Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

I would just like to post a few pics taken last Wedensday at the Abingdon 100 years of flight meeting of my skymaster F-18
Firstly can I say that this has to be the best organized and smoothest running jet meet I have attended. A big thanks goes to Dick Spredbury and his team for putting the massive effort into laying on an event like this for all us jet modelers in the UK.
This F-18 is a very early preproduction version of the Skymaster F-18 powered by a Jet Cat P-160. The model is complete with flaps and ailerons as well as the odd missile or two. The All up weight weight with the ordinance was close to 30lbs but this model flew like one that weighed half that.
First flight was eventful due to a very rearward CG (Thats what you get when you build a model in 3 days for a jet event) but still went well.
Second flight with 500g of lead in the nose proved to be a lot better. Model tracked really well and had bags of power with the 160. High Alpha low fly bys and then open the throttle and away she goes. Superb.
Rock steady all the way and super smooth throughout , I cant believe performance and looks like this come ARTF. Anyway looks like it will be quite some time before I can get round to flying the 18 again as the British weather is starting to set in. I think it might be a good opportunity to add some paint
Thanks also go out to all those at skymaster for a superb product that allows people like me to fly beautiful jets such as these without the building

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Very nice! Congrats on the success.

What scale is the model? Do you have any idea when it will hit the U.S market and the price?

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

K Falcon
Thanks for the congrats.
The model is ti 1/8th scale. This makes the model just the right size in my opinion. Not too big and not too small if you know what I mean?
I think the US market will get them in February. As for prices and options check the web site http://www.skymasterjet.com/
Know time to start on the scheme. This is option number 1

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

wow....neat plane.
Do you think this plane could be flow from a grass strip ?

SJ.

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

I don't think grass strip would be any problem. The U/C is really well made and zero slop. Also the wood work that it mounts to is high grade ply. No cheap light weight wood anywhere. My first landing was really bad due to oscillation caused by a rearward CG. The under cart took all that punishment no problem. Also the model has really good High Alpha characteristics. Even with no flap and a 3mph headwind it just sits there nose high no wing rock. So Landing on a small strip should be easy.
Regards Al

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Thanks Al

It really looks stunning with the payload under the wings.
Even unpainted :-)

I guess the bombs, droptanks, and missles are bought as extras from skymaster ?

SJ.

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Sj
The Payload looks so good in the air. It just makes the shape so much more interesting and complicated.
These are supplied all pre built and painted already fitted to their individual pylons. The hard points are pre installed to the underside of the wings so all you have to do is tighten up two screws and thats it. Also easy to remove but so far I have only had two flights and both have been with the payload and I really cant see me taking it off unless I have to

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Did you fly the F-18 with ALL of the ordinance installed?? Wow that is sweet...

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Ali looks awesome, I also have a grey one on the way via Tam. Of course Living in Canada I have choosen to do the most colourful FA/18 of them all from 410 SQ.....

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Vincent
Indeed it fly with every bit of ordinance From the test flight on wards.
Ozcan
Now you've gone and messed it all up for me. I was all set to go with that color scheme I had found I thought there was no way that there would be a nicer scheme and then you go and show me that.
What is it with you Canadians. Why is that you guys have all the good looking F-18's?
Have you got any other schemes hidden in your files that I might like?
Regards Al

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

There have been 12 specialty paint jobs so far, and personally, I think your original choice is the best one of all http://www.airforce.forces.ca/grfx/news/apr/CF-18.jpg.

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Very nice,
Can't wait for my to arrive.
Tam

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Ozcan , I whish you good luck for the tail art! :)

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Can I see some more pictures of the undercarriage?

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Ali,
Does it have gear doors?? they would be a nightmare on the Hornet, too many to deal with??...

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

There's your next scale project Vin.....

I am waiting for the the Skymaster Gripen to appear.......sort of like your Mirage, but with canards.....nice 1:7 scale bird...big hatches....19 lbs....perfect mount for that Merc I have sitting on the shelf.....

Tom

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Ali- The 410 Squadron tiger scheme is what inspired me to actually get an F-18. Its the "bee's knee's":D of all F-18 colour schemes in my opinion, and by far the most complex I have seen to have to reproduce... That said I personally love to paint more than most other aspects of building so I tend to go for the fancy schemes. Ali heres a few more Canadian F-18's to consider : )


Rider-60 Using paint template masks it can be done without to much drama other than time! and you know how these northern winters can drag on[:-] I have already done a similar scheme on an F-16 (see below) so the F-18 will be fun.

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Ali,you get my vote on your first pick for color scheme,cool looking bee F-18,nice plane.

NdFrSpeed

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Vin
There are 9 maybe 10 .........Ha:D:D Ali .... good looking Hornet !
Semper Fi
Joe

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Thanks guys for all those pics. I think I will go ahead with the original scheme.
Tom. Nice to hear from you again. I too am waiting for a Grippen and I too want to put a AMT Mercury. I have a 20lbs Electric start engine just waiting here. I think this will be a real fun jet especially with a thrust vectored tailpipe. (Are you going to be at Florida Jets?)
Vincent
Like all of the skymaster models the F-18 is supplied with the U/C holes pre cut in the fuselage so you can just bolt your retracts in and go. These cut outs have a recessed lip that will act as a seat for the gear doors already molded into the fuselage. As for the gear doors these are supplied already cut out so they can be added easily at any time. I just wanted to get the jet flying as soon as possible so my gear doors are on the shelf in the workshop which is probably where they will stay.
I will try to include some pics of the Undercarraige

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Ali,
Thankyou for the gear door info. I would not use them either on the hornet. As Uncle Joe said there are about 10 of them, arghhh. Ok Tom, you can see i am getting interested here, i have a nib 120 looking for a home, time to call Tam!!!

V..

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

That is a sweet looking 18.I love hornets!!:D

Anyone know what the projected US price will be with the gear ,wheels/brakes & the ordnance?I already took a glance at the site & saw the grippen & F18 airframe pricing but just curious what kinda pricing they will carry on the F18 gear,pylons,missles & wingtanks

Steve

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Ali,

Is that the factory grey scheme or just primer in the gel coat??
V..

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

Hi Ya Vin

I got one coming in a week or so. We will be setting it up for twins. Though ours will be PST
J600s any Wren size engine will work. Should be sweet!:D

Dean Wichmann
www.helijet.ca

RE: Sky Master F-18 First flight
 

For projected price give airpac an email. You will see their add at the top of the screen with the Thunderbirds F-15. [email protected]
The grey is the factory grey scheme but I think it is grey in the gel coat
Regards Al