F-16C falcon parkjet

[Hans-Joachim]

Hi everybody, this is my contribution.
Last weekend I´d designed and built my own F-16C, ws 77cm (30inc)
440g ready to fly with 3s1p kokam 1500 and typhoon 6/20, 7x4 apc sf.
I´d maiden flight two hours ago. It was snowing but I couldn´t resist.

Here are the pictures, the videos and the plans.

Feel free and build this falcon if you want.
Only rule is to offer a picture of your F-16.

Greetings and happy flying

Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

some more pictures :)

[Hans-Joachim]

and some more ... :)

[Hans-Joachim]

the plans :) (look at post #64 (page 5) for some more info and download)
"online building" from F-16C, No.2 starts at post #44 (page 3)
use 6mm depron and 3 mm for the roundnesses.




edit: I´ve done new plans

You can find 65% size plans here: (50cm wingspan)
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7362533&postcount=2883

this is a link to the 120% plan size version (93 cm ws)
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11520423&postcount=662

and plans for a 141% size F-16
(ws 109 cm (42.9inc) and 158cm (62.2inc) long) in post #1522

Cadetman has done a perfect canopy form.
He sent me some canopies as a present :) page 137, post #2054.
If anyone is interested he´s offering the canopies at a special price. ;)

You can find all this plans and

tiled 100% size F-16 here

http://www.parkjets.com/hj-f16-Falcon.html

Here is a link to a PDF file. ;)
It´s John Morgans F-16 build in pdf form for download.
The Master Build!!!!! :cool:

http://www.rapidsharing.com/326881df2c73b36ef399d08d3355ab44

[Hans-Joachim]

.. the short video from the maiden flight :)
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14996&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

Here is a video from the first flight in blue sky!
4 weeks and a lot of flights later.
Enjoy it! :)
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15890&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

Here is a video from my son´s F-16C, No. 2
with direct drive brushed speed 400
3 weeks later.
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15702&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

22 weeks later, two F-16 in the air :D
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22161&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

28 weeks later, F-16C, No.4 (141% size) at the river side
109cm ws, 158 long with mega 16/15/2, 3200kokam3s1p, 4x3 in the air
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24745&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

32 weeks later, F-16C, No.4 (141% size) with landing gear ;)
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26216&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

2 years later, F-16C, No.4 (141% size)
e-flite park 480, 11x7 e-flite prop, 3s1p 3200 kokam.
I love it!! :)
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651226

this is the 65% plan size, that´s 20" ws, "Out Of The Trunk"
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=678824

this is the 141% plan size, controlled out of the car to get an idea about the speed.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691481

this is the 120% size with ordnance. :)
in rain
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=804795
in blue sky
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=812629

[jetset44]

Very nice work, Hans-Joachim! I never thought I'd see a simple to build F-16 Park Jet due to all it's complex wing/body curves, but it looks like you've found a great way to do it. And 440g is a nice light weight, too.

THANKS for sharing your work! I'm looking forward to seeing some of these built!

Steve

[rpage]

Very nice! Looks like it fly pretty well! Love the first two photos with the snow! I may give this build a try. Thanks!

[alf]

Very nice, thx for sharing the plans, i will try it :)

Ralph

[DCobra]

Wow Hans! Very cool! I'm going to have to build this one after my current F-16 project is built! The flight video looks awesome, it looks like it flies very well.

Thank you for the design and for sharing!

-Paul

[Action Jack]

That is fantastic! I really admire your workmanship on a notoriously difficult fuse shape. And you seem to be fearless in terms of:

1. A low altitude maiden flight (!)
2. Enduring some pretty sad weather conditions. Nothing like a bit of icy rain to add to the adventure.

Great job!

Jack

[Trbdsl96]

Wow! About 15.5oz with a 28in wingspan! :eek: Thats amazing. No wonder it lands so slow. (I'm jealous) I fly with a 21in wingspan and AUW of 19-23oz. My landings look like controlled crashes compared to yours!

Good work!

[Mr. Boogie]

Nice Job Hans,

All these F-16's are making me giggle like a school girl :D .

