ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
05-17-2007, 05:12 AM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
shschon,
I'm not sure where you are getting your info.
My Estes Air Force 1 is AAA sized batteries, not 2/3AAA.
I emailed Mike @ cheapbatterypacks.com three weeks ago, (his largest AAA cell is 720mAh), and his answer to me was in regards to 1/3AAA's & LiPo’s, but the feeling I got was, what you see is what we have, if you don't see what you want or need, go somewhere else. So I did and so I do. When and if he has something I need, I may go back.
Check the attached picture and you will see one of the 650mAh AAA packs that came with my AF1 and the cover to the other one, along with the 1000mAh batteries I used to make a new pack. The other Estes pack had connection problems from the time I got it and sometimes it would charge and sometimes it wouldn't, same for working in the plane. I haven't gotten around to taking it apart to see if it’s a bad connection between cells, but that's what I figure.
I used the end covers and wires/connector from that pack to assemble the new pack. Yes, it gets warm, almost hot, in use, but so do the Estes packs.
I'm still not sure how long the 1000mAh pack will last in flight, I end up landing after about ten minutes and haven't ran it dead yet.
The other picture shows; a 1/2, a 1/3, a 2/3 and the Estes AAA battery packs.
I’m not sure how the plane would fly on LiPo’s, 2S is 7.4v and 3S is 11.1v, I don’t think the four fans would have the power needed on 2 volts less and I am pretty sure the Rx/ESC wouldn’t handle 11 volts. Right now I like how it flies and I’m not going to switch it over to a regular Rx and ESC just so I can use LiPo’s that cost twice as much, change the CG and belly landing on a exposed LiPo is a really bad idea, unless you like Bar-B Q’ed foam…
Ric
I'm not sure where you are getting your info.
My Estes Air Force 1 is AAA sized batteries, not 2/3AAA.
I emailed Mike @ cheapbatterypacks.com three weeks ago, (his largest AAA cell is 720mAh), and his answer to me was in regards to 1/3AAA's & LiPo’s, but the feeling I got was, what you see is what we have, if you don't see what you want or need, go somewhere else. So I did and so I do. When and if he has something I need, I may go back.
Check the attached picture and you will see one of the 650mAh AAA packs that came with my AF1 and the cover to the other one, along with the 1000mAh batteries I used to make a new pack. The other Estes pack had connection problems from the time I got it and sometimes it would charge and sometimes it wouldn't, same for working in the plane. I haven't gotten around to taking it apart to see if it’s a bad connection between cells, but that's what I figure.
I used the end covers and wires/connector from that pack to assemble the new pack. Yes, it gets warm, almost hot, in use, but so do the Estes packs.
I'm still not sure how long the 1000mAh pack will last in flight, I end up landing after about ten minutes and haven't ran it dead yet.
The other picture shows; a 1/2, a 1/3, a 2/3 and the Estes AAA battery packs.
I’m not sure how the plane would fly on LiPo’s, 2S is 7.4v and 3S is 11.1v, I don’t think the four fans would have the power needed on 2 volts less and I am pretty sure the Rx/ESC wouldn’t handle 11 volts. Right now I like how it flies and I’m not going to switch it over to a regular Rx and ESC just so I can use LiPo’s that cost twice as much, change the CG and belly landing on a exposed LiPo is a really bad idea, unless you like Bar-B Q’ed foam…
Ric
05-24-2007, 09:35 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I've been flying.
I went out for 5 hours last night in the parking lot under the lights at Price Chopper Grocery Store near me. I was flying the Estes Sky Ranger 4162 Toys R Us Exclusive twin engine prop plane. It is one of the most fun 20.00 RTF toys I've ever had. Such so, I bought 3 more just to have them in case of a major crash or they get sold out.
THe AF1 hangs on my cieling...... I need time to figure out what is wrong and fix the nose weight and a much larger place to fly.
I went out for 5 hours last night in the parking lot under the lights at Price Chopper Grocery Store near me. I was flying the Estes Sky Ranger 4162 Toys R Us Exclusive twin engine prop plane. It is one of the most fun 20.00 RTF toys I've ever had. Such so, I bought 3 more just to have them in case of a major crash or they get sold out.
THe AF1 hangs on my cieling...... I need time to figure out what is wrong and fix the nose weight and a much larger place to fly.
05-24-2007, 09:43 PM
#80
RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
nice bro, i picked up a silverlit (same maker of the piccoz) single wing plane and a tyco lipo plane setup for $20, comes with 2 bodies and love it, varialble speed speed control, 2 motors, lots of fun to fly.
05-25-2007, 08:40 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I have both the AF1 and AF2. My AF1 is converted to 3 ch RC from the start.
