Align F-16 400

[PLMS]

New thread started for the 400 motor version of the Align F-16 electric pusher model.

[PLMS]

Guy's, those of you you have now flown their F-16's, particularly the 400. Could you tell me if the plane changes its elevator trim from full power to half to zero ?
By this I mean does the F-16 want to climb noticably with full power on ?

My thought is this. My past four rear motor electrics have all had a slight tilt on the motor thrust line to compensate for this. The F-16 kit does not suggest any. My previous planes had somewhere between 2 and 4 degrees of up thrust (the shaft pointed skywards when viewed from the back), I experimented myself with the angles on three of the models. I ended up with nearly the same angle as used in a Zagi (how odd :-)....

Anyway, if the F-16 pitches up on full power I think I should set the motor mount with about 2 degrees tilt.

Anybody done this.....

[gazza2003au]

i say build it as per instructions and have fun :)

[PLMS]

i say build it as per instructions and have fun :)


Thanks Gazza but I'm far to serious a tinkerer to just go have fun. The F-16 is much modified now, a little bit more won't hurt.

Can anyone describe the power on pitch charactoristics please ?

Marty

[PLMS]

Found out for myself how it flies, and I've added a spiel to my R/C page.
Martin


http://www.users.bigpond.com/webspace/plms_spad&mugi/index.html#My_Align_F-16_Super_400

[Levi Jordan]

wow. yours flew???
my freinds didnt go well on 3s1p. it went -------------> then pull up Kaboom .. stall
what did you use for your setup???
adriel

[Tommy D]

That’s some good Info. I have both versions in the closet..... one of these days...

Tommy

[PLMS]

wow. yours flew???
my freinds didnt go well on 3s1p. it went -------------> then pull up Kaboom .. stall
what did you use for your setup???
adriel

Um, yes. You sound surprised though. I did have drama's, which are on my little web page, did you look ?.

Here's quick cut&paste of some of it.

Specifications:
Weight: about 520g without the battery pack (add 125g for my 3S packs)
Receiver: Hyperion (BERG) 4ch with DSP, from AirCraft World Japan.
Servos: 2 x Waypoint W-150MG
Power: RCer Warp4 BL-4 4 turn brushless motor, Castle Creations PH-25 brushless ESC
Prop: APC 5.1x4.5 E-fly prop
Finish: Cabots Crystal clear, Zagi tape, stickers.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin
PS. What was the Kaboom you refer too ?

[im-sad]

Um, yes. You sound surprised though. I did have drama's, which are on my little web page, did you look ?.

Here's quick cut&paste of some of it.

Specifications:
Weight: about 520g without the battery pack (add 125g for my 3S packs)
Receiver: Hyperion (BERG) 4ch with DSP, from AirCraft World Japan.
Servos: 2 x Waypoint W-150MG
Power: RCer Warp4 BL-4 4 turn brushless motor, Castle Creations PH-25 brushless ESC
Prop: APC 5.1x4.5 E-fly prop
Finish: Cabots Crystal clear, Zagi tape, stickers.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin
PS. What was the Kaboom you refer too ?

i was useing 3d fomys account and now mine.
Yes i am surprised. i havent gone to your web yet tho.

sorry about the odd post. i was in a hurry.

heres a detailed flight report.

Bright sunny day. Some wind. Took the f -16 out and got her ready. put in a 3s1p in her and went to maiden. Seemed like a great time to test it.
Got a friend to throw. Full throtle and THROW. zooooom. flew straight. Pulled up a bit and .... Oh NO ....... STALL.(the kaboom) It seemed real underpowerd. chaged the prop .. same thing.
so he decided to buy a brushless for it.

hope it helps
adriel

[PLMS]

I did a great flight with the F-16 last Sunday, looked very impressive and I've added some new notes to my web page (and a crashed photo). My new Hyperion/BERG DSP receiver locked out just as I was about to bring it in. The planes fairly wrecked, it speared through a tree. I wonder if I can get new wings.
Martin

http://www.users.bigpond.com/webspace/plms_spad&mugi/index.html#My_Align_F-16_Super_400

[Ralph Brekan]

Ah, man did you have to do that?? No I have to get one... :rolleyes:

[JREEVES]

I'm far to serious a tinkerer to just go have fun.
Marty

That's a great quote Marty, gotta remember that one! :D

[Ralph Brekan]

"The Align F-16's flying characteristics make it difficult to relax while flying it"

That's my favorite part of your review. LOL!

