 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
E-flite BAe Hawk 15 Ducted Fan ARF Review
This electric ducted fan ARF has a molded fiberglass fuselage and built up wing structure, and the new "15" EDF power system provides plenty of motivation for this beauty.
Introduction
|
|
| Wingspan: | 33.3" |
| Wing Area: | 206 sq in |
| Wing type: | Built up balsa - Symmetrical |
| AUW weight: | Advertised – 43-46oz Actual - 44 oz |
| Length: | 35.4” |
| Wing loading: | ~30.7 oz/sq. ft. |
| Cube loading: | 25 |
| Transmitter: | Spektrum DX7 |
| Servos: | E-Flite S75 |
| Receiver: | AR6200 6 channel |
| Battery: | E-flite 3200 3s LiPoly |
| Motor: | E-flite 15 DF Motor |
| ESC: | E-flite 60 AMP Switch mode ESC |
| US distributor: | Horizon Hobby |
| BAe Hawk EDF ARF: | BAe Hawk EDF |
| ARF Price: | $159.99 |
E-flite has released some very high quality models for a good number of years now. The realism of the EDF jets that have come on the scene lately is impressive, but the BAe Hawk is a work of art.
This is an exceptional ARF that is a head-turner indeed.
Kit Contents
The review package shipped from Horizon, and it arrived in perfect condition. It was exceptionally well packaged, double-boxed and the contents in the box were isolated and protected from shifting during shipment.
-
Parts count is very low: This one was fast to assemble.
-
These wings are small!
-
The amazing molded fiberglass fuselage, all beautifully painted
-
Tail feathers and canopy
-
Excellent pictorial manual with complete step by step instructions: Manual
Kit includes:
- Stunning prepainted fiberglass fuselage
- Built up wing and tail surfaces, covered and ready to go
- Clear canopy pilot ready (pilots not included)
- Factory slotted hinges ready for gluing
- Hardware (Push rods, torque rods, keepers and horns)
- Factory installed markings
- Clear, well-written picture assembly guide
Kit requires:
- Delta-V 15 69mm Fan unit
- 60amp Switch Mode BEC ESC
- 3s-4s LiPoly battery 3200mAh 3s or ~2600 4s recommended
- 3-4 Micro servos (Ailerons, elevator and optional nose steering)
- Receiver
- 3 channel minimum transmitter
- Servo extensions for aileron servos
Optional:
- Pilot figures
Included for this review:
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assembly
The E-flite BAe Hawk is a scale model that is a true ARF. Most of the difficult work was completed for you at the factory. This ARF was highly prefabricated, including a molded fiberglass fuselage that was beautifully painted with balsa surfaces and wing. The wing and surfaces are factory covered with Ultracote.
Most will find the Hawk can be assembled in just a few hours. Especially impressive was the detailed, impeccable fiberglass fuselage. It was really is a very stunning model!
Done by the factory:
- Surfaces hinged
- All surfaces and wing covered
- Factory paint on the fuselage
The builder needs to:
- Install the servos
- Install the fan, motor and ESC
- Install and align the horizontal stabilizer
- Install the landing gear
Assembly
Fan Unit
Work begins with the fan unit. The all new Delta-V fan and accepting brushless 15 EDF 3600 KV motor are custom fit for the BAe Hawk.
The motor fit perfectly in the fan unit. Two screws attach the motor firmly to the fan unit. Use some thread locking compound with the screws to keep them from backing out. The fan uses a collet type adapter that grasps the motor shaft instead of set screws. I really liked that the solid aluminum fan spinner doubled as the nut, securing the fan to the shaft. The fan blades are a bit delicate, so be cautious as you assemble the fan unit.
-
The 15 motor - 3600KV made as a drop-in for the Delta-V fan unit. This motor can be run on 3s or 4s packs.
-
The motor fit securely in the fan unit. I had to slightly enlarge the motor holes in the fan unit, and that made it easier to find the threaded screw mounts in the motor.
-
This nice fairing is included to allow the motor wires to neatly exit. The fairing perfectly mated to the rear of the motor. With factory drilled and tapped screws it made attachment simple.
-
A view of how the thrust tube attaches. This step done after the fan unit is installed in the plane.
E-flite includes a fairing that allows the builder to route the motor wires away from the rear of the motor. Two small machine screws attach this fairing to the rear of the motor, and it made for a very neat, tidy assembly. At test installation the fairing was about 5mm too long and was causing the wires to contact the fuselage side. The fairing fit better after removal of about 4mm of material.
