Wicked Powered Jpower F5-E

[The Don]

Just received my Jpower F5-E airframe kit from Hobby Lobby today. This is a great looking model and the size is perfect. I will post more pictures soon!

Don

[The Don]

I have been deciding on my powerplant and for my first run I am going the Wicked 4800 on 3S 2200 lipo in the stock fan which will be about 380 watts.

My reasononing so far:

1) Model is pretty small and the wings are tiny, so want to try and keep AUW down if possible
2) 3S2200 lipo fits in very nicely. 4S will hit the canopy so mods will be needed to make it fit.
3) The exhaust outlets are 95% of the FSA. That makes me worry that the higher power output of 4S will go more to thrust then to speed gain unless the nozzles are reduced.
4) Model has thick trailing edges on flying surfaces which are power eaters at higher speed.
5) The wings are butt glued to the fuselage, for 4S you will probably want a spar and it will have to be a carry through spar, then it will go right through the ducting.

So for now 3S it will be then lets see what happens. I expect this to fly about 90 mph or so, and with its small size it will be a blast to fly. Here are some photos.

[bri_877]

I'd be intrested in a pic of the airframe from the bottom if you could. :) and what servos???

[The Don]

Here are some more photos. I plan on using 4 Esky 8 gram digital servos. They worked well for me in the past.

Don

[shschon]

Just received my Jpower F5-E airframe kit from Hobby Lobby today. This is a great looking model and the size is perfect. I will post more pictures soon!

Don


Is that airframe only version? No landing gear included in the airframe only version?

[The Don]

It is the airframe only version and the landing gear is included.

Don

[Racebelly]

Looks good. In fact it looks like a scaled down version of the VASA F5. The profile and wings look identical.

I'm thinking a Little Jetscreamer(I already have one) in the stock fan on 3s 2200 should produce some decent power. I'd like to get it in the 90-100mph range.

Isn't the stock fan 64mm?

Any thoughts on this setup?

-Mark

[The Don]

Stock fan is 64mm. As far was what you will get on the motor you have I can only guess, but most likely you will need 4S to get to 100mph.

Don

[Racebelly]

Don,

Do you think a Mega 2T or HET 2W would fit in the stock fan?

I'm trying to figure out a way to go 3S and get some decent speed. All my 4s packs are too big for this thing.

Thanks,


Mark

[The Don]

Those are too big in diameter to fit the stock fan. This model has thick blunt trailing edges, so not sure how fast you will be able to push it without wasting watts.

Don

[Tram]

Nice.. :)

I'm going to have to fly the Euro on the stock setup and see how she does.. After that, I may be giving you a call Don.. :)


Jeff
www.CommonSenseRC.com

[The Don]

Let me know when yo need more power I can hook you up :D

I started on mine tonight and got the servos installed. Here are a few pictures.

Don

[shhhhh!]

Don, thanks for taking the time to do this build. My son is just going to copy your build...same set up...
Thanks,
-Dave

[Smokescreen38]

Don,

Thanks for doing what you do! I hope we send enough business your way to keep you well stocked with model planes... :)

Your site should be the first stop for anyone looking for proven hop ups for many of these foamy EDFs....

[brihoo2k]

Sweet I love to see one of these built from the airframe up. What would be also nice to see would be a price comparision between the rtf and the airframe only as im in the market to go to 2.4ghz tx and rx. Keep up the good work :D

[The Don]

Here are some more photos of my build so far. For detailed photos on mounting the motor see this post as the fans are the same so no need to take photos over again.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11010999&postcount=37

Don

[The Don]

A few more photos. I am basically stuck now until my next ESC shipment which I hope is Friday as I am out of stock on Pentium 40 ESCs :(

Don

[docphi]

Don,

Is that foam-safe CA you used? Or will these EPO jets take regular CA?

[The Don]

EPO takes regular CA, that is why I love EPO foam :)

Don

[shhhhh!]

Don,how long should the extensions be for the elevator and aileron servos?
I can't really tell from the photo..are the elevator servos in danger of getting damaged on landing if this plane is a belly flopper?

[The Don]

I used 18" on the elevator and 12" on the ailerons.

[bri_877]

I can't really tell from the photo..are the elevator servos in danger of getting damaged on landing if this plane is a belly flopper?

I was wondering the same thing..... is this metal gears only???

[The Don]

I do not think it will be a problem but will find out soon enough. My ESCs arrived today so I can finish the build now.

Don

[EricClark]

Awesome. I'm watching this thread carefully. :D

[The Don]

OK back on the building board. I hope to maiden it tomorrow weather permitting. Here are some more shots.

Don

[The Don]

Glued the fin on and then did a CG check with a 3S2250 Rhino lipo. Here is where the pack needs to be for correct CG. AUW is 22 ounces. So 350 watts on 22 ounces is 255 watts per pound so it should go pretty good :)

Don

[EricClark]

Sweet, tell us how the maiden goes!! Mine will be here around the 18th. :D

[shhhhh!]

Don, are you noticing any difference between the Zippy 3s 2200 30c battery and the
Rhino 3s 2250 25c battery?

[The Don]

I have been meaning to post I maidened mine the other day and this plane is AWESOME. The Wicked 4800 on 3S2200 lipo is a perfect setup. It has over 1:1 thrust to weight. It flew right out of my hand. I needed to add some down trim as I added some up to be safe but it was to much. Once I got the elevator trimmed it flew great. I will measure my throws for you guys and post them. The CG location they gave was perfect for me also. I sort of have some video but the camera guy kept loosing it so you do not see much.

