Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Managed to get my hands on a Fox Composites Eurofighter.
No instructions yet for this one, so kinda "winging it" , if anyone see's something wrong or a better way to do it please chime in.
Fox composites produce the well known Hawk and F86 that are ideal for the Wren 44, this bird is a bit bigger!
Fully composite, lots of scale details and extra mouldings included, and looks like has been well thought out.
Will be powering mine with the Merlin 90 unit from Jets munt.
Undecided on gear yet, as the wing is quite thin, having only 30mm between skins to try and get a strong retract into.
Canards are useable and have been installed in ball raced bearings for smooth action.
Some pics below taken by Graham who sold me the kit, everything held together with masking tape!

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

That is quite surprising to me as I registered my interest for this ages ago and got into a bit of a discussion with Jim about it and then........Nothing. I was under the impression the model wasn't available.

I'm looking forward to see how you get on with it.

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Yes, i also have an email from back in April 2007, when Jim sent across some images of a prototype.
I believe this kit is a pre-production one, but its quite complete, and less work than previous composite "shells" that I've purchased before.
I have emailed Jim quite a lot over the past few weeks and he's been very quick to reply and very helpful too.

Some pics below starting to install some gear...
For the canards, i just used the supplied metal control arms, added some ball link control rods, and a couple of servo's mounted to the back of the preintstalled former. The canards, bearing formers, bearings and front former all preinstalled.

The front air scoop is a seperate moulding, but trimmed and ready to fit. I used one screw through the centre of the scoop, up into a preinstalled wooden block in the cockpit area. To get a good fit, the screw is allowed through the first skin of the scoop, and holds the second skin to the fus. The screw hole is covered by the centre moulding, which i will just silicon in place after spraying, such is the good fit of the piece.

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

The wings have the gear doors marked on them, with nylon live hinging used. Just cut around the lines, and i used the saw to just take the top layer off the hinge line to get a sharper hinge.
Underneath found that the ribs (carbon sandwich) within the wing had been slotted for adding gear mounts.
Just cut out some ply to go in there...will be very strong! but waiting on the gear before cutting out for fitment.
Also installed the control horns on the surfaces and sorted out the rudder.

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

J.F.
Keep it coming! :D

Paul

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Oh, go on then, but only 'cause you asked:D

Could i just point out again, to save people emailing me asking, this is a pre-production kit. You'll have to email Fox Composites to find out more info about release dates etc , but good to know there is interest out there for this kit.

Some more pics of the underneath, showing the gear doors (already cut out) and the wood work aready installed inside.

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Looks good [8D]

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

been busy with other stuff, so only managed to get the bits in place for attaching the removeable nose, and added a bulkhead and tray up in the nosespace area, which will probably hold batteries, depending on how my CG turns out.

Any ideas tips/ideas on how to make an easy canopy frame? Have the rough cut canopy but need to make a frame for it...

Also, why do some companies change from the "standard"? Spektrum servo on left, futaba on right, just a couple of mm difference makes all the difference when a couple of mm is all you have to work with!

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Ditto Exactly.

Jim said the 1st scale prototypes had thin wings and he was hoping to make the wings thicker (slightly off scale) to accommodate retracts better.

Last communication said that he was developing the moulds for another manufacturer as he had ceased manufacturing kits himself.

Hurry up Jim please !!!!!!

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Indeed the wings are a little skinny, it going to be fun to find a set of retracts to fit (have about 30mm to play with ), was waiting on Jeff from Zedjet to get back to me regarding a Jetlegend set, but I guess everyone is too busy to accept money from people nowadays[:-]

Really need to get the retracts/legs sorted, so that then i can sort out the "ride height" when she is sat on wheels, to then decide where to glue a bulkhead/plate for the nose retract and steering servo etc.

Have done a few more things to it recently, making a frame for the canopy took a little while but not too bad. Needs a bit of tidying up and a quick coat of black before gluing the glass on.

Will put some pics up later.

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

J.F,

Ive a set of the BVM air blue retracts. They are less than 30mm in height. If you pm me i can measure them up if you think they may be of interest. You'd need to check with BVM if they would take the projected weight, but theyre well made and were used in their 17lb Takeoff weight Electra.
( Im in billingshurst so fairly local if you wanted to try them in situ before ordering a set for yourself.)