Fuselage
The fuselage on the E-flite BAe Hawk is impeccable, and the glass work is very durable. The highly rounded, sleek Hawk fuselage is not easy to replicate, but this one replicates scale detail very well.
Fitting the fan in the fuselage takes some care and time. The fuselage includes a large number of ducts which allow for more fan airflow. The motor wires were rerouted from the top (as shown in the instructions) to the bottom of the former, making it easier to attach the ESC wires through those ducts but requires drilling a hole using a long drill bit. This was just a personal preference.
Tail Assembly
The fiberglass fuselage has tidy precut factory openings for the horizontal stabilizer. The fiberglass molded fuselage includes the vertical stabilizer and nonfunctional rudder.
The horizontal stabilizer includes a nifty laser-cut lite ply jig to insure the correct anhedral. The ends of each stabilizer were beveled perfectly, but a quick hit with a sanding block will align if you have any alignment issues.
-
Here you see the stab halves ready for the included jig.
-
Use wax paper to protect the jig and some 5 minute epoxy to join the stab. The butt joint was plenty strong, and the fuse sides also provide strength.
The instructions call for removal of the covering to aid adhesion for the horizontal stabilizer. In my opinion, this is simply not necessary when surfaces are "pinched" by the fuselage. Torture tests have shown just how strong the CA grips even without covering removed. High quality adhesives provide more than adequate holding power.
The holes for the stab were perfectly cut and allowed the surfaces to fit properly and with no modification. They were also cut true so the surfaces were aligned properly.
Elevators on the BAe Hawk each include their own pushrod. Tubes are routed to internal linkages for the elevator operation adding to the scale realism. The elevators include small factory-bent wires that attached to each elevator half. Those elevator wires serve as actuation horns with supplied thread on plastic linkages.
-
The internal factory bent horn linkage was CA'd on to each elevator surface. Make sure you glue those in the correct elevator half.
-
Ends of the horn linkage were threaded for the white plastic horn.
-
A small drill bit removed the molding marks to make threading a snap.
-
Make sure you slide the keeper on the wire before you bend the push rod wire ends.
The instructions say to CA the elevator hinges before threading the horn connector, however, it was much easier to work on the assembly with the elevators loose. Once the horns have the threaded plastic connector installed you can add a drop of thin CA to secure the hinges in each elevator half.
The manual reminds you to secure the pushrod tubes to all formers. They were factory glued and well attached at the servo and elevator end. You will need pay close attention to the center former which needs epoxy or CA to properly secure both tubes and is critical for proper elevator control function.
The fuselage has a factory installed battery and servo tray. This lite ply tray included cutouts that fit the S-75 servos for nose steering and elevator perfectly. It is appreciated when the recommended servos fit without modification.
-
Here you see the nose gear steering servo and the elevator servo installed and ready for action.
-
The Spektrum AR6200 receiver was placed at the end of the factory installed tray.
Wing
The wing halves for this beauty are really true to scale which means they are small! Each half has a cutout for a single 7.5g servo and is installed with the short direct linkage to each aileron surface. I appreciated the fact the ailerons were hinged at the factory and the gaps were sealed!
-
The E-flite S-75 servos are reliable and affordable. The large wing openings allow installation of laser cut servo mounts. These fit the S-75 servos perfectly.
-
This top uses two wood screws to attach the servo firmly to the base plate.
-
The short direct linkage works well. Make sure you install the keeper before bending the wire.
-
Included are these servo covers. A thin line of medium CA had those attached to the covering securely.
The wing halves are simply butt-joined to the molded fiberglass fuselage. Included are two CF tubes that are used to create center joiners for the wings. Make sure you follow the instructions, and remove all paint from the root panels on the fuselage.
I used 30 minute epoxy to allow plenty of alignment time and give additional strength. A proper fit between the wing, fuselage and CF tube was much appreciated.
-
Paint was removed from the fuselage for the wing mating area. A Dremel tool and sanding drum were used to remove all the paint. Some quick draws with 120 grit sandpaper and block made a nice flush mating surface for the wing to fuselage butt joint. Make sure not to scuff the beautiful finish on the intakes while sanding.
-
Here you see the carbon-fiber wing tubes provided a strong wing joint.
-
30-minute epoxy and some low-tack tape secures the wing while gluing. The wing to fuse fit was perfect.
