Hi,

I'm looking to get a foam F-16 (around 32" wing span) that is ARF, with verctored thrust and i've stumbled across two different ones so far. One is from Bananahobby and comes with retracts and the other is sold through Hobby Lobby. I've read a few negative things about BananaHobby from 2007-8 but am wondering if the company has cleaned up its image. I really like the way their jet looks but am not about to dump $300 on a headache.

Here are the 2:

http://www.bananahobby.com/1996.html

www.hobbylobby.com/f_16_360_degree_thrust_vector_receiver_ready_jet_g rey_1034221_prd1.htm

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Chris

http://www.toysonics.com/f-16-fighti...or-system.html

Toysonics instead of Banana Hobby. Same plane.

I've built and flown the Lanxiang F-16VT. (LX) Flys well on 1000 watts. Marginal on 700. I could not say about the VT but the way it handles, VT needs more power to work, and this model isn't light enough and even on 1000 watts It's not worth the extra servos, and mechanism. The retracts had to be fixed. I simply could not get the bugs out. Burned out a digital servo trying to do so.

I've been building since 1970, and building R/C since 1979, and I'm pretty resourceful, but I'm looking at replacing the mechanical retracts with electric. Just need to cut some rails, and make a mount for the mains. I can drop the nose in, but foam has to be removed.

Thanks Ace,

Im pretty new to EDF...does it come with 1000 watt mtotor or 700? Right now toysonics looks to be having a sale on the jet - $98 bucks for the kit with out the speed control, battery, TX/RX, and servos. Would you recommend I go that route or just buy the ARF (I would be putting my own TX/RX regardless)?

Thanks again!

Chris

It does NOt include a motor. A 4 cell of 3700 to 3900 kv and 1000 watt capability (60+ amps) is enough for good performance, or the one I use which is a 3300kv 1000 watt Cyclone 480-3300-32. It's an outrunner, dynamicly balanced. Note that I employed a HET 69mm dynamicly balanced rotor. If you use the stock 6 blade fan, balance it good, center the shaft adapter the best possible, and keep things straight. With the original fan and duct, a 480-3300-32 may work well on 4 cell. The HET is a 4 blade.

I flew this plane on 680 watts peak, and it's (marginal) Now that I am using 1000 it is enjoyable to fly. It would be faster if I get the landing gear up.

You can use 9 or 10 gram ordinary servos, nothin' special needed. The retracts however, a digital of at least 2 kg. / cm torque ( 27 oz. / in. ) on all three gear. Most of them are at least 15 gram unless you buy JR and pay 50 bucks a servo.

This is a good economy jet. Plenty of wing to slow down the landing. In fact the wingtip is fuller than the full scale, and the wing has more area. The stock gear legs are strong.

My other F-16 was on Hobby-Lobby for awhile. It is 80mm fan but a smaller airframe than the Lanxiang. It's rather fast, Hard to flair without stalling. The LX is easy to flair without stalling, and good control with the rudder at low airspeeds. I set up 2 additional servos for separate aileron since the plane only calls for coupled aileron/elevator with only 2 servos, not 4. I always feel more comfortable with full-house controls on a conventional plane.

If you're not "stuck" on getting an F16, I can highly recommend the 70mm thrust vectored F35 offered by Hobby Lobby. It is an excellent flying machine and has enough power and lift to do almost anything. I love mine. There is a thread on RCG that you might want to read and there are videos on UTube. The retracts work well but, I did have to replace 2 servos before flight (one stripped and one wouldn't center). Replacement parts are available at reasonable prices. Other than the 2 bad servos, I have not had electrical problems. However, my flying buddy had to replace the ESC due to intermittent operation and Hobby Lobby sent a replacement right away.
It's a great bird for the money and they also carry a no electronics (kit) version if you want to roll your own.

RJ