Hobby Lobby F-5e E-jet

[f82fan]

Hey All,
Just wanted to put the word out on Hobby Lobby's F-5E( http://www.hobby-lobby.com/f5e.htm ) done in Swiss (or now Camo) Markings.
Evidently, some people have been trashing this bird as a "slug".
As someone who now own's and has flown one, I can honestly say that this thing is a GREAT deal - especially since it is all inclusive (except for receiver).
Upon launching it for the first time I was immediately impressed by the absolute rock solid flight characteristics. It flew straight out and climbed with authority. Loops from level flight, both inside and outside are very easy. Rolls look REALLY scale. And, best of all, it lands on the tailpipes cuz it lands so slowly!
I fly off of grass, so the first few flight were done with the gear installed, but always retracted for landing. Recently I decided to save a bit of weight and took the retracts out - except for the servos that are glued in with the mystery glue from you-know-where. After gear removal, the CG moved back just a bit too far, so a little nose weight needs to be put up front.
I put clear packing tape on the open wheel wells after gear removal to aid aerodynamically and this thing REALLY cruises now!
So, if you are looking for a great deal on an RTF E-jet, the F-5E is a good one to do.
Best of all, it took me a TOTAL of 45 minutes to get it in the air - including applying the nice water-slide decals.SWEET DEAL Folks!

[AIR SALLY]

this is a foamy ...it is suppose to be in the foamy forum, they do look like great flyers

[handyflyer]

isn't this the foamy forum or am I missing something here??this is a foamy ...it is suppose to be in the foamy forum, they do look like great flyers

[rcjetpilot]

isn't this the foamy forum or am I missing something here??

The thread was moved from the EDF forum, to here... the Foamy EDF forum :rolleyes: The post your referencing was posted while the thread was in the other forum... :D

Bob

[kremecheze]

i have one,and yea its a foam jet so its in the rite forum,but it sounds like hobby looby is hyping up there own product here

[reptilerick]

I love the look of this plane. But, I won't be purchasing it until they offer an airframe only version for a reasonable price.

[planelover93]

$259 for an ARF foamie?

[SDScuba]

I just got one from Sureflite.com, its a fun Jet! I thought it was a good deal , 8 servos, motor, ESC, 4cell lipo. Fly's scale.

[DaveESPI]

I'm going to wait for the camo apps.

[ATIS]

I am always concerned when a person's very first post is about a new plane/EDF that is beyond a beginners skill level... thats why I only trust reviews/flight reports from guys on here that I have been watching/dealing with for a long time... simply a matter of trust...or maybe the lack of it...

[space 1]

Best of all, it took me a TOTAL of 45 minutes to get it in the air - including applying the nice water-slide decals.SWEET DEAL Folks! how'd you get battery to charge so fAST

[Big Zagi]

Is this airplane available now?

[newjak]

I am always concerned when a person's very first post is about a new plane/EDF that is beyond a beginners skill level... thats why I only trust reviews/flight reports from guys on here that I have been watching/dealing with for a long time... simply a matter of trust...or maybe the lack of it...

Why do you equate someones skill level with the number of posts on an R/C forum? They mean absolutley nothing. I have almost 20 years of R/C flying experience, but a handfull of posts on here. I dont get it. I'm sure there are some guys like me that mostly lurk because most of the questions they might have are answered with a quick search of the board or the information they hold has already been put forth on the forum.
Sorry for the off topic post.

[ATIS]

Newjak... its not so much the skill level but rather the fact that most guys that only have 1 post do a "intro" post... who they are, what they fly, etc... when the first post is how great a plane that was just released is I look at it with suspicion...I have seen company plants come on and post great reviews and then seasoned pilots and newbies alike buy it and discover the plane is marginal at best... the newbie gives up and the seasoned pilot mod's the thing to death to make her fly.

I didnt mean to imply that the number of posts equals experience (though I did type it that way)...by no means is that true, but when it comes to posting a review on a just released plane as your first post I get nervous...I know Andy worked on this plane, I have seen the videos but when asked if the plane in the video was stock Andy didnt answer... though I do like Andy's planes that silence makes me nervous as well... but with that said... i still want one...

[newjak]

OK, ATIS glad you cleared that up for me. Now back on topic I want one too :D
even after reading everyones rant about $200 foamies. Hard decision.