Mr. Boogie

[Action Jack]

Nice Job Hans,

All these F-16's are making me giggle like a school girl :D .

Mr. Boogie

Uh, Mr. B. I've seen video of you heaving an F/A-18 and I'm having trouble imagining what a school girl giggle would sound like coming from you. :)

I, personally have been tittering....

Jack

[Mr. Boogie]

Uh, Mr. B. I've seen video of you heaving an F/A-18 and I'm having trouble imagining what a school girl giggle would sound like coming from you. :)

I, personally have been tittering....

Jack

Hey Jack

Hee Hee,

You said tittering :D

B

[PIV]

Nice work. Another Jet to build! Where am i going to hanger them all?

[Hans-Joachim]

thanks to everybody !!

weatherconditions were better today :)

here is a video about the 3. flight to get a better idea about the plane

http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14995&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

by the way

the 2. flight yesterday in heavy snowin´
a friend (who used the camera) said
"hey I haven´t seen your plane flying while filming, so one more flight please"
He has caught the F-16 in flight during the landing to avoid it´s getting wetter. That looks REALY COOL to me ;)

thanks to everybody !!

... hey, what about a GLOBAL THUNDERBIRD GROUP :)

greetings and happy flying
Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

... looks like Steve ´jetset44´ is flying there .. :)

[DCobra]

Lol....which one is Steve?:D

[Hans-Joachim]

Hi DCobra !

... Number 5 :)

Greetings
Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

here is the F-16 pilot for the canopy I have used :cool:

I feel more comfortable if you use your own face. You are currently looking at me ! :)

I´ve laminated 8 parts of 6mm depron (I mean one over the next), formed it
and took a heat shrink sleeve. Not more than 20 minutes for cutting, sticking parts, forming and heating. :)

Greetings Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

...I´ve found this ... :)

[Hans-Joachim]

canopy picture is 96 dpi and decals are 50 dpi for the right size

Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

some more ...

[Hans-Joachim]

... drawing the stars and stripes to the F-16 takes more time than building the plane but it looks nice to me so far :)

some more ... :)

[Tomcat Fan]

Saw both videos and all I can say is "WOW!!!!!!!".
That was fantastic. She flies well, with just enough authority to be kept thoroughly controlled without being too hot. Very well done indeed.

[Hans-Joachim]

Tomcat Fan,

thank you!

Isn´t it a great time with depron, lipos and internet :)


... I feel good ...

Greetings
Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

...ready... :)

[localbuyer]

Wow !

[Hans-Joachim]

thx localbuyer,

Tomcat Fan that´s right:

She flies well, with just enough authority to be kept thoroughly controlled without being too hot.

It´s a fast and simple build and it looks impressive to me.

She makes it possible for me to fly in smaler areas and if something went wrong I only have to cut and glue some parts. No problem :)


Oh, I can´t wait someone is building this F-16 too and shares his experience :)


Greetings Hans-Joachim

[DCobra]

Very nicely done Hans-Joachim! I would like to build this, but it will be at least a month before I can start...I am moving from California to North Carolina next week and probably won't get to finish my current projects.

-Paul

[rcguy01]

Nicely done, Great work Hans-Joachim.

BTW, take a look at this F16,
for only $69/pop, another great Viper out there :p :p
http://www.ultraflymodel.com/airplanes/ufla1090.html

[Thomas Nelson]

VERY pretty, Hans. I too like how repairable jets made of depron and fanfold are. Very kind of you to share the plans!

[Hans-Joachim]

Hi DCobra,

good luck in North Carolina. Seems to be a long way.

goonybird, thank you

that´s right, we could buy rtf kits, but it´s a good experience
to buy some depron, carbon, uhu por, ...
and see how fast and cool a bird can be build by yourself. :)
I wouldn´t compare it directly.

thanks Thomas for your friendly comments.

Greetings and happy flying
Hans-Joachim

...couldn´t resist to offer this picture... :)

[Hans-Joachim]

Does anybody knows, where the collision/position lights are placed on the real F-16? :confused:

I´ve only seen the lights at the wing-ends

[Hans-Joachim]

...ok, it´s only a test... I´ve got flashing LEDs ;)

[Hans-Joachim]

... this flashing LEDs put disturbing impulses
when I used the receiver electric circuit :eek:
Now I´ve tested 4x 3V cells. It works. :)

I will use the LEDs only for sunset flying when I come from work in the evening.

