Hi guys,

I took a FORMOST 150 kit back home from Rotor Hobby Singapore. Main attraction is the unbelievable price : just 420 Singapore dollars / 200 euros for an ARTF jet kit.
This is exactly one fifth (!) of some similar kits of the Chinese competition.
I could take it from Asia but I expect the price in Europe (will be here available here soon without any doubt) at around 350-400 euros, which is still mind boggling IMHO.

Span : 76inch / 1930 mm
Weight : 14,3 lbs / 6500 gr (with nitro engine)
Fuselage : 71 inch / 1800 mm

Nicolas.

Opening the box
---------------------
Everything was well packed, the outer box was packed once again in another box. No damages whatsover.
Fuselage and tailbooms are fiberglass, wings and stab are balsa+plywood construction.
No special remarks here. Fiberglass work is done in 'Speedy Gonzales' style in China, but I assume nobody wants to take this one to a world masters competition anyway.
All (lasercut) formers are installed, some perhaps a bit flimsy, but sufficient.
What I liked is that the main tray is removable by four bolts.

Available space.

It is obvious you'll have plenty of space to do anything you want inside the fuselage, the available space is really big and without any doubt you can install here at least 4 liters of fuel.
There is a fuel tank included, but for turbines this one is good for the bin (too small volume : 550cc). The manual speaks about 150-180 two stroke engine with a pusher prop .
I placed a Futaba R606FS FASST receiver on the tray to give an idea of dimensions.
Just been checking some options with some available tanks. Here two Sullivan BT-32 (32 ounce fuel tanks / about 960cc each) placed horizontally and vertically. No problem.
Even two tanks of 2 liters must be possible to do, by moving one bulkhead.

General first impression

This is absolutely stunning value for money !
Only two things I did not like at first glance : the awful shape of the canopy (looks like a WW1 canopy, not like a modern jet) and the horrible decals (the two eagles on the wings plus the "formost-150" and "Haixing Technology" cut-out lettering. However, I removed one already and it is very easy to do !
The sticker adhesive can be without any doubt be easily removed with cellulose paint thinner.

Turbine choice ?

This is the big first question.
Frankly speaking, I have no experience myself with this type of jet.
All I can say for now is that this one will be VERY light and a rocketship if you overpower it.
I have a JetCat P-160 (of my JL L-39) on hand and a SimJet 1200 with 8 kgrs of thrust (coming next weekend), and although I have no doubt you CAN install the P-160, you MUST downrate it to some 8 kgrs thrust max or all structural limits will be reached very fast.
Now I have this kit in my hands, I am absolutely sure that even a P-120 is a dangerous choice.
Nevertheless, just to see how it would look like with a P-160, I dropped in this turbine for the photos.
A jet pilot from Singapore told me in the shop they take off with the Formost 150 with a JetCat P-80 at about half throttle on tarmac runways.
Therefore, I will go for the SimJet 1200 and benefit the light weight of this turbine choice as well, and install 2x 32 ounce tanks + a Digitech UAT.

Welcome home Nico,

That 1200SP is ready, boxed and anxious to come to Belgium with me. The Formost looks gorgeous. I maidedned the XlII yesterday with the P120SE. Lovely flyer...

Chris

Retracts.
---------------
While the kit itself was an impulsive but generous gift from my Boss ; however she ignored my most gentle but sincere interest for some nice retracts.
In the kit is some sort of fix landing gear set-up although all openings and covers are installed ; it is obvious this plane cries for retracts.
As the retracts on hand in the shop where really an astonishing drop fit without any modification needed at all. These were of excellent machining quality as well.
I took those in my luggage too, together with some nice jet wheels in the same size as the cheap plastic wheels provided in the kit.
However, these wheels do not have wheel brakes. This is no problem since I fly from grass field only and will keep this plane as simple and maintenance free as possible.
Jet with wheel brakes is not an obligation in my country.
Most likely, I will install the Jet 1A oleo struts, available strut dimensions permitting. still have to check it with Digitech.

For those interested, the references are :
Excellence EX1319 "120 Class & Above Air retract set" (about 150 euro for the complete landing gear set except struts)
Excellence HY006-01402 "Jet Wheel w Alloy Hub D64x H20mm 2.5inch" (Main wheel)
Excellence HY006-01401 "Jet Wheel w Alloy Hub D57 x H20mm 2.25inch (Nose wheel)

...C'nued...

