Wicked Powered F-117 Stealth Fighter [Archive]

The Don

Nov 18, 2008, 08:39 PM

The F117 and SR71 are the same as the ones going to be sold here in the USA. But their shipments are on the way via boat, I had mine sent express mail. I have no plans to sell ARF kits, I just wanted to get these as soon as possible as I already have people emailing what is a good setup, and the only way to know is to build and fly it :)

Don

The Don

Nov 18, 2008, 11:28 PM

Here is the F117 fan.

The Don

Nov 22, 2008, 07:01 PM

Made some progress today.

Don

gp125racer

Nov 23, 2008, 02:28 AM

Im watching this one .... hoping to pickup my f-117 soon.

Don

SuperFlyLoser

Nov 23, 2008, 01:46 PM

Don, What sized EDF is that? Is there enough spacing for a 4S 2100mah ?

SFL

Made some progress today.

Don

The Don

Nov 23, 2008, 10:57 PM

Don, What sized EDF is that? Is there enough spacing for a 4S 2100mah ?
SFL

Yes it will, here is a phot of a 4S2200 pack just for you:)

Don

The Don

Nov 23, 2008, 11:10 PM

The F117 is done and ready to fly. AUW with a 3S2200 pack is 21.5 ounces. Thrust to weight is over 1:1 at WOT so it should fly pretty good.

Don

jimweda

Nov 23, 2008, 11:56 PM

Hey Don, where'd you get both of your planes and how much were they? I have to get this one. Nice looking bird.

Jim

Doubletap

Nov 24, 2008, 01:11 PM

Don, from your pictures it looks like an easy fit for a 70mm fan in width, but what about height; is there enough thickness to hog out?

Doubletap

gsxr0311

Nov 24, 2008, 05:03 PM

hay don. what 4s 2200 is that ? you didnt have to cut anything out ? will the stock battery door work with it ? thanks.

The Don

Nov 24, 2008, 10:07 PM

Don, from your pictures it looks like an easy fit for a 70mm fan in width, but what about height; is there enough thickness to hog out?
Doubletap

I think a 70mm fan will fit in pretty easy.

Don

The Don

Nov 24, 2008, 10:10 PM

hay don. what 4s 2200 is that ? you didnt have to cut anything out ? will the stock battery door work with it ? thanks.

It is technically a WOW RC 4S2200 lipo but if you take the heat shrink off, the lipos are actually labeled Longmax. The stock door will still fit over the 4S lipo but you will need to trim the bottom of it and sides away as it is a one piece molded plastic. Honestly the battery tray is a hunk of junk. I hate it and it tears up the foam as well where you latch the tray closed.

Don

gsxr0311

Nov 24, 2008, 10:27 PM

so don, how are you putting your battery in ? are you tossing the old door and making a door ?

The Don

Nov 24, 2008, 10:30 PM

so don, how are you putting your battery in ? are you tossing the old door and making a door ?

Yep, I put a piece of 1/16" plywood on the floor and it has Velcro for the lipo. i am going to make a door from some depron sheet.

Don

The Don

Nov 24, 2008, 10:34 PM

I hope to test it soon but the weather looks crappy for the next few days. I am concerned over the CG location in the manual. It looks too far back and when I plug the shape of the model into my CG calulator the CG they supply is WAY too far back. The physical point shown in the manual looks to be correct but the dimension they give I think is wrong. The point they show is about 380mm from the nose but they label it 460mm.

Don

The Don

Nov 25, 2008, 12:29 AM

I forgot to mention, if you need to touch up the black paint use Testors Model Master Spray Enamel Flat Black #FS37038, it is a perfect color match.

Don

Sammy70

Nov 26, 2008, 12:02 AM

The Don

Nov 26, 2008, 12:37 AM

I see you're using the 4800kv motor on this bird, but what does the Wicked 4000kv make in the E-do fan? On 3s? If I ever get one of these airframes I hope to use the 4000kv and 3s 2200 25c's....
Good luck on the maiden and don't let it fly away like the F-35 did!@! :D

You know I had the numbers on that, I need to find them and post them to the website, I do know my second F-35 was on the Wicked 4000 in the EDO fan. It was like 280-320 watt I think instead of 340-380 watts. So I ended up using a 20C 3S1650 lipo on the 4000KV version.

Don

Bombay

Nov 26, 2008, 09:51 PM

Hi Don:
Do you have any videos of flights after the builds?
Rob

The Don

Nov 26, 2008, 10:25 PM

Hi Don:
Do you have any videos of flights after the builds?
Rob

I will when the weather clears up. So far 20mph wind and rain :( I will have video as I have a "headcam" I use when I fly.

