bits in the pilots office & made a couple of self design missiles to brighten up the outline.
Then put all the bits together to take a few photo's.

All the best ,

John C

All I need now is some details of the transfers/signs to go on the fusalage.

jetjohn

Small items arrived from X-Treme Jets,Special Thank you to Anton for the first class service
Still just the Turbine to fit & then test fly time.
Ordered a door valve from UK shop,this will close the doors only when the slowest/front leg goes up into lock position,should have this all done & tested by the weekend.
Regards,
John C

jetjohn

Gear door valve and pipe arrived today.
Got it fitted and working.
Might put a restrictor on up pressure to stop them shutting so quickly?
At last it all works.
All the best,
John C
Looks like my Co-pilot is easily distracted!

twinster61

hello I m call Franck and I live in France J have also a rafale x-tremjets, here are the first two flights

1e

http://dl.free.fr/o3pN5t3R/Cmcfsquadron(1).avi

2e

http://dl.free.fr/XUFCDO00/rafale2(1).avi

click right then to record under so long and bns flights with your rafale

Airforce7

My Feedback: (31)

Bonjour Franck,

Vos videos sont grands! Enlever les trappes de train pour les premiers vols et s'assurer que vous n'obtenez aucun air dans la tuyauterie Ã* la turbine. Accrocher dedans lÃ*, vous sera par la suite réussi.

J'ai besoin des missiles pour mes saumons d'aile. D'où avez-vous obtenu le vôtre?

Ken

twinster61

hello
for the missiles in France at topmodel
http://www.topmodel.fr/
or at jet universe
http://www.jetunivers.com/
a+ and good flights
for the callage was a problem with the triangular tank which is defused on the back because of the plogor, J put one to resevoir plug bvm.

jetjohn

Hi Franck,
Thanks for sending link to the video's,but I cannot open them.
All i get is the sound but no picture.
Regards,
John C

MAX NITRO

My Feedback: (1)

Hi John,
just wondering where you managed to get the decals? i scoured the net and managed to get the Dassault logo and the Rafale logo, but none of the other smaller markings.

jetjohn

With reference to the markins on Rafale. Copied them from photo's of full size.
Made frisk type templates & sprayed with airbrush.
Lettering done with pens & standard stencils.
Regards,
John C

merton

Hi.jetjohn sorry to intrude on this particular site,but on browsing the gallery i found a shot of your vampire.did you build this from plans or kit
My email is [email protected](i live near Cardiff) merton

jetjohn

Hi Merton,

Vampire built from Kerry Sterner plans for me by a good friend.
Basically scratch built other than supplied canopy & inlet ducts.
All wood stringers and balsa planking.
Plan still available from K Sterner.
This was the smaller size and a bit tight for fitting in all the bits.

Regards,

John C

jetjohn

At last it seems to have stopped raining here in Wales.

Also got a chance to test fly the Rafale at my local Airbase today.
Took my F15 with me fitted with a Wren 54. Put that up for first flight to blow away the cobwebs & to settle my nerves.

Set up the Rafale, usual range checks,filled the tanks,topped up the air,it is still leaking but proving hard to trace,enough air remains after about 15 mins to get the legs down.

So start her up taxi out,ground handling a bit to sharp will have to dial in some expo and cut down the ATV's on the steering servo, but seems OK for a run.

Line her up open the throttle she starts moving & then starts a side to side waddle, hell that steering is too sensative. Power off, then power up she straightens, let rip with throttle & input some elevator then some more and more, & just when I thought she was not going to rotate she leaps off the ground & away we go.

Legs up and start to trim, a couple of clicks of up & a few of left then back right then quick with the dual rates on roll control, flip this thing can move.

Pull back on throttle to about half it all calms down and now I can enjoy the flight.

Do a few circuits, check out the roll rate, she drops her nose in the turns and needs a slight dab of down when inverted. Had set the timer for 5 minutes to give plenty of fuel for landing approaches, then realised I had been flying for 8 minutes with no timer sounding, so lined her up eased off the power , legs down three greens, let her settle into a long approach and touchdown, excellent, but why is she comming straight at me? steering to right she fighting to go left so staying straight, at the last minute I let her have her head and she dives behind me comming to a quick stop but I havent applied brakes.[X(]

On checking it turned out that the wheel bush had gone tight on the left hand axle to the point were it almost siezed.[:@]

So a quick bit of oil lube on that leg, refill have a quick drink and packet of crisps and ready to go again.

Check the wheels & the right hand side started to bind, so a quick take apart drop of oil and ready to go.

Second flight much better starting to get the feel for her, flip open the gas on the Simjet 2300 and it disapears very quickly, limit less vertical performance only stopping because it was getting to small to see.

Sorted my timer out my 5 mins turned out to be 10 so this time as the timer sounded set up for landing, legs down, three greens and a lovely touch down, no dramas this time taxi back to pits and switch off.

What an excellent day. three good flights (F15 x 1 Rafale x 2 ) brilliant sunshine then home for tea.[8D]

All the best

John C

When home found the air leak at last, air escaping around the seals of the air gauge's.
Sorted...

Airforce7

My Feedback: (31)

Congratulations John! I've been waiting to hear a flight report from you for a while. Glad to hear you got it done. Ken

jetjohn

Thanks Ken,
Question what is the C of G on your Rafale.

I assume it should be tested empty/dry wheels down?

I put mine at the rear end of what was recommended, but it flys a bit nose heavy I think.
& also I put the leap on take off down to a forward C of G.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Regards,

John C

Airforce7

My Feedback: (31)

John,

I've tweaked the CG so much over the last few months. [:@] I finally ended up balancing it at ~6.25 inches forward the main gear axle center, which is like 125-130mm back from the wing where it meets the fuselage. So that was Ok, but like you I had the leap problem on take-off. So I added full deflection on canards for take-off and moved the gear forward ~1 inch and that made a world of difference. Much better rotation. Take a look at your main gear retract location and see if you can move it forward along the rails. The closer you can get the wheel center to the CG the better.

Ken

jetjohn

Tried out a video adapter for the first time.
Down @ the local club with Kevin on the camera,first time.
Lost retract air,belly landing.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=14Mp6TdSWTI
All OK just need new gear cylinder.
Poor quality video but a bit of fun.
John C

MAX NITRO

My Feedback: (1)

Looks great in the air. What C of G do you have John?

jetjohn

C of G at rear of recommended but will measure it later & reply.
John C

jetjohn

C of G approx 80mm back from the main hatch front edge.
Regards,
John C

MAX NITRO

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks John,that works out to be 130mm back from the wing root LE.
I have mine set at 137mm. Havn't flown it yet but some say it is a little nose heavy at 130mm and some guy's say it flys a Gem at 140mm.
I will find out in a week.