Can anyone tell me if they have built, owned, or have any pictures of this model.

I have just bought one and can't decide whether retracts are a good idea. In my previous experience I have found that the smaller retracts stall. You are also then limited on wheel size.

I intend to be taking off from grass, and want plenty of power without compromising the wing loadings.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Neil

I had the F18 from OK and put Spring Air retracts in it. They worked great and made it look pretty good considering it was a pusher plane! The wheels did not go all the way in but actually stuck out 1/2 the diameter of the tire.

Have you got any photos?
Also do you know the exact size retracts you used?

Thanks

Neil

I have seen the EZ F-16 ARF, very similar to the Pilot one. It was very fast with a Leo .28. It seemes very tricky to land, very unstable during slow flight.

David

I was thinking of using a leo 37, maybe that would be over kill.

Neil

Are you the person that outbid me for the kit on ebay a couple of days ago?!! Bounder!!

I had the Pilot f-16 many years ago when it first came out. I fitted pneumatic retracts and an OS 40FSR. With the added weight of the retracts it needed the 40, it would have been hopeless on the recommended 25. If I had won the ebay auction my intention was to fit my Leo37 with genesis throttle pipe and retracts, but also do some work to reduce the weight. For example, many formers are liteply when they could be just balsa, also the planking with 1/8" might be replaced with 1/16 sheet. It needed a lot of speed to fly, even on a tarmac runway it took a long run to get safely airborne. On its first flight I came off the ground at what seemed like a good speed but it tip stalled violently from side to side all the way up, I only got away with it due to the 40FSR hauling it skyward. Once speed was up it was ok, but it needed the 40 to pull it around loops and they were not big. Landing was a high speed affair. Hence my desire this time around to do all I could to reduce weight, nowadays we have the option also of smaller lighter servos and batteries to help. The Leo 37 is also light, but its standard silencer is a lead bomb! Think about a dustbin to reduce weight, or a pipe to turn the weight into power.

I fitted the tank as shown on the plan with the long aluminium pipes up to the engine, the 40FSR would suck the fuel that far when level but nose up it would go lean after a few seconds, if I had it again I would fit a perry oscillating pump.

Harry

Harry

Sorry to have to meet on these terms, yes I won the bid. (theres another one in the US for sale and last time I looked it was at $39.99.

I was thinking the landings would be slippery as I constructed the wing last night. Its got very little flying surface.
I'm thinking of using OK Model Mechanical retracts, but the weight penalties are worrying me.
The perry pump is a good idea.
I was going to use HS81 Servos.

Did you find that the wing and tail surfaces were stong enough for the bank and yank. Only last week I pulled the tail from a pattern plane in a dive with my Leo 37 strapped to the front of a Kyosho Minix (25 Size Engine).

The instructions are a bit kayotic. I've found that on 3 different plans I'm told to use 3 different pieces for the same job i.e. Use W14-W23-W? for the wingtip, when 2 out of 3 of the pieces were balsa stick. A bit confusing.

Finally, have you a photo of yours or any building tips.

Thanks Neil

Sorry? You did me a big favour, I do not need yet another model to add to the queue waiting to be built. I must keep chanting that!

I would not be keen on HS81, even the mg version, the gears are very small and easily stripped by vibration/flutter of the control surfaces. Go up to mini like 225 rather than micro servos.

My only building tip is do everything to remove material and weight. When you have carved the leading edge root extensions look at hollowing them out to remove weight. The planking is a pain, and needs a lot of filling between planks, which is why I thought of 1/16 sheet. I would epoxy glass the model, but I am confident these days of my ability to do that with no weight penalty. I seem to remember it screwing out of loops and I put it down to elevator differential cause by rotary motion of the servo, I might think about a servo per side.

Hey guys,
Correct me if I'm wrong but wan't the old EZ F16 as well as their F18 pushers?
The pics that I see show the eng mounted up front, unless this is a modification of the
original plane.
Thanks
Tom

This kit was always for engine at the front. It is not an EZ kit, this is the original Pilot brand before the EZ Pilot brand.

Yes, the EZ one was a pusher.

I had one of the EZ ARF F-16's. It flew OK once in the air, I think this one with the motor in the nose would be much better. I used an OS .28 or .32, plenty of power. The problems were all related to the pusher motor - fuel draw / richness on climb / cooling and a serious prop clearance problem. I would use an OS .32 FSR or Sx for the best combo of lightweight and great power.

Nice plane Harry.

I hope I can finish mine to that standard.

Your worrying me about it flipping in a loop. Could that have been due to excessive elevator or a tail heavy plane?

What would you say the maximun size prop is you can use?

Just Engines are selling the Leo 37 and purple pipe for £75.00, so thats a sure bet on the engine.

It wasn't a major hassle, just that it didn't track straight and needed aileron to keep it in line. I can't remember the exact elevator pushrod setup, is it some kind of T bar from the servo to connect to the arms on each tailplane pivot? Differential elevator is always a problem when one servo drives two separate elevators, due to the rotary motion of the disc. One way of solving it without carrying two servos, is to mount the servo on its side, that way the rotary motion of the servo disc is up and down instead of side to side so there is no differential movement.

Another weight saving strategy is to try AAA cells for the Rx instead of AA.

I seem to remember that flying had just two throttle settings - full throttle, and one notch back from full throttle to land! It's a little wing to carry a big engine, retracts and 5 channel radio. If you can knock a pound of weight off it it will transform it. I would not have been bidding for it if I didn't think it worth having again, but do be prepared to have to fly fast at lift off and landing approach, it is a very small wing!

Ahh memories! Those two photos were taken way back in 1987 and I hadn't looked at them for years.

H

The planking on the fuz seems a bit unnecessary. I would have thought larger sheets would be easier.

And your right, it feels heavy already. I've built the fuz and wing skeleton but not sheeted them yet.

I'm thinking of replacing the fuel tank for a larger one, 8 OZ, as once this things in the air I don't fancy panicking that it could be out of fuel.

Harry

I've installed two tanks to get the desired extra fuel on board, although its more than I needed. A 6oz and a 4 oz Sullivan have been plumbed together.

Where would you have put the fuel pump?
I have elected to go with the leo 37 and pipe - should be fun!

Incidentally, did you cover or paint the plastic pieces?

Thanks for your help

Neil

The perry pump should be close to the engine I think. I just painted the plasic parts.

H

Can any one help me. We have a plane but with no plans. Could anyone assist ??[&o]

Muti

Try emailing me in a couple of weeks, when hopefully I've finished mine.

Neil