jet22b

Hi Guys; Today I pick up the Great Planes F1 Rocket Evo ARF and what to see if any one else is putting this bird together. I will be going with a OS .55AX in the nose. Here are a few pictures of what in the box. Look like it will be a sweet plane to have!! For the people who want to go electric power, the manual say go with a RimFire 55 motor. All input is welcome!!! Sonny aka jet22b

jet22b

More pictures

jet22b

Hey Guys, I have start putting this plane together and I must say that I have came across a few things in the manual that is not right. On page 15 of the glow engine mount, the manual call for the engine drive washer be 4-1/2" from the front of the engine mounting box. From the picture they show the mark is from the bulkhead that the box is mounted on. If you set the engine at that mark, your drive washer will be even with the front of the engine mounts. I went with 7-1/2" from the mark they show in the picture and it gave me a 1/16" gap between the cowl and the back plate of the spinner. The next thing that you will have fun with is, on the left side of the fuse, you will find two slots for the push rods One slot is for the left elevator and the other one is for the rudder. I went with the bottom slot for the elevator and the top for rudder. I will try to post pictures of my setup so you can see how I did it. You will have to mod the rudder control horn so you can get full down on the left elevator. Other than that, the plane goes together sweet. I will be back with more updates as the build move along!! Sonny aka jet22b

jet22b

Hi Guys; Here is my setup on the left elevator and rudder control horns. As you can see the rudder horn was cut short and I still get full right and left rudder. Like I said before, the manual just show you a picture and not much else. I am going with a two elevator servo setup. I just don't like the setup they have in the manual!! I will also post picture of the cowling and engine setup Stay tune!! Sonny aka jet22b

jet22b

Hi Guys;
Building update.
As you can see the build is almost done. I am waiting for the engine, muffler, and servos to come in!! I did note one thing that was not cover in the manual. As you see in the pictures, there is a 1/8" gap between the hatch and the front bulk-head, ( see photos ). If you slide the hatch all the way to the bulk-head, you will have that same gap an the back end of the canopy. At the back of the canopy you will find to small hooks that when you slide the canopy back to the three magnets that are around the turtle deck, they help lock the canopy in tight. On page 19 of the manual they tell you how you can secure the canopy in place if you are going with a nitro engine setup!!!
So far I like this ARF and the way it come together!!
Stay tune for more up-dates.
Sonny
aka
jet22b

stall_warning

Good idea on the elevator trick. I used a Ball Link on the rudder to get around that problem.

The measurement to prop washer is correct, the drawing is wrong. Use the "other" firewall.

As mentioned in another forum, the axle threads are short on mine. Used Goop on the nuts
as the Nyloc is not engaged and there is not enough threads to use a lock washer.

I also went with a 55. I figured the thrust line from their marks on the firewall, rotated the mount
so I could use the stock muffler instead of the Pitts. The muffler is on the center bottom, the head
is somewhat exposed instead of completely inside the cowl, still have the hole for the main
needle but a smaller hole for low speed.

Used a 12x6 3-blade thinking it would slow it down. I was wrong. Just wait till you open it up.
It's like a prop jet.

I was way nose heavy with the engine and stock muffler. Cut the covering in front of the Tail
Wheel and put weights inside the Fuse.

Put more up elevator throw that the low rate suggestion. In Grass, with the short Fuse, the
tail wanted to come up during my taxi tests.

jet22b

stall_warning;
Thanks for the info!! I will look on some of the others forum and see if I can find that thread. I will be mounting the rx battery behind the servos using the battery tray that is shown on page 21 of the manual.
I always go with more elevator throws than what the manual call for.
Thanks again for the info!!! It sound like with the 12x6 3-blade prop, it will give my H9 Jackal 50 a run for its money!!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b

jeffie8696

Looks like the same canopy hatch as the Escapade 40. I used springs on the dowels on mine to push the canopy back into the lugs to keep it secure.

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

nice I posted a youtube of my f1 rocket with 65ax lol 102mph wot! see it here--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7zxe8c_UPo

jet22b

blhollo2,
I just watch your video of your maiden flight of your Great Planes F1 Rocket Evo!!!! If you can, please post pictures of the 65AX engine in the nose. On #1, I will be going with a OS 55AX turning a Master Screw 12/6" three blade prop.
#2, I will be going with a Evo 60 NT with a JETT Blue tune pipe, turning a APC 9x7" prop. I have this setup on my H9 Jackal 50. She been clock at 140 to 150 MPH!!! Thanks for posting the video and I see this plane is like the H9 Jackal 50, she like to land hot!!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

I will take a pic of it when I get home, the 65ax is more weight, but swings that 11x8 like nothing! I will try the 12x6-7 and see if I get more speed. The evolution 60nx. Is lighter and will spin more rpm. I know from experience it will spin a 10x8 prop at 14500rpm

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

jet22b

blhollo2;
Very clean setup!! You did a great job!! One quick question please!! Did you have to add any weight in the tail to get her to balance at the CG that is in the manual?? Thanks for posting the pictures.
Please let us know if the 12x6-7 prop give you more speed!!
Thanks, again!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

Absolutely! I had to add 1-1/4 ounce to the tail and move the battery pack to the wooden tray aft of the servo tray under the control rods. It flew great and didn't notice the weight, I guess with that 55ax that is half a pound less than the 65Ax will be a good match. I might try a macs muffler but i don't know if that will help or hurt the rpm! I took the baffle out of the stock muffler on my 65ax and gained 400rpm right off the bat, and I'm running this engine pretty rich so after about 6 tanks I will lean it out and I expect it to hit about 110-120mph WOT flat and level...which is plenty fast. its well built with the sheeted wing and foam core..its pretty solid. I did soak the engine mount area with thin CA to firm it up. I put it in a dive after I trimmed it out and had no flutter, I'm sure it was doing well over 110mph in a dive but I didn't want to chance it yet! so far this airplane fly very clean and easy, excellent handling and goes where you point it. It makes a cool sound as its slicing through the air! I bet with a 46AX it would be fast too! Id guess a 80-90mph plane

jet22b

blhollo2;
Thanks for the flight report!! Can not wait to get her in the air before old man winter set-in!! Looking at your video, this is a keeper!!!
Thanks again for the flight report and pictures!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

No problem! also I did my maiden flight in 12-15mph winds and the plane is so aerodynamic and efficient that the wind had little to no effect and wide open throttle! If you get yours to 140-150mph let me know! id buy another one and set it up the same way you did! i

jet22b

Will do, my friend!!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b

lopflyers

My Feedback: (12)

WOW, absolutely gorgeous and fast. Congrats.
Does it gives you an electric option?

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

Thanks! yes it is very fast, and does support a electric motor. It comes with parts to mount a electric motor and battery tray.

jet22b

lopflyers;
Go to Tower Hobbies or Great Planes website and you can down load the manual and take a look at what you need to go electric!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b

jet22b

lopflyers;
Here is the link for Tower Hobbies below!!
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0161p?&I=LZ1766
Sonny
aka
jet22b

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

Jet22b, how does the F1 rocket compare to the Jackel50 In weight and size?