Greetings Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

... any more experiences about flashing LEDs ??....

[Hans-Joachim]

Ok, I´ve tested so far.

40g more weight for flashing.

I let it be !

It was only an option.

Flying by daylight and blue sky is all I want ... :)

Happy flying

Hans-Joachim

[DCobra]

Hi DCobra,

good luck in North Carolina. Seems to be a long way.

goonybird, thank you

that´s right, we could buy rtf kits, but it´s a good experience
to buy some depron, carbon, uhu por, ...
and see how fast and cool a bird can be build by yourself. :)
I wouldn´t compare it directly.

thanks Thomas for your friendly comments.

Greetings and happy flying
Hans-Joachim

...couldn´t resist to offer this picture... :)


Thank you Hans-Joachim. I agree 100% that it is a more rewarding experience to build your own jet (or someone elses design plans! :D ;) )
Seeing a jet take shape from all the gluing, bending, cutting, and sanding is alot of fun for me. Plus, I think repairs on depron jets are alot easier than on most RTF's.
Lastly, there is nothing better than being at the field and when people ask "Where did you buy that?" you can say you built it yourself.

-Paul

[Hans-Joachim]

some years ago my father said:

"it´s amazing, what human hands can do" *

Paul, you are right!

* I was thinking of that while ready your post

[Hans-Joachim]

... and

when I built this F-16, I was so impressed about this easy to build and scale looking body, that I had glued the upper deck without putting
any electic in. (let´s say I´d closed it and forgotten all the input)

Next step, after realising this, I went outside in the night,
turned on the light in the garden and tested the gliding.

(cg was 1 cm (0,4 inc) more backwards)

I was deeply impressed.


I couldn´t wait for maiden flight and used this snow-covered saturday.

I am shure, I forget a lot of moments in live, but I think, I will never forget this gliding F-16 into the darkness.

This is the reason I am sharing the plans.

... Luck is the only think that double when you divide...

Greetings
Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

... and

have a good start in North Carolina

[Hans-Joachim]

I wouldn´t sound stupid, it´s not easy for me to translate phrasologies :)

[Hans-Joachim]

I decided to build a second one, step by step I´ll offer the pictures

I started with drawing the parts to the depron, using a textmarker

[Hans-Joachim]

the next pictures

[Hans-Joachim]

the next ... No. 11

[Hans-Joachim]

No. 12

[Hans-Joachim]

No. 13

[Hans-Joachim]

No. 14 3-4 hours work :)

[Hans-Joachim]

2. day

... two hours work ... :)

... when you cut off the upper front deck for the canopy,
the best way is to cut 90° to the vertical body.
You can draw some panel lines to the upper deck for
better orientation for the 90° cutting job

Cut the canopy side view out of the paper (plan) first
and glue it to the vertical section to get the cutting line.

I´ve simply cut a hole in the upper deck to catch the receiver.
Cutting a hole under 45°, so the plate couldn´t fall through the body.
I use a tape for fixing the coverunit and the canopy.

Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

3. day

... two hours work ... :)

the yellow canopy doesn´t look good to the painting.
I had changed to a clear one.

This is my T-bird :)

150g as shown without any elektric.

I hope the pictures are helping.

Greetings Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

To install the rc and e-motor unit,
look at the pictures
at the beginning of this thread.

I use AILERON AND ELEVATOR with 4cm (1,57inc) up and down,
you may have a look at the pictures on side 27, post #393

I´d used acyl paint 70% and "spiritus" 30% for painting,
it´s cheap and works good.

I´d used a sponge for painting, because it´s too cold outside
for me and my airbrush.

Maybe I use the airbrush for F-16C No.3?

Hans-Joachim

[Michnet76]

Great Job Hans! You must be very proud of your work! Good on ya!

I found this thread after looking around doing some research on a possible next purchase of an Align F-16 400 foamy kit, but after looking at your piece of magnificent engineering I think I'll put the money back in the wallet and have a go at your design.