[ATIS]

Newjak... I agree, I was apart of the rant but this does include retracts, 4s lipo, and servo's... though I would probably change them out to be safe. So if we go off of EFlite's prices thats $40 for retracts and $100 for the lipo so the F-5 costs $260 - the $140 for a total of $120 for foam, paint, servos, motor, esc, and cheap RX.... I think I can handle that... after all, I would only be paying $140 for the foam....LOL

[f82fan]

Yup, that was a first post for me, but why the big deal? A guys gotta chime in where he feels the need.
I fly mostly IMAC n Pattern birds and those posts have plenty of experience that I don't have anything to add there.
This little ARF was such a relative bargain that after hearing it might not be that great, I figured I'd just aleviate some fears.
I don't give a rip about who makes or sells what, but if I find something that is worthy, then that's where I'll say it's worth it.
I guess some folks just can't live without huge amounts of cynicism in their lives. I didn't realize I was supposed to send a resume before I gave an e-pinion.
Sorry!
F82FAN

[RCAV8R13]

Hey guys, you can buy all the bare parts from HL, including the Swiss decals and retracts, for only $150.00.

[kelberts]

"only" $150.00??

You can get an EPO T-38 airframe for under $100.00. Or a GWS A4, eg, for $60.00.

I think $150.00 is too much for that airframe, IMHO, although it's nice.

[RCAV8R13]

"only" $150.00??

You can get an EPO T-38 airframe for under $100.00. Or a GWS A4, eg, for $60.00.

I think $150.00 is too much for that airframe, IMHO, although it's nice.
Actually, today it's $135.00 with the discount. Remember this includes the retracts and the decals.

[SRush99]

Newjak... its not so much the skill level but rather the fact that most guys that only have 1 post do a "intro" post... who they are, what they fly, etc... when the first post is how great a plane that was just released is I look at it with suspicion...I have seen company plants come on and post great reviews and then seasoned pilots and newbies alike buy it and discover the plane is marginal at best... the newbie gives up and the seasoned pilot mod's the thing to death to make her fly.

I didnt mean to imply that the number of posts equals experience (though I did type it that way)...by no means is that true, but when it comes to posting a review on a just released plane as your first post I get nervous...I know Andy worked on this plane, I have seen the videos but when asked if the plane in the video was stock Andy didnt answer... though I do like Andy's planes that silence makes me nervous as well... but with that said... i still want one...


ATIS,
Chill out dude. I know F82fan and he has no affiliation with HL other than he bought the jet from Kirk Massey at New Creations. Instead of thinking the worst of new members, why not welcome him?

Stuart

[f82fan]

Hey guys,
Flew the F-5E again today - after a successful couple of test flights of my new KMP F7F Tigercat...
Flew for less than 1min before the plastic battery holder, along with the 4-cell LiPo, lost adhesion to the airframe and un-mercifully departed the plane at almost full throttle on the backside of a split S...... Got both the airframe and departed items back only because of friends (Thanks Stuart!) watching the pieces as they fell.
So, let me throw a word of caution out there that if you get one of these GREAT flying birds, MAKE CERTAIN that you take some 5-minute epoxy or foam safe glue and add a little reinforcement around the battery holder.
A post-mortem of my bird revealed that the battery holder had virtually NO glue with which it was attached to the airframe.
We shall see what Hobby Lobby's response to my e-mail on the subject is!
Regards,
F82FAN

[Hiflyer]

F82FAN

Thanks for the heads up on the battery box issue. This is not a problem that I ran into during testing of this product. I have notified the manufacturer that this has been an issue and am confident that he will take the steps to correct this problem for the next shipment.

I am unsure if this was an isolated incident or a widespread problem, so your adminition to the group to check this on their jets is a good one.

There have been several upgrades to the Camo version and to our next batch of the Swiss version. The retracts actuating arm has been stiffened, this improves the function. This was a result of some problems that I experienced at SEFF with the jet. During hot weather the actuating arm became too soft to function reliably, this will no longer be a problem. The only real difference between the Swiss and the Camo other than paint is that the Camo version has 2 elevator servos. The single servo worked fine, but the dual servos is more solid and is better particularly if a power upgrade is contemplated.

