marquisvns

Congrats, nice maiden and good save, beautiful field you have there.

muzzgail

Your spotter was giving good help there, when things got tough.

marquisvns

Air leak, seems like leaking when the gears are down, gonna go through it tomorrow.

Barry

Jack Diaz

My Feedback: (1)

Barry, it may not be the cause of your leak, but it's worthwhile mentioning:

After a few flights, my SM Large Hawk began leaking air rather quickly (failsafe paid !!!!).
I am using some Festo 3mm connectors in the installation. The leak was found in the connectors !!!

What happened was that there is inconsistency in the outside diameter of the air lines that SM uses. There was not a solid "lock" in some of the connectors. In fact, the line could be pulled out easily. I changed the connectors to verify, but the leak continued. Had to change some lines.

The OD of the SM lines varies from 3.05mm to 2.85mm at different points of the same line. BVM lines are 3.15mm (sometimes difficult to use with Festo 3mm.)

See you at BITW to do the trimming .... LOL.

Jack

DrScoles

My Feedback: (18)

I've grown fond of the festo 3mm tubing. It's for lack of a better word, stiffer. Stays straight, and I know the festo fittings are meant to go there. The tubing that dream works sells has leaked on me with festos. I plan to pull all the tubing and re-do it with festo stuff. However, I might get lazy and just do the gear and not the doors, we'll see.

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Pardon the interruption, but when did anyone think the generic polyurethane retract air hose would work in a festo push connector? Is that something on these newfangled ($$$) all in one air units?

Jack Diaz

My Feedback: (1)

Matt, you are allowed to interrupt anytime ... LOL.

I have been using Festo push connectors with BVM or Dreamworks air hoses for many years with great results.
Silicone Oring lube makes the connection easier.

This is the first time I tried them with the SM air hoses ..... I guess you are right: not all air hoses are made equal !!

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Hi Jack,

I would actually like to use the push on connectors more. I just don't have any valves or cylinders that use that connector type. I seem to remember I got a supply of SMC connectors for a project a long time ago but I had to buy specially sized tubing, more junk to fill up the drawers.

Jack are you bringing your Fouga to BITW?

marquisvns

Found two very slow leaks, fixed them, so far so good, hope these are it.

See you guys at bitw,

Barry

FenderBean

Hey Barry did you tie the small lock cylinder on the main gear into the same line as your gear? or is on another valve? Thanks

BBDRIVER

My Feedback: (15)

Hi Chris

The culprit was the switches between the ICS and the engines as was recommended by Jet Central. After many discussions we decided to remove the switches, and it has been running great ever since. This aircraft has about 30 flights on her. Awesome flying aircraft.

Cheers

BBDRIVER

My Feedback: (15)

Thank you Sir!!! It sure was a moment of Silence other than the F-14 cutting the air LOLOL!!!

BBDRIVER

My Feedback: (15)

Hi Murray

Thanks for the compliments!!!

Our Local camera man is awesome!!!

The Tomcat flies very well, and actually not bad at all with the wings back. She is touchy, tough manageable. She could use a gyro in her. I wanted to fly it first before I installed one to get the know the airplane first.

Cheers
Sandro

Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

Funny how the simplest things can bring down much bigger and way more expensive systems. Good job and congrats, now...more videos please!

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Where were the switches? Between the power supply and the ECU?

LA jetguy

Thats great Barry... see you at BITW...

Alex48

Hi Guys, I know its a massive PITA especially on the F14 but I always replace all of Skymaster's air tubing with new BVM stuff or equivalent. I only use the barbed festo fittings in the system. The only leaks I've ever had are through cylinders which are easy to identify as the valve that faulty cylinder is connected to will vent air.

Its worth the effort to just rip it all out before you start the build and replace, make sure you also remove the tanks and pressure test them and also get rid of Skymaster's tank fittings as what was provided with mine wasn't suitable and was poorly installed, it might have worked initially but over time I'm sure I would have had tank issues.

Cheers, Alex

LA jetguy

We did exactly what Alex described... Changed all air lines with BVM air tubing and used 3mm barbed festo T's from Dreamworks RC and used air fill valve from Spring Air products (item #114). Will be using "Jet Tronic" electric valve for the gears and the "low loss Jet Tronic brake valve" for the brakes.

Now we are just waiting for skymaster to send us back the retracts after painting them white ( we ordered white but did not get it originally).. The initial hard work will pay off long term...

David

Alex48

Hi Dave, I'm in LA at the start of November, I'd love to see your F14

LA jetguy

Look forward to meet you in LA.... I will PM you...

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

Could someone post a photo of how the nose wheel steering is done? Im needing some ideas on how to do mine.

BBDRIVER

My Feedback: (15)

Hi Matt

Correct! Between the power supply and the ICS! As per Jet Central reccomendations!

BBDRIVER

My Feedback: (15)

Hi All

Not to say I am an expert with the F-14, though with over 30 flights on her ill share some important points with flight characteristics.

1) Just slightly nose heavy with the recommended Skymaster CG. Although almost bang on
2) Had a ton of cylinder leakes during the build, so we Hysoled all the fitting to the cylinders and current leak free!
3) Flies like a ***** cat with Wings out, although pretty touchy with wings back but manageable. Set you throws to about half throw with wings back and slight up elevator.
4) I always like to stall an aircraft, so I stalled the F-14. Very predictable with a slow wing drop. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SLOW THIS AIRCRAFT DOWN!!! She can come in at a crawl, and I do not have any of the wing options.
5) The Skymaster Fuel system works perfect, so don't try to mess with it.
6) Jet Central Cheetas work perfect for this Aircraft.

If anyone has any questions about the Aircraft, please feel free to drop me a line!! If I don't get back right away, I could be on the road working so ill do my best to get back to you!

Cheers

FenderBean

jett what do you mean the "fuel system works great dont mess with it?"

BBDRIVER

My Feedback: (15)

Hi Fender

When We were assembling the Tomcat, there was discussion with separating the main tank into two sets, so each fuel system was independent for each engine. With further inquiries it was discovered that others were experimenting with this idea, and had "APPARENT" Problems. I cannot say as to how each individual did their setup, but were trying to "IMPROVE" the current Skymaster setup, and were having engine issues.

So far my only engine issues was when I had the Dual engine failure due to the switches for the ICS. Been working flawless ever since!

Hope this helps
Cheers