Jet legend F18
12-08-2016, 06:15 PM
#27
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very similar is you put them side by side. But the wing on the JL is further forward. And the JL comes with a nice aluminum servo mount as shown in the pics posted earlier.
The JL is a good flier and I think the Skymaster is fine also with an edge to the JL as it seems to rotate on takeoff a bit nicer. (JL may have a bit of washout in the wing.. you can check that for us with a side view) However with both you have to take care of those landing gear, the nose gear tight and keep an eye on the those stabs for any play. A good thing to check on any plane with flying stabs.
The JL is a good flier and I think the Skymaster is fine also with an edge to the JL as it seems to rotate on takeoff a bit nicer. (JL may have a bit of washout in the wing.. you can check that for us with a side view) However with both you have to take care of those landing gear, the nose gear tight and keep an eye on the those stabs for any play. A good thing to check on any plane with flying stabs.
Last edited by dbsonic; 12-08-2016 at 06:17 PM.
12-09-2016, 08:15 PM
#28
Starting to get it cleaned up inside, made new mounting plates, tidied up the wiring a bit. Just have to pull new airlines, mount mini servos instead of those junk plastic geared standards for the valves and few more odds and ends obviously. At least the rats nest is gone.
12-15-2016, 08:24 PM
#29
Well, I've ripped out the gear doors except for the nose units. Whoever built this had no idea what they were doing. Both fill valves leaked and so did the up3 (broken nipple). I got hosed on this deal. Basically rebuilding the whole jet. I don't trust any of the work done.
12-15-2016, 08:41 PM
#30
Depends on what you paid for it, these planes new from the factory must be completely gone through. I'm doing another brand new from the factory Skymaster F-18F right now, I just completely dissembled the struts today and rebuilt them. All air line must be replaced and I have to replace some of the air cylinders. I don't mind it, its all fun for me. One thing that did kind of irritate me is mine originally was a Blue Angel and they repainted it! They tried to clean up the blue over spray in the fuselage with thinner. Guess they had a Blue Angel in stock but when the Jolly Roger was ordered they used it instead of pulling another from the mold.
Just a tip on the gear. For the model to track straight and be less prone to tip over, you must get the wheels 90 degrees to the ground with no toe in. Both mounts in the Skymaster F-18F are off and needed shims.
Just a tip on the gear. For the model to track straight and be less prone to tip over, you must get the wheels 90 degrees to the ground with no toe in. Both mounts in the Skymaster F-18F are off and needed shims.
12-16-2016, 07:55 AM
#31
Depends on what you paid for it, these planes new from the factory must be completely gone through. I'm doing another brand new from the factory Skymaster F-18F right now, I just completely dissembled the struts today and rebuilt them. All air line must be replaced and I have to replace some of the air cylinders. I don't mind it, its all fun for me. One thing that did kind of irritate me is mine originally was a Blue Angel and they repainted it! They tried to clean up the blue over spray in the fuselage with thinner. Guess they had a Blue Angel in stock but when the Jolly Roger was ordered they used it instead of pulling another from the mold.
Just a tip on the gear. For the model to track straight and be less prone to tip over, you must get the wheels 90 degrees to the ground with no toe in. Both mounts in the Skymaster F-18F are off and needed shims.
Just a tip on the gear. For the model to track straight and be less prone to tip over, you must get the wheels 90 degrees to the ground with no toe in. Both mounts in the Skymaster F-18F are off and needed shims.
You had to dissemble and rebuild brand new struts and replace airlines on a brand new airplane?
I'm more concerned with the quality of the assembly work done by the previous owner.
The elevator leading edge tip is rubbing on the fuse.
The left aileron is binding because it was glued to close to the trailing edge
The retract mounts are split because they were not pre-drilled before installing the screws
The general quality of the build is just bad. It just looks like someone who had no expierence in the hobby built the plane. I'm honestly thinking about stripping out the Gear and servos and just buying a new one.
Btw, been following your build on the Top rc P-51. I've got the gunfighter scheme in the box.
12-16-2016, 08:54 AM
#32
Yea, you took a hit on that one for sure, wow! Sorry about that. I just recently basically gave away my F-18c, and I went completely through that plane, it was in perfect mechanical and operational condition. Good luck getting anything from Jet Legend, unless you buy a plug and play from BVM you will not get anything from them. Some can, not sure how, but I couldn't get them to make me a plane.
