Seinfeld

I got the Jet Legend F-22 in kit form and been building it for about a month now. An instruction manual is not included, only a couple of plans but not all are 1:1 scale

I'm finding the build ok. I wanted to be able to control the overall weight and construction method and have more scale like colour scheme, although getting the ARF version would have meant it would have been finished by now.

Some pics of the build so far.

I built a number of platforms on which equipment is secured.

The fuel system platform was made with aim to have the minimum length of fuel lines and bends. I also wanted to be able to test the actual configuration of tanks and pumps that would in the plane, watching for bubbles, leaks etc so I made the platform in module form that will slot into the fuselage after all the running on the test rig is completed.

All fuel lines are 6mm including the inlet of the pump. Outlet from pump and line to turbine is 4mm. Initially I was considering having the fuel pump at the front so I tried to work out the headloss and pressure drop over the length of line and what would cause vapour bubble to be generated in the kero. I couldn't find the exact kV for Festo fittings and I worked out something like 4mm head of kero to maintain kero above its vapour pressure at max flow rate and 6mm line etc etc. In the end it was better to just have everything together, set it up exactly how it will be and watch it all on the test rig.

JetCat 120 FOD fitted perfectly after dremeling the starter hole. I wasn't comfortable with not having a FOD screen so I was extremely happy the JetCat one fitted and the screen is well made.

I'm currently searching for a force gauge to meaure the thrust of the M160. I've looked at some fish scales but havn't found one that I liked.

I will definitely have more than 1:1 thrust/weight ratio but I'm interested in knowing the residual and max thrust - the M160 is supposed to have a very low residual thrust.

Shouldn't be much longer before its ready, probably around 3 to 4 weeks aways. Choosing the colours is the next big task.

readyturn

My Feedback: (9)

I'm having a hard time seeing the pictures.... Stealth??

Rick

Seinfeld

yeah, i had some trouble loading the pics. files too large apparently. I don't like going through all the trouble of taking good pic to have it at low res in the end.

Jeremy_D

Nice clean installation!! Looking good!!

readyturn

My Feedback: (9)

Now I can see it....... I like the fuel tank installation, I used the same philosphy; i.e., 6mm lines as far as possible and then down to 4mm.

How do you like the Power Box??

Rick

Seinfeld

Hi Jeremy

Thanks, i'm trying to pay more attention to neatness with this build.
The whole plane is covered in grey primer at the moment and hope to start painting in earnest this weekend.
Kinda looks ok already in dark grey - i wished the F-22 had different colour schemes.

Seinfeld

Hi

I've not used Powerboxes before so my first one seems to be ok so far. It's the new version of the 40/16.
I originally was going to get the Smart fly but this one was more compact - the Smartfly required 2 seperate components but I did like how the receiver sat ontop of it.

Seinfeld

Build has been very slow. The last several weeks its been raining and cold and not too many days suitable for painting.
This is progress so far. I have all the colours picked out and now doing the light grey trim.
I have the mask off and paint the base grey colour and so the final width of the light grey trim will be more narrow - looks wide at the moment.

Hope to start doing some painting on the fuse soon and try my hand at camouflage scheme.

Seinfeld

Weather has warmed up enough do some painting.
All that is left to do is the camouflage patterns and minor details.

johnls

It should be interesting to see that go on a Merlin 160, ballistic comes to mind!! See the video of mine with a Simjet 3000. I like your installation, keep up the good work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HFiOJ6rsYM

John

Seinfeld

Thanks John

I saw your video before I bought the F-22. It sure flies great. Do you still have it?

I managed to paint some of the camouflage today and just finished masking up the the rest which I will do tomorrow after work.

johnls

I've just took a deposit on it today as it happens. I've really enjoyed flying this plane and everyone that sees it comments on how well it looks in the air. It's just time to move on and get a new winter project underway.

John

Seinfeld

Camouflage pattern is now done. Minor panel details and weathering to go, decals and then clear coat.

Then...i can install the turbine and its ready to go...

Jeremy_D

Very nice!!

johnls

Are you using rudders? I didn't originally, because there were a few cases of flutter. Then I fitted some updated fins that allowed larger servos thus eliminating any problems. They're not needed in the air but help in cross winds during take off and landing.

John

Seinfeld

Hi Jeremy, thanks !!. I didn't enjoy all that masking because I know it was going to get ripped off later.

Seinfeld

Hi John

I am not using rudders. only elevators and ailerons. The field I fly at allows me to pretty much takeoff and land into the wind most of the time.
Can u remember your position of CG in comparison to the manufacturers spec ?

cheers

johnls

I used the CG as per plan. It works fine. I didn,t use flap for takeoff and for landing I used a small amount only. i was always slightly paranoid about blanking the elevator with the flaps. You can set the approach with a nose up attitude, that will create drag.


John

kanji

Great looking paint job you got there. That is going to be one mean bird.

I have one question, what kind of paints did you use? Mostly I'm interested on those colour codes because I live in scandinavia where car paint suppliers use RAL codes and I just have Federal Standard codes for those colours. There isnt any full reference table that would have right colours and even paint suppliers say that they dont have any direct reference to do RAL shades with FS codes.

this is the info I got from Yellow F-22 hinges pics thread where reznor painted one fine looking raptor :

"Here is what I have for FS #'s. I got them from "Two Bobs" which is a scale plastic model decal company. I included the Testors MM numbers they called out, too.

FS36251 - Base overall color, I called it Agressor grey because it was the Testors match for the FS (Testors MM 1794)
FS36176 - Dark grey camo patches (Testors MM 2036)
FS36375 - Light grey edges (Testors MM 1728) "


So far the closest colours I've found are :

FS36375 Light Ghost grey RAL 7040 ( As light gray on intakes and edges )
FS36231 Dark Gull Gray RAL 7012 ( Basecolour from mod eagle scheme )
Neutral gray RAL 7001 ( As base colour to match Aggressor gray from testors )

Dark Gull Gray code I got from F-15 mod eagle scheme which is pretty much the same scheme raptor uses but to my eyes that colour looks way too dark to be right base colour for the plane.

If some one would have RAL equilevants for FS codes I would be really grateful

tp777fo

My Feedback: (28)

I just painted one using the Two bobs and testors colors which were matched by my local auto painter supplier store. Perfect Match. Dont worry about how the colors look in the RCU pix as they are either too dark or too light. In any case every time you look at a real Raptor the colors seem to change. Guess it's some of that stealth stuff

Seinfeld

Hi Kanji

I didn't use any particular colour code as the Raptor colours were very hard to match.

I just went to an automotive paint shop and chose some colours I liked and sort of matched the Raptor colours

The paint itself is acrylic and I paint a clear satin as final coat.

Seinfeld

Thanks John

I'll keep that in mind on the maiden

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Nice progress on your F22. Any idea on weights, with landing gear and with out turbine and tanks?

Seinfeld

Hi there

I haven't weighed it yet. I've just finished installing the turbine and all the equipment today but I don't have a scale suitable to weigh it

I have a friend who does and will be taking it to his place to find out. I'm hoping under 13.5kg dry.

mikedenilin

My Feedback: (67)

Check out this link for more photos of our maiden flights on a new Global Jet/JL ARF PRO

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_55...tm.htm#9223785

Thanks,

Mike