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Springair slim lines should go in.

[link=http://www.retracts.com/Retrax_400.htm]400 series[/link]

Also i think these may do but watch the weight.

[link=http://www.retracts.com/Retrax_300.htm]300 series[/link]

Paul

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

There is definitely a market for a small Euro !!

Will there be an ARF ?

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info on retracts. I need to play with the measurements a little more before i commit to a gear, always hard when you have to commit so much money without being completely sure that what you're getting is going to suit.
Birdseed - i might well take you up on that offer, I fly at adversane so not a problem to pop in - will pm.

Done a little more to the Euro this week. Got the canopy sorted now.
Started off with a rough balsa frame work, held in shape and given strength by CA'ing carbon tow.
Then added the front instrument panel top (supplied with the kit).
Then waxed up the fuselage, put a layer of wet glass woven cloth down, sat frame on top, then another layer of cloth.
Pulled off fus when dry, trimmed up edges, shaped/flatened off, then sprayed gray.
Trimmed canopy to fit on frame and fus, then glued to frame with canopy glue.
Just need to mask and spray the outside edges to hide the frame work/glue from the outside.
Pilot is from Dreamworks, I used the plastic box it was supplied in as a mould to make to the cockpit tub!
Ejection seat made from some plastic card, foam and a bit of spray paint.

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

wow Im looking forward to see this fly. Do you think this is EDFable?

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Hi Guys,

Sorry for no updates, this one's been sat on hold for a while.
Unfortunately, due to a change in circumstances, I haven't got the time to finish this model.
If anyone is interested in purchasing it - it can also be boxed and couriered for little cost - please pm me.

Thanks

J

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Dragging up an old thread as i decided to keep hold of the model, and as in life circumstances changed again allowing me to carry on with the build.
Work on this model is still slow going, not because it is challenging, but with 2 kids under the age of 3 and my own business, time is tight at the moment!

So where are we now?!

I decided that the servo in the rudder just wasn't going to be up to the job, so out that came, to be replaced with a thin wing servo which fits perfectly. The rudder hinges are now all glued and the control horn also fitted. A ball linked control arm to be fitted and that's all done now.

After much playing around with the model same on stacks of dvd boxes, I managed to work out (well hopefully- haven't fitted the nose leg yet!) the distances to keep the model high enough from the ground, whilst being able to retract the wheels fully into the fuselage in order to be able to use the gear doors, but also keeping the nose up to get the stance right.
Jim's orignal prototype didn't use the gear doors on his as at the time there were no retract/leg combos available that allowed this.

With much moving, shifting, then moving and measuring, I managed to get a set of the RA250 retract units and some custom made oleos from Sandor @ digitech made up (never realised that this was even available - can highly recommend as they are spot on sized.

You can see from the pics, that the ply has been cut to allow the retracts to sit in, then an extra piece either side to lift it up a bit, and the whole lot disappears under the doors when retracted. Just need to find a way to link the outer doors to the struts so they get pulled shut when the legs retract.

Also fitted rams to the inner gear doors.

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

I have just discovered this thread and I am glad things settled and you were able ot retaining and now continue the building. I will keep an eye on the progress and wish you happy flyings with the model.
About availability, Jim never finally put it into production, didn't he?.

Best Regards,

Jesus Cardin

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Hi Jesus,

I'm not sure what is happening with production, it would be a shame if they didn't.

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Managed to get the other main leg all finished, then fit the nose leg, and she sat on her wheels for the first time tonight.
The stance of the model looks fine, with a nose up attitude, grond clearance looks good, and you can see how scale she is - look at the shape of that wing - fantastic molding!

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Just a quick update with some pics.

Airbrake is pretty much finished, hinge point is aligned and works very well, just need a couple of pieces of ply that are tacked in place hysol'ing in permanently.

All the wing servo's are now in and connected using ball links to the control surfaces.

Front door is setup with airram now.

Filling and prepping for paint has started.

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

I wana see this one fly :D

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

shouldn't be long now!

Some teaser pics below

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Watching this with interest, looking good

lozza

RE: Fox Composites Eurofighter build thread
 

Is she still for sale?