RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Wow the 2 in the middle are absurd. The pivot mechanism is not really a part of the main spar system. Its almost like an afterthought or TLAR approach and question the effectiveness of the load transfer.. The one on the far right at least has the swing wing pivot positioned for at least a chance at a good bond/integral with the spar structure, albeit honeycomb spars. Close but no cigar.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

It looks great! I would be concern with the gears stripping. I remmber in my rc car days that metal gears stripped and wore down. How much weight did you actually save.


Dubd- i think fej is very robust and not that complicated, IMO.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

FEJ rudder and stab to the left, Skymaster to the right.
I have looked inside the elevators, and it`s hard to say if it`s HoneyComb or not.
If it is, it must me a thick inner layer on the inside, because I can`t see the pattern of the HC.
Have not checked the rudder/stab yet, and I probably won`t.

But it`s a interesting thing to see differences, how things this close in design can vary in "execution".
And a very simple way to get a X-Ray image, simply by asking security personell at an airport.
Anyway, hope it`s useful for someone.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

look basically the same.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Inside my 1:4,6 F-16.
High quality and beefy ply-formers with carbon, correct amount of glue. It looks good to me.
I don`t know how earlier F-16`s is made, mine is the latest I think, really don`t know if anything is changed..
Are there HC formers in those earlier? How about yours, Ali or others?

In my oppinion, there should never be HC in elevators, formers behind TE of the wing, rudder-stabs or anything that`s ment to be beaten.
Btw, I drove up and down the 2200 meter runway with my balanced (slightly nose down) FEJ elevator today at +150 kmh, purely in my hand as before.. :-P
Dead stable, passed..

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Not sure if we are looking at rudders or stabs but..

FEJ - sub-rib is good but no spar running length.
SM - no sub-rib for main spar but they have another spar member running the length creating a D box. But they should have added a sub-rib.

SM looks like they added more significant material for the hinge points and another spar in the control surface(FEJ provides nothing again) but neither is quite satisfactory to me. Again close, but no cigar.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Yes, agree. But somehow interesting to have a look inside.
The "funny" thing is to me that FEJ have locking-pins on a shaft that`s not ment to give and resist torque, while Skymaster have "no" such things but a tiny tad at the tip (elevators). And Skymaster have all the torc centered in the shaft. That`s why I thought this was useful info to those who plans to do a push-pull instead of the direct drive.

FEJ does so even in the rudder/stab, cross-pins.
How come? I don`t know.. Better safe than sorry is one way of putting it :-P.
But I really can`t see anything in my F-16 that is off limits, the way I received mine. The way it`s now, after 180 grams in each elevator.
Other oppinions?

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

You might wanne be carefull zapping the servo, electronics are very sensitive to radiation and can get erratic.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Some composite models are such a structural mess with their "clothes off".

steve

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Thanks for the info, I will despite mye cellphone have survived a hell if it`s the case.
I have plenty of suitable servos.
But never heard of electronics that can`t take an X-ray, hmm :-)...
How come we willingly expose them, I mean, it should be a problem other than with servos.. :-P
A reference to it for us?

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

I will try and take some shots of mine later this week when I am back in the workshop.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Would be very interesting, Ali.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

But I`m sure we are looking at an essence, rigidity is one thing.. There is so much into it, and the other thread will sooner or later reveale how things are, and should be.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

You never heard of radiation effects on electronics....:eek:

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Yes, but it`s like the most of other things we hear, it never strikes me, heard it before?..
I said I`ll replace it.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

You should see how semis are made. Plasma etch is not such a kind environment.
The issue often raised with electronics is alpha particle hits on memory arrays and flipping a bit in unprotected caches while its on.
With devices off, there will be no issue.
Although these days, the latest programmable digital servos have a bit of non-volatile memory. At most could warrant a re-programming if necessary.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Device off, of course.
I`ll try to get both wings thru it, not sure the gap can handle the big one though..
But interesting somehow to see how they are made are inside.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

F-18F build.. Here is my build up of the main gear support a basic I-beam that transfers the load to the two wing bulkheads... The weakest point now is the bulkhead to fuselage joints or the gear bending.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Nose gear support

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Wing servo install.. This is one major improvement that FEJ has done. On my last f-18 I had to build my own supports for the wing servos in the 2010? Early honeycomb kit ... Now they have the servo boxes in they are strong enough and the contro surfaces have balsa blocks when the CF control horns are put into place.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Some poor design in the stab of the F-18F 2010? Early honeycomb the bolts only go through HC bulkhead and some scrap wood under the bold for support... I put 20 hours of hard flying on this model and had the stab shafts start to come loose anyone who has this design should open them up and add support for rotation of the shaft

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

The new 2013 F-18F stabs weigh more and more internal structure and stiffness ... Hate to do it but I am going to cut into them also and see what FEJ has for structure and add support if needed.

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Wouldn't you have to do this anyway because of he incorrect rod pivot point?

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Actually I'm thinking off adding some area to the trailing edge to move the pivot forward a few % on the mac on both the F-14 and F-18

RE: Redesign/build FEJ
 

Hmmm... Why?