Landing gear installation was a snap. The wing mount blocks were all installed and pre-drilled. Everything fit without any modification. The nose gear was a snap too, and everything fit well.
-
The landing gear dropped right in and secured with the included straps and wood screws.
-
Nose gear cam and linkage runs directly to the rudder steering servo. There is no functional rudder.
The mylar fan tube was installed finally. A piece of music wire might help as you direct the mylar tube to the outside of the installed fan unit. It took a couple of minutes but then the tube slid on.
-
The mylar tube gets taped to the back of the fan unit. Do not omit this part. It’s s a critical step and will affect your Hawk's performance.
-
The tube was taped as instructed to the rear of the fuselage.
-
The fan access cover is then replaced with tape.
True to scale realism, the E-flite BAe Hawk includes wing stall dams and fuselage intakes. They attached quickly and really add to the scale detail. Hats off to E-flite!
-
Wing stall dams were installed with canopy glue.
-
The scale intakes were installed on the fuse top as well.
Canopy
The canopy followed the impeccable fit and finish of the fuselage, using dowels for alignment to the fuselage. The factory recommends a rubber band attachment method for the canopy. I have long been a fan of magnets, as has E-flite, so I was surprised to see this change. I much prefer magnets, and that modification only took minutes to complete.
-
Epoxy was used to glue thin magnets right to the bottom of the canopy.
-
Then a 5mm wide lite ply base was glued to the fuselage right under the canopy lip. Two magnets were glued to this. After that epoxy was cured the other magnets attach themselves to the other magnets. Then a drop of epoxy on the top of each magnet and reattach the canopy. Allow the glue to dry and remove the canopy - simple!
Power system
The recommended EDF 15 brushless motor and Delta-V fan system were used in the Hawk.
Amp draws
The included brushless motor is perfect for use with either 3s-4s packs. With the E-flite 3200 mAh 3s pack and stock fan it produced the following results:
| Motor statistics on 3s | ||
| Amps | Watts | Voltage |
| 39 | 410 | 10.7v |
These power levels gave the BAe Hawk 149 watts per lb, enough for spirited performance in an EDF model. The power and performance of the Delta-V fan and 15 motor was impressive.
The E-flite ESCs have provided consistent, impressive performance. The switch mode BEC will power 6-7 servos on 6s voltages. Not having to add supplemental BECs is always welcome!
If you use the newer E-flite ESCs, the programmer makes setting them up a snap. It’s an RS-232 computer link that enables you to install software and update settings like cutoff voltage, brake, timing, throttle range, acceleration range and frequency.
Battery
A single 3s 3200 MAh E-flite LiPoly battery provides power. This pack weighs in right at 9.2oz/261g, and its performance was stellar: It provided great voltage under a near 40amp load.
Finish
The BAe Hawk fiberglass work is fantastic. The impeccable paint work is spectacular. The paint scheme is very attractive and really stands out at the field. The covering was equally impressive on the both the built up wing and tail surfaces. The pilots are a great addition and really add to the realism, but they are not provided in the ARF.
preflight
Some glamour shots of the E-flite BAe Hawk:
CG
With the 3s 3200MAh pack placed in the forward section of the tray the BAe Hawk balanced at any of the CG settings from 80-90mm. It is nice when a model balances correctly with the recommended equipment. This is especially key with the rear fan position of this model.
The forward CG of 80mm was far too nose heavy and made it difficult to rotate in my opinion. After experimenting with different CG settings, the optimum location seemed to fall about 85mm aft of the leading edge, when measured inverted at the wing root.
Rates and transmitter setup
The trusted Spektrum DX7 transmitter was used for this plane. Rates were set as recommended in the manual with ailerons at 8mm up 5mm down and low rates 6mm and 4mm respectively and elevator at 8mm high and 5mm low each direction. Exponential rates were set at my preferred 35% for the primary flight controls.
Nose gear steering was set to 85% exponential to be very soft at high speed yet still will allow small turning radius with full throws.
The ailerons were quite sensitive in flight so decreasing the throws to about 3mm and use of 60-65% exponential felt better. The elevator authority was too light, and an increase was in order. I settled on about 8-9mm throws and decreased exponential to zero.
The flight timer was set to count down from 6 minutes giving an audible warning to land long before the battery was depleted. The 3200 E-flite pack was able to supply the BAe Hawk with full throttle runs with no ill effects. (Editor's note: Flight times will vary with throttle management.)