As far as these jet ARF's go, welcome to the jet world, it's the way it is. As the dollar amount goes up along with the power and speed, so does my concern, not just for the investment but for safety.
Check out the heavy springs in this gear that came off of a "new" F-18F plane:
The plane would not sit right because one spring was 1/2" longer than the other. The gear pivot point was so tight that the shock would not move, had to pound the pin out and file the elbow so it could move and pivot freely. Pins had to be installed in the retaining rings on the lower shock piston, without them the shock would come apart when the gear were extended because they were a press on fit.
Added new engine mount beams made out of aircraft grade ply, not two paces of lite ply tacked together. You can see a little of the Blue Angel blue on the right there. Airline and some air cylinders leak, also notice the tight turn in the yellow tubing! None of this really bothers me, if I was smarter maybe it should, but I'm just happy someone is making these jets.
Post in the Top RC P-51 thread when you get your plane going. Like to see what others are doing.
As far as these jet ARF's go, welcome to the jet world, it's the way it is. As the dollar amount goes up along with the power and speed, so does my concern, not just for the investment but for safety.
Check out the heavy springs in this gear that came off of a "new" F-18F plane:
The plane would not sit right because one spring was 1/2" longer than the other. The gear pivot point was so tight that the shock would not move, had to pound the pin out and file the elbow so it could move and pivot freely. Pins had to be installed in the retaining rings on the lower shock piston, without them the shock would come apart when the gear were extended because they were a press on fit.
Added new engine mount beams made out of aircraft grade ply, not two paces of lite ply tacked together. You can see a little of the Blue Angel blue on the right there. Airline and some air cylinders leak, also notice the tight turn in the yellow tubing! None of this really bothers me, if I was smarter maybe it should, but I'm just happy someone is making these jets.
Post in the Top RC P-51 thread when you get your plane going. Like to see what others are doing.
12-16-2016, 06:45 PM
#33
Yea, you took a hit on that one for sure, wow! Sorry about that. I just recently basically gave away my F-18c, and I went completely through that plane, it was in perfect mechanical and operational condition. Good luck getting anything from Jet Legend, unless you buy a plug and play from BVM you will not get anything from them. Some can, not sure how, but I couldn't get them to make me a plane.
As far as these jet ARF's go, welcome to the jet world, it's the way it is. As the dollar amount goes up along with the power and speed, so does my concern, not just for the investment but for safety.
Check out the heavy springs in this gear that came off of a "new" F-18F plane:
The plane would not sit right because one spring was 1/2" longer than the other. The gear pivot point was so tight that the shock would not move, had to pound the pin out and file the elbow so it could move and pivot freely. Pins had to be installed in the retaining rings on the lower shock piston, without them the shock would come apart when the gear were extended because they were a press on fit.
Added new engine mount beams made out of aircraft grade ply, not two paces of lite ply tacked together. You can see a little of the Blue Angel blue on the right there. Airline and some air cylinders leak, also notice the tight turn in the yellow tubing! None of this really bothers me, if I was smarter maybe it should, but I'm just happy someone is making these jets.
Post in the Top RC P-51 thread when you get your plane going. Like to see what others are doing.
As far as these jet ARF's go, welcome to the jet world, it's the way it is. As the dollar amount goes up along with the power and speed, so does my concern, not just for the investment but for safety.
Check out the heavy springs in this gear that came off of a "new" F-18F plane:
The plane would not sit right because one spring was 1/2" longer than the other. The gear pivot point was so tight that the shock would not move, had to pound the pin out and file the elbow so it could move and pivot freely. Pins had to be installed in the retaining rings on the lower shock piston, without them the shock would come apart when the gear were extended because they were a press on fit.
Added new engine mount beams made out of aircraft grade ply, not two paces of lite ply tacked together. You can see a little of the Blue Angel blue on the right there. Airline and some air cylinders leak, also notice the tight turn in the yellow tubing! None of this really bothers me, if I was smarter maybe it should, but I'm just happy someone is making these jets.
Post in the Top RC P-51 thread when you get your plane going. Like to see what others are doing.