I bought the cheapbatterypacks.com 700mAH AAA cell made to the same config as the Estes stock battery and they turn out to be the same size. 2/3AAA is my mistake.
http://cheapbatterypacks.com/main.as...ells&chem=NIMH
Notice that the KAN 700 is clearly marked as high discharge while their 720 is noted as RX use only no high discharge.
In any case consummer grade rechargeble batteries you get at Walmart, ..etc cannot be used in this high discharge application that is for sure. You would kill those batteries quick.
The 747 does not land on its belly it lands on the 2 inner engine nacelles as a skid. That is why these nacelles are designed to be a snap on that can break off on landing to absorb the shock. I put my 2 cell LiPo under the wing at the root there is plenty of room from the battery to the ground. You can also put lipo battery on top of the wing.
7.4V and 9.6V are only nominal voltage figures. The real voltage under load for the small AAA packs and my strong 20C 2 cell 2100mAh LiPo produce about the same voltage under load, between 7.2V~7.4V. The LiPo voltage under load is only slightly lower than 8Cell NiMH but lasts almost 3 times longer and the weight is lighter.
A not so strong 3 cell LiPo can yield voltage under load between 9~10V and with throttle management can give good power in emergency. There are people out there flying AF1 using 3 cell but he has converted to real RC so he is not using the stock electronics.
I bought the cheapbatterypacks.com 700mAH AAA cell made to the same config as the Estes stock battery and they turn out to be the same size. 2/3AAA is my mistake.
http://cheapbatterypacks.com/main.as...ells&chem=NIMH
Notice that the KAN 700 is clearly marked as high discharge while their 720 is noted as RX use only no high discharge.
In any case consummer grade rechargeble batteries you get at Walmart, ..etc cannot be used in this high discharge application that is for sure. You would kill those batteries quick.
The 747 does not land on its belly it lands on the 2 inner engine nacelles as a skid. That is why these nacelles are designed to be a snap on that can break off on landing to absorb the shock. I put my 2 cell LiPo under the wing at the root there is plenty of room from the battery to the ground. You can also put lipo battery on top of the wing.
7.4V and 9.6V are only nominal voltage figures. The real voltage under load for the small AAA packs and my strong 20C 2 cell 2100mAh LiPo produce about the same voltage under load, between 7.2V~7.4V. The LiPo voltage under load is only slightly lower than 8Cell NiMH but lasts almost 3 times longer and the weight is lighter.
A not so strong 3 cell LiPo can yield voltage under load between 9~10V and with throttle management can give good power in emergency. There are people out there flying AF1 using 3 cell but he has converted to real RC so he is not using the stock electronics.
]
05-30-2007, 09:54 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
nah, Was too windy, but I managed to bust a nose off the pontoon on my STORMLAUNCHER, and had a blast with my FG 1/5th scale Monstertruck.
05-31-2007, 09:33 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
EHroof, you ever get up Albany NY way, feel free to swing by and go fly with me, and I'll let ya drive the Monster.... it is a MUST HAVE as a Big Boy Toy 
06-01-2007, 09:43 PM
#86
RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
i have a place by oneonta, its called stamford. I will pm you next time i come up and we can try to hook up, just got a mutilator in the mail a couple of days ago.
06-05-2007, 09:14 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Yep, did the $69 thing.
Kinda suprised me the Tx is AAA batteries, if it had been AA I could have flown this evening.
Kinda suprised me the Tx is AAA batteries, if it had been AA I could have flown this evening.
06-05-2007, 09:30 PM
#90
RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
yeah, its a clear blue too. its a nice size plane, and you cant beat the price, i still havent flown the af1 or af2 yet, i am a little affraid to try them out, not to mention its usually windy here. if you do fly, make a video and take some pictures. i like the fact you can hand launch this, no crazy stake syslem like the af1
06-05-2007, 09:57 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I love the way my AF1 flys, and I only used the bungie&stake system once and hated it, I always hand launch the AF1.
Just toss it straight out into a light breeze and not up, it only takes about 30 feet to start gaining air speed.
I'm not sure but the AF2 fans seam stronger than the AF1, and it seams lighter over all. Gives me bad thoughts about putting four AF2 fans on the AF1.
If my order from Harbor Freight ever gets here I'll be able to weigh them.
I have a short vid of the AF1 in flight but I guess I deleted the program for my digital cam and can't get the vid into my computer. [:@]
Did a liposuction job on the Silverlit 737 twin ducted fan I got off eBay for $65 and it flies alot better, doesn't glide worth a sh_t, but flies good.
Even added LED lights to the wing tips and under the nose. Belly landing on the LED hasn't hurt it yet, but when it catches in the grass it gives a new meaning to arrested landing. 20mph to 0 in 6 inches...
