RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Very cool, thanks Duke! the video was great motivation (as if I needed it). How does the performance compare with a P-120?

Also, I have a fitment issue with the pipe, it seems to be about 3/8" too wide at the rear. Before I cut the ply formers in the nozzles, can you check and see if mine is out of spec? It is exactly 8" wide at the outer edges. See pic...

Barry

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Hi Barry

Thank you! The video was take just 2 weeks ago.

It was my friend Woody flying it so I can say from direct experience, but from I saw it looked like it had more power in the vertical maneuvers. Woody was flying most of the flight at 50% to 60% then he would go to 100% after the airplane was vertical, the response and power was impressive. The F-18's that I flew both had P-120's in them and they really pushed the F-18 around well, but I generally flew faster than the video using 75% most of the time. The P-120 will make this airplane really move at full throttle.

What sort of pipe is it? My Skymaster pipe is a little on the narrow side, but it still fit well. It might be like that so it is not prone to move around. I'm not sure about your pipe Barry. If you think that is too off contact the mfg and see what they can do. You can get away with a small amount of bending. but for myself if it is more than just a little pushing to get it to fit, I feel uncomfortable with putting that kind of stress on the pipe.

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

That does look like it is more than a little off to hold it in place. Is it a Tams Pipe?

That is awesome Barry! Glad you will be there! Can't wait to see your bird! We will have to get some formation going!:D

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

BTW, what is going to power this thing? I read quickly through he thread but couldn't find it.

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

It is a Tam's pipe, I got it as part of the package from Airpac. I'd contact Tam but he is in China for another week. I've already ground out the inner formers near the stab mounts to clear, but did not want to anything else until I figured out if this is typical. A local buddy building one has no problems, but I also got a PM from someone else with the same problem as mine. I am not going to bend the pipe to fit! I am sure it would collapse or deform as it would have to move by 1/2" or so to fit.

Kenny, I'm using a P120, same one that was in my Kingcat. I will now be going to Fresno instead of GSW, so I'll see you there! We'll have a full squadron of Bugs, it appears...

Barry

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Thought I would add a small contribution to the "build":

I added a plate under the cockpit to locate the necessary switches, gauges, charging receptacles. It is hidden when the canopy is in place.

Nick

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Good idea, Nick! I am gearing up now, may do the same.

I will post more pics this week, test flight is next weekend. I have finished painting, decals (made my own), etc., looks good for a sport jet/semi-scale scheme.

Barry

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Just a quick note Barry. You actually get maximum resolution when the ATV's are maxed out. You also help reduce gear lash slop seen at the control surface. You also get a side benefit of better mechanical advantage if you go in on the servo arm.

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Barry,
I just got back.
I had look at the photo.
Check if the pipe was for F-18 or F-15. Give me exact measurement of the pipe so I can check.
I had build 4 kits myself. All of them fit right center with my scale exhaust nozzle.
I also will check the two kit I have here tomorrow. Let see if the nozzle are exact location.
All the pipe was built on the same jig. Some fit right and some don't if must be something wrong.
The jig only allow 1/8" max in different center location.
Tam

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Thanks Doug. No problem, you are correct.

I have not taken a lot of pics of the equipment installation as I did not have my camera available for the last two weeks. But basically the construction is complete and geared up, just finishing the radio programming and chasing a slow brake system air leak. I plan to test fly this Sunday; the graphics and weathering are not complete yet, so I'll hold off on clear-coat until the finish is done.

I found it was best to complete all of the wiring and plumbing before attaching the nose. Based on where I installed my UAT/8 oz. header tank, it's a real pain to reach in to tighten the nose bolts, so I took a 24" long piece of 5/8" dowel and duct-taped a ball driver (3 MM, I think) to it and used that to reach in and tighten the bolts.

I ended up cutting the rear nozzle bulkheads (with a Dremel sanding drum) to clear the Tam's bifurcated pipe, as it appears normal to be a bit wide for this kit. I also found that you need to cut about 1/4" of the stab rods as they interfered with the pipes. I also decided not to use a bypass as it is pretty tight as is, so I made the pipe standoffs in the pics from 3/16" lite ply. The spacing from the rear of the P120 nozzle to the bellmounth is 3/4".

Here's a few miscellaneous pics...

Barry

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

I ended up making my own graphics, as the lead time and cost (4-8 weeks, $350+) for rub-on graphics for the color scheme I choose was too long for me. For the same amount I bought a good quality Epson printer and scanner, and some decal paper. Using Photoshop, I scanned in some photos of the full-size Bug and cleaned them up to make the tail graphic. The unit and Marines insignia was made using a Navy/Marine font file I bought from TC Lai for $20. These have a white shadow script that does not show well in photos.

I am missing a nose graphic and some detail stencils, as well as some basic weathering (not too severe, as the full-size bird belongs to the squadron's exec officer and gets pretty good care), so I'll test-fly before completing the finish and clearing it with PPG Concept flexed n' flat.

here's a few teaser photos....

Barry

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Tam, no problem - the pipe is now installed OK so I'll just use it as is. The pipe is 8" wide at the outer edges at the rearmost edge...not sure of the length but it fits OK. See my pics in a previous post tonight - does this spacing look correct? I have about 3/8" of the pipes extending past the rear mounts.

Thanks -

barry

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Barry,
That's lookin' real sweet.
Awesome stuff on the homemade decals!
Paul

Virgin no more!
 

