Has anyone built or flown a Combat Models Jet?

I am looking at the F-16, A-10 or F-18. Their website does not have a lot of information, so I am wondering if these are worth the investment. I am looking for a prop jet. Any other suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks

I've never dealt with this company, but several who have done so posted comments in the following thread:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...810&forumid=26

Gordonn

I ordered there F-16N back in DEC and am still waiting on missing parts about $200 worth. They almost never respond to e-mails and never pick up the phone. Today I just got 2 main wheels, one nose wheel and fiberglass cloth, (after threatening a law suit) now i still need the retracts struts hand pump tubing struts etc... BTW it took 13 e-mails just to get that. Read this post and you will get the idea. http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...810&forumid=26

Note: The kit is a nice kit once you get everything. IE its not the kit that is the problem just the customer sevice that is lacking..

I have read all the posts and I must say that I am definately on guard with this company. I just bought the F-16 NIB from someone on this forum. Hopefully he was truthful when he said it was complete.

IS there anyone out there who has actually flown and liked these planes??? I understand about the terrible customer service, but I would like to know how the models perform.

Thanks

Powered By a YS45 they are great! Good trainer jet without the DF headaches. About the same speed and handling as a byron F-16 but much better vertical. Had approx 140 flights on mine before it was given to a friend for turbine training. Build it...You'll have a blast with it!

Todd

Todd

That is an awesome looking jet.

You have to look real hard to tell is has a prop.

What are you using for retracts?

Can it fly off grass? I am on a grass field so I will have no other choice than to adapt it for Grass.

How long would you say it took to build?

What are you using for servos?

Thanks
Erick

can their Hornet or Falcon be made a DF or Turbine?

Erick,
Ok...here is the deal, if your flying off grass ditch the main gear doors and put larger (2 1/2") wheels on it (cant fit that size wheel with the doors) and at least a 1 3/4 nose, flys fine off grass with this setup. I was using robart gear (605's I think??) but wore them out and installed some rom air's I had sitting around. YS45 rear exhaust with a mac header and pipe strait down the inside of the fuse with the end pinched off and a turn-around as per CM suggestion. Servos are all standard ball bearing, no need for anything high torque here. You CANNOT tell this is a prop plane once in the air and performance is good. Takes some practice to land without nicking the prop and suggest you toss the tail skid supplied for a heavier one made from spring steel. Mine with the YS would have almost unlimited vertical and was clocked at JOD a few years back at 118 strait and level flight. Not a hard kit to build and teaches you how to glass if you have never done it before (watch the video supplied). IMHO it is a great flying plane at a great price but their customer service, well.... Their isnt any! Hope this helps...Todd

There are a few people who have converted the CM F16N to a ducted fan and CM even boasts on the packaging that this is a viable option to the prop set-up. However, the general consensus is that it is not worth the trouble. You could build a Yellow A4 in half the time it would take to convert a CM F16N to a ducted fan. If you're interested in DF, then bite the bullet ($) and get a model that was really designed for one. Also, ...a turbine in an all-foam model, ...that's a scary thought.

-Steve

Todd

Thanks for all that info. I am looking forward to working on it.

How does it slow down? Do you use flaps or flaperons?

Would a OS61FX give me the same performance as the YS? I have never used a YS engine before. I know they are most costly but I would think that you would get more rpm's out of a 2 stroke than a 4.

Erick

Erick,

YS 45 YS 45 YS 45!!! I dont suggest you use any other engine, I have seen it fly with a 61 and it did not perform near as good. First, the tanks are up just infront of the mains, you need a pumped engine (YS is pumped) or a regulating pump to get the fuel to the engine, plust the .61 is too heavy and lots of lead is needed in the nose to balance. Then there is the prop issue, need to big a prop with a 61, cant rotate! Landings are very slow, no flaps or flaperons. Build as per manual, no need for any mods.

I agree with steve,
dont waste your time with this plane as a DF, if you want to go that route this is not the bird for you. Now as for turbine ....This would be one hot little ticket with a SimJet 700 in the tail cone!!!
Todd

Todd,
I'm going to build the A-10, where's a good place to purchase a YS45?
Chris

Chris,

Radio south has them for 159.00 and I think tower sells them too. I have over 250 flights on my .45 and it still runs as good as the day I got it. Awesome engine!
BTW, the YS 45 has about the same amount of power as a OS .61!
Todd

http://www.wtp.net/DBEST/radiosouth/RSlist.html

Do you just flip the muffler so it's blasting through the prop?

Well, the YS is designed for a tuned pipe. I tuned the Mac pipe on a test stand and the pinched off the end of the pipe. Got a brass pipe about 6" long and the same diameter as the end I pinched off, drilled a hole on an angle (towards the pinched off end) at the largest part of the pipe, inserted the brass about an inch and sealed the hole with a mixture of epoxy and carbon fiber chop. Now the outlet of the tuned pipe is facing the engine and exhaust goes through the prop (just like a byron pipe). Had NO loss in RPM with this mod to the pipe.
Todd

This may be a stupid question but how do you tune a pipe to the engine?

Erick

Hey Todd,
do you have a picture of your muffler?

Sorry Chris,

Pipe is still in the plane which is now in a friends hands for turbine training. I can do a hand drawing of the setup if you need it. Let me know and I'll draw it up if need be.

Erick,
To tune a pipe you put the engine in a stand, run it without a pipe and tach it then bolt the pipe on and tach it again. Cut a 1/4" off the header at a time till you get an increase in RPM, when the rpm shoots up about 500/1500 rpm your tuned!

Basically, your looking to do this with the pipe!

thanks Todd,
Chris

HAY TODD,
WILL THE YS 45 SE WORK OKAY WITH A STOCK MUFFLER ON MY F-16??
I STILL WANT YOUR F-16N ITS REALLY COOL,BUT YOU TALKED ME INTO BUILDING MINE.
NEDYOB

Should work just fine!

One issue that I have never seen come up in this thread or any other about the Combat Model F-16 is the issue of overheating, so let me suggest this.

Break your engine in on a test bench using a tractor prop "Not the pusher prop that you will fly with". Using the pusher prop you will not have any air flow moving over the head and the engine will overheat. Same holds true when the engine is mounted in the airframe, extended run ups in trying to tune an engine will result in quick overheating.

Pretty basic stuff, but one that can be easily overlooked.

THATS A GOOD POINT COUNTRYBOY. MY YS 45 is ALREADY BROKE IN. I MAY USE THE SIDE MOUNT MUFFLER AND SEE HOW IT FLYS W/O A TUNED PIPE.
NEDYOB

Countryboy,
Since the duct on the F-16 is functional, the engine gets lots of air even though it's a pusher. Never had overheating problems with mine (although I always ran a bit rich).

Todd