Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Hi guys, this is the new SM Gripen ARF PLUS, it just got here for a customer. Finishing is awesome, all parts fit perfectly and the new hinging is great. Here are some pictures after about 5 minutes out of the box. It will be powered by a Wren 54 MK3 installed in the tail. No Tail pipe...

Michel

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Extremely Beautiful Plane [:-]

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Can someone confirm, my guess is that the "new" or "plus" airplanes, are they just going with Rohocell and Live hinging, similar to what Composite Arf and others have gone to?

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Negative Sean.... Different process, higher quality and stronger than the C-Arf structures.

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

VARTM perfected then?

Seems liek the way to produce things these days in composites without over weighting the pieces...

PLease tell, if it's not a "secret".

I've noticed that a bunch of the major composite airplane manufacturer's are re-tooling, that is besides having to.

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Mdurand,

Can you describe the difference between the plus and the regular one, I'm interested, Thanks

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

I have never seen one of the older ones so I will compare to other SM models I have seen first hand... From what I saw in this one, first everything fits perfectly. There are no aluminium spars for the wings or other surfaces, it is all a solid carbon tube, much lighter.... There are no hinges in the elevons or rudder, it is called active hinging. Similar to the Comp ARF stuff but higher quality and more strengh like Todd said. Because of this you don't have to hinge the elevons or rudder, the hole setup is done for you. The airframe is lighter than previous ones. Also with this one you can install a 14lbs turbine on the tail of the jet, this eliminates the use of a pipe. This is how this one is going to be setup for the owner. Al formers are perfectly glued, no missed spots. The general finish and work in the model is awesome, no seams or weird finishing problems are seen and the model is very soft and smooth. I would personally give it an A++ to this one.

Perhaps Eric or Duke from Airpac can fill us a bit more. I know Duke has flown this bird allready...

Hope this helps,

Michel

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Is this the version on sale at Airpac and will a P-70 fit in the tail on this one.


also, are the control horns glued in already?

Thanks

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

I guess eric or Duke should answer this one...:D

The control horns are not glued, you have to do that yourself.

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

No...the sale is on current stock only (sparks built versions). Currently, there are no ARF Plus versions in the states but can be shipped direct from the factory if desired. P-70 will fit in the current version but not "In the Tail" like the updated kit.
Todd

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Hello

The Arf Plus Gripen can mount the P-60 or Artes Super Bee in the tail, Although the P-70 might fit it will require lots of nose weight to counteract the weight of the turbine.

I really loved putting the Gripen together and it was very easy and Fast to assemble. I started Friday afternoon and flew it Sunday, with gear doors! It is so awesome to have those live hinges with the lower edge gap seal on the flight surfaces, Im just so spoiled now.

Our P-70 had to go back for service due to foreign object injestion so I installed my Simjet 1700 SP 20 lbs of thrust Wow the dry weight of the Gripen is 18.5 lbs with full uat, and when you hit the throttle man it go's

I will try and get some video of it this weekend and post it.

Servos
Elevons JR-8611a, or JR-9411
Canard HS-5945, or JR-8611a
Rudder HS-5125, or JR-168, or Mulitplex Super-Fl
Steering any std servo.
Jettronics valves and seq
JR-10X R2000 receiver.

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

As Todd & Michael explain, the new ARF Plus version is very different then the currently one. (current version is on sale now) It much lighter and stronger. We have an new one been test for while. The current version is about 20lb. to 21lb. with P-70. The new one with the same set up only about 18 lb. Beside the weight reduce, we are very satisfied the quality of surface finish. The joining seam are almost invisible. It's a dream plane.

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Are these new plane without panel lines ?

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

The new Skymaster ARF Plus still have panel lines as usual

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Painting is almoust finished, we hope to make the maiden pretty soon. The scheme is a variant of the swiss F-5, the customer wanted something that was going to be easily seen and great looking... I think the painter did an incredible job....;)

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

One question about the ruddder hinge in the new arf-plus series. Are they live hinge just in one side like the bandit-arf? Any pics of the rudder hinge method?

Rgds,
Alejandro

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

What engine is going into it?
I'll look forward to the maiden report.

Joe

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Hola Alejandro, and yes the rudder has also live hinging. I asume it is similar to the bandit since I haven't seen one...[:o] This is not the rule for all the ARF PLUS as the F-16 1/8 has normal hinges for the rudder.

Saludos,

Michel

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Hi Joe, this one will have a Wren 54 MK3 (14lbs) mounted on the tail.

Michel

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Gracias Michel, I hope that the one I'm keep my eyes on have the center line rudder!

Saludos
Alejandro

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Alejandro ,

The new ARF Plus Gripen have live hinge for rudder too. We have new ship that has arrived, due to limited shipments and we already shipped for people pre-order, our stock is running low. Please feel free to contact me if your interested....

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Michel,

The color scheme looks very nice. Red/white is more noticeable while flying. Swiss F-5 color scheme is one of my favorite color, the way you put that plane together is very wonderful.

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Thanks Eric, they guys at the shop have done a very good job and the mods to the paint in the wings area is very nice. The owner (not me) is very happy with it. We hope to make the maiden some time next week.[8D]

Michel

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Eric, sent you a pm!

rgds
Alejandro

RE: Skymaster Gripen ARF PLUS
 

Michel, keep us inform about fligth report and video!!! Good luck in the maiden.

Saludos
Alejandro