Mike Hines

[ATIS]

Stuart and F82fan,

I meant no disrespect and thats why I clarified my statement that number of posts doesnt equate to expereince but you have to admit that over the last 6 months there have been a lot of company plants posting how great planes are and then a few weeks later the posts show up with the rants of all the things wrong with the plane. F82FAN has no affiliation with HL or the company...perfect, I will take his review as valid and subjective as I will accept his future posts the same.

I wasnt trying to start a arguement or discredit his opinion so I appoligize for doubting him.

[SRush99]

No problem ATIS, I just wanted to make sure everyone knew he was one of the good guys :D .

As F82fan posted earlier, the battery & holder departed the jet after a short run. We were lucky to find the hatch and 4 cell battery in a field of weeds after about a 20 minute search. Post mortem of the holder assembly showed that the plastic box was held to the painted foam using what looked like watered down glue that had been brushed on. There were several spots where the red paint was on the box. Guess you might say the glue held to the paint but the paint didn't hold to the foam.

-Stuart

[ATIS]

If he is going to stuff a larger lipo you can make balsa hatch and use the dubro pin hinges CA'd into the foam an rare earth magnets on the other end for easy access....of course be sure to use a velcro safety strap... I removed the plastic battery holder/door on the SU-27 an simply left it open for the cool air on the lipo an used velcro and two velcro safety straps to hold two 3s 1500 lipo's in her. Of course the real issue is why they (the company) thought that glue would hold to the paint in the first place....

[Tommy D]

Mike

I'm awaiting a "Swiss" backordered fuse. Will it come setup for 2 or 1 elevator servos?

Thanks Much!

Tommy D

[JIMinKENTUCKY]

There have been several upgrades to the Camo version and to our next batch of the Swiss version. The retracts actuating arm has been stiffened, this improves the function. This was a result of some problems that I experienced at SEFF with the jet. During hot weather the actuating arm became too soft to function reliably, this will no longer be a problem. The only real difference between the Swiss and the Camo other than paint is that the Camo version has 2 elevator servos. The single servo worked fine, but the dual servos is more solid and is better particularly if a power upgrade is contemplated.

Mike Hines
Yeah, I was watching you when you were having trouble with nosegear retract and got some video here.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=859291

I am having the same trouble on my F5 on the nosegear with the actuating arm being too soft.

I notice you are now offering spare parts for the F-5 and I need to know if the replacement retract you sell for it is already the stiffer actuating arm before placing my order.
Here:
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/f5e.htm

ST10507 Spare Retract Landing Gear for F5-E Tiger ..... $ 23.50

Thank you,

James

[Tommy D]

James, did you see the upgrade in the other thread RE the nose gear?

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9733753&postcount=168

Tommy D

[JIMinKENTUCKY]

Perfect. Thank you.
James

[f82fan]

Hey ATIS,
No blood, no foul!
We'll start fresh. Thanks for the apology. Accepted.

I'm gonna see what HL decides to do with my situation.
I haven't heard back from them on my personal e-mail, yet. I notified them monday nite about it.... Last time I asked about something (when my spare battery was gonna ship) they replied in less than 24hrs.

Kinda stinks to have a wiped out bird and battery and nothing to do with them. Tomorrows gonna be a great flying day here in H-town.
I feel like I'm just standing here holding the pieces in my hands saying "what now"?
Well, I'll just go fly the Tigercat and wish I was hearing EDF noises, too!

F82FAN

[tIANcI]

I just got my shipment of the F5E and its super duper nice looking. I think its great for the price! Hope to get it up soon. :)

[Cyclic Hardover]

Let me know what ya think? So far it sounds like I may need to makeover the elevator setup and retracts. Did you get a camo version? MIke

[f82fan]

Hey guys,
I heard back from HL on the battery box issue with my F-5E and they were very receptive to my comments.
I think they said that the Camo version is upgraded to twin elevator servos - good idea. The single is not quite ever gonna keep a neutral point due to it's design.
So, you guys that just got yours I would say that if you fly off grass, bag the retracts and save the weight (check the CG after removal!). It flies fine either way, but lighter is better!
BEFORE YOU FLY THE F-5E - MAKE SURE THE BATTERY BOX IS SECURELY GLUED IN!!!!!!!!!

