RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

The thrust tube is towed out by 4 degrees to compensate for the asymmetric position of the engine. This engine is mounted at a reciprocal angle to allow it to address the thrust tube straight through. There were no lateral balance issues since other equipment was mounted on the opposite side. This works on the 111 because the engine cones are spaced quite close together. On other types of aircraft it could be hard to compensate for. Having said that Manfred Eberhard has been doing something similar with a Tornado. I suspect that an F14 or F 15 would have some yaw.
Mike

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

A real blast, The plane was really fun to fly.
Bogo

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Here is a link to a video of the initial test flight of the FB-111A
Mike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATxECxnCKIU

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

final test flights were completed this month on the MIBO FB-111 which will be at Top Gun next month. Attached are a few photos of both the practice and competition planes. The aircraft has fairly complicated programming on a 14 MZ, I really need to thank Duke Chung for some coaching on the programming.
Mike

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Hi Mike

Thanks for the kudos, it was great fun working with you on some of the programs! That is one awesome plane, great job!!!

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Mike is this the F111 construction from Franz Walti?!

regards MArtin

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Hi Martin,
This is not Franz F-111, although we have exchanged some ideas and parts from time to time

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Link to test flight of the competition (final version) of the FB-111A, not the best resolution you have ever seen, but serviceable.[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_InxAE595-0]Youtube[/link]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_InxAE595-0

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Just amazing Mike, jaw is on the ground. :D:D

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Thanks Ian,
With the crosswinds that day my stomach was in my throat a couple of times. We put in 9 flights in two days so things are dialed in pretty well. No surprises other than the pylons being a bit draggier than expected and a dropped main gear link on the jack screw on one flight, the gear came down after 3 attempts and all was well. The jack screw coupler has subsequently been "improved", these things don't land that well without the main gear.

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

just wondered how you do the elctric gear, driven by jackscrew. is this a home made design, or something commercially available? I'm thinking of something similar to drive the main gear on my Sepecat Jaguar build, but I'm pulling my hair out with it. LOL. any info you could provide would be fantastic. thanks.

Rich

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Hi Rich,
It is home made with a geared motor and a jackscrew. It replaces the air ram. If the gear can work with air, it can be converted to a jack screw.
Mike

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Dam.... that looks good!

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

thanks for responding Mike.

if you don't mind me asking, can you tell me where to find the parts to make this work? I've seen a worm gear set on the Tamiya website, but it looks a little fragile. hopefully you may be able to point me in a different direction. do you have any pics of that gear train by any chance? thanks.

Rich</p>

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Hi Rich, I used a maxxon motor with the gearing built in, I needed around 35 kg of torque, the jack screw is 8 mm.
here are three links to videos of the gear operating
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6rsxI5X90o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dviXDxnz_BI

http://www.youtube.com/user/meepamda#p/u/5/g3haltUkvPM

the last link, gives a reasonable view of the mechanism setup.
Mike

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

mike, that is off the hook cool. will she make top gun this year? miss seeing you guys. barry

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Hi Barry,
I plan to have it at TG this year.
I don't want to miss another year, things look ok here, so I should be able to go.
Best Regards
Mike

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Just seen this thread, what an outstanding model!

I couldn't see it mentioned but will this be kitted at some point?

Cheers, Alex

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Hi Alex,
It is likely to be kitted by Mibo
Regards
Mike

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Hi ,

I have designed some of the new FB F-14D systems among them the wing slat sys so here are some pictures that can throw some light on your question...

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

more..

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

I just want to add that the actual max movement of the slat forward is 18mm at root and 14mm at tip.

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

more..

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

thanks for the youtube links Mike. I'll have to see if I can locate one or two of those maxxon motors.  :)

Rich

RE: So, lets talk about Aardvarks...
 

Hi Rich,
I sourced mine out of Europe. It is also possible to use a speed 400 with a maxxon gear shroud, which is cheaper than the maxxon motors. Make sure that the gearing is right for the speed and torque you need, they have a lot of flavors.