Has anyone flown this thing besides Ligh****p ?

17 pages and still going !!

Lets see it go please, I can't wait to get the flight reports.

LIGH****P, I saw your comments regarding the 285mm CG anf the 20* and 40* of flaps for TO and LDG.....can u tell me how much elevator throw u had (high and low rates, if applicable) and where u measured it from.....we are getting ready to maiden one in a day or 2 and was wondering what u found to be a good elevator setting......Thanks...

Johnny, I am almost done with mine. Hope to have it in the air in two weeks.

Fuse is done, wings are nearing completion and all that is left is the engine install and W&B.

I have to say that I think SM got the door cylinder lengths wrong. I think the nose needed a long cylinder and the mains could have used the short cylinder. I've racked my brain to make them work perfect, but they are just barely closing and I think that in the sky they will not have enough force to stay shut. I'm hoping for a boundry layer effect!!

I will maiden my F-4, likely next week. I'll be posting some video.

Raf

Raf,

Installin gear door cylinders is a science all to itself!! It just takes some fiddling with the attach ponts of the cylinder and hinges to get the right geometry. But my doors work great. Keep trying

David S

The nose does need a longer cylinder. I replaced the SM cylinder with a BVM cylinder I had on hand. The cylinder for the inner main doors work, but just barely. I had to fiddle with mine, but finally got a decent lock and sufficient clearance when the doors are open. I installed them in the same configuration that the CARF people are using on the new Lightning kit. I did also reinforce the root with carbon fiber cloth on the inside of the gear bay, as you cannot afford a lot of flex in the hinge area where the door cylinder connects. I was actually getting some cracking of the root at the point where it met the bottom surface of the wing. The bead of glue they ran down the root area for stiffening just wasn't getting the job done.

OK, she is done. Rhino started up without a hitch on the test run today and I hope to have a test flight next weekend if the weather cooperates.

Came out just a shade over 34 pounds

Lookin' GOOD Keith!!![sm=thumbs_up.gif][sm=shades_smile.gif]

Kevin

Hi Guy's:
Just a quick question, Am I imagining or did the price on the F-4 jump from 2300 to 2900?

Thanks

All white F-4 is retailing for 2450.00. Check out our site at www.jetblackrc.com . Sorry for the mess, but we’re still under construction
Also click on our grand opening icon

Hope this helps,

Steven

The price is $2450 no paint as Steven wrote, the painted Camo or Jolly Roger is $2995. Maybe you checked the wrong version...

Michel

Hey Kevin, thanks for the complement. The jet looks pretty good too.

Hi keith; where did you put the CG and what are your throws. Good build job, let us know how it goes and good luck!

I am going to work the Weight and Balance tonight, but my prelim shows I will need nose weight, even with three Duralites up front.

My impressions on the kit are overall positive. The engineering and parts fit on the major components like rudder, stab, wings and nose section is excellent, control linkages are designed for no slop and are very short and the landing gear is impressive. The glass work is excellent, and the weight is very low for a model of this size. The build was very fast, and the end result is eye catching. While I will not compete with the plane, to my eye it looks very scale.

On the negative side, the flat paint work needs a clear boundry layer as it tends to smudge, particularly if you are working on a carbon fiber component. The gear doors will be problematic, I fear, and the hardware kit was inadequate in several respects. These are a few areas I think Anton will address as the kit matures a bit.

The real test will be in flying, and David tells me it is a sweetheart. It will certainly have an excellent thrust to weight ratio.

Keith,

Have no fear, you will love flying this plane! After having flown mine now for a while I would suggest you start with your CG back a bit from where I had mine. You can easily go with 290mm back from the leading edge without concern. I'm getting ready for CA Jets this week, so will have the plane put together to make some adjustments and will measure the throws I have and let you know. This Rhino in a Rhino combination is perfect!

Be sure on your first test runs that the exhaust pipe is installed at the correct angle. If it's off even a few degrees upward, you risk getting too much heat directed upwards at the stab with potentially ugly results. If you're getting any stab buffeting, at full throttle, on the ground, I'd check the bottom of the stab for heat damage and adjust the tube, if necessary. I decided to use aluminum tape on the bottoms of the stab and along the fuse center area between and above the exhaust outlets, for a little extra insurance, just to be sure. I think for longetvity of the airframe, it's probably a good idea. Excess heat and fiberglass are not a good combination.

David S
Team Jet Central

Thanks David. I have quite a bit of down thrust on the tube ... I glued the attachment blocks to the top side of the engine mounting rails and the bands actually sit slightly above the centerline of the rails. I did one test run and got no buffeting and the surfaces underneath showed no signs of heat and were cool to the touch right after shutdown. I'll take heed though and check it one more time before flight.

I did the weight and balance and compared notes with David today. It looks like I will be adding 1 1/2 pounds to the nose to get the CG at 290 mm. David has the longer nosed version, so he did not need quite as much weight as his "arm" for balance is about 6 inches longer than mine.

Adil, have you had a chance to fly yours yet? Anyone else?

Keith

That is one good looking Phantom.

I can see Johnny H drooling all over it.

Ian

You're not kidding Ian, if it can take the abuse that my BVM F-4 takes or my Big bad boy Jalopy that I regret selling now [&o], I'll be joining this band wagon for sure.

First I have to see at least 10 consecutive flights without it braking. I know one thing for sure, this is what got Keith hooked

Johnny,

Come on out to CA Jets next week and we'll put up 10 in a row, JUST FOR YOU!!

David S

I wish I could Dave, I just got off the phone with Presta and we were just talking about that. Unfortunately I have business to take care of till my next break (Top Gun), otherwise I'd be there in a heartbeat.

Johnny, it's for sale ...........

Pilot28, Your phantom looks great!!

My F-4 is ready to maiden. She's balanced an checked. I had to add 30 oz to the nose to get her to balance at 280mm. []

My max elevator deflection is 55mm, as per the instructions. Do you guys think that is enough? David?

Raf

Raf,

My experience would indicate that 280 is wayyy nose heavy. You'll need every bit of that elevator to bring it around at speed, and you have to keep your speed up in turns. Seriously, move it back to 290, or 285 at least. I'm going to measure my throws later today and will post.

David S

Keith & Raf,

I measured my throws today and suggest you go with the measurements reccomended by SkyMaster and adjust according to your feel. Mine were within 10% of their throws give or take adjusted to my feel. If you move your cg back you won't need as much elevator. I use low medium and high rates, with high at their full rate and med backed off a bit, which has turned out to be where I fly most. Ailerons I am on the high side a bit of their throws, elevator a bit on the low side. My flaps are more on both settings, TO & Landing

David S

Dave,

Thanks for the update. I moved the CG back to 290mm and I wanted to leave the elevators at 55mm. To get any more I was going to have to shave the side of the fuse. It sounds like 55 will be just fine. I also set up my flaps as you did.

I fired her up and taxied her down my street! Nothing like the neighbors looking at you with the mixed *** and COOL Looks!!

I was also delighted to find that the elevators did not get that hot at low to medium throttle. I only "burped" her to full throttle for a second as I didn't want to piss off my neighbors too much!!

Can't wait to maiden!!

Raf