Lightning Build
#276

<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Jeff,</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">thank you very much for the plans. I got them printed on a staples-center in Hamburg with minor problems due to the european paperformat DIN A O, the maximum paperformat staples could print and which is a little bit smaller than the american original. But with the knowledge of staff, they managed it.
I will start in two or three weeks, cut all parts by hand and hopefully build it within four month. With your permission the buildingprogress will be reported in the german forum rc-network.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Regards
Hans</p>
I will start in two or three weeks, cut all parts by hand and hopefully build it within four month. With your permission the buildingprogress will be reported in the german forum rc-network.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm">Regards
Hans</p>
#278
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: CamdenNSW, AUSTRALIA
Hi Jeff,
Wondering if I could impose on you for a copy of the PDF plans, we do not have a Staples here in Aus. But I am sure I can work around this.
Thanking you in advance.
Frank.
Wondering if I could impose on you for a copy of the PDF plans, we do not have a Staples here in Aus. But I am sure I can work around this.
Thanking you in advance.
Frank.
#279
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: KingaroyQLD, AUSTRALIA
Just wanted to publicly thank Jeff for his generosity in making his plans freely available. I think it says a lot about a person's character and commitment to a hobby when they willingly share their hard work with others. This looks like it will build up to be an awesome model.
Thank you again Jeff
Dan
Thank you again Jeff
Dan
#282
I feel like I need to add to the Love here. I am just some guy out in Utah getting back into pattern after a long absence. I PMed Jeff about plans and a few other things and he got right back to me with answers and help. It really helps my motivation to get back into the hobby when I get a chance to cross paths with guys like him.
One other thing, concerning the plans and short kit specifically. Everything fits. Perfectly. Weird perfect. I sheeted my fin with 3/32'' and left a little "lip" at the bottom of it like you would see at the root of a plug in wing or stab. On the top of the four inch 1/8" balsa sides of the plane is a 1/16 ledge the turtle deck sheeting attaches. I continued this all the way back to the tailpost, per plans. When I cut the slot for the vertical web that attaches the fin to the fuse, I slid the fin down on and, Click!, the 3/32 sheeting lined up exactly to the sides of the fuse. Not a few thousandths off anywhere. This is the Good Stuff!!!
Guy
One other thing, concerning the plans and short kit specifically. Everything fits. Perfectly. Weird perfect. I sheeted my fin with 3/32'' and left a little "lip" at the bottom of it like you would see at the root of a plug in wing or stab. On the top of the four inch 1/8" balsa sides of the plane is a 1/16 ledge the turtle deck sheeting attaches. I continued this all the way back to the tailpost, per plans. When I cut the slot for the vertical web that attaches the fin to the fuse, I slid the fin down on and, Click!, the 3/32 sheeting lined up exactly to the sides of the fuse. Not a few thousandths off anywhere. This is the Good Stuff!!!
Guy
#283
Guy et al:
I agree, I need to add my love. I met Jeff at the 2011 Nationals and I must say that he and Tim Taylor were wonderful to talk to and just great guys. After returning to San Antonio, I e-mailed Jeff and the drawing files were in my inbox post haste.
Nothing but the kindest of words for Jeff. As you say, true gentleman and I am greatful for his service to our country.
thanks Jeff.
Ed
I agree, I need to add my love. I met Jeff at the 2011 Nationals and I must say that he and Tim Taylor were wonderful to talk to and just great guys. After returning to San Antonio, I e-mailed Jeff and the drawing files were in my inbox post haste.
Nothing but the kindest of words for Jeff. As you say, true gentleman and I am greatful for his service to our country.

