Really want to order one of these, but for close to 10k I would expect to find the proper wood in all the right places, ie the lack of wood for rudder horns, guess I'm spoiled with having bought so many from BVM, but this makes me wonder where else there is a lack of proper structure that you cant see, with all the nice cad designed structure in the fuse, why isnt there a couple c/f ribs in the rudder to put a ball link between

maybe you need to order one via bvm and hire them build it, in the process they can put together a success pack(s), and fully test it for you. They get the R&D done with marketable upgrades they can sell loyal customers, and you get a built and tested airframe. Win-win.

...

I have my own cnc router and have designed lots of upgrade parts to my jets, that is not the point, it's what you can't see structurally that will get you, once the wing/stab/fin/rudder is closed its difficult to see if the internal structure is proper and more difficult to fix if it's not. I would expect for 10K that all structure is proper from the mfg and I'm not paying for someone else to fix it.

Here is an example of some upgrade parts I have designed and made

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-j...-upgrades.html

Jack,

I ordered them with the fittings, and they weren't installed..........is a 1hr job, and I wouldn't trust anyone else to rig a critical system like that anyway.........

Wim

Fender, no, indeed.........the tests I've done show the gear to retract beautifully and smoothly. I'm sure with the festo hardware, it will be a very reliable setup.

no idea on the standard tanks though.....

W.

I agree, there could be more pre-fabrication....But then again, didn't we use to build our planes from the ground up?? we're spoiled indeed.........

Looking good Wim, I'm gearing up to make a run at mine and finally get it finished.

On my sky master mig, I had the option to upgrade the fuel fittings for a small fee. I just emailed John to see if he can do the same on the tomcat.

I think the one good thing about the FEJ debacle is that it forced other manufacturers to really tighten up on the QC and testing. We've seen the video, Anton has put this plane through the ringer.

The gear is a work of art. Please keep the pics coming - beautiful work bro ;)

Well, got some more work done in the mean time. I started on the cabling. Already installed the leads to the elevators and the rudders, and to the Ecu's. I'm using the new cables from Powerbox Systems. .35mm² in section, but with e very thin and resistant isolation, lower in weight than other cables, and more important, heat resistant as well....

I also made the extension cables for the pumps, still need to add the power leads going to the Ecu's. Cabling to the wings will be added later, once I make up my mind on whether or not I'm going to use the "bus" system from Powerbox with the PWM adaptors in the wings......

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2016214http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2016215http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2016216http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2016219

Keep up the good work Wim, I should have my new one in a couple of days.

m:rolleyes:

Thx Mick!

Also started work on the wings.... there was quite some binding on the spoilers...as it turned out, they got some loctite on the links...I disassembled the entire spoiler mechanism, and I will be replacing the nuts with M2 locknuts. this way no loctite can get where it shouldn't......... also did some cleaning up on some of the glue joints.


http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2016225

Good photo of the spoiler mechanism Wim. Nice one.

The gear/doors will require a sequencer. I assume the canopy requires one also?

Muzz,

The canopy comes with a kind-of sequencing valve. I guess if operated by a slowed servo, it should work without an extra sequencer.
The gear is another question. In fact, on the main gear, first the two doors on the wheel need to open, and then the smaller door over the strut. Otherwise, the doors will hit. I have an EVU5 for that, with an extra EVU2..

Wim

Thanks Wim. On the main gear question, I have bought 5 x ev2u and 1 x ev1u (brakes) as the manual outlined. Not going to work without sequencing between the doors huh. I notice EV5u's not available at Dreamworks any more also.

Muzz,

I got my EVU5 from SM.......

nope, or you'd have to work with air switches on the doors, and that's going to complicate life....
I know the Powerbox Royal has a sequencer as well, if you're going that route....

Wim

Awesome Job Wim, please keep posting pics. I emailed John, it was $78 to upgrade the fuel tank fittings. I have the power box sbus system in my comp arf corsair, pretty slick. Gotta check out the new wires.

Wim what exactly are you using from Festo? I can see the tubing obviously but what else is new from Festo? Are those the standard nipples on the cylinders?

Thanks for the pictures.

DrScoles, Imho it's the price to include them, not fit them........easy job though.......

Good luck with the EV5 Wim I found it useless for this model.

m

Matt,

I'll be using the "T" fittings and push in fittings. both on air and fuel. normally I wont use any tygon in the whole fuel system.

fittings on the pistons are standard indeed.... with the 3mm festo tube, they do need securing. on the valves I'll replace the standard nipples with Festo Push in as well (3mm to M3)

Wim

Mick, how come?? I did understand it can be programmed (mode 4 I believe) at wish?

Wim