Tomahawk Futura Build Thread
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mikes68charger (04-10-2021)
03-09-2018, 09:56 PM
#230
it's a mother of all wide bodied sports jets flying today
the best of the best
may beat anyone anyday with a good turbine inside it 😎🤘
& of course a guy with titanium balls on the sticks 😂
Last edited by Haisan; 03-09-2018 at 09:59 PM.
07-07-2019, 05:50 PM
#236
Tail cone mod
Thanks RCPETE
something you cannot see on the previous picture: a detail of the Futura design I did not like is the stainless tail cone extension, in my opinion, it exposes the fragile end of the pipe to possible damage, as the stainless cone is not rigid enough to offer protect the pipe, I just did not see any practical use for it, just the risk of damage to the pipe. Soooo... i decided to shorten the pipe, glue a plywood former at the end of the fuselage to support the pipe, the former is of the typical pipe support former variety in that it has open spaces between teeth that hold the pipe, this to allow airflow around the pipe for cooling and a way for air inside the fuselage to exit. My pipe is 2.75” shorter than original. See pic of final result, I think you will like it;
12-16-2019, 09:46 AM
#237
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I'm 90% finished up my Futura 2.5 V2. Pretty happy with quality, few things not so great... but mostly a very good looking kit and high quality.
On mine the aileron servo bay cutouts were 5mm closer to the ailerons on one side... so my linkage lengths are different. There was no way to solve this without major surgery as the servos just barely fit on the plates as it is. I had to compensate with a curve in the radio to keep the travel perfectly even over the whole control throw.
The left side elevator inboard was sanded (I assume this is not something in the molds) more on the left than the right side. I wish both sides had been that way to give extra down-elevator clearance given some of the comments about needing a lot of down elevator. If the paint was not so prone to chipping I would consider sanding the right to match and re-painting.
Paint is nice but very hard, thick and prone to chipping on the edges... you gotta be careful of the edges.
I was planning to power with my JetCat 180RX but I'm concerned now with the weight. Mine came out at 20.2kg - and I was very careful to keep it light. I minimized internal structure, made laminated balsa and glass trays, no vanity paint (other than on the trays) etc. That's totally dry nothing in the air trap.
To get the CG at 15mm behind the wing tube I need a lot of nose weight. Like 600g. So I am planning to use 2x Turbine packs on an AR switch and 2 heavy 5000mah Rx packs on the really heavy included ply plate. And even at that I may still need a bit more nose weight. So I will be 21kg dry... add 5l of fuel and that's 25kg... so for those on Imperial units that's 57lbs wet (58.5lbs with smoke oil.) 180RX is rated 39.5lbs thrust. I fly off grass (long 800ft runways) on grass but at 3,000ft altitude (so drop 2lbs of thrust.) I am worried about performance for big loops, long up lines etc. Also worried about takeoff in low wind conditions. I have seen videos of these flying awesome on a 180RX at lower altitudes (in the UK @ ~400ft.) Was not planning to buy another turbine... but will if it's going to be an issue. Am I just being paranoid or is this really better suited to a 220N turbine?
I guess another option to drop weight would be a lighter pipe. The pipe is HUGE and really heavy. Maybe TAM makes one?
Now the LONG wait until summer... will be 5-6 months before I can test fly.
Chris.
On mine the aileron servo bay cutouts were 5mm closer to the ailerons on one side... so my linkage lengths are different. There was no way to solve this without major surgery as the servos just barely fit on the plates as it is. I had to compensate with a curve in the radio to keep the travel perfectly even over the whole control throw.
The left side elevator inboard was sanded (I assume this is not something in the molds) more on the left than the right side. I wish both sides had been that way to give extra down-elevator clearance given some of the comments about needing a lot of down elevator. If the paint was not so prone to chipping I would consider sanding the right to match and re-painting.
Paint is nice but very hard, thick and prone to chipping on the edges... you gotta be careful of the edges.
