Anyone outfitted their Flash with Lighting? Next item on the list for mine and just trying to see if anyone else has come up with any cool ideas.

www.electrodynam.com

Yea, I put landing lights in the front end of the tip tanks like an L-39. I molded the lenses by using the tips that I cut off as molds for the plexiglass. I lost the Flash last year, so sorry, no pictures...

Bob

Nice, Yea I thinking along the lines of a scale/sport look... Just trying to figure out where I want to put them for the best coverage.

I've got 3 watt strobes (Luxeon Emitters) on mine, the two wing tips are white and I've got a red on the belly just in front of the wing saddle. when i get a chance i plan to add another to the top of the fin. the current flash pattern is 3 flashes on the wings, then 1 flash on the belly then a 1 sec pause.

you didn't happen to make an extra set of lenses you can spare did you???

Good Idea.. I'm thinking of Red/Green Std. Nav lights on the tanks then maybe all red or white on the aft plain of the tip tanks then figure out where to stuff a landing light for forward visibility. Might try to make a little pod on the fuse or rig one on the nose gear nose somehow...

i had intended to stick a landing light in my nose door but the emitters get damn hot in a full on state and if you add the cooler on the back then they get too bulky to make a neat install on the door. if you're just looking for improved visibility the leading edge alum tape worked great on my Jolly Roger scheme

KC,
I have a mold for L-39 tip tank lenses (jet Legend), I can make you a set if desired?
Todd

do they fit the Flash?

No problems on vis, I did put some tape on mine but just for looks on the stabs and wing. I'm looking that afternoon dusk flying effect that just makes them stand out

No clue... I'll send you a set for you to try...

Thanks Todd!!

Keep us posted, if they work then put me down for a set. It looks as if it might be close.....

Just molded you up a set, let me know how they work out.

i'll let everyone know when i get them.

Hi Todd,

What do you use to mold the lenses? I have thought of doing my own, but haven't come up with a good idea of what to use.

Tim

Tim,
I use a home made vacuum forming machine.
I can form just about any lens if provided with a solid plug to mold off of (within the limitations of my machine). If anyone needs a specific lens molded, send me the plug and I will mold up the lens at no charge, just pay return shipping of the lenses.
Contact me via email or phone if you have something specific you want done.
Todd

On my Flash, all I did was cut off the end of the tip tanks at the point where the diameter was big enough for the landing light I used to fit in. I used one of the fixtures that Todd has (it was about 40mm in diameter, I think). I used the end of the tank that I cut off as a mold for the lens... If the ones Todd has for the L-39 don't fit, than I can send him one of the tips from my Flash to make some lenses.

Bob

Hi Todd,

That's a very generous offer. Thank you.

I was wondering whether you have any photos of your set-up (vacuum forming), and also some photos of the process, as well as some finished products. I am very interested in how you go about doing this.

Tim

Good thread, I was just thinking about light on my new Flash and was wondering if Todd had something already made up, KC36330please post the progress on the tip lights.

SAme here I am about 1/2 way done with mine also. Would love to have lights on it...

Tim,
The form process is quite simple. I will show you how I make some of my smaller lenses with a commercially made vacuum machine since it is easier to see the process with this unit.

Here are the steps:


Here is the machine. You open the sheet holder and install the pre-cut plastic sheet. for lenses I use .020


Here I have installed the sheet and slid the sheet holder up in preparation for heating.


I have now turned on the heating element to heat the plastic sheet. As you can see, I have also placed my form on the vacuum grid.


With the heating element turned on, the sheet will begin to sag just a tad, then tighten up again as it goes through the heating process. You know you are at the right temp when the sheet starts to sag a second time. Leave it in the heat too long and the plastic will begin to bubble. You only have about 3-4 seconds of "green time" where the plastic is at the right temp, above or below will give a poor form. Just takes a little practice to get the temp just right by looking at the amount of sag. This sheet is READY!


I have now turned off the heat and turned on the vacuum. Then, immediately slide the sheet tray over the mold. The vacuum immediately sucks the plastic around the part tightly.


After allowing a few seconds to cool, the vacuum is turned off, the sheet lock is released and the part and mold are removed from the machine.


A little bit of flexing of the plastic will allow the mold to fall out and you have a finished part.

Just like laying up fiberglass; the smoother the mold, the better the finished part. Any imperfections in the mold will transfer to the part so you must make sure you prep the molds well.
Questions?
Todd

Hi Todd,

Wow, that looks fantastic. Thanks very much for the demo. Does it work well for smaller parts too? I have a yellow F-16 that I want to fit out. I am thinking of making a silicon mold of the lenses which have been made on the fuse, then use some sort of plastic or resin to make the plug from. How do you make your plugs?

I have also heard/read that people use soda bottles as the plastic to vacuum form. You have red and green soda bottles, which would work for our uses. Can you get red & green plastic as well?

Where did you get your vacuum forming machine? (Sorry for all the questions, it looks very interesting).

Tim

What a cool demo Todd. Nice little machine! I think the sales of these little guys is going to spike soon! Get'em while they're hot!