After an aborted attempt yesterday, my Hornet has now been succesfully been test flown! Big Thanks (and a medium-well 16 oz. ribeye! :)) to Buck Garza for making the initial test flight and acting as wingman on my first flight. Bottom line, she's a FAST, stable, groovy platform...a keeper that I hope to put many more flights on.

Yesterday's attempt was well attended (with Bill B, ShaneUSMC, and Smokin' Joe in attendance), but we found that the interior temps at the gap between the pipe bellmouth and the P120 were a bit high, possibly creating a heat problem with the servo extensions in the upper corners of the fuselage sides. I've had some seriously bad jet luck lately, so better safe than sorry...back home for some mods.

Test flights went great, with a couple of minor sqwauks to fix. Takeoff is a non-issue, she really hauls *** at half throttle...unfortunately the day was cut short when I lost a main wheel on rollout (circlip came off, not sure why) and the brake inner "drum"or hub was damaged. Might have been the crosswinds, about 8-9 kts at 45 degrees, but hopefully somthing minor.

Looking forward to Fresno!

Barry


PS - Sorry for the long delay in posting, my PC has died and it will be another few days before I get back online on a regular basis. Using a borrowed laptop now...

RE: Virgin no more!
 

I mentioned a heat problem preventing my test-flight yesterday...I am using a P120 and Tam's pipe with 3/4" gap. Though things would have been fine in flight, I wanted to be sure that there would be no problems during a long idle/hot day situation (think AZ jet rally in the summer!). I used some 4" wide ceramic heat blanket, glued in with 3M-77 contact cement, all around the perimeter of the pipe/turbine gap area. I also made a couple of heat shields for the upper corners of the fuse (where my servo extensions and antenna are located) using some .024" aluminum sheet screwed to the engine hatch flange and bent at a 30 degree angle such that it was a tight fit against the fuse side. I also glued some heat shield to this.

Problem solved!

Barry

SM F-18 build thread
 

One other small problem we noticed on Saturday was that my pipe mount, made from 1/8"x5/8" spruce and 1/16" ply gussets and mounted off of the turbine mounting rails, was deflecting down a bit with full throttle. To solve this, I reinforced the spruce extension with some 1/16" carbon strip and a 3/16"light ply gussets. There are many ways to make the pipe mount/support, but this seems to work great now and is fully removable to allow the pipe to be pulled out easily if need be.

Barry

RE: Virgin no more!
 

Barry, glad to hear that all went well today. Is that JV in the background of post #65? Looks like a Razzia electric 3D machine sitting on the graound behind your F-18.

Now get that Ultimate finished so we can pratice some Aerobatics....

See you soon.

Bill Brundle
Team JR
Horizon Hobbies

RE: SM F-18 build thread
 

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Glad to hear everything went well! See you in Fesno!

RE: SM F-18 build thread
 

Great Job Barry!

Good flying Buck, and Barry. I really like how your Bug came out Barry, nice job on the decals. I have been trying them out too, they work great! Im glad the airplane flew well.

I've been going crazy building all these planes to go to Superman, I want to finish my F-18 but I have to wait till I finish the rest of the birds. You guy's are giving me Bug fever.

Our friend Woody got to fly his F-18 today here are some pics from today. We also had some other Skymaster bird's out too. The Sport color Gripen and the Blue Angel F-18 did not fly today... next Sunday.

My Wife Jill took the pictures, it's very nice to have a spouse that likes to take airplane pictures!

RE: SM F-18 build thread
 

Barry

no sweat amigo. sweet job on the build and an even better job documenting it.

count the clicks....power + attitude = performance:D works every time.

c'ya

buck

Bill yup that was JVs pizzathingamajig. phenomenal performance for an electric

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Congrats Barry...nice job. Is that new pit asphalt at miramar?

Paul

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Congrats on the maiden Barry! Both you & Woody have beautiful F-18s.

RE: Skymaster F-18 build thread
 

Hi Barry;

Nice job on F18 and I am glad everything went well. I was looking forward to maiden my F18 with you last weekend. I know "Bags" is working very hard to have it ready for Fresno. I will see you there..

RE: SM F-18 build thread
 

Hey Barry, I have my P120 set back a bit further so the exhaust nozzle is just inside the pipe bellmouth. Is this a problem? I have test run it a couple of times and it seems to work fine, but haven't test flown yet because I wasn't satisfied with the recommended flap setup. Too much play in the flaps. I changed to your set-up (thanks for the measurements on the flap cutout).

Regards, Keith.

RE: SM F-18 build thread
 

Thanks Guys - appreciate the comments! After seeing Woody's pics (awesome!) I want to get some ordnance and a belly tank mounted up ASAP.

A couple other points... I added 9 oz of lead to the tip of the nose to get the CG right on the center of the front spar, at this point there was plenty of elevator authority with full flaps and not too much needed in the turns, so it seems like a good starting point. We did dial the throws down a bit, using the Skymaster recommended range as a starting point, I went with 60% at low rate, 75% at mid rate, and 100% at high rates. We test flew with all rates at mid setting and that seemed perfect, if a bit slow (but scale looking in the air). No expo (yet) but it is so smooth you won't need much.

Keith, glad I could help. Everything I've read says 5/8" to 3/4" spacing is ideal for the bellmouth-nozzle gap, would be interested in hearing from others on what they are using.

David - see you at Fresno, maybe??

Barry