I was planning to power with my JetCat 180RX but I'm concerned now with the weight. Mine came out at 20.2kg - and I was very careful to keep it light. I minimized internal structure, made laminated balsa and glass trays, no vanity paint (other than on the trays) etc. That's totally dry nothing in the air trap.
To get the CG at 15mm behind the wing tube I need a lot of nose weight. Like 600g. So I am planning to use 2x Turbine packs on an AR switch and 2 heavy 5000mah Rx packs on the really heavy included ply plate. And even at that I may still need a bit more nose weight. So I will be 21kg dry... add 5l of fuel and that's 25kg... so for those on Imperial units that's 57lbs wet (58.5lbs with smoke oil.) 180RX is rated 39.5lbs thrust. I fly off grass (long 800ft runways) on grass but at 3,000ft altitude (so drop 2lbs of thrust.) I am worried about performance for big loops, long up lines etc. Also worried about takeoff in low wind conditions. I have seen videos of these flying awesome on a 180RX at lower altitudes (in the UK @ ~400ft.) Was not planning to buy another turbine... but will if it's going to be an issue. Am I just being paranoid or is this really better suited to a 220N turbine?
I guess another option to drop weight would be a lighter pipe. The pipe is HUGE and really heavy. Maybe TAM makes one?
Now the LONG wait until summer... will be 5-6 months before I can test fly.
Chris.
12-16-2019, 10:19 AM
#238
Hi Chris
Mine was a kit and I built it and and painted with PPG paint and all done is 37.5LB. I built a little shelf on the nose and batteries are there and it balanced perfectly. I am using a 180 RX and it is like a pattern plane. Not a lot of speed but it has good vertical etc. You will love the plane if you like steady speed planes. Just remember that the flaps are very effective so have the power on when you go on full flap for landing.
Mine was a kit and I built it and and painted with PPG paint and all done is 37.5LB. I built a little shelf on the nose and batteries are there and it balanced perfectly. I am using a 180 RX and it is like a pattern plane. Not a lot of speed but it has good vertical etc. You will love the plane if you like steady speed planes. Just remember that the flaps are very effective so have the power on when you go on full flap for landing.
12-16-2019, 12:04 PM
#240
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Your paint looks great. 37.5 lbs is a great weight. That is slightly heavier than the Tuono this engine was in and it flew amazing. But 7.5lbs extra is a LOT plus this jet is much larger in the fuse, much draggier and less wing area than the Tuono. Mine is 45lbs dry... so no idea how you managed that 37.5lbs build!
I have the batteries on a tray in the nose as suggested.
I got the Futura because I wanted a slow pattern jet and it was the only option in this size price wise. Love the EA jets - but the price was just too much with our dollar. I couldn't get some options because they don't ship to Canada. I didn't go for the CARF Rebel because I thought the 180 would not be enough. My Behotec retracts were a drop in from the Tuono to the Futura which saved a lot of $. I smashed my beloved Tuono last summer by stupidly letting the ECU pack die... and forgetting to kill the Gyro when it dead sticked ... got so close to the runway before the gyro kicked in hard and it stalled. Sad, sad day. I built it from a kit - it was so much work and flew so amazing. I hope the Futura does too (although a very different kind of jet.)
I mostly fly electric pattern (and used to fly IMAC.) I have a Boomerang Elan, Ultra Flash and Super Bandit. So I have fast jets already. They all fly like pattern planes really. All these are at least 1:1 thrust to weight dry.
Still I am a bit nervous on the power side... I tried scale/sport scale jets the experience was not for me... I don't expect a floater by any means but I didn't enjoy that feeling of always being on the verge and low on power I got with scale jets.
Will ponder more what to do and see if there is anywhere I can save weight somehow.
I have the batteries on a tray in the nose as suggested.
I got the Futura because I wanted a slow pattern jet and it was the only option in this size price wise. Love the EA jets - but the price was just too much with our dollar. I couldn't get some options because they don't ship to Canada. I didn't go for the CARF Rebel because I thought the 180 would not be enough. My Behotec retracts were a drop in from the Tuono to the Futura which saved a lot of $. I smashed my beloved Tuono last summer by stupidly letting the ECU pack die... and forgetting to kill the Gyro when it dead sticked ... got so close to the runway before the gyro kicked in hard and it stalled. Sad, sad day. I built it from a kit - it was so much work and flew so amazing. I hope the Futura does too (although a very different kind of jet.)
