I'm planning on building an EDF F-16 and here are the estimated specifications:

wing area: ~140 sq.in.
motor: speed 400(around 10 oz thrust)
weight: 16-18 oz.

Is there anything wrong with the specs. ? should I go for it, or should I increase the wing area or is it okay? I might prolly change to brushless.

I would increase wing area to at least 180 sq. in.

Use a brushless motor to start with. Brushed mototrs in ducted fans usaually don't last more than a few flights.
I recommend a Model Motors "Mini AC" 1215/12 12 or a MPJet AC 25/25-26 Mk. 2

Don't even consider Ni-cad or Ni-Mh batteries. Use only Li-Po's. a Thunder Power 3 Cell 1320 Mah battery will be perfect.

Keep us posted on your progress!
Doug

Thanks Doug. I had the same idea, increasing the wing area to 180 sq. in. because I noticed most ARF 400 size EDF Jets have around the same wing area. Anyway, I'm just planning on the materials and power system for the F-16 I'll probably start making it in 3 more weeks. I will post my progress here.
I was wondering how to exactly calculate the wing area. The 140 sq. in. was measured from 2 trapeziums on the sides and one rectangle in the middle, or should I measure it as a triangle at the top and a rectangle at the bottom ?

I used the first picture to calculate the wing area, is taht right ?
Thank you.
matt

Matt,
Manufacturers use several methods for calculating wing area.
Some even include the wing center section (through the fuselage) in their calculations!
I ususally subtract the fuselage out. Full scale engineers don't include the fuselage as wing area.

But, becuase the shape of the F-16, the fuselage does provide quite a bit of lift.
So, your 1st diagram and calculations will work just fine.

My Byron F-16 is very difficult to stall becuase of the shape. It just goes into a nose high attitude and starts loosing altitude quickly!
Just add a bit of throttle, and it flies beautifully in high alpha.


For me, it is easiest to calculate a rectangle, then subtract out the triangular portions.

Thanks again Doug, that really helped. I've already modified my sketch to fit the new wingspan. I'll probably start cutting some white foams soon, screw that 3 weeks .

As promised here are the pictures of 2 days progress:




The white foam with this model really requires ALOT of sand papering. The dimensions aren't as exact as the full scale, the middle platform was taken from here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=337663 . I had to add some wingspan to get the 180sq in wing area. For me as long as it "has" the shape of the real F-16, it should be ok . Anyway I have to wait for another 2 weeks before I start on the back and the ducting parts because I'll need to get the ducted fan system first.

Lookin Good Matt!
If I didn't already have WAY TOO MANY planes, I'd ask you to build me one too!

TOO MANY ??? How many is that ? I've never built a plane for anyone before maybe it's because there are not many who likes RC airplanes at my place. I've always thought about selling some too, but I think I'll do that after I get out of college. However, recently a friend of mine just started to be interested in RC modelling after watching me building that F-16. Suprisingly he has already started on his own model, a Euro Fighter EDF.

Well, for me 23 RTF planes, 4 helis and 114 kits is too many. I'm out of room...Time to liquidate again!!!!!!!!

When I was in college, I only had one 42% Scale Extra 300, a Goldberg Extra 300, a Lanier 1/4 scale Laser 200, a Yardstick and about 3 kits!

I've been out of college for 10 years now. Most of the model stuff I have has been purchased since I got married and bought a house in 1999. Oh yeah, did I mention the full scale Cherokee?

Doug