Hmmm, I wonder if being a high-speed, low-wing, fighter-jet has anything to do with your lack of relaxation here? :D "Ah yes a relaxing calm day in the park with my planes. Which will it be today? The Tigermoth, The Piper Cub? No, I really wanna to relax so lets go with the F-16 Falcon." :p

[PLMS]

Ah, man did you have to do that?? No I have to get one... :rolleyes:

I'm not sure I'll replace it, BUT for anyone who has not owned a fast semi-scale jet and wants to find out how they go the Align plane is good value. Just set the CoG 40-45mm in front of the spar for first flights. 3S Lipo and brushless is great, 1800kv minimum motor or 2200 would be sweet.
Martin

[Ralph Brekan]

Thanks Martin! I have a brushless F22 Raptor (high wing delta=very stable) I think I'm ready for something alittle squirlier. :cool:

[Ralph Brekan]

wow. yours flew???
my freinds didnt go well on 3s1p. it went -------------> then pull up Kaboom .. stall
what did you use for your setup???
adriel

Hey, maybe its zen....Im still trying to get your F18 to fly... :rolleyes:

[redryder]

Since this is an all-flying tailplane, is it possible that you set it up with far too much throw on the tail?

Cheers,

red

[redryder]

Title says it all! :o

Got mine together, cg 30mm in front of the carbon spar, align ballastic missile achieved vertical impact. So my apology to PLMS.

Since then, I fly it at 65mm (30%) back from the leading edge at the wing root. No problem to fly and quick enough with the 430LF/2250kV motor.

Cheers,

red

PS. A lot of lead is needed to get the CG that far forward. But even with all that lead and a 3S 2000mAh pack the weight is just on 585g.

[redryder]

Also, a big complaint about this kit. The wings are attached with double-sided tape. On mine it is already coming loose. I'll be buying another of these and I'll remove the tape, lightly sand the wing surface (400 grit) and glue the wings on with epoxy. Another option could be to coat the wing root area on the fuselage with glue, let it dry then try the tape. But I think I'll go with the direct glue method.

Nice model, looks good in the air (with the right CG :o ) and a great price. For the record:

2 x HS-56HB servos
Hyperion 8ch RX (All I had available, 4ch is enough)
Hyperion 20A ESC
Align 430LF 2250kV motor
APC-E 4.7x4.2 prop
Kokam 3S 2000mAh battery

I also used white silicone sealant on the gap between the wing root and fuselage. I'll be trying the supplied 4.7x4.7 props this weekend, weather permitting.

Cheers,

red

[Hellboy_2]

HI all,
I had my 1st flight last week.
My set up is:

Align 420lf
Hyperion 3s 1800 20c pack
Align 35 amp speedy
Jr synth rx
2 HS 56 servos
5 x 5 prop
I tested the power output with my emeter and was getting readings of 285 to 295 watts at around 27 to 30 amps.

It flew well at first then locked out twice. The first time it was high and I regained control after 5 or so seconds. The second time was duing landing. No responds at all. Luckily it was lined up and landed itself. :eek:
When I picked it up, it was working fine :confused:
I have extended the wires from the speedy to the motor by 100mm. Would this cause a problem?
The Rx is well away from the speedy also.

