RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Looking forward to getting one soon!

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Really cool, Gordon! I can't wait to get my Panther flying.

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Thanks Dick. With about 5hp on tap I imagine that I have as much if not a tad more power than your original Hawk. Probably a big weight increase though.

I sure hope to take you up on your Wroughton offer Dick.

Best regards

Gordon

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Thanks Paul. The wing certainly does a great job! Jim told me that you suggested the bigger wing and I can vouch for it being a good idea.

Ref the landing speed on that flight, it was all to do with me going to sleep at the wrong moment. I'd already dropped gear and half-flap on the downwind leg, but after turning finals I lost track of time and lowered full flap too late. The nose-down pitch was caused by insufficient up-elevator trim and by the time I'd cottoned on the plane was going a bit faster downhill than it ought to have been. Still, those Pylon Brand knee-action mains did their job (thanks Dick!) and nothing was bent at all.

Incidentally, I did the same as you Paul and before those last two flights fitted Eurokit wheels, the ones with split aluminium hubs and tyre inserts from Motors and Rotors. Dave said these tyres would last a lot longer than the Cermark ones, and in 6 flights so far there's no discernible wear on them. So despite the jaw-dropping price (I'm showing my age of course) I'm very pleased with them.

Regards

Gordon

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

I had another 4 flights with the model yesterday evening. After I’d been fuming all afternoon because full-size stuff was using the airfield and I had the car loaded and ready to roll, it all quietened down at around 7.00pm so I dashed down and let her rip. Conditions were ideal with clear skies, and very little wind directly along the runway.

Incidentally, the photo shows the relative sizes and weights of the three different batteries I used yesterday. Each one of these can be positioned at its own appropriate location in the long nose and keep the same CG position with no need for extra balance weight at nose or tail.

The first two flights enabled me to sort out the flap/elevator trim relationship. When I deploy full flap now, the model adopts a stable fairly flat attitude and almost flies itself down the glideslope at a nice slow speed. OTOH, I still need practise to get the plane to land just where I want it to.

The first flight had the 12S AirThunder 5000s and it flew just as before. For the second flight I fitted the 12s Thunderpower 6600s, and although there would have been around 400W more going in, the extra 1/2lb weight over the AirThunders could be felt at take-off, landing and in the verticals.

For the third flight I fitted the 14S2P A123 pack. This is about equivalent to the AirThunders in power, say 3600W, but the extra 1lb weight (now 17lb auw) definitely made the plane soggy and I landed after a couple of circuits and a loop and a roll. It seems to me that the 16.5lb auw of the model with the TP6600s is the highest weight to go with. The landing was a peach though and the extra weight seemed to settle the model onto the ground better. I think that the A123s will be OK in jets which have a large wing area for their size, with much lower wing loading than that of my Hawk which approaches 4lb/sq ft with the A123s; the Hunter and Gnat spring to mind.

The final flight was with the second AirThunder pack and the model was back to normal. I tried several manoeuvres, including Derry turns and a Derry wing under, inverted flight, slow and 8-point rolls, an octagonal loop, a loop with full roll at the top, an upward half loop from inverted, and a humpty-bump with one full slow roll both up and down. It performed all these manoeuvres with ease. I was especially happy with the outside half-loop and the inverted flight, as I’d programmed in a lot more down elevator movement than up using experience gained from trimming my Westwings Hawk, and the additional down-throw was definitely needed to make the model handle the same inverted as erect. However, the model needs a tad more rudder throw to permit continuous knife-edge.

The weight issue got me thinking though, and I’ve now bitten the bullet and ordered one each of 5S and 6s 5000 TP Extreme V2 from West London Models to make an 11S pack. I was very gratified to note that Thunderpower prices have dropped significantly and they are now not much more than stateside prices – good news indeed. I suspect that I’ll still see around 3700-3800W input due to the very high voltage these packs can maintain under load, but with a weight of only 52oz which is 3/4lb lighter than the AirThunder packs, overall performance should show a noticeable improvement with 15.25lb auw compared with 16lb.

That’s the theory anyway, and the lighter model should be easier to take-off and land in fields like that at Woodspring which, though not small, is not huge either.

Gordon

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Gorden
Great write up!
I get the feeling you like this model? ;)

Paul

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Gordon how many flights do you have on your Hawk now?

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Hi Bob

Only the eight. Crummy weather has kept it grounded over here in glorious Devon.

The weather looks reasonable for tomorrow morning so I'm keeping my fingers crossed as I want to give my new TP Extreme V2s a try out.