While sitting back watching your videos and looking through the photo's I began to play out the construction in my mind... first thought was to modify it with tailerons and do away with the ailerons all together, or possibly just use one servo and create flaps! The I started thinking that that'd be a pretty fiddly construction that knowing my luck would fall apart in mid flight! So I started to think of ways I could make some control surfaces more conventional and reliable, then I remembered some pics I found in an 'Aircraft Phototypes' book of the F-16XL, a delta wing F-16... kewl I thought - elevons... so I imported Hans PDF's into adobe illustrator and laid the delta wing over hans conventional wing design and attached to this post is a PDF of the results. How do you rekon she'd go??

Another thing I have to consider is materials that are available locally... Depron is a non event around here, I have to sit there and explain the type of material to the hardware shop guys and they still sit there scratching their heads! LOL! Corflute/Corulex/Twinwall was my next thought, I can source 3mm stuff locally , perhaps 6mm if I search around but it all comes from signwriters and works out quite expensive per sheet, cheaper to get Depron mailed to me from the Australian importer, but that'd cost around $50AUS, may as well buy that Align F16 for $65AUS. But something we do have locally, and lots of it is balsa wood! So my minds' starting to think of laminating a heap of 6/6.5mm sheets side by side , working it criss/cross grain for strength and using that for the main wing profile, then maybe 4.8mm stuff for the side profile... then knock up some ribs and layer the fuse with 1mm balsa sheets... bit of balsa filler in the gaps and bobs ya uncle! The wings can be sanded down to create a nice aerofoil profile as well which would save a little weight and inside the fuse I can drill out circles in the ribs and main profile parts to save weight... Do you think she'd be too heavy? I'll probably use a cheap speed 480 brushed motor and either 8cells (9.6v) or see if I have a spare 3S lipo or two that would handle the amps. Any comments??

[Hans-Joachim]

The material that I use is called "Untertapete" (under-wallpaper)=Twinwall.

I´ve used 3 mm fluted plastic for the second F-16 and 6 mm for the flat-wing-plate only.

So it sounds good to me, you can get 3mm stuff. Use the 3 mm stuff and double the wing or laminate it with thin balsa.
Maybe you don´t need a carbon stick if you use "balsa-twinwall-balsa". Test the best! and let me know!
The carbonstick in the wing weights 15-20 g.



The 480 brushed is a little bit heavier than the little typhoon brushless I use, but it seems that changing the wingform to the XL-Version
doesn´t turns the c/g more backwards
(I have constructed the delta c/g on your plan and got the same result :) ).
By the way, it´s a great idea to build this XL. Looks cool to me :cool:

Maybe it´s good to use the heavier NiNh packs to make it easier using a heavier motor.
Place the motor as far as you can in c/g direction.
Use aluminum foil to cover the battery wire extension.

I´ve to place my 110g Lipoly pack in the front of the my :) "pilot seat"

So Michnet76: "go to your local shop and buy the Twinwall! before it´s sold out! Use "Uhu por" to glue the stuff, let me know
and offer some pictures in this thread while building!"

Greetings to Down Under!

Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

It´s snowing again ... :)

[Hans-Joachim]

... and there is snow on the runway ... :p

[Hans-Joachim]

Michnet76,

I´ve thought about the 480.

... it´s good for me to keep this birds light
(no weight, no damage and flying in smal areas).

A stock Graupner speed300, 7,2 V or GWS EPS-350C motor
(5.33 gearing, 8x6 prop, 3s1p Lipo)
is a good choice for me if I wouldn´t go brushless.

But, .... let´s see! :)

Greetings from snowy Germany
Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

... to post No. 56:
runway is the balcony
landing is still on the field behind :)

[Michnet76]

Thanks for the advice Hans... well I've started construction of my XL... I've decided to make it out of balsa so have began laminated 100mm wide x 6.4mm thick strips of balsa together for the main wing profile... I am going to cross grain a few pieces to give it strenght and might even laminated some 1mm sheet balsa over the top and maybe bottom of the wing to give it strength and to also sand out a basic aerofoil profile. I havn't really looked too much at making plans yet as this'll probably be a work/design in progress type thing! But at this stage I'm thinking that I'll add a few more ribs to the fuse and use 1mm balsa sheeting to make up the fuselage... I'll start posting pictures as soon as I can get my memory card reader working!