It is advisable to use reflex on the BAe Hawk, especially when landing, setting about 1.5-2mm of reflex (up) aileron in each aileron surface. While the instructions do not mention this, my past experience reminded me that small scale size wings with high wing loadings usually appreciate the effect: They have less tendency get snappy while slowing. On the DX7, this reflex can be programmed and assigned to the flap switch. Reflex really helps in keeping snap tendencies tamed, which can be especially welcome on landing.
I took the Hawk outside for some more pictures because it just looks stunning!
Flying
The Hawk is a small, fast airplane. In fact, it really moves out! There is no question that this is a go-fast-turn-left airplane. It gets very small quickly so maintaining orientation is key. With the large air intakes and the "cheater" holes in the fuselage bottom, it performed well with the stock 3s setup.
In-flight pics come from Andy Grose. Thanks for these fantastic in-flight shots!
A curious observation related to a power off pitch characteristic with the E-flite BAe Hawk: While it only needed a click or two of elevator trim when flying at full throttle, I noted that when it was powered off abruptly, it pitched up (which was not the intended result). This may indicate that the thrust tube is aligned for full throttle flight.
The Hawk, while it retains energy quite well, is by no means a throttle-off kind of performer. It requires its fair share of power to stay in the air; hardly ever below half throttle and, more often than not, three-quarters-to-full throttle. Speed is what it's all about with these sleek lines.
Takeoff and Landing
Use of the included landing gear is recommended. With the wing loading and the smallish wing, the landing gear was the best option to get this bird airborne. The Hawk picked up speed well but it generally used roughly 200+ft of pavement before rotation. Ground handling was excellent with the trike gear, and the large spread on the main gear made it handle like a sports car. You will need to use up elevator for rotation off the ground: As expected, it will not rotate by itself.
Landings were fairly straightforward when using the reflexed ailerons, using a small amount of UP aileron on each surface.
Care must be taken to keep power on to maintain proper landing speed; EDFs, including this Hawk, require it since they have no direct propeller blast over the control surfaces, and they will become sluggish if you attempt to slow them too much. The resulting attempt to compensate by adding control throw will have undesired results.
Special Flight Characteristics
The BAe Hawk has been at Her Majesty's service as a fine aerobatic performance, but in the case of this rudderless plane, your routine may be a bit more limited.
The E-flite BAe Hawk is exhilarating in the air. It goes exactly where it is pointed, and it travels there in a big hurry. The plane penetrates wind very well, just as one would expect.
The plane stalls very predictably for a model with a low 30s in/oz wing loading. Recovery takes time and altitude, so make sure you have both.
Rolls are magnificent, and the aileron differential dialed into the control surfaces helps with keeping the rolls nice and axial, straight and true.
Loops require full power, so be sure you have altitude and power. Loops can be a bit challenging, however: The vertical performance is not unlimited, and the fact that there's no rudder may mean that the Hawk may want to snap out mid-loop. Then again, if what you're after is looks and speed, the Hawk passes the test with flying colors. Let there be no doubt: There shall be oooohs and aaaaahs from the peanut gallery.
Recommended power system
Power on 3s voltages was just fine, and it did not leave me wanting more. But for the more power crowd, the stock power system will take 4s voltage with shorter flight time, but the EDF 15 motor and Delta-V fan gave excellent performance on 3s voltage.
Is this plane for a beginner?
The E-flite BAe Hawk is for the experienced EDF jet pilot and not for the faint of heart. It is intended for advanced pilots due to the small wing and the speed of the model.
Flight Video
Downloads
Conclusion
This is a beautiful plane. The fiberglass work, wing and tail surfaces were all perfect. It was very impressive, and it is easy to be pleased by the attractive paint scheme and markings. It is a well thought out model as was evidenced by the quick construction.
Assembly of this EDF was quick and straightforward. Thinking of how long that molded fuselage would have taken to build makes you glad for modern ARFs of this build quality. The prefabricated parts fit was good making the assembly process smooth.
The E-flite BAe Hawk is extremely attractive: It looks fast just sitting on the ground! The fiberglass work was impeccable. The paint was amazing and would rival the work done in any modern car body shop. The covering was also tight and expertly applied.
It would have been nice to see a magnet canopy attachment system used just as E-flite does on most of their models. Adding magnet attachments was easy, and the modification took less than 15 minutes.
