Originally Posted by
loukos
Guys does any one have a close up of the canopy hinging used?
Also, are the leading edge slats worth the hassle? I have a G2 kit with slats, but I dont like the flimsy horn supplied and want to avoid having to engineer my own...reading some of the stories here, I am thinking of just gluing them to save time and weight
I dont have any good close ups of how I did the canopy, I can share a couple vids of mine in operation though, maybe that will help a little. I can tell you how I did it, It took some work to get it to pivot like it should. I took some hardwood blocks, tacked them into place on the inside of the fuse in front of the pivot area of the cockpit base. then i mounted the canopy, placed it where I needed, and drilled a small 1/16 hole through the canopy and into the pivot area. I placed a 1/16 steel pin in the canopy and slid it into the block. Once both sides were done and I was happy with it, I removed it all, I then drilled and tapped a hole in the hardwood block for a setscrew (to hold the pivot pins in). I then remounted the hardwood blocks with Hysol, and mounted the canopy, slid the pins in flush with the canopy frame, and taped everything in place, once dry I installed the setscrews so the pins could not slide out, removed the tape and tested all good. This job will be so much easier if you do it BEFORE you bolt the two fuse halves together, it will leave you the room you need get access to everything. I used an Ultra Precision cylinder with a lengthened rod to actuate my canopy, and the stock Skymaster locking cylinders. LEAK TEST everything.
As far as the leading edge flaps, I had them on my previous F16 (gunslinger) , to be honest with you, I did not notice any difference in landing with or without them. Sure they look cool, but they are not needed on this plane. The guys with the 1/5 version swear by them though. I was not very comfortable with the acutation linkage as well, I put 500+ oz. servos on mine to be sure they did not move, and to be honest I never had an issue with them. I did use them for landing about 1/2 the time. When I ordered my newest F16, I did not order the LEF or canopy. I kept it simple and light as possible, she is still Heavy almost 51lbs Wet. From what I have read if you lose control of one of the LEF in flight it will more than likely be a complete loss. Like I said this is my personal opinion and experience, I have had 4 skymaster F16s, 2 gen 1s and 2 gen 2s, the LEF are just not worth the effort. I would glue them closed and never worry about them.
This is a great plane, and considerably heavier than the BVM F16, but it is a strong plane, and the gear is bulletproof. The plane flies fantastic, and lands well. Hope this helps, If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Ronnie