I mostly fly electric pattern (and used to fly IMAC.) I have a Boomerang Elan, Ultra Flash and Super Bandit. So I have fast jets already. They all fly like pattern planes really. All these are at least 1:1 thrust to weight dry.
Still I am a bit nervous on the power side... I tried scale/sport scale jets the experience was not for me... I don't expect a floater by any means but I didn't enjoy that feeling of always being on the verge and low on power I got with scale jets.
Will ponder more what to do and see if there is anywhere I can save weight somehow.
12-16-2019, 05:47 PM
#242
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I pulled the trigger on a Behotec JB220. Great price, very powerful and reliable turbine. 50lbs thrust should get the job done 
I was going to go JetCat RXi which is very cool, love the JetCats... but the price... Behotec was $1k USD less.
I'll also see what I can do to reduce the weight a bit - move a few things more forward. Also double check my scales maybe they need calibrating...
Just to confirm - 15mm behind the wing tube is a good CG? Anyone further back than that?
I was going to go JetCat RXi which is very cool, love the JetCats... but the price... Behotec was $1k USD less.I'll also see what I can do to reduce the weight a bit - move a few things more forward. Also double check my scales maybe they need calibrating...
Just to confirm - 15mm behind the wing tube is a good CG? Anyone further back than that?
12-16-2019, 07:06 PM
#243
Hi, mine is balanced at the trailing edge of the wing tube and I like it. This is a big plane and the tank is in front of CG so you will be okay. Dave is right, most of our planes have room for CG correction.
Behzad
Behzad
12-19-2019, 03:15 AM
#245
I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on one of these. I have a new Kingtech K-210 to stick in it. Anything you guys would recommend I get from the factory? My BOM so far is:
FUTURA 2.5m A,B Combo with Electron G45
Futura tailpipe for 200N
Upgrade to GS200 controller
The thing killing me is the "packing cost" and shipping" that come out to: $888
Any suggestions before I click the button?
FUTURA 2.5m A,B Combo with Electron G45
Futura tailpipe for 200N
Upgrade to GS200 controller
The thing killing me is the "packing cost" and shipping" that come out to: $888
Any suggestions before I click the button?
12-19-2019, 04:07 AM
#246
1 -Codura wing-protection-bags. They are really nice, protect the plane well and make it easy for me to move it alone.
2- A fairing that smooth the transition from the fuselage to the vertical stabilizer
3- Fuel tank
12-19-2019, 10:08 AM
#247
I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on one of these. I have a new Kingtech K-210 to stick in it. Anything you guys would recommend I get from the factory? My BOM so far is:
FUTURA 2.5m A,B Combo with Electron G45
Futura tailpipe for 200N
Upgrade to GS200 controller
The thing killing me is the "packing cost" and shipping" that come out to: $888
Any suggestions before I click the button?
FUTURA 2.5m A,B Combo with Electron G45
Futura tailpipe for 200N
Upgrade to GS200 controller
The thing killing me is the "packing cost" and shipping" that come out to: $888
Any suggestions before I click the button?
Behzad
12-21-2019, 03:38 AM
#250
Futura 2.5: What tank are you guys using? I do not plan to run smoke. I've seen the cmjets tank, and plan 5 liters for my Kingtech K-210.
Here is the cmjets tank:
https://cmjets.com/tomahawk/259-futu...kero-tank.html
5 Liters = 169 oz
K160 consumption WOT = 20.8 oz / min
169 / 20.8 = 8.125 min WOT
Thoughts?
Here is the cmjets tank:
https://cmjets.com/tomahawk/259-futu...kero-tank.html
5 Liters = 169 oz
K160 consumption WOT = 20.8 oz / min
169 / 20.8 = 8.125 min WOT
Thoughts?
Last edited by dribar; 12-21-2019 at 03:45 AM.