BTW, would anything have a guesstimate on where the CG would be for this type of design??

[Hans-Joachim]

... can´t wait to see some pictures :-)

here is my drawing to find the c/g.

[Michnet76]

Wow! That's some formula... goes right over my head but looks pretty! So looking at the diagram, the CG is acrually a little further forward then what you've got with the normal wing layout. Interesting... I would have assumed it would be further back being a delta wing - but I dont know much about deltas to say anything anyway. I guess trial and error will take a big part in this XL version!

[Hans-Joachim]

I´d maiden testflight on Michnet76´s F-16XL wingdesign (M 1:67) on the C/G shown in the plan.

All went well. :)

The C/G point is ok. :)

It´s not easy to throw this bird with the left hand
while taking a picture with the right hand.
But I´d managed it. :)

Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

here are the pictures for the F-16C canopy-building

[Hans-Joachim]

... here are the F-16C 3dviews I´ve used
for some panel line drawing...

[Michnet76]

Mate... You're a legend!! :-) Thanks for all the help and input!!

Ok... I'll plan the component layout to suit that CG... Looks like the battery's going under the canopy then, which'll mean I'll have to allow for a removable canopy.

Thanks for the canopy build pics too, I was wondering what I was going to do with that step... I might just still go with a non-clear one and paint it black... see what happens.

[Michnet76]

Ok, as promised... some build pics of the balsa F-16XL

Balsa all cut to size and laid over plans...

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/wing_profile_01.jpg

Balsa strips being glued together, I did one glue join at time...

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/wing_profile_02.jpg

All the vertical peices done, now the trailing edge cross piece getting fitted...

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/wing_profile_03.jpg

Side profiles cut out, wing glued together, tonight the leading egdes will be made and glued on...

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/wing_profile_04.jpg

Verticial stab. I'll glue some 1mm sheet over this and sand to shape...

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/vertical_stap01.jpg

Once the wing is all together, I'll probably start cutting out some of the middle section so it kinda looks like the vertical stab, then layer some 1.5mm sheets of balsa over the top and sand to a basic aerofoil shape.

I don't mind the extra work in building these things as I enjoy the thought process in developing and building as much as the flying. I tell, even if this thing doesn't fly, it'll look great hanging from my sons ceiling! ;-)

[Hans-Joachim]

Michnet76,

this start of your F-16XL looks like a
masterpiece to me.

Cutting and forming depron, selitron or however we should call this stuff is
way easier.

I see, you have all the tools and resources you need for this work.
It´s obvious not the first time you are using balsa. :-)

what should I say:

"... I don't mind the extra work in building these things
as I enjoy the thought process in developing and building
as much as the flying. I tell, even if this thing doesn't fly,
it'll look great hanging from my sons ceiling! ;-) "

same as me.

... but she will fly !

Don´t forget to offer more pictures

Greetings
Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

I´ve got a message from someone who wanted to know,
how to make the body-form.

But I can´t see if my reply went out.

If there is something not clear enough
let me know. :)


Here is my reply

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,

I´d only used the 3dview.
The cross sections are shown on the plan.
I´d used the first 4 sections for building the F-16.
I´d measured the afterdeck directly and
let the sides a little bit longer to get the roundnesses.
I´d used a heat gun to preform only a little bit.
It snaps in form behind the strips at the
wing plate and the side leading.

Let me know if this helps, or if I haven´t understand
your question correct.

Greetings
Hans-Joachim

[Trikky]

Michnet76

contact these guys to see if they have anyone in SA that sells their cellfoam
http://www.airdex.com.au/cf88_applications.php

Otherwise have a look at www.electricorange.com.au as he sells the cellfoam.