I'm looking forward to the P-51. My wife won't let me open it till Christmas though. I did do a quick check for "shipping damage" while she was out.
12-17-2016, 08:29 AM
#34
It is hard to buy anything used, especially complex jets, that have to be shipped. You have to remember there is always a reason it is sold, and it is usually too many issues and the current owner can't figure them out or is done with the jet. I never buy something that I can't personally see in person. I bought a CARF 3.2 Extra over RCU, and got lucky. But, I had actually looked into flying on the airlines to see it.
Anyway, you will get it get it together. Do you have any need or desire to buy a spare set of struts, main wheels and brakes and nose gear wheels? I took quick pictures, and can take better pictures should you have interest.
Anyway, you will get it get it together. Do you have any need or desire to buy a spare set of struts, main wheels and brakes and nose gear wheels? I took quick pictures, and can take better pictures should you have interest.
01-24-2021, 02:09 PM
#35
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CG
Hi guys. I got the jet legend f18 1/8th as per all the pics I’m seeing on this thread (bought second hand)
got no manual online and was wondering if someone could advise where the best CG is on this plane. Thanks!
also on the elevators, I see there is a little crosshair on the fuselage on both sides which to me seems to be the point I must set my elevators at. Am I correct in assuming this?
hope someone sees this!
got no manual online and was wondering if someone could advise where the best CG is on this plane. Thanks!
also on the elevators, I see there is a little crosshair on the fuselage on both sides which to me seems to be the point I must set my elevators at. Am I correct in assuming this?
hope someone sees this!
01-24-2021, 03:05 PM
#36
The jet legend F-18C is built better than the SM one. ESPECIALLY in the stabs. I found too much play in my SM F-18C and could actually see the rotation pins moving in the stab.
Do you have the aluminum spar or Carbon Fiber spar one? I believe the JL only had a carbon fiber one. The CG is on the front spar.
There is a seam line on the fuse that is neutral.
These fly great!!
Do you have the aluminum spar or Carbon Fiber spar one? I believe the JL only had a carbon fiber one. The CG is on the front spar.
There is a seam line on the fuse that is neutral.
These fly great!!
01-25-2021, 03:15 PM
#37
Hi
When I first started in jets back in 2007, everybody told me to buy a trainer, a Boomerang, but found it very ugly to own ;-) I bought a Feibao F18F and made arround 150 flights on it. I had no support at the time from fellow modelers in my field. Did some mistakes, because it's probably the toughest way to start with scale jets. Be aware of CG, Be sure to have a neutral or positive AOA and always takeoff with half flap
Bottom line it depends on your experience and skills and no one knows that on a forum. Boomerang option would be the wiser one, from that perspective
get advice and help in your club and buy what you are happy with
good luck
Nuno
When I first started in jets back in 2007, everybody told me to buy a trainer, a Boomerang, but found it very ugly to own ;-) I bought a Feibao F18F and made arround 150 flights on it. I had no support at the time from fellow modelers in my field. Did some mistakes, because it's probably the toughest way to start with scale jets. Be aware of CG, Be sure to have a neutral or positive AOA and always takeoff with half flap
Bottom line it depends on your experience and skills and no one knows that on a forum. Boomerang option would be the wiser one, from that perspective
get advice and help in your club and buy what you are happy with
good luck
Nuno
01-27-2021, 09:54 AM
#38
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The jet legend F-18C is built better than the SM one. ESPECIALLY in the stabs. I found too much play in my SM F-18C and could actually see the rotation pins moving in the stab.
Do you have the aluminum spar or Carbon Fiber spar one? I believe the JL only had a carbon fiber one. The CG is on the front spar.
There is a seam line on the fuse that is neutral.
These fly great!!
Do you have the aluminum spar or Carbon Fiber spar one? I believe the JL only had a carbon fiber one. The CG is on the front spar.
There is a seam line on the fuse that is neutral.
These fly great!!
thanks for getting back to me. My jet has two carbon spars in the wing. Definitely no single aluminum tube. So this is definitely the jet legend airframe?
thanks for letting me know CG. I had many people tell me this airframe is an absolute hand full to fly. I was assuming it was because the default CG was probably not the best option.
So you saying balance on the front carbon spar and that will give me best flight handling?
thank u once again.
my jet is the 1:7.5 size.