Just toss it straight out into a light breeze and not up, it only takes about 30 feet to start gaining air speed.
I'm not sure but the AF2 fans seam stronger than the AF1, and it seams lighter over all. Gives me bad thoughts about putting four AF2 fans on the AF1.
If my order from Harbor Freight ever gets here I'll be able to weigh them.
I have a short vid of the AF1 in flight but I guess I deleted the program for my digital cam and can't get the vid into my computer. [:@]
Did a liposuction job on the Silverlit 737 twin ducted fan I got off eBay for $65 and it flies alot better, doesn't glide worth a sh_t, but flies good.
Even added LED lights to the wing tips and under the nose. Belly landing on the LED hasn't hurt it yet, but when it catches in the grass it gives a new meaning to arrested landing. 20mph to 0 in 6 inches...
06-07-2007, 08:17 PM
#92
RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
nice, i was checking them out (silverlit 747). i figured i should fly my estes af1 and af2 first before i buy anymore. is the af1 easy to fly, does it take a lot to keep it up? let me know about the af2 when you get a chance to take it up.
thanks
eddie
thanks
eddie
06-07-2007, 10:37 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Eddie,
The biggest challange with the AF1 is backing off the power once it's up and flying. If you stay at full power once it's up and flying it will start porposing, up and down and that with a turn will lead to a dive and possiable crash. Just take it easy, remember it's a airliner and not a fighter jet. Being a ducted fan it will react slower to power than a prop plane so remember to think ahead and anticipate turns and when you are going to land. Don't try to make turns to tight, once it starts lifting a wing to turn, back off the turn control and it will make a nice wide turn, sometimes you have to tap the opposite control to straighten it out after it's completed the turn.
Landings are a breeze, just line it up and stay off the power and it will glide in real smooth. Small blips of power left/right are all it takes to keep it lined up and it will probably suprise you with how well and far it will glide. I haven't had a problem powering up and going around for another try when I over shot a landing as long as I get back on the power before it's under 5 feet or so.
My AF2 lost an engine while I was cycling the batteries, I contacted Estes and they are sending me one free of charge. Great customer service!
I don't know what happened, guess it was just a bad motor, the first battery pack they both ran fine, on the second, one fan started running slower and even after switching them left for right it got slower and now I have to spin the fan by hand with power on to get it to run.
On the plus side I now have the replacement parts list with prices for both the AF1 and AF2. The prices are cheap and shipping/handling charges are even low.
And I get to pull that fan apart and see if a brushless inrunner will fit.
I'll the price lists together in one post tomorrow.
Ric
The biggest challange with the AF1 is backing off the power once it's up and flying. If you stay at full power once it's up and flying it will start porposing, up and down and that with a turn will lead to a dive and possiable crash. Just take it easy, remember it's a airliner and not a fighter jet. Being a ducted fan it will react slower to power than a prop plane so remember to think ahead and anticipate turns and when you are going to land. Don't try to make turns to tight, once it starts lifting a wing to turn, back off the turn control and it will make a nice wide turn, sometimes you have to tap the opposite control to straighten it out after it's completed the turn.
Landings are a breeze, just line it up and stay off the power and it will glide in real smooth. Small blips of power left/right are all it takes to keep it lined up and it will probably suprise you with how well and far it will glide. I haven't had a problem powering up and going around for another try when I over shot a landing as long as I get back on the power before it's under 5 feet or so.
My AF2 lost an engine while I was cycling the batteries, I contacted Estes and they are sending me one free of charge. Great customer service!
I don't know what happened, guess it was just a bad motor, the first battery pack they both ran fine, on the second, one fan started running slower and even after switching them left for right it got slower and now I have to spin the fan by hand with power on to get it to run.
On the plus side I now have the replacement parts list with prices for both the AF1 and AF2. The prices are cheap and shipping/handling charges are even low.
And I get to pull that fan apart and see if a brushless inrunner will fit.
I'll the price lists together in one post tomorrow.
Ric
06-07-2007, 10:48 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
If you noticed I haven't said a word about breaking the AF1.
I've had a few real hard landings and a couple of hard crashes and haven't broke anything. Yet
About the only thing I could see breaking it would be a full wing tip to wing tip cartwheel or a nose first dive into the ground.
Landing in grass hasn't hurt the fans or fusealege belly. I would not want to land on concrete but grass is fine.
I used two foot tall weeds the first few flights and that helped. Did have to dig weed stems out of the fans though.
Ric
I've had a few real hard landings and a couple of hard crashes and haven't broke anything. Yet
About the only thing I could see breaking it would be a full wing tip to wing tip cartwheel or a nose first dive into the ground.