Don

SteveC68

Nov 27, 2008, 01:03 AM

What is the % of FSA of those exhausts? They are true to scale shape, but I would be worried that they are way over 100%.

The Don

Nov 28, 2008, 12:19 AM

Here is what I measured:

FSA of the fan: 2726 mm^2
Both inlets: 4800 mm^2
Both outlets: 2204.4 mm^2
Percentage of outlet: 2204.4/2726 = 80.8%
Percentage of inlets: 4800/2726 = 176%

Don

The Don

Nov 29, 2008, 11:20 AM

I just maidened the F117 and it is AWESOME! Plenty of power even at half throttle. I was skeptical of the recommended CG so I added some nose weight to be safe, well it was nose heavy, so I then landed and took the weight off and it was perfect. I am recharging my lipo and will grab the head camera and will get some video.

Don

BARNESJONR

Nov 29, 2008, 11:37 AM

Cool! Weather must have improved there? Bring the video and stills man!

The Don

Nov 29, 2008, 11:40 AM

Winds are about 5 mph and the sun is out, temp is cold, about 40F.

Don

BARNESJONR

Nov 29, 2008, 11:42 AM

We have HEAVY fog right now but forecast to lift and end up sunny with winds at 5 and temps near 60 ;)

The Don

Nov 29, 2008, 04:18 PM

Got another flight in and some video with the 'head cam', I will posy it to youtube later.

Don

corsair nut

Nov 30, 2008, 06:53 PM

very cool don! is there anybody selling just the airframes on the 117 and SR? ????

The Don

Nov 30, 2008, 08:48 PM

very cool don! is there anybody selling just the airframes on the 117 and SR? ????

Nitroplanes is selling the SR71 airframes now but I think are sold out. RC Castle has both I believe.

Don

The Don

Nov 30, 2008, 09:56 PM

Here is my headcam video of the F117. This is with the stock fan and a 3S 2200 lipo and the Wicked 4800 motor. Sorry for teh low quality and audio delay but that is the Flycam One video camera!

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=XYVncFiScoU

Don

Sammy70

Nov 30, 2008, 10:29 PM

Looked like a great flying little black dot :D

The Don

Nov 30, 2008, 11:44 PM

Looked like a great flying little black dot :D

I had the "Stealth" switch flipped on.

Don

Spid

Dec 02, 2008, 11:37 AM

Nice Don! Flies real nice! Congrats on the maiden!

Sammy70

Dec 09, 2008, 09:54 PM

The Don

Dec 10, 2008, 08:48 PM

I ended up right as shown in the manual, 460mm. I did the first flight forward of that and it was nose heavy and I needed a lot of up to fly level. So I landed took of the nose ballast then flew again and it was much better.

Don

Sammy70

Dec 23, 2008, 04:03 PM

You know I had the numbers on that, I need to find them and post them to the website, I do know my second F-35 was on the Wicked 4000 in the EDO fan. It was like 280-320 watt I think instead of 340-380 watts. So I ended up using a 20C 3S1650 lipo on the 4000KV version.

Don

Did you ever find your test numbers for the W4000kv motor/Edo fan/3s battery? If your guess from the above quote is correct then a Pentium 30 should be enough? The kids are getting me this F117 for Christmas and this is the power system I had planned...

Thanks Don.

How's your Dad?

The Don

Dec 24, 2008, 09:45 AM

Did you ever find your test numbers for the W4000kv motor/Edo fan/3s battery? If your guess from the above quote is correct then a Pentium 30 should be enough? The kids are getting me this F117 for Christmas and this is the power system I had planned...
Thanks Don.
How's your Dad?

I do have test numbers for you. This was on a 3S 1650 20C rated lipo. The startup was 280 watts and 28 amps then settled to 25 amps and 250 watts. But the voltage seems low on the pack, about 10volts under load. I will retest on a 3S2200 lipo.

Dad is doing good, will be home in about 2 weeks.

Don

Sammy70

Dec 24, 2008, 12:12 PM

I do have test numbers for you. This was on a 3S 1650 20C rated lipo. The startup was 280 watts and 28 amps then settled to 25 amps and 250 watts. But the voltage seems low on the pack, about 10volts under load. I will retest on a 3S2200 lipo.

Dad is doing good, will be home in about 2 weeks.

Don

Thanks for the updates. I plan to run my own tests on this setup this weekend.

What timing setting is used for your Wicked EDF motors? High I'm guessing...?

The Don

Dec 24, 2008, 02:34 PM

Thanks for the updates. I plan to run my own tests on this setup this weekend.