thanks Jeff.
Ed
#284
Thread Starter

My Feedback: (1)
Thank you everyone. It is my pleasure to share my airplane with people who love pattern planes. I get alot of personal satisfaction through the design and building process, which was really my intention starting this project. I am happy to hear that it is going together well for everyone.
Unfortunately by Lightning is going to have to stay grounded a bit longer than expected as I have to make a short notice move across the country, followed by a several month long training course. My old Lightning is flying well, but I am really anxious to get the new one back in the air as it was really getting dialed in. The down time since the season has also given me a little time with the CAD program to start shaping the next creation.
Good luck with the Lightnings, I hope yours all fly as well as mine.
Jeff
Unfortunately by Lightning is going to have to stay grounded a bit longer than expected as I have to make a short notice move across the country, followed by a several month long training course. My old Lightning is flying well, but I am really anxious to get the new one back in the air as it was really getting dialed in. The down time since the season has also given me a little time with the CAD program to start shaping the next creation.
Good luck with the Lightnings, I hope yours all fly as well as mine.
Jeff
#286

ORIGINAL: Viper Driver
Definitely do a build thread. Just make sure to give us the link.
Definitely do a build thread. Just make sure to give us the link.
I started my build-thread in rc-network. Sorry only in german and no pictures till now.</p>http://www.rc-network.de/forum/showthread.php/301355-Selbstbau-des-F3A-Modells-Lightning-%28Holzklasse-!-%29?p=2598720#post2598720
Hans
#287
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: na,
TX
Hi Jeff,
First off I want to say thank you for your great effort. I would like a cad file of your plane if that is possible. If you like my email address, I would be more than happy to forward it to you. Another question, what is it REALLY like to pilot a F-16. Do you mostly do air to ground, or do you primarily focus on ACM's. Can you really take 9 g's?
First off I want to say thank you for your great effort. I would like a cad file of your plane if that is possible. If you like my email address, I would be more than happy to forward it to you. Another question, what is it REALLY like to pilot a F-16. Do you mostly do air to ground, or do you primarily focus on ACM's. Can you really take 9 g's?
#290
Thread Starter

My Feedback: (1)
All right Ryan, a little off the Lightning topic, but here goes. Flying the F-16 is a constant thrill, as you can imagine. It is certainly capable of pulling 9 Gs, and we do that often during air to air combat. You feel pretty beat up after one of those flights. The airplane fits your like a glove, and is quite comfortable for such a small space. Lucky for all of you, flying in a pattern contest is a close second in excitment level to flying an F-16!
#291
Senior Member
My Feedback: (25)
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
John Redman (one of my coworkers, ex -16 and -117 crew chief) loves the airplane. He and another coworker, and ex -16 crew chief John Diniz both have gone for a ride in one. It certainly is an awesome airplane, and you have an awesome, albeit stressful I'm sure, job. As Ed said, thank you for your service!
I hope you are relocated somwhere warm.
I hope you are relocated somwhere warm.
#293
Jeff,
How do I request a copy of your drawings and how much do you want for them?
FYI, I escaped the heat in Phx. when I joined the AF in 1974.
Regards,
-Richard.
#294
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: na,
TX
I don't want to swell your head Jeff but, it is not often we get an honest to goodness, actual furball, telephone booth,knife fighting,yank and bank, fighter pilot who is a bonafide F3A man.
Do you have an opinion about the F22 Raptor?
Do you have an opinion about the F22 Raptor?
#295
Hey Jeff
Are you getting station, at Luke Airforce base in Goodyear,Az. If so welcome to Dist 7, hope to see you at the Phoenix contest in late Feb, 2012
Are you getting station, at Luke Airforce base in Goodyear,Az. If so welcome to Dist 7, hope to see you at the Phoenix contest in late Feb, 2012
#300
Hello
Awesome building by Hans
http://www.rc-network.de/forum/showthread.php/301355-Selbstbau-des-F3A-Modells-Lightning-%28Holzklasse-!-%29?p=2615433#post2615433
Wings and stab will be made foam and balsa or scratch built ?
I love these pics
Claude
Awesome building by Hans
http://www.rc-network.de/forum/showthread.php/301355-Selbstbau-des-F3A-Modells-Lightning-%28Holzklasse-!-%29?p=2615433#post2615433
Wings and stab will be made foam and balsa or scratch built ?
I love these pics
Claude