It is very similar to depron.

here is a very rough and ready F15 and a P51 I have made using it.
you can get it in 3mm and 5mm


Chris

[Michnet76]

Thanks for the compliments Hans... unfortunatly there's no such thing as a quick or 'slap it together' job for me! LOL! One of the downfulls of being a bit of a perfectionist, you're not happy unless everything is perfect. I really need to cut myself some slack! LOL! Besides from the air you can't see all the little details, as long as you have the shape outline and the major details in place then it would like just like a finely detailed model in the air! But anyway... such is life! LOL!

I'm working on the XL as we speak... the wing profile is all assembled minus the elevons, just cutting out some non essential balsa from the inner wings and fuse then I'll upload some photos later tonight.

[Michnet76]

Excellent... thanks for the links Trikky... Nice looking birds you have there too. I'd love to get some of this stuff to make up some profile style fun flyers that you can just throw around on the Sunday arvo without worrying about crashing them. I can see there's alot of potential with this kind of material, with a bit of imagination you can come up with anything... just like Hans and his F-16!!

[Hans-Joachim]

Sounds good to me :)

Ok, I know what I´ve to do this evening.

... waiting for the post, comming 20.000 km far away ! :)

Internet is cool!

Greetings
Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

Trikky,

the P-51 and the F-15 are my favorit airplanes beside the F-16.

The Mustang was my first aileron bird! since Summer 2003

The F-15 my second one! since Fall 2004

lol

Hans-Joachim

[Trikky]

my ultimate favourite planes are the BF109 and ME262 must be something to do with my German background.

The F15 is from plans I downloaded from www.3dfoamy.com, there are lots of plans there including a FA-18 and a Gripen.

The profile P-51 I got from www.electricorange.com.au
Scott has done 4 plans so far with I think 2 more to come.

Chris

[Trikky]

Michnet76
no probs at all.

They look much better in the photo's compared to real life but hey means I am not worried about crashing them.

The P-51 has so far crashed into my neibours swimming pool - DOH!!!!!!
By the time I got to it the brushless ESC was toast - &$!&%$& salt water pool.

The F-15 flys quite slow as it has alot of drag to contend with does some nice high alpha stuff and lands great.

Shall try and get some in flight photos soon.

Chris

[Hans-Joachim]

My P-51 is from ALFA Models very scale looking!

... when you speak about a Me 109 and your German background ...
the P-51 isn´t far away. The P-51 designer Edgar Schmued had
been a part of Willy Messerschmitt's design team before he leaved
Germany.

My first F-15 is from Jetset44´s design too.
It was the start of my depron adventure.

Happy flying

Hans-Joachim

[Trikky]

have you been following his F-14 Tomcat

how cool will full swing wing be

[Hans-Joachim]

No, not at this time.
Steve said he´s out of town for some days.

I´ve only a 4 channel transceiver.
Maybe I can use the rudder-control for swinging
or leave it straight.

Let´s see.

[Michnet76]

Ouch...my fingers hurt from hold the alpha cutting blade! Gonna have some blisters in the morning! LOL!

Ok first pic off the rack is the wing profile once again with the last piece (leading edge strip) of the wing being glued on:

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/wing_profile_05.jpg

Next we have the first photo of the wings having the non essential bits being cut out:

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/wing_profile_06.jpg

Inside section of the fuse is now cutout and the top half of the vertical profile has some weight saving holes cut out of it as well:

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/wing_profile_07.jpg

Same as above just different angle... shows where the servos are going to sit.

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/wing_profile_08.jpg

Well she's starting to take shape... Might cut off some more balsa to lightern her up even more... my target weight for the balsa airframe is 200g with 250g being the max weight, if it goes over that then I'll need to rethink my power supply. I weighed the above and were sitting on around 150g already, so my get a little more jiggy with the blade and shed a few more grams! Hardest thing is going to be getting the CG right without having to add too much dead weight, the battery will almost need to go right up into the nose but the look! LOL!

Talking of power... if the bird looks like she'll fly ok but seems underpowered I might consider converthing this to gas... maybe a .15 or even up to .25 would do the job. I don't really want to have to go brushless as that'll mean more lipos, another B/less esc and all that...

The wings are going to be covered with 1 and 1.5mm sheets of balsa and the edges sanded to create a basic aerofoil... should do the job.

