RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

What did your rep say referring to your 12/14 post? Seems awful quiet!

Dave

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Haven't spoken to him yet, but will ask him soon as I do and report back.
I'll send tech support an e-mail too.

Yes it seems awfully quiet. Specially since we have two British reps who is on this forum every day who usually knows a lot about what's going on.... They sure are a lot quicker to reply when there is praising to be collected...:D
Amazing how long it takes to make some carbon fiber sheets...

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Staale

I'm here, I have to sleep sometime and things are very busy at work.

Composite ARF have been very slow acting further on this one and I will personally have further words with the big boss straight after this.
Futher checks and tests have convinced the company that there is no design worries with the tailplane as it is and a large number continue to fly without any issues.
This is all well and good for experienced modellers that realise everything is OK with the design if correctly set up.
I had already asked about the mod as it was promised, even if I don't think it is needed.
The company should have issued a further report I agree.
Adding a carbon brace to the tailplane will just be work for nothing, the skid maybe a good Idea for people on rough landing strips.
I'll see what I can do for you all.
Any UK customers who want a skid I'll happily cut you one out and ship it FOC...

Dave

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Hey guys,

Which turbines are all of you running in the lightning ?

Do you think a 20KG turbine that weighs 5 lbs would be too heavy ?

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

I will be using a Titan. There was much debate whether the P-180 was a better choice over the Titan. I believe the consensus was that for the added weight in terms of the turbine and additional fuel, the Titan or similar engine was a better choice.

Regards

Alex

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Alex

I'm really happy with a P160 in mine.
Either the P160 or new G-Booster is a good choice

Regards

Dave Wilshere

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

I think it comes down to thrust to weight. You will be happy with the performance of the plane if the thrust to weight dry is around 1 to 1. This leaves enough margin for the 10 pounds of fuel you will have on board at takeoff.

The bigger engines and added weight will put stress on the landing gear and shorten flight times, and the marginal gains in speed and vertical performance that I have seen with the P180 birds are not as impressive as I would have thought.

So for a Titan, skip the heavy cockpit, move all the equipment as far forward as possible, get the batteries out in the nose (consider a platform tied into the front firewall structure) and do your best to keep the plane at 34-35 pounds. With a Rhino or a strong P160, the plane can weigh in at 37 or 38 pounds and still have stellar performance.

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Dear Dave
Do you use the hopper tank include in the kit or ??

Thanks
JP from ZN

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

JP

More toys!

Yes, I used the round hopper and a BVM UAT.
So I have just the two saddle tanks 'T' d together feeding the overflow of the round header and the round header feed supplying the UAT-which supplies the turbine fuel pump!

I get 15-18 minutes with my P160

Regards

Dave

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

I used a UAT since it has bigger dia. fittings.

The UAT can be squeezed in to the hole in the former and will stay there because it's a tight fit.
I plummed my tanks in series, so I don't have to worry about on emptying before the other. The extra 3rd tank is intended for smoke fluid sometime in the future...

Se the pic below...


http://image.rcuniverse.com/forum/up...87/Bz78377.jpg

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

S

I use series tanks in smaller models sometimes-my Lightning round header only has a small amount of air even after 15 minutes flying with the linked tanks...

regards

D

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Dave

Yes more and more.....

JP

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

JP

Good man...bitten by the bug ;)

Dave

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

can any one out there help with a display of your cockpit that i can print off on a printer as i am building one for my mate and what to finish it off smart thanks jetman

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

You beat me to it ;)

Rob.

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

yes you now me early bird and worm and all that but i still need someone to post some pics so i can finish your cockpit off regards jetman

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

hi dave do you think a jet central rino will be ok at as i am just about ready to install it in the by pass it is doing 17.5kgs off thrust thanks jetman

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Jetman

Any turbine with 12kg+ will fly a lightning, 16+ is a bonus!

Dave

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

A Rhino is great for this aircraft.

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Hi Keith, just curious which whip antenna you are using in the JR Lightning ? Looks a little shorter than usual.

Rob.

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

I fly my lightning with a Rhino and it has great power (36 lbs) and not very heavy either on the plane or heavy on the wallet.

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

hi i still need a dash for the lightning cockpit if any one has anything they could post and we can print off and stick to the dash thanks jetman

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Hi Rob, it is a Deans antenna. It comes in two versions, one removable, one fixed.

http://www.wsdeans.com/products/antenna/piece.html

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Thanks Keith, you are obviously getting decent range with this setup ?

Rob.

RE: Composite-ARF Lightning Build Thread
 

Yes, much better than the standard antenna. With a standard encolsed antenna, I would get about 50-70 paces, depending on the installation. I am roughly +50% with a Deans. These numbers reference a JR 10X with the antenna removed.