Cheers

Gordon

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Just finished my Fox Hawk, finished in the Astra colour scheme that's fitted with a P60SE and Spektrum Rx. The dry weight is 13.2lbs with the bubble trap header full, so there should be ample power from the P60. Decals are Tailor Made and the colours have been mixed to the BS standard used for the full size aircraft. Retracts are Springair 301's with a Eurokit nose leg, but unfortunately they will not accept trailing link oleos, so they may be changed for another type in the future. Hopefully the first flight will take place soon, but I hope to test out the motor and radio this weekend.

Gordon W, or Paul G, what flap settings are you using for take off and landing and what amount of elevator compensation with each?

Roger

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Hi

Nice looking model ;)

Landing flap is around 45 deg, with no elevator compensation, but crow on the ailerons. Both go up around 5mm.
Take off flap is around 10 degs, with slight up elevator mixed in.

I have sent you a pm.

Paul

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the information, but PM not received[&o]

Roger

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

The model was range tested today at 64 paces with the bind button depressed, so range will not be an issue[8D] The P60SE started easily and although it's on kero start it was much quicker than my P80 also fitted with kero start. Maybe it's the V6 software in the ECU plus the Mk3 igniter, but whatever it is it does start quickly. Hopefully it will have its' first flight next weekend.

Here's another couple of pictures of the model.

Roger

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Roger
That looks the 'bees knees'

Can you give some detail sots of the nose probe?
How did you make it?
I would like to get one on mine.

RE: tel call.
I will try and get you the underwing bits and rear lower strakes.

Paul

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Paul,

The nose probe was made from aluminium tubing of two different bores, with a piece of 2mm tapered steel pushrod for the tip. It slides into another piece of tubing fitted into the nose, that then had epoxy/microballoons moulded to shape around it. Here's a picture.


I've already fitted the underwing fairings, but the ones you have made that are fitted to the flaps look really good and more scale-like. The rear strakes would be great.

Regards

Roger

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Many thanks Roger, i feel a nose probe coming on [X(][8D];)

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

I should have my Hawk this weekend.
What make and model of retracts are being used in the Hawk?
I have a set of the Jet 1-A units that i am hoping to use.
I have a Wren 62CM tail pipe, anything else out of the ordinary I might need to do a quick build.

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Hi
I used the Springair 101 HD with 100-degree bulkhead nose leg unit.
The nose leg retracts forward (check earlier in the thread).
The 100 deg unit makes it easier to ensure the leg goes away.
I would recommend a UAT or equivalent.
Use a digital 8 kilo minimum on the tailplane ( I used a HiTec). I will probably be fine with less, as the tailplane mechanism is perfect but I know that works!
I use 85 mg on all other surfaces including flaps, I have had Zero issues with them and they have more than enough power.
Pretty well all the rest is in the box!

We all look forward to your feedback.

Paul [8D];)

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

I'm using Springair 301's, but I want to fit trailing link mains and 301's do not have enough space between the trunion and the cylinder to fit a thicker trailing link leg. I believe the 701's would be fine. I would be interested in knowing whether the Jet 1A legs are suitable as they make good trailing link legs and you can fit brakes[8D]. At the time of my build I only had a 90 deg nose leg, but again will change this to a 105 deg unit in the future.
I'm using a JR DS8425 servo for elevator and JR DS362's for ailerons and rudder and 811's for the flaps.
As Paul said, you will need a UAT, but very little else as most items are in the kit. Happy building.

Roger

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

The Jet 1-A nose gear is a belly mount like the mains any issue using this unit and angling it to suit a trailing link nose unit??
I think Sandor has a firewall mount and trailing links that could be used but I don't want an external spring.
Altecare has some unit that I will look at but they are designed for 6 mm pins.
Thanks, Bob

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

I hate beam mount nose units!
Only use them when I have to (Sabre)
I find the steering more reliable with a firewall mount.
If you check page 1 of the thread you can see how I do them.
Very reliable.

Paul

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Paul
I will buy the nose unit from Springair. I hate steering wires too!
Do you have wire legs or oleo struts on your Hawk? If wire legs what diameter are you using?
Bob

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

I used wire legs, 3/16th.

Paul

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Paul,
Are you still using just the STRAIGHT wire legs?
Bob

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

The nose leg is straight, the mains are doglegged backwards slightly to look like the real thing.
Paul

RE: FOX COMPOSITES Bae HAWK, Build thread
 

Congrats to Roger M.
Test flight went off without a hitch [8D]
This is a very nice model.

Paul