What timing setting is used for your Wicked EDF motors? High I'm guessing...?

Always use low on the Wicked EDFs.

Don

The Don

Dec 24, 2008, 07:58 PM

Here is the data you asked for:

Wicked 4000 in 5 blade EDO 64mm fan
3S lipo 2200mah
Watts: 330
Amps: 29.9
Volts: 11.04
RPM: 38,500

Start up was about 32 amps then after 15 seconds settled to what you see here.

Don

Sammy70

Dec 24, 2008, 09:55 PM

Always use low on the Wicked EDFs.

Don

Gotcha--thanks Don! Merry Christmas :)

Sammy70

Dec 28, 2008, 10:13 PM

Black was too boring so out came the paint brush :)

The Don

Dec 28, 2008, 10:17 PM

That looks really good! That may be a good thing to do to mine as well. How did you do the stars?

Don

hyperdyne

Dec 28, 2008, 11:34 PM

Don, just got one of these planes for x-mas. Man it is a nice looking bird.

I was going to put the 4800kV motor in but the motor sounded a bit rough when I mounted it. It may be an old motor I abused in another plane, so I took it out. I then put in an extreme wicked motor I had laying around. On 3s it was under 40amps. What do you think of that? I was going to run this bird on 3s only, I dont need a screamer, just something that goes good. I wasnt sure what the extreme would pull, it didnt seem to be overkill.

The Don

Dec 29, 2008, 12:20 AM

On 3s it was under 40amps. What do you think of that? I was going to run this bird on 3s only, I dont need a screamer, just something that goes good. I wasnt sure what the extreme would pull, it didnt seem to be overkill.

That will be fine 40 is about right on the 5400.

Don

Sammy70

Dec 29, 2008, 10:28 PM

That looks really good! That may be a good thing to do to mine as well. How did you do the stars?

Don

A tiny brush and a steady hand, take a break, repeat 49 more times :eek:

Found some self-adhesive stars at the local craft store. Scuffed them, shot some white on them and carefully stuck them on. I clear-coated the entire bottom with satin finish acry. enamel clear spray--worked great!

The Don

Jan 06, 2009, 05:35 PM

Here are my control throws.

elevator: +/- 24mm
alerons: +/- 15mm

I have 30% expo on both, and my CG is at the recommended amount.

Don

Sammy70

Jan 13, 2009, 10:07 PM

Here are my control throws.

elevator: +/- 24mm
alerons: +/- 15mm

I have 30% expo on both, and my CG is at the recommended amount.

Don

Are those your high rates or ?

Maybe one of these years us Ohioans will be able to fly outside again eh Don?!@! :confused:

The Don

Jan 13, 2009, 10:11 PM

That is my normal rate I am flying at, it seems good at all speeds for me. I am ready for the snow to go away. I have had enough already!

Don

FresnoJay

Mar 15, 2009, 03:41 PM

Ok guys. I am not getting any love in the F-117 thread. So here I stand looking for some help.

Don and others, How do or did you measure the 460mm for CG? To get mine to balance at 460mm from the nose I had to put 2.5oz of weight in the nose. First maiden attempt resulted in little to no ELE control but plenty of AIL....CRASH.

Second attempt after pulling out 1oz better but still little ELE authority again plenty of AIL. Then my Rx started cutting only guess there is damaged after first attempt.

Will be replacing the Rx with a Berg 4L and repairing and will try again.

Setup:
Stock Fan
Motor: KB 20-40-14L 4200Kv
ESC: 30A Banana Hobby that comes in the mirage and possibly this bird's RTF package.
Battery: 3S 2200 30C XPS Pack

Jason

The Don

Mar 15, 2009, 03:50 PM

It was 460mm measured from the nose going back. I added 1oz lead to get more forward of that as I was afraid it was too far back on my maiden and had elevator throw issues as well, almost crashed it as I needed almost full up to fly. So I landed and took off the lead and then it was fine. My ailerons too are sensitive. The ailerons have about half the elevator throw.

Don

FresnoJay

Mar 15, 2009, 05:51 PM

Well I am going to pull all lead out of the nose after the rebuild. But as a result my CG will end up further aft of where the stated CG is. Probably in the neighborhood of 480-490 but this is a guess at this point. Going to start rebuild tonight and shoot for a late week retry.

Jason

The Don

Mar 15, 2009, 07:46 PM

What size lipo you using?

Don

FresnoJay

Mar 15, 2009, 09:58 PM

The one I stated in my setup in the first post. 3S 2200 30C XPS pack.

