Hello.

Look at the website from Nauwa Models in Sweden. They do a scale cockpit for JHH/Avonds F-15. Look at http://home.swipnet.se/nauwa/

Regards

I decided to cut out flaps for this aircraft. Although I know flaps are not required, I thought the scale look is awesome. I am also going to program my radio so that the flaps can provide roll control with the flip of a switch in case one of the stabilators are lost. In the last pic you can see the carbon fiber strips that will cover the hinge joint.

First I layed out where the carbon fiber stripping will go. I used a router to cut the recess. You can see the test fit of the stripping. In the last pic you can see all of the C/F stripping installed. I extended the stripping about one inch past the constrol surface to add stiffness and strength to the cut out.

In the first pic you can see the cutouts in the wing I made for the flaps. Again I used a router. Then I used a combination of 17 gram carbon fiber veil and 1.5oz glass cloth applied together in one operation. The carbon veil was stiffer than the glass and it didn't lend itself well to forming around the leading edge and tip, so I used saran wrap to keep the layup in place as the epoxy cured.

Here you can see the stabs and the vert fins. I did cover the stab control horns with c/f and glass also for a little insurance

In these pictures you can see the Robbe Rudder servo mounts that Philip provides in his kits. I installed a cardboard tube through the base of the fin so that when the bottom of the fin is coated with epoxy, the epoxy cannot sqeeze into the servo wire opening. This guarantees a smooth path for the wire to travel. You can also see the sharpened brass tube I used to cut the hole out for the tube.

Mike-

As a former Eagle Keeper, I can say from experience that you're building a very fine scale model. I just got in to jets and had been going back and forth whether to get the Avonds F-15 or one of the more popular "trainers". Well after several messages from some of the experts here on RCU, I decided to purchase a new composite Kangaroo to learn the ins & outs of turbine ops. I can guarantee that, because of your outstanding thread, and once I have several hours of turbine time on my Kangaroo, I will be getting the Avonds F-15!

Great thread, keep it coming!!!!!!!

Thanks for the nice comments. I am just taking my time on this aircraft, building something that I think hold my interest for years to come. My kids keep me busy, so I only get a little time each week to work on it. It won't be too long before it is ready for primer though.

Mike,

LOOKS GREAT...Almost makes me want to build another!! Youll love the aircraft...Flies so well...

Kevin

Excelent informations.-
Could someone tell me the proper way to aling the nose with the fuselage at the time of joining them together?? Any marks as a guide?
Thanks,
Miguel

Also....
Any sugestions to install scale nozzles on this kit??

Miguel,

The marks to drill the holes for the temporary bolts that hold the nose section to the fuse are visible. Be as careful as you can and drill those as accurately as possible and then test fit the nose to the main body. You are looking for 3 things in my opinion....

1. the fit of the top of the nose section to the main body

2. the fit of the bottom of the nose section to the main body

3. and that the distance from the nose section to the edge of the intake is the same on each side of the nose.

Adjust the bolt holes slightly to achieve the desired fit. Philips method of CAing balsa sticks over masking tape at the joints works like a champ.

Take it in steps though

First glue the nose to the main body by only glueing the nose sides to the intake sides (still make sure the top of the nose and bottom of the nose align with the main body)

Once set, it is easier to come back and add cloth/epoxy to the upper and lower joints and add any additional reinforcement you want.

Sorry but I can't help you with the intakes as I am not going to do that mod.

Hope this helps

I added some 1/32 ply strips to each interior side of the cockpit tub. This allowed a 1/8 basswood rail to be glued to the ply. The main purpose of the basswood rails is to be able to notch them to give the interior instrument ring a solid glue joint.

Here is some shots of the cockpit after some detail painting!!!

As you know I was looking for a suitable pilot to put in the cockpit. I ended up using the 1/8" scale Century Jets full body pilot kit. I had to position the arms using wood dowels and then I filled and painted. I secured the pilot through the buttocks using a wood dowel and fashioned a semi scale control stick.

Both Buck and Woketman have been busting my chops about doing all of the scale details and have said to just slap it together and fly it but I admit this scale stuff is a disease all in itself.

Here you can see the hole I cut for the gun in the right wing fairing and the plug I fashioned so there won't be a hole in the fuse. You can also see my first attempt at a psudo gun barrel assy and it was terrible. I achieved much better results by drawing a large circle first and subdividing and then cut smaller. I used the outer sheath of cable pushrod for the gun barrels.

Here is a shot of the stabilator servo mounts assembled with Hysol 9462 and glass on the exterior surface.

I boxed the wing flap servo cutout with 1/8" ply and set up the flap servo (JR8611) with BVM wing servo mounts. I glassed the bottom of the servo cutout in lieu of putting in a ply floor.

I used threaded inserts from BVM in my wing to secure the wing pylons. I fabricated the wing and center pylons per the Avonds plans that come with the drop tanks. I modified the pylons to accept BVMs EZ-Drop bomb drops. The flap pushrod will be enclosed in the pylon exiting out of the back of the pylon. I will wait to cut the exit holes when I set up the flap servos. You can see how I match the surface of the wing to the pylon.....secure the pylon at one end and hold sqare and slide sandpaper back and forth.

I have bitten the bullet and purchased an AMT AT-280SP that BVM had for sale to power this Eagle! I'm getting closer to painting this bird all the time!

That's enought paint for the first flights. Stop all of the scale stuff, get it ready to fly, and let's take it to Lumberton and maiden it with the Tango. Then, after all the bugs are worked out, you can finish the scale-ness. Got that PeggySue yet?

I am using kevlar tanks from Gary Meuller.

David had to take it out of the F-100 when they got back from FL jets....in a word NO! hahaha
Are you about ready to Tango yet?

Not ready yet, but I should be in two weeks or so. You CAN be ready at the same time!

Mike, check your tanks for leaks prior to final install. I have a hair leak in one of my mueller tanks. Found it tonight! After cleaning with methanol I put half ounce fiberglass over it and west systems one coat tonight and one more coat in morning will test again tomorrow night.

Looks awesome!!

Sean