[Cyclic Hardover]

Well that makes me feel good as thats the one i pre ordered. I think I'll go through both thread on this and cut and paste a list of all the problems to lok for to use as a checklist.

[Cyclic Hardover]

Newjak... its not so much the skill level but rather the fact that most guys that only have 1 post do a "intro" post... who they are, what they fly, etc... when the first post is how great a plane that was just released is I look at it with suspicion...I have seen company plants come on and post great reviews and then seasoned pilots and newbies alike buy it and discover the plane is marginal at best... the newbie gives up and the seasoned pilot mod's the thing to death to make her fly.

I didnt mean to imply that the number of posts equals experience (though I did type it that way)...by no means is that true, but when it comes to posting a review on a just released plane as your first post I get nervous...I know Andy worked on this plane, I have seen the videos but when asked if the plane in the video was stock Andy didnt answer... though I do like Andy's planes that silence makes me nervous as well... but with that said... i still want one...

Yeh look at me, I'm at 7000 on "that other site" and still don't know what I'm talking about. Its an Arf and with all arfs, if you assemble them and fly them as is, your simply down on your hands and knees, looking up at the heavens begging for trouble! :D

[jimweda]

Gee, kind of sounds like the guys that bought the Swiss version which came out first were punished since the Camo version has changes that would have made the Swiss version a bit nicer. Darn them. hehe

Jim

Hey guys,
I heard back from HL on the battery box issue with my F-5E and they were very receptive to my comments.
I think they said that the Camo version is upgraded to twin elevator servos - good idea. The single is not quite ever gonna keep a neutral point due to it's design.
So, you guys that just got yours I would say that if you fly off grass, bag the retracts and save the weight (check the CG after removal!). It flies fine either way, but lighter is better!
BEFORE YOU FLY THE F-5E - MAKE SURE THE BATTERY BOX IS SECURELY GLUED IN!!!!!!!!!

[tIANcI]

Jim ... its called being a CAPITALIST ... the elevator issue is so obvious when you see it but at times the business side does not care. What can we say?

I have worked with a so called 'big brand' before, in fact a lot of times they don't care. Sell first, deal with it later. When the samples came into my hands I told them the issues, their reply was 'I am sick of your complains'.

A year later they announced that they are upgrading their product, 75% of the improvements were what I so called 'complained' about. Interesting huh?

[trabich]

Hey Guys,

My name is Travis and I lilve here in Kansas City and often read all of your comments for advise on some of my new planes. I spoke with ATIS a few times about my Russian Knight.

I started flying about 2 years ago but have been in r/c's since 1982 racing a grasshopper and the old big bear that still sits in my shop. Flying has been a total thrill. I started out with the super cub but within weeks I moved to the Stryker F27c. That one has always been a blast to fly. Since I have added several more that have lead me to this site. Along with the Super Cub and Stryker I know have: Russian Knight su-27, HL's F-18 (with my own aircraft grey custom paint job), spitfire, HL's P-51-d, and still waiting on my F-5 camo. Oh yeah, Blade 400 as well (not so much)

I have a blast with all (with my own little upgrades) but Iam very excited to fly the f-5. After reading along with you guys I'm glad I pre ordered the Camo. Any other advise on the f-5?

Atis - you really helped me out with the Russian knight a while back, Thanks! With a significant motor and Li-po upgrade the plane is a blast.

[dennisp_sg]

Jim ... its called being a CAPITALIST ... the elevator issue is so obvious when you see it but at times the business side does not care. What can we say?

I have worked with a so called 'big brand' before, in fact a lot of times they don't care. Sell first, deal with it later. When the samples came into my hands I told them the issues, their reply was 'I am sick of your complains'.

A year later they announced that they are upgrading their product, 75% of the improvements were what I so called 'complained' about. Interesting huh?

Hi tIANcI

Have you modified the elevator on your F-5 to two servo's..?, can you send some pictures if you have thanks...

[ATIS]

Trabich,

I am very happy to hear your enjoying the Knight... she looks great in the air and performs like a jet once modded...still my favorite EDF in the hangar.