What should I look for next?
Cheers
Hellboy :)

[Crackajack]

Come on, at least 1 suggestion.
I'm a bit stuck also. :o

I locked out too like Hellboy_2
Lockout seems common. Is it the Align speedies?
Cracka

[redryder]

So far I haven't had a problem with the Hyperion Rx & ESC. I have the ESC right in front of the motor with very short leads and long leads to the battery up front. The Rx is in front of the servos. Try running your antenna out to a wingtip. It will get it out of line with all the wiring.

Cheers,

red

[Crackajack]

Thanks Red,
I'll try platting the motor wires and wrapping them in foil. I will also run the Rx wire out to the wing tip!

I'll let you know how it goes ;)

Cheers
CJ

[SuperHornet]

Thanks Red,
I'll try platting the motor wires and wrapping them in foil. I will also run the Rx wire out to the wing tip!

I'll let you know how it goes ;)

Cheers
CJ

I have 4 castle creations phoniex 25A esc's, they are excellent, i program them on my pc its easy as. I am very happy with them.

SuperH

[rkte]

Anyone have tried put on landing gear and do ROG for this F16 400?

[guitarrarl]

Hi all: I had several bad locked reciver situations with a 64 inches wing span Super Bandit. I had to rebuild the planes three times :( Finally I found that the problem was having long ESC wires to the pusher motor. I ran instead long power wires to the ESC to keep the motor wires as short as possible, no problems since!

Raymond

[guitarrarl]

Anyone have tried put on landing gear and do ROG for this F16 400?


yes! I flew mine ten times today. It has a landing gear and a front wheel stearable. The plane flies great but very fast with a BP21 and a 7x6. With a 2000 mha batt it is 20 oz, that including that I fiber glassed the fuse with 4/4 oz cloth and epoxy. I may remove the landing gear as the plane requires hot landing and it is not very easy on the road. The plane glides quite well with the motor off once it is very high.

Raymond

PS I will post photos of my setup.

[guitarrarl]

Hi: I used epoxy as you said but only on the wing's root and it hold perfect! Thanks.
RL

Also, a big complaint about this kit. The wings are attached with double-sided tape. On mine it is already coming loose. I'll be buying another of these and I'll remove the tape, lightly sand the wing surface (400
Hi: I tried the epoxy on the wing root only as you said and the wing hold very well. Thanks!


grit) and glue the wings on with epoxy. Another option could be to coat the wing root area on the fuselage with glue, let it dry then try the tape. But I think I'll go with the direct glue method.

Nice model, looks good in the air (with the right CG :o ) and a great price. For the record:

2 x HS-56HB servos
Hyperion 8ch RX (All I had available, 4ch is enough)
Hyperion 20A ESC
Align 430LF 2250kV motor
APC-E 4.7x4.2 prop
Kokam 3S 2000mAh battery

I also used white silicone sealant on the gap between the wing root and fuselage. I'll be trying the supplied 4.7x4.7 props this weekend, weather permitting.

Cheers,

red

[rkte]

I installed landing gears with steerable wheel infront using servo HS-81.
Tried a few times for ROG but the plane always going either left or right side when the speed is quite high.
Problem solved after I replaced the front wheels to smaller one and adjust the rear wheel slightly higher than the front wheel.

Finally, managed to ROG :D
But the fuselage holding the front wheel cracked after landing, might want to use balsa wood to enforce it.

[guitarrarl]

neat RKTE MIne are also steerable it worked great and never a problem with the support. I did use fiberglass piece to hold the gears. I removed them for now as untiil I install a second ail servo so I can use ailerons as brakes and slow down at landing. My rear gears are installed under the wings by the missils. I used a piece of fine plywood to hold the piano wire gear. It is so strong that if I land on the grass the wire will bend without braking the wing or fuse.

Your plane looks great and you seem to have plenty of runway :)

Raymond

[FFF]

Just building one at the moment, but not sure if the suggested method of using glue for the motor mount, just dosen't feel secure enough, any other way you have tired?

Thanks