Combat Models F-16/18 pusher

[Eddie P]

Hey guys, has anyone built a Combat Models F-16 or F-18 and powered it with a Jet .50 or YS engine?

What sort of difficulties did you encounter with the pusher configuration? Did you run it forward or mod the engine to run it reverse with a forward prop?

how is the performance with a nice engine and what nitro did you run? Top end speeds/climb?

There used to be a nice F-18 kit with a glass fuse made by a guy in the Pac Northwest, but I haven't seen his ads lately. Also wondering how his F-18 compared to the CBM foamie and glass.

Thanks-

Ed

[Larry Dudeck]

Eddie P,

Somehow I inadvertently wandered into this jet forum, thinking it was the EDF forum.

Apparently you do IC as well?

Hey, some of my best friends are IC guys

:D

[Bucshot]

Eddie,
I built the F-16 with a YS (side exhaust). The engine is mounted just as the instructions recommend, using a 10x7 pusher prop and a Performance Specialties Ultrathrust muffler. The Ultrathrust muffler is supposed to give you an extra 2000 rpm and a whole lot easier to set up when compared to a tuned pipe. I ran 15% nitro and get 18,000 RPM when measured on the ground. I've only had three flights on my plane and I'm not impressed by the performance. I do notice a change in engine performance when in the air, only I haven't determined what it is or what could be causing the engine to sag. The F-16 looks incredible in flight and was very fun to build, but the performance was a let down. I plan to pull the engine and mount it on another plane to get more run time. Hopefully that will help. I also will strip the paint off the F-16 and repaint it, trying to reduce weight. The suggested painting method can easily get heavy. Over-all, its a real head turner. Email me if you need more information.

rkurlins@execpc.com

[Eddie P]

Larry - Hey man, you're not gonna out me on the ezone, are ya buddy?! ;) Just kidding! I started out in glow, and I think I'll always at least want one or own one or two, though I sold all my glow stuff a few years ago to finance my sartup electric doo dads.

Bucshot - Thanks for the information. I'm a little dissapointed about the performance too. I figured they would scream. But then again, I always seemed to have problems keeping my glow motors running smoothly through a whole flight, the whole season. Some weeks I'd be on, and other weeks I'd be in the pitts screwing around with the engine. That's why I got into electrics (aside from wanting to do multi's). By the way, what was your all up weight? Does this include a full tank, and if not, what size tank did you use and what were the flight times? What sort of retracts do you have and did you have to add any lead for CG?

I'd really be into getting a glow engine with auto lean and ignition that didn't cost a fortune!

Thanks all- Ed

[Bucshot]

Eddie,
Never weighed the thing, but when compared to other .45 sized planes, its heavy. I used the two round tanks recommeded in the instructions (1- 6oz and 1-8 oz). All my flights were under 7 minutes. The engine was still running when I landed but it was sucking fumes. The YS kicks out some power but not without a price. The retracts are the best part of the plane. I used Robart mechanisms, but the design is awesome. My first flight ended with me flopping this heavy beast on a grass runway, nothing bent, twisted or broke! The guys at CBM did an outstanding job designing them. However, having said that, the gear doors don't make it. I cut them off right away. I recommend doing that if you fly from grass. Lastly, I did add 3 maybe 4 oz of lead to the nose. I wanted to make sure it balanced a little nose heavy. My plane takes a lot of runway to get up, but it tracks very true, with little surprises. This is another reason why I want to strip the paint and re-do it. I think my plane is heavy because of the paint.

Your not thinking of going electric with this bird are you? (good luck if you do!)

On a side note, I'm currently building a mini version of my bigger F-16 by putting a Norvel .061 in the tailpipe of one of those Flying Styro F-16's. Having a great time doing it! I plan to paint the baby F-16 with the same paint scheme as its bigger brother, red and white, Edwards AFB chase plane!

[Larry Dudeck]

Eddie P,

Your secret is safe with me.....;)

[Eddie P]

Larry- Thanks buddy, HA HA ;)

Bucshot- I wasn't thinking of doing the F-16 in electric. I think the A-10 is the only really good e- conversion on two MiDi fans and Hacker B50's, but for a price. I do think the F-16 could be done in a pusher setup on electric, but I wasn't really looking at that.

I sold my YS .45 pumped engine about 8 years ago. The biggest glow mistake ever, that engine ran wonderful in a Great Planes P-51 kit (not arf) with retracts. They say you can go up to a .61 sized engine in the CBM kits. Seeing that you had to add so much lead in the nose with your setup, possibly the .45 or .50 would be the best bet. That being said, have you seen any other CBM models flying that have had better performance? How much weight did the paint add? I would figure a light coat of lacquer paint would add next to nothing, but the heavy clearcoat for fuel proofing may. I'm spoiled not having to worry about fuel proofing lately ;)

You don't have a picture to post of your two Vipers do you?

Ed

[JasonJ]

Originally posted by Eddie P
Larry - Hey man, you're not gonna out me on the ezone, are ya buddy?! ;)

Got ya you Gas-Femer!!!!!! :D

;)

[GregG]

Originally posted by Eddie P
Larry - Hey man, you're not gonna out me on the ezone, are ya buddy?!

