F-86 weight question, UPDATE, She flies
 

Finished off my feibao F-86, came out about 25 pounds without fuel and near 29-30 ready to fly. power is Jetcat P-70. I have concerns about takeoff and flight performance, everything else I have is around 1-1 at takeoff. any opinions are welcome, should I replace the turbine with something bigger or give it a shot as is?

thanks Kevin

RE: F-86 weight question
 

I have one which i'm putting a p120 se in, however when i placed all the parts on the scale it was only 24Lbs and that's with servos, extensions, motor etc. good luck with the flight, be sure to inform us how it turns out.
Kevin

RE: F-86 weight question
 

anybody else have any input? just looking whether people think it will fly fine or if it really needs more power. this turbine was pruchased for this plane but I am not opposed to buying another, money is not an issue. just looking for a nice semi scale cruiser jet.

Kevin

RE: F-86 weight question
 

Kevin as long as you are flying from a well prepared sealed strip the P-70 should fly it just fine. You could find the after the first couple of flights you maybe able to lighten up the fuel load a little also...
I have been flying a big Fiber Classics (Comp ARF) Mig-15 for a number of years now with a Wren Super Sport which should be quite similar in the thrust department as your P-70. Top speed for my Mig is a very scale like 120 mph and she does fly more on the wing than thrust, but is definetely not underpowered or sluggish in my opinion. Take-offs are also a non event with reasonable roll distances. I would say give it a go as it will fly comfortably in a scale like manner in my opinion. Both the Mig 15 and the F-86 fly very similar on same thrust turbines. The P-70 as with the Wren Super Sport are working harder than a big turbine and will be close to max rpm more often than not for much of the flight but thats no reason not to give it a go and see if you like the scale like performance...

I have also flown both the Fiber Classics and the FB F-86 extensively myself with a 30 lb thrust turbine, and they both were way over powered with the bigger turbine with most of the flight around 1/2 or less throttle. The FB F-86 is smaller and lighter of course so the P-70 I would have no hesitation in recommending for this 86...

Probably the Merlin M-90 would be just about the "perfect" size and power balance for the FB F-86 and their new Mig-15 in my opinion.

P.S. FYI If I remember correctly Wolfgang Khlur won the very first WJM flying a "larger" 1/5 scale Fiber Classics F-86 powered by a Sophia J850 with approx 11 lb thrust!!! So the smaller FB 86 version with a P-70 installed will be a safe bet ;)

Cheers- Marty

RE: F-86 weight question
 

thanks for the input, I have access to a full scale 3000 foot runway for test flights, and will be attending CA Jets, with almost unlimited runway. it does accelerate quite well so far in high speed taxi tests, so I guess i will just commit to a maiden and see how it goes.

Kevin

RE: F-86 weight question
 

Hi Kevin, Use aprox 15° flap for take off, 35° for landing and you should notice no trim change required either after you have slowed and first dropped the gear, shes a sweet flyer as are most 86's. Lets us know how it all goes.... :D

RE: F-86 weight question
 

Hi,
Are you able to upload some shots of your fit out as I am keen to see the internal layout for when I start on mine. Hopefully in the not to distant future (damn work)

Cheers, hope the first flight goes well!!

Dave

RE: F-86 weight question
 

Hi All,

I just finished the FB f 86....What is the recommended CG for this plane!!!

Thanks,
Tommy

RE: F-86 weight question
 

CG is 1" in front of the main struts. this is from a few other people I have spoken with that have flown the plane.
Kevin

RE: F-86 weight question
 

She flies!!! and great at that. maiden was this afternoon, slightly overcast skies and a nice 10mph wind straight down the runway. I have worried about take off roll for quite some time, she used about 450 of the 600 feet available. nice smooth take off and very gentle flight characteristics. landing approach with full flaps and speed brakes was nice and smooth and made a picture perfect landing. I am very satisfied with how it turned out. never would have thought a thirty pound airplane would fly so good on 17 pounds of thrust, most of the flight was about 2/3's throttle.

thanks for all the advice, it was worth all the waiting. Kevin

RE: F-86 weight question, UPDATE, She flies
 

Oh man congrats on the maiden, happy to hear it went well...now i'm all excited to finish mine.
Kevin

RE: F-86 weight question, UPDATE, She flies
 

Thank you, went better than expected. speed was maybe 100-110 but most of the flight was mid throttle and I left the gear down for maiden just so I would be 100% sure they were there at landing. they hold air for months no problem and they have a failsafe, but I had enough to keep my mind occupied and I wanted to make sure it flew ok before testing the gear in flight as it has all sequenced doors. I have been told they may change timing a little with air loading.

more flights to come this weekend. Kevin

RE: F-86 weight question, UPDATE, She flies
 

Congratulations mate.... see I told you;)
So then where are the pics!!!

Cheers- Marty

RE: F-86 weight question, UPDATE, She flies
 

I have some pics of the build, but none since it has been finished. made the 25 mile drive to the feild, assembled and made one flight. called it a day. just wanted to know it flies. will take some more pics this weekend and get some more flight time on it. thanks for your advice, it kinda pushed me over the edge and got it flown, its been ready to fly for a year now.:D

Kevin

RE: F-86 weight question, UPDATE, She flies
 

Kevin, congrats!! hope to see it down south. BTW-My thirty pound panther flew great on a p-80!!

RE: F-86 weight question, UPDATE, She flies
 

I love a successful maiden flight!:D Nice Kevin. Hopefully I will maiden the Velox this Fri!
Mario

RE: F-86 weight question, UPDATE, She flies
 

I have to chuckle, you realize you dont need 2:1 power to weight for an airplane to fly right? haha.. Seems nobody does anymore.

Glad to hear it went well! Pics or it didnt happen :)

RE: F-86 weight question, UPDATE, She flies
 

I realize I didn't need 2:1 or even 1:1 but .6:1 seemed a little borderline to me. I have flown severly over weight prop planes, but the wingloading never approched my F-86 at 79 ounces per square foot. it was a lot of worrying for nothing as it flies very good and slows pretty well on final.

will post some pics after flying it this weekend.

Kevin