[Michnet76]

talking of favourite planes, my all time fav is the F-14... maybe cause my teenage years was spent watching Top Gun, The Final Countdown, Supercarrier etc... over and over! LOL! I also had a soft spot for the Iron Eagle series of movies... perhaps that's where my liking of the f-16 shape comes from.

My third fav jet would have to be the SR71... nice... I've always wanted to do this as a model and perhaps if this F-16XL is a success I might employ the same style of construction to making one of them, but maybe with twin b/less EDFs'!! Now I'm dreaming! LOL!

As for WWII aircraft... I love them all! LOL! There's just something about the old prop warbirds! Probably top of the list would be the spitty, FW190, P38, P51, F4U. Fav bipe would be the Sopwith Camel... I have plans to construct a balsa one that came in a recent UK magazine, its for a 36" one but I'm tempted to enlarge a little and put in a brushless 400 or bigger perhaps depending on $! I've just recently finished a GWS PT17... that came out nice... the shape is growing on me! LOL! Pics of it are posted here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3360586&postcount=23

[Hans-Joachim]

I am speechless.

I have known allready, this will be a masterpiece in wood.

I think 250 to 300g is still ok for the bigger wing area.

Can we see some more pictures tomorrow?

Greetings Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

I´ve read your pt-17 maiden report and looked at the pictures.

wow !!!!!!!!

I´m very impressed about you work.

...and that´s right I also spend my teenage years with Top Gun,
The Final Countdown and so on.

... I think I´ve to build a Stearman too.
Wasn´t it the movie Capricorn ...?

Thank you for sharing

Hans-Joachim

[Michnet76]

Thanks for your encouraging words Hans! Looks like I have the day off work tomorrow so I'm sure I'll invest a couple hours in the project. I have another project to have to get ready for Sundays' flying day - i have to assemble a Mini APEX 300 DIY b/less motor in a gearbox for my F4U. Should be interesting... with the windings I'll use, along with the prop/gearbox/3S lipo this setup should theoretically pull 900g!! wait and see though.

back to the F-16XL... I'm looking at the hobbyzone Stryker as a guide. they use a 480 motor 6x3 prop and 7 or 8 cells with a AUW of around 580g and a wingspan of 980mm. All my electrics weigh around 340g so 250g for the plane works out to 590g. the stryker is really fast to on its stock setup... so F16XL should run nice.

well, time for bed... these 1.30am mornings aren't good! but it's worth it!

[Hans-Joachim]

Good night to down under!

I´ve uploaded the cutting-form of the afterdeck to post #64
and edit the text to say something about the lower roundness.

Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

Rudi,

thank you for the rating in the gallery.

I´ve just noticed your comment.

:) "Hope to see your Airbrush-Design on an F-16C"

Greetings to Austria

Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

By the way, Michnet76,

I´ll try to stand up nearly at the same time as you.

FORMULA 1 SEASON starts again :)

Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

Trikky,

you said she is slow,
what setup do you use for the F-15?

I can see an apc sf prop ?8x6

Tell me something about it.

Hans-Joachim

[Trikky]

HAns,
I am using a APC 9x5 with a mini apex 300 brushless in a GWS 400 gearbox cant remember ratio will check and lect you know.

Michnet76

Wow that is looking fantastic.

A .15 or .25 would make that ballistic but then again so would a mega 16/15/4.

Chris

[Hans-Joachim]

Hey Trikky,

why don´t you sleep at this time?

what kind of bats and please offer me some more
info about the mini apex 300 brushless and the GWS gearbox a/b

[Hans-Joachim]

... the weight of your F-15?
... 9x5 sf or e ?
... Lipo or NiCad
... and so on!

I can wait till tomorrow :)

Hans-Joachim

[Hans-Joachim]

Michnet76,

I´ve seen, you are using the same motor !

It seems like it´s interesting for parkflyers!

please, tell me more about the next weekend-flying

Hans-Joachim

[Michnet76]

You referring to the Mini APEX 300? Yeah will be interesting to see how it goes... As I said the combo I want to use should produce a whopping 900g! Have to see it to believe it though! I mate of mine has been playing with a couple and he's trying out D/Drive setup, not as good. My Corsair had an interesting meeting with the carpark last Sunday so repairs are just about done... but that's another story for another thread maybe! LOL! Put it this way, the greatest lessons are learned from ones mistakes! and that lesson in this case is: Make sure you are using the correct TX profile (computer TX's) for the plane you're about to fly! LOL! Interesting! But was spectacular none the less! LOL!