:eek: Eddie, how could you? :D

[Eddie P]

;) :D

[JIMFRISKY]

Well it certainly has a awesome building tape would like to see more of them done, i,m an old man and learned some neat stuff .I saw one at LA jet meet that flew well .An yes it has a very cool landing gear~Well at least its a pusher no fuel to clean off lol. Can it be Electricfied?

[JIMFRISKY]

well i know the A-10 can be got me one :D

[Eddie P]

The F-16 has been electrified too, here is a link

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=84858&highlight=combat+models+pusher

[DLYONS]

I built a tank out of their F16
To glass and resin to smooth it out for a slick paint job
1 coat primer+1coat color+stipes+clear coat was to much for an
os65df engine. Turned out way to heavy.
Raider at Tiptonville, Tn has built both by the plans
F16 w/ys 45 runs 90-100
F18 w/ys61 pulls straight up and rolls out of site

[Raider]

here are some pics of the F-18...
not finished yet

[Raider]

another one

[patriot 11]

Nice!

Anybody have an extra CBM F-15 lying around?

[wayne65]

Hi:
I have a CBM F-18 new in the box ( no gear) that i will let go for $275 + shipping. I just had to have it and found out i have no time to build it.
wayne..........
jetset652000@yahoo.com

[Raider]

wayne65

How long have you had that F-18? Just curious..........

I scratch built my gear,the part that makes the gear retract was not too hard to make.I tested the gear about a week ago and everything worked real good

I bought a set of brakes at Superman and put them on ,i think they will be ok. Got to go fly it to see if they will work.

Edward Cranford

[wayne65]

Hi: Edward
I got the kit about 3 or 4 months ago. I am working on a Y/A F-14 and all my time and MONEY is going into it. I was going to make it an EDF. but have not had time to open the box. I got the kit off of RCU from a guy. I had a Y/A F-18 and i think the CBM F-18 is about the same size. I take my hat off to for making a set of gear that works. I heard that it was hard to make. I was going to use an old set of Y/A scale gear.
I was at superman. I was with Lewis Patton ( F-22, F-9, CAI- preditor). I am sure we passed each other.
Here is a photo of my ugley face.
Have a Great day.........
wayne.........

[wayne65]

photo of wayne..

[Raider]

Yes,I remember seeing you.I sure would like to have that CBM F-18 kit but i don't have the money right now.

Where are you from??

[wayne65]

HI: EDward
I live in Radcliff , KY. 30 miles south of louisville , KY.
I sure would like to sell you the F-18. I need parts for my F-14.
If it's not one toy, it's another!!!!!!!!! I have the CBM A-10, and some other fome planes but the gas fan units cost money.
wayne.......

[Eddie P]

Excellent looking F-18! :D

I'm building my Viper (F-16) right now. I went ahead and started this project. It will be electric though, LiPoly batteries and a direct drive big motor. I'll be swinging a 9.5x7 APC at about 17,900 rpm. That's actually a tad better than the YS .45 on a tuned pipe, but I will be about 8 ounces heavier. All in all it should be a wash performance wise. I'm looking to have about 10 minutes of safe flying limited by battery heat off of a 8000mah battery pack.

[gromitvt10]

hi, does anyone have an extra copy of the F-16N construction video? i'll pay for shipping. thanx

kyle
Gromitvt10@aol.com

[Eddie P]

I'll shoot ya an email.

[monkamarm2000]

Can stuff still be had from CBM? Or is it still a long wait to get anything.

Barry

[Eddie P]

I've left emails, phone messages... never, ever a reply. I didn't even need anything but a small question answered on the kit that I already had, with no missing parts even. It's not so much vaporware, as vaporcompany. Never seen anything like it. The darn website is taunting enough with no real company on the receiving end.

[monkamarm2000]

how strange, just like Bob Parkinson! hehe

[gromitvt10]

i've emailed and called them(CBM) plenty of times with no response, except once. i got a reply to an email that i sent asking if the F-16N was still for sale. I got 3 word reply "yes it is". So they are more than willing to take your money, whether or not you actually get a kit is another story.

Kyle

[monkamarm2000]

Not good! hehe and once again like Bob Parkinson! LOL

[Kev71H]

I'm getting ready to buy a used F-16 CMB pusher.

I love the looks of it.

***PLEASE*** I need the instructions! I have to finish the landing gear doors and the rear motor looks like it is canted DOWN thrust....IS THIS NORMAL???
Please help.

I'm willing to pay for a copy of the instructions.
Thanks!

Kevin
San Jose, CA

[HAWK3Y3]

I have a NIB CBM F-16 in the garage. Do you still need a copy of the instructions?

[Kev71H]

Dang it!!! The guy sold it. I missed out. Still looking for a built one though!!!!!

I'm pretty sad about it. I want one (big pusher jet). The f-16 is great...F 18 even better.

[HAWK3Y3]

I was working on an Ultrafly F-16 (parkflyer) converted to run on a Norvel .061 pusher. That was before I found a CBM F-16. Still working on it. Hope to have it finished before the end of summer.