Landing in grass hasn't hurt the fans or fusealege belly. I would not want to land on concrete but grass is fine.
I used two foot tall weeds the first few flights and that helped. Did have to dig weed stems out of the fans though.
Ric
06-08-2007, 12:38 PM
#95
RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
i am going to have to give it a shot over the weekend, maybe we will have a calm day, i pretty much live off the water, hard to not have a breezy day.
06-08-2007, 08:26 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I'm in semi-flat central Texas and it seldom stops blowing, once in a while I get lucky and it slows down enough to fly.
It was real calm at luch but by the time I got home from work it was back to 15mph. [>:]
I hope it will slow down tomorrow.
Ric
It was real calm at luch but by the time I got home from work it was back to 15mph. [>:]
I hope it will slow down tomorrow.
Ric
06-08-2007, 08:46 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Air Force I Presidential R/C Airliner PN: 4123
aka: AF1
Repair parts from Estes
061081 Ground Stake $3.99 each
061273 Launch Cord $4.99 each
061305 AC Adapter $15.99 each
061316 Delta V Charger $24.99 each
061320 Antenna $2.99 each
061338 Transmitter (tx) $35.99 each
061339 Antenna Ribbon $1.99 each
061362 Fuselage $39.99 each
061363 Left Wing (no engines) $12.99 each
061364 Right Wing (w/receiver (RX) no engines $24.99 each
061366 Vertical Fin $4.99 each
061277 9.6V Flight Battery $19.99 each
061369 Ducted Fan Engine Set (Sold as pairs) $25.99 each
aka: AF1
Repair parts from Estes
061081 Ground Stake $3.99 each
061273 Launch Cord $4.99 each
061305 AC Adapter $15.99 each
061316 Delta V Charger $24.99 each
061320 Antenna $2.99 each
061338 Transmitter (tx) $35.99 each
061339 Antenna Ribbon $1.99 each
061362 Fuselage $39.99 each
061363 Left Wing (no engines) $12.99 each
061364 Right Wing (w/receiver (RX) no engines $24.99 each
061366 Vertical Fin $4.99 each
061277 9.6V Flight Battery $19.99 each
061369 Ducted Fan Engine Set (Sold as pairs) $25.99 each
06-08-2007, 08:49 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Presidential VIP Airliner R/C Jumbo Jet PN: 4120
aka: AF2
Repair parts from Estes
4120-1 Right wing, $9.99 each
4120-2 Left wing, $9.99 each
4120-3 fuselage w/receiver, $29.99 each
4120-4 Stabilizer, $2.99 each
4120-5 antenna, $2.99 each
4120-6 transmitter, $24.99 each
060769 battery pack, $16.99 each
060828 PVD charger, $15.99 each
4120-10 AC charger(wall adapter), $12.99 each
060912 Ducted fan, $9.99 each
4120-12 Rubber bands (set of 4), $1.00
061446 impeller - 1 set of 2 per order, $3.00
aka: AF2
Repair parts from Estes
4120-1 Right wing, $9.99 each
4120-2 Left wing, $9.99 each
4120-3 fuselage w/receiver, $29.99 each
4120-4 Stabilizer, $2.99 each
4120-5 antenna, $2.99 each
4120-6 transmitter, $24.99 each
060769 battery pack, $16.99 each
060828 PVD charger, $15.99 each
4120-10 AC charger(wall adapter), $12.99 each
060912 Ducted fan, $9.99 each
4120-12 Rubber bands (set of 4), $1.00
061446 impeller - 1 set of 2 per order, $3.00
06-09-2007, 03:19 PM
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RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Motor – Mabuchi FK-130SH 6-7.2v
Length overall shaft end to end 38.0mm
Can
Widest Dia. 20.2mm
Smallest Dia. 15.4mm
Length w/o Shaft 25.2mm
Shaft Dia. 1.97mm
Shaft Exposed length 7.85mm
Fan Housing
Inside Dia. 48.0mm
Outside Dia. 49.6mm
Length 27.3mm
Impeller
Dia. 47.8mm
Length 19.0mm
Blade
Width 9.65mm
Length 12.0mm
Tech note; 8.4v or more will fry motor.
Length overall shaft end to end 38.0mm
Can
Widest Dia. 20.2mm
Smallest Dia. 15.4mm
Length w/o Shaft 25.2mm
Shaft Dia. 1.97mm
Shaft Exposed length 7.85mm
Fan Housing
Inside Dia. 48.0mm
Outside Dia. 49.6mm
Length 27.3mm
Impeller
Dia. 47.8mm
Length 19.0mm
Blade
Width 9.65mm
Length 12.0mm
Tech note; 8.4v or more will fry motor.