Jason

The Don

Mar 15, 2009, 10:21 PM

I don't understand how it is coming out tail heavy :confused: That is bizarre!

FresnoJay

Mar 15, 2009, 10:53 PM

I don't understand either. My setup weighs no more than your 4800 setup except mine has gear. But powertrain wise they are the same. Only thing is mine seems to fly tail heavy as others probably wouldn't. Maybe mine got more paint on the rear at the factory? We'll see in a few days after repairs how she does with no nose weight.

Jason

The Don

Mar 15, 2009, 10:56 PM

You have gear on! The drag of the gear will pull the nose down and make it act "nose heavy". Maybe that is what is going on.

Don

FresnoJay

Mar 16, 2009, 02:19 AM

It is very possible. But still doesn't explain the lack of attaining CG at rest when a number of them have been flown and CG with them.

Jason

P.S. I do have a bungee that is used for my A-4 so that could an option to eliminate gear for me.

FresnoJay

Mar 16, 2009, 05:14 AM

Well after getting home and looking over the stealth it looks like the damage is worst and better than previously thought.

Worst: Left wing is in 3 peices but already knew that, right wing has serious flex in it from the servo pocket outward. Can only guess that is due to 2 impacts that took thier toll. Serious flex in this case is 2" of flex up and down that just wasnt there previously that must be due to foam compression from impacts.

Better: All serious damage is relagated to the wing panels. The main fuse have very little damage. Mostly just scuffs and dings that are easily covered up or filled. Best part is the wings are sold separately and can just be replaced with a minimum of fuss.

Jason

Sammy70

Mar 21, 2009, 10:17 PM

Happy to report mine flew excellent today on its maiden outing! Stock fan, Wicked 4000, Pentium 30 and a 20c 3s Zippy 2200mah. Flew for 6 minutes (not WOT the whole time) and had plenty of reserve. Stock CG mark, 24mm on elev. and 12 on ail.s (low rates).

Only bad issue--the NOISE!@! :mad: The fan unit resonates so much in this airframe for some reason and I was afraid people would be heading to their basements--it sounds just like a tornado siren!! Any ideas??

The Don

Mar 21, 2009, 10:21 PM

Nice photos! As far as the noise it is a balancing issue on the rotor. I had one like that just today. About 1/2 throttle it vibrated bad but lower and higher throttle was just fine. So I messed with it for some time with some pieces of 1/4" sq electrical tape on the inside of the hub and then it went away after I found the happy spot.

Don

Sammy70

Mar 21, 2009, 10:55 PM

Maybe I'll the tape trick, but thing is this fan/motor unit sounded fine on the bench. Only in the plane does it sound terrible. It's bad from idle to WOT!

The Don

Mar 21, 2009, 11:54 PM

My BD-5 is like that, the sounds resonates in the body.

Don

FresnoJay

Mar 22, 2009, 04:45 AM

Sammy, Even a slight vibe that we may not feel on the bench or in hand can be amplified through the foam. I too have a vibe at about 1/4 throttle. Gonna balance it out while I wait for my wings.

Jason

FresnoJay

Mar 24, 2009, 03:10 PM

Well today I mounted my balanced rotor to find that not only was my rotor out of balance but my rotor plug was not spinning true. The combination of these 2 was the source of my 1/4 throttle vibe.

So I tried several times to get it to spin true. In the process one of the grub screws stripped out :eek: :mad: . So now once my wings get here I am still gonna be stuck. My buddy tried to lend me a GWs unit but of course its adaptor is smaller than 2.3mm :rolleyes: . I just cant win :o . If its not one thing its another.

Don do you sell or know anyone that sells the stock 2.3mm adaptor separate?

Jason

The Don

Mar 24, 2009, 04:58 PM

I may have a few of the stock ones. Let me check.

Don

FresnoJay

Mar 24, 2009, 06:53 PM

Ok cool thanks for checking.

Jason

The Don

Mar 24, 2009, 08:15 PM

Ok cool thanks for checking.
Jason

I only have the 2mm press fit versions.

Don

FresnoJay

Mar 24, 2009, 11:37 PM

Don, thank you for looking for me. I really appretiate it. I am gonna give the old drill and tap a try. A freind offered tp give it a shot. Cant really be any worst off than I am now.

Jason

Jagzilla

Mar 26, 2009, 12:17 PM

FresnoJay

Mar 27, 2009, 12:38 AM

Ok we shall see if she will fly this weekend weather permiting. She is all good to go.