Looks great !

Cant wait to see the build progress \ flight review.

Do you have an online link for the Excellence EX1319 retracts ?
If not, can you post their dimensions so we would be able to compare sizes with other commercially available units ?

Is this the same set ?
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=5324

It looks like mine comes from the same manufacturer, all hardware is exactly the same but the pivot blocks of my units are a bit different and clearly made for oleo struts.

(Blue background = hobbycity // Red background = Excellence #EX1319)

Where can i find your set online ?

Try here : http://shop.rotor.com.sg/
Range Of Products > By Brand > Excellence > Retracts

EX1318 is the 60-120 version, which looks exactly like the one being sold on HobbyCity.

I guess you bought the same brand, but the larger size model ?

Sandor,

Do you have Jet A1 oleos with following dimensions ?

Mains : pivot block 1/2" - length from pivot block to wheel axle : 122 mm (minimum : 114 / max : 128 mm) - axle diameter : 4,90mm (=brass bushings) - wheel axle length : 24 mm.
Nose : pivot axle : 6 mm / wheel axle : 4,90 mm (= wheel brass bushings) - length strut : same as mains or longer (max 20mm)

Nicolas.

Sandor,

These mains look exactly like your (standard) KingCat struts ?? = 120 mm length and axle 3/16 !
For nose, the one for the Flash (138mm / 6 mm axle) could do fine... Or, even better, if you have 3/16 axle instead of 6mm... but the nose wheel brass bushings can be reamed, if needed...
Thanks !

Nicolas.

Nico,

Does this one come with flaps already cutout? What arrangements are made for servos in the wings/tailbooms? Servo boxes??Servo mounts??

Chris

Very nice Nicolas there are 5 on there way too Holland, arriving next week!
Can't wait to check it's quality!
I believe they will be 325 euro!

Looking forward to read your building review.

regards, Henk

Chris,

I look (for different reasons) very much forward to your visit next Thursday. It's going to be a lot of fun (again).

BUT : No SimJet1200, no food !

And no, this kit does not have flaps.

Give me some time to do it all step by step, just got home a few hours ago !
Quality and finishing is excellent, hatches are prepainted too, I foresee no building problems at all.
If I would have the turbine, I think everyone having all components on hand can build&fly this one in three days maximum.


Henk,

Yes I know, Richard told me before he left for Spain that you and some friends ordered it too. Rotor has another 15 kits coming next week or so, the first batch was very quickly sold out !
Some more distributors are about to receive their batches the next few days...



Nicolas.

For the retracts, I think that Digitech will have a complete Jet 1A plug&play set soon, once it is clear what the dimensions are for this kit...

Then I must make sure the engine goes on-board the airplane before me, I still need Bosuwe

What am I saying about the Formost...I will see it first hand on Thursday evening.

Enjoy the jet-lag.

Chris

Chris,

Just opened one servo hatch to peek what this kit has on offer.
Inside frame of the fiberglass fuselage is reinforced with a plywood frame, preinstalled.
No servo mounts in this kit.

Nicolas.

Wing tubes, booms, wings, stab, everything slides together very nicely.

Chris, bring your Futaba 12FG FASST Mode 2. We'll fly it Saturday afternoon together if you pass me the turbine on Thursday evening when you arrive.

Nicolas.

Oh yeah babe, I will, I will!!!!!

Chris

yes we do have those oleo,s , i think the Kingcat are a bit overkill.
but i got other things also
also i do have those retracts , you showed but for the "Formost"they are a but weak if you aks me
UH in hk sells those

i have a better idea
why dont you and mr cyprus get in the car visit me bring your model , we set it up on its legs , after that we will have a good dinner on my expense.. (good steakhouse)
or we go to a good greek..

We have a order of kits on there way to us in Australia with more to follow in March.
From what I have seen I think a P-80 size would be the max as going for a bigger size you will have the extra idle thrust.
I will be installing a PST600 in our first kit but I do have a P-80 in the box so I will put that in after I see how the 600 goes.

Pete