Cermark F 16 ARF
 

Hi,
Have any of you guys built/flown the Cermark F 16? What is good/bad about it; best engine, etc?
Are the furnished retracts any good?

I would like some thing relatively fast but able to do some aerobatics--not just Hi-speed passes.

Thanks

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

There are a lot of threads on this plane! The retracts need to be taken apart and all screws and bolts need to be locktited or they wil fall apart! People are running various engine's! I'm Runnig a Supertiger 90 with a tuned pipe! It can be seen in a different thread on props! I took the retracts out and put fixed gear in! It is a real stable flyer. Seal all your control surfaces. Flutter problems other wise! The rudder is the biggest culprit! Nice flyer real steady on approach lands well! Take some time with the retracts.

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

hi i have a jet 100 in mine have not flown it yet built very good


any way dos anybody know if anyone sells a air retract kit for it

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

PS,

This is not the plane for "high speed" passes due to the buffeting that occurs from the fake turbine inlet. This acts as an under-fuse parachute....not good.

They fly fine, and float in quite nicely for as big as they are, however, aerobatic they're not.

Retracts need all the help they can get, as Luds mentioned. There is no room up front for a larger tank, should you decide to put more motor in it, so keep this mind also. (In front of nose retract) Front nose retract BTW, needs add'l help as it is simply too weak. This used to drag at a 90 degree angle just as ground speed picked up for take off.

I also had the cheap plastic (black piece where the pilot sits on) melt in the sun.

I bought this for it's "looks", but was disappointed with it overall.

Does this answer some of your quesions? [sm=confused.gif]

Gary

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the info; saved me some time & money!

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

oops!!

i bought one last year for its looks as well, just getting ready to start on it. have a jett 90 for it.

guy at our club built 3 last year. put pull pull on the rudder to "he says" reduce flutter.

any chance of putting an air retratct system in it (spring air or robart?).

i was also thinking of cutting an inlet and outlet for the bottom air scoop. any thoughts on that? possible (i havent studied the aft too closely yet, still working on my TF mustang kit.

thanks for your thoughts

cheers

joe

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

Joe,

SpringAir probably has a set for this plane, check with them. I'm thinking "300" series, maybe even the "100" series.

Go here: http://www.retracts.com/

Regarding the fake air inlet/outlet: Unless you can get twice the area at the tail, don't do it this way. Your best best is to rework the scoop area to "form" into the LE of the wing with balsa, and re-cover. I know this takes away from the F-16 looks, but it would definately help it fly better.

And the Rudder? Who needs'em? ;)

Throw some glass up front too, if yer gonna run a Jett. Actually, this is a good idea no matter what you run.

Gary

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

The F-16 is a nice plane, and looks real sharp. Don't buy one
for high-speed....it won't go there. It's too big, and too bulky
to go real fast....no matter what you put in it, and the fake
airscoop really hinders high speeds. You need at least a .90 in
it....I have an OS 1.08 FSR in mine.

I got my plane from AirGar....he had an OS.91fx in it....:eek:
What a dog....it wouldn't pull the skim off a bowl of rice pudding. [X(]

Forget the retracts that come with it....they are junk. My plane
would not taxi with the 1.08 in it, because the front gear "wet
noodled"....and the stock front gear usually turns side ways when
landing. I replaced the front with a Robart #609 HD.

The main gear will actually work after a fashion....if you go thru
them, lock tight or CA the screws, and adjust them properly.
>>> The key on the mains is....don't cut the struts and put the
axles on....they will twist. Heat and bend the struts for the axles,
and use wheel stand off's.

Dave. ;)

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

[youtube][/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl_8gBr7j-A

Humm Drag?
I guess it could be faster.......
see (polishedbrother) videos (youtube)

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

I thought that cermark had an air upgrade over the mech retracts search thier webpage.

I once had the 1st gen F-16 nose retract would like to fold over to the side in turning.

RE: Cermark F 16 ARF
 

I own two of the Cermark F-16's and both came with air retracts, no problems for 2 years now.



Doug.