Jason

The Don

Mar 27, 2009, 07:59 AM

Don, I have your 5400 Wicked Extreme in an Alfa 3 blade fan, running on 4 cell. This just came out of my now deceased Mig that folded a wing during flight yesterday, and then decided to whack solidly into a tree in the middle of a blackberry patch. The pilot didn't get a chance to eject, and several berry pickers also died at the scene. Seriously,I'm thinking about now ordering one of these planes, will this set-up work on this bird? Would this motor work with the stock fan, and would that be better, or stick with the Alfa fan? Any thoughts here?
Jag

Well the stock fan is a 64mm fan. The 5400 motor is a little on the high KV side for that fan. On 3S it will be about 450 watts and about 45 amps which is high and the testing I did showed that the rpm gain was not much for the watts increase so thst is why I tell people not to use that setup. I flew my F117 on a 3S2200 with the Wicked 4800 motor and it is a good powerful setup.

Don

Jagzilla

Mar 27, 2009, 09:05 AM

Thanks for the info Don. I just nixed ordering the F117 anyway, and went with the TMF F-16. Airframe only for $57.40, figured I can't go wrong. I'll transplant the Alfa fan/motor setup into it, and see what happens.
Perhaps another time for the Stealth for me...have fun guys!
Jag

The Don

Mar 27, 2009, 10:21 PM

Here is some video of the F-117 my buddy Bill took for me today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-RoicSvEXk&feature=channel_page

dragraces

Mar 28, 2009, 11:27 PM

Looks Great Don!!

Hey I have one coming monday, I still need a motor and esc.
Im going to purchase from you [Support the sport ] :)
I need to know best setup for 3c lipo and as easy on the pocket as possible
Doesnt have to be a speed demon just enough power to keep me out of trouble :D

I would like to get the 4800 and 25 amp esc will that work?

Thx
Jason

dragraces

Mar 29, 2009, 11:19 PM

Hey Don cancell that Im Having second thoughts, Gonna try a different setup
Sorry for the bother

Thx
Jason

Monsterous

Apr 19, 2009, 12:12 PM

Made some progress today.

Don

hi, where you did get your adapter?

The Don

Apr 19, 2009, 12:31 PM

The standoff adapter? I sell them pre-assembled to the Wicked EDF motors.
http://donsrc.com/cart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=52

Don

FresnoJay

Apr 27, 2009, 04:56 AM

Well guys I am back in here to ask a question or 2 as I am looking for a new motor for the stealth :( . If any of you read the other F-117 thread you know whats coming but got a few ?'s for Don. My motor I had in my stealth made it through 1 1/2 flights before the stealth planted herself into the weeds at my field due to motor melt down. No idea why other than it was a cheap HC/HK motor. Ran smooth as silk save the 1/4 throttle vibe heard in the video I posted in the other thread.

So on to the questions for Don.
1. Will the Wicked 4800 run on a TB-36 without issues?
2. Does the EDO rotor plug option on the website come with it already installed?

Jason

The Don

May 03, 2009, 09:59 PM

So on to the questions for Don.
1. Will the Wicked 4800 run on a TB-36 without issues?
2. Does the EDO rotor plug option on the website come with it already installed?
Jason

Jason,

Sorry I missed this post.

1) Yes no problem
2) Yes already installed.

The Don

May 03, 2009, 09:59 PM

One thing I want to warn everyone is the aileron hinges, I had one pull out today (the stock glued ones) and the elevon moved back and flopped about, it went into a spin and I could not get out with only one functional elevon so I hit dirt :(

Don

FresnoJay

May 03, 2009, 11:03 PM

Thanks for the answers Don. No propblem on them being late. Usefull info on all accounts.

Sorry to hear about your bird but again good info to know. Hope you get her fixed up and flying again. Mine has taken a few HARD hits but is still pretty good looking.

Jason

wekenav8r

Sep 16, 2009, 07:45 PM

Here is what I measured:

FSA of the fan: 2726 mm^2
Both inlets: 4800 mm^2
Both outlets: 2204.4 mm^2
Percentage of outlet: 2204.4/2726 = 80.8%
Percentage of inlets: 4800/2726 = 176%

Don

Don, I'm flying with the same setup as yours. EDO fan/4800, Pentium 40, 3S 2200, and no landing gear. I would like to get more speed out of this airframe (I've already put carbon wing spars in it), and have a 70mm fan/2W-20 I was thinking of trying in it.
1) As per your specs above, I assume the inlets are OK, any suggestions on modifying the outlets?
2) Do you think this would be a worthwhile mod since I already have the components?
I've noticed that if I slow this down too much before landing, she really hunts in yaw, kind of like a Dutch roll. Would this be worse with the increased weight of the suggested mods?
Thanks for any help here Don!
Tim