Don

[The Don]

Don, are you noticing any difference between the Zippy 3s 2200 30c battery and the
Rhino 3s 2250 25c battery?

I only have flown the Rhino so far so dont know.

Don

[EricClark]

How is the flight time?

[shhhhh!]

Don,on the battery side of the ESC did you also have to solder on some extra lead length
so the esc can be plugged into the battery?
Is your receiver placed ahead of the battery?
Did you have to remove some foam from the battery compartment so the battery can sit a bit lower?
Fired up the fan unit...very nice!!

[The Don]

Don,on the battery side of the ESC did you also have to solder on some extra lead length
so the esc can be plugged into the battery?
Is your receiver placed ahead of the battery?
Did you have to remove some foam from the battery compartment so the battery can sit a bit lower?
Fired up the fan unit...very nice!!

Yes I did have to add about 5" onthe battery side. My receiver is in the aft part of the cockpit and the lipo in front of the receiver. I removed the foam "hump" on the bottom of the canopy under the pilot so the lipo fits OK. I did that at the field so need to take a photo of that. This weekend is looking good for flying so plan on shooting more video.

Don

[The Don]

How is the flight time?

Not really sure. Generally on this setup 4-5 minutes depending on throttle. I do like to fly WOT all the time so my flight times are shorter.

Don

[shhhhh!]

Ok Don...thanks for answering the questions..all makes sense! I was very surprised at how smooth and strong that fan unit/motor is!!!!!!!!!! Great combo....
-Dave

[bri_877]

I only have flown the Rhino so far so dont know.

Don
Wondering if you've tried the zippy yet and what your thoughts are compaired to the Rhino. I can find the motor and esc on your site but you don't handle the batteries? Where would be the hot spot to get one or two of them? I'm not spending another dime on TP packs so i'd be looking for my next option on 3s 2200 packs.....

[bri_877]

And is the extreme edf motor an option or should I stick with the 4800?

[The Don]

Not really as the amps go way up but the rpm does not go up too much. So I do not recommend it.

Don

[shhhhh!]

For straight and level flight, where does the top inboard surface of the elevator line up with the small fixed portion of the elevator that protrudes from the fuselage?
Looks like we might be able to maiden this weekend.
Also..equal up and down with the ailerons or differential?
Thanks,
-Dave

[The Don]

I measured my setup. Right now I have 12mm up and and 12mm down on each aileron. The elevators are 14mm up and 14mm down. Right now I do not have aileron differential activated. One strange thing is that I need a lot of down elevator trim for level flight. Maybe it is because of the faster flying speed then stock on the Wicked 4800 setup. See the photo below.

Here is a video my buddy Bill took today of me flying my F-5E.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-BMF7AdN6c&feature=channel

Please pardon Bills comment on the first pass :)

Don

[bri_877]

Looks under powered... :p

Nice Don, Looks like I'll be grabbing one of those up. That's got some zip. :D

[shhhhh!]

Excellent Don!! Exactly the info I was looking for ... especially where the neutral elevator setting needs to be. Looking at the jet from the side it looks like it was fabricated with about 2 degrees of up stab;that's why down elevator is needed for a neutral setting...or the incidence angle is slightly off.
Great flying jet..Hope to maiden mine tomorrow.

[Spid]

Flies great Don!! Excellent setup. How fast? 90ish?

Thanks,
Kev

[The Don]

Sounds about right. The outlets are over-sized and should be smaller but there is LOTS of thrust, over 1:1 so climbs are quite impressive.

Don

[shhhhh!]

I had a successful maiden flight on Saturday! Flew the jet 3 times on Saturday and three times on Sunday.
My neutral elevator setting was exactly like the photo Don posted on post #40.
Used the exact same set up as Don,same equipment,same throws with the servos.
Great flying jet!!
I removed the foam blocks that hold the steering servo and nose gear because I don't fly with any landing gear.I glassed the inside of the front bottom of the fuselage and added a small battery tray.
Don...thanks for the great service and instructions.
-Dave

[shhhhh!]

Photo of the fuselage modification.

[kdfi73]

Got mine today!!!! Cant wait to put it together :D

[guitaramp68]

Let me know when yo need more power I can hook you up :D

I started on mine tonight and got the servos installed. Here are a few pictures.

Donwhere did your cg fall.same as the book.

[The Don]

where did your cg fall.same as the book.

Yep. The recommended CG is perfect. Just needed all that down elevator trim though. I think it is because they built in to much decalage between the wing and tail.

Don

[guitaramp68]

wel i got the rtf and they have it set with hardly any up ele,but loads of down
.maybe something to do with how you set up is.did your plane come with the funkie curled wings and eles.if i get good range check that doesent mean i wont get glitchy.i might test these electronics in a junker first.i read some post with guys having trouble with glitchs.anyway cant wait to get her in the air.i might put a gws 4600kv motor in,if doesnt get blury on low passes

[guitaramp68]

I measured my setup. Right now I have 12mm up and and 12mm down on each aileron. The elevators are 14mm up and 14mm down. Right now I do not have aileron differential activated. One strange thing is that I need a lot of down elevator trim for level flight. Maybe it is because of the faster flying speed then stock on the Wicked 4800 setup. See the photo below.

Here is a video my buddy Bill took today of me flying my F-5E.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-BMF7AdN6c&feature=channel

Please pardon Bills comment on the first pass :)

Doni watched some of the other videos also.to scale your pretty close to space shuttle speeds :eek: . what is that about 120 130mph

[The Don]

Actually about 90 mph. Small models look much faster than they really are going in reality.

Don