I think the Swiss was released sorta as a test bed... the probelm is the early purchasers just ended up doing the extra R&D for the company and the issues everyone discovered were fixed in the camo version. It will be interesting to see if the later Swiss versions get duel elevator servos as well. The Knight from Art-tech went the same way... the Blue and white camo was brushed motors and barely flew for some, others had no success so they released the same plane with BL motors (which werent much better) with a diffferent paint scheme. The early buyers of the SU-27 did the R&D for the company (regardless of what they claim but thats my opinion). Then all of us that jumped on the BL Su-27 discovered it wasnt much better so we did what we all do in this hobby, broke out the Xacto blade and started modding to make it fly the way it should and posting our mods to help others.

Thats the part of the hobby I like the most... helping others and getting help (and some very awesome idea's and tips) from others. What other hobby brings people of all ages and walks of life together like this one? None that I can think of.

[jimweda]

Yeah I know what you mean. Its also a good way to say that they came up with the ideas without giving you or anyone else credit for it. I'm sure though, in the right hands the information would be appreciated. Unfortunately while going through the chain of command the one's who care the least are the first one's you usually talk to. That's why I come to forums likes these trying to get as much information as I can about planes that I am interested in or prior to building. It has saved me headaches and mistakes prior to building. I haven't put my F5 E together yet and am still looking for information that will give me that push to build it and build it right. I do know that I will not build this plane stock which is unfortunate because of the money it cost to have a plane which includes everything except the receiver and radio. I will most likely take out the servos, retracts, motor/fan unit, speed controller and battery and make a scratch built plane and use it in that for experimental purposes. This plane I will add all my own gear since it looks like it would fly great with the right equipment. Oh well, not a total loss I guess, but it would have been nice to sell just the airframe and not have to buy it piece by piece since I'm sure it would have been cheaper as a package. Oh well, that's part of the RC world.

Jim

Jim ... its called being a CAPITALIST ... the elevator issue is so obvious when you see it but at times the business side does not care. What can we say?

I have worked with a so called 'big brand' before, in fact a lot of times they don't care. Sell first, deal with it later. When the samples came into my hands I told them the issues, their reply was 'I am sick of your complains'.

A year later they announced that they are upgrading their product, 75% of the improvements were what I so called 'complained' about. Interesting huh?

[Crash500]

I just recently purchased the F5-E and have it all ready to go except I need to set the surface throws. Unfortunately, the manual doesn't mention anything and since this is my first jet I'm not sure where to set them. Can anybody provide any advice on where I should set the throws for high & low? Like I said I'm new to the jets but have flow other electric and glow planes so I would like to start with something tame but then flip to a higher rate when I'm ready.

Thanks for any help!
Ken

[f82fan]

Hey C-500,
You may have already maidened your bird, but don't worry too much about the throws.
Use high and low rates and just dial in plenty of EXPO in both for the first flight to soften things up. I think too many guys use too much throw and end up over-controlling the thing right to the crash site, and then blame the airplane for some bad habits that it wouldn't possess with some softer control throw dialed in.
I use about 60% on high rates just to keep things soft, but have LOTS of throw available for the un-expected, or wild if I want it.
You won't need high rates til you decide to do some un-countable aileron rolls - then you'll just laugh!
This thing IS a good flyer. I can't wait to get my replacement in.
I've heard that the new shipment of Swiss marking birds will be done just like the first ones - except they will have stiffer retract plastic. I hope not, but thats the word I got.
I'll make a couple of "reliablilty" mods, but it really doesn't need anything special to be a really fun first jet.

jimweda - good luck getting all of the servos out of this thing! There is some type of spooge glue they put the servos in with that just will NOT release.
I just left the retract servos in the airframe after I took out the gear because I didn't want to tear up the airframe.

I hear the next boat load of F-5E's arrives in early July....

[jimweda]

Well, I finally decided to go ahead and build mine is see what I find. Looking at the retracts is pretty disappointing and I think I'll see what I can do to take them out. If I replace them it will be with my F-15 retracts since they look just like Robart retracts and a buddy who bought my other had said they worked really nice, well, uh, until his caught on fire. :eek: Silly boy, he changed out the CC45's for 35's cause he said one was bad. Gee, the temps here were 110 degrees at the time, what made him think they would survive! :censored: Lesson learned and he's moving on. But that thing flew great, until the incident.

Jim

P.S. I'll post my findings after I'm done with the build.

[f82fan]

Go for it.
We'll be interested to see what you think.