But I'll be sure to post results from the APEX/F4U flights.

Yep Topgun, final countdown and all those late 80's/early 90's are classics... I have brought them all on DVD and watch them occasionally for inspiration!

Yep grandprix is just around the corner down at Melbourne... Interesting how they're trying to band that team (ferrari??) from racing as they always win! LOL! that's funny!

[Michnet76]

Just had to post this pic... bottom 1mm balsa sheet glued to the bottom of the wings and drying, whilst waiting I cut out the upper fuse ribs and just for looks I thought I'd lay them up on the top vertical profile for a looksy...

Starting to look like a plane now! -

http://users.tpg.com.au/cgboehm/f16xl/wing_profile_09.jpg

Will do more work tonight, probably glue the top half of the wing sheets on and when dry will start the sanding process to creat a nice rounded wing!

[Hans-Joachim]

Hi Michnet76,

I can see her in the sky!

starting to look like ... :)

[Trikky]

Hans I am using 3s 1200 etec lipo's.

Why wasn't I asleep.....hmmmmmmmm only time I get to do stuff these days 3 1/2 yr old and 4mth old children makes life interesting.

Shall let you know weight and gear ratio a bit later.

[Michnet76]

yes she look's nice in that photo... I like the paint scheem too! Although might try for a more camoflage effect between the two tone greys... but definatly the red, white and blue vert. stabiliser and blue spine... sill looks quite snazzy! LOL!

I know the feeling Trikky... my only time to myself is after 9pm - kids to bed at 8pm, spend an hour with the misses, neck massaging and all that lovey dovey chit chat 'stuff' to keep the wife happy and the safe passage of all my resources pouring into the never ending pit of R/C modelling, then onto the best part of my day (night)... 'CARL' time... which is divided between work for the various boards and committees I've been suckered on to and modelling/building/research time!!!

Here's a great URL for wallpaper quality snaps of some nice birds, I especially like the F-16 photos: http://www.globalaircraft.org/wallpaper/

There's some nice pics on the net of the XL for reference if you do a google image search... for e.g.

http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/IMAGES/SMALL/GPN-2000-001925.jpg

Looks like something out of Star Wars hey! ...
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/images/f-16xl-red.jpg

http://www.voodoo.cz/falcon/F16XL.JPG

http://oea.larc.nasa.gov/PAIS/Partners/graphics/F_16/fig07.jpg

Looks like someones already beaten me to it :-P
http://www.baronerosso.net/upload/rte/manif/manif-ozz02-f16xl.jpg

So as you can see there's some great photo's of this design masterpiece!

[Hans-Joachim]

...our kids are 8 and 10 years now.
I´ve more time than the last years.
If kids get older, everything gets better! I believe :) :)

[Michnet76]

Hopefully my bird will look as good as I'm using the standard F-16C fuse profiles that you (Hans) have created but using the XL wings! Whereas the XL fuse is alot longer and stretched out! So effectively my fuse will look rather large in comparison to the original XL!

[Michnet76]

...our kids are 8 and 10 years now.
I´ve more time than the last years.
If kids get older, everything gets better! I believe :) :)

Hope so! LOL! My kids are 11, 7 and 3... the 3 year old can be a handfull some days! My wife is a nurse and works on the weekend so I have the kids half the time on the weekend so need to do kid friendly stuff... i.e. put a dvd on and go off into the office! LOL! na kidding! thankfully at our flying field is a playground so that works out great for flying.

[Michnet76]

anyway, I'm off to do some more work on the F-16... will post some update pics in a couple hours perhaps! FWIW & FYI, if you have decent broadband internet connection then something I like to have going in the background while I build to is the pentigon VOD (Video on Deman) channel...

http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/

Quite interesting some of the stuff on there... I usually just click on the Pentagon channel live and watch whatever they're broadcasting live. Pretty cool!