The Delta-V fan system and motor provided great power on 3s. The Hawk, understandably, gets small in a hurry. 3s power should prove to be more than enough for the average jet jockey.
Keep it turning frequently as you will find it really moves out. Although not intended as an acrobat the Hawk does fine with Split S, immelmann turns, rolls and loops.
Pluses:
- Looks are second to none with attention to scale detail
- Great quality, from sheeted wings to composite airframe
- Hardware is top notch
- Instruction manual is detailed and in plain English full of helpful details
- Jig to properly glue the tail angles was a great addition
- Short assembly time
- Great performance on 3s
Minuses:
- Magnet canopy attachment would be welcome
- Would be nice to see pilots included
Check it out the hobby shop or buy direct at Horizon.
Special thanks to all those who helped with this review!
Last edited by Angela H; Aug 28, 2009 at 01:12 PM..Discussion
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Aug 25, 2009, 10:14 AM
|
|
USA, TX, Trophy Club
Joined May 2002
12,972 Posts
|
A huge Thank - You to Napo and crew for a number of the pics and vid on the review!!!
Mike |
 |
|
|
Aug 25, 2009, 12:16 PM
|
|
United States, CA, Los Angeles
Joined Sep 2003
21,903 Posts
|
Soooooooooooooooooo much nicer looking than those foam "things".....
|
|
|
|
Aug 25, 2009, 12:56 PM
|
|
Hillsboro, OR, USA
Joined Mar 2004
872 Posts
|
Nice looking plane. Wish it had retracts. Sure has a lot of cheater holes.
What is the source for the pilot figures? Is anyone else having trouble with the video? |
|
|
|
|
Aug 25, 2009, 02:36 PM
|
|||
Birmingham, Alabama
Joined Feb 2007
7,869 Posts
|
Mike: It was great collaborating with you on this review. Nicely done! Thanks to the Birmingham R/C Club for its hospitality in letting us use the paved runway, and to Andy Grose for the great photos and video!
That's weird about the video. I'm attaching it below it is in all its embedded glory. Sorry about that! The pilots came from Horizon, and they're the same ones as in the T-28 Trojan. Here's a picture of them.  Here are a few more photos of the Hawk in action, too. It's a looker for sure!    
Retracts would be cool, but the wing is much too thin to accommodate all the innards, methinks... 
|
||
|
|
Last edited by Spackles94; Aug 25, 2009 at 02:44 PM.
|
||
|
Aug 25, 2009, 07:16 PM
|
|
TEXAS
Joined Sep 2005
4,300 Posts
|
Really nice review Mike. Looks like the Hawk flies pretty fast, but have you had a chance to try it on a 4-cell battery pack yet?
Mike McD |
|
|
Latest blog entry: LEDs on my T-28
|
|
Aug 25, 2009, 08:29 PM
|
|
|
USA, TX, Trophy Club
Joined May 2002
12,972 Posts
|
Thanks Napo!
Nope Mike I have a 4 cell - but the performance was fine (to me) on 3s. So didn't feel the need. Mike |
|
|
|
|
Aug 25, 2009, 08:36 PM
|
|
|
Birmingham, Alabama
Joined Feb 2007
7,869 Posts
|
Mike,
I think you would definitely get shorter takeoff rolls with the 4S (and possibly a bit better vertical performance), but I think the weight penalty would not be worth the upgrade. At least I didn't think so with my Hawk. It's the proverbial weight-vs.-performance-vs.-flight-times dilemma.
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 25, 2009, 11:39 PM
|
|
USA, CA, Victorville
Joined May 2002
2,844 Posts
|
Nice review i flown this plane on a 3200 4s and it flys awsome big lops and great vertical , no problem on the landing reflex helps and bit hotter though .
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 25, 2009, 11:55 PM
|
|
Joined Aug 2009
1 Posts
|
Came here to quickly check this out and ended up reading the whole thing
nice review. And very beautiful shots of the plane, great photography!
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2009, 12:16 AM
|
||
|
Birmingham, Alabama
Joined Feb 2007
7,869 Posts
|
Quote:
 She likes to pose for the camera. Here's one extra one from the studio session...  ... and another one from the field ...  ... and finally a happy camper at the end of a rough, grueling day of photographing and taping with my good buddy Andy. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 29, 2009, 02:48 AM
|
|
Australia, NSW, Sydney
Joined Nov 2006
4,243 Posts
|
good review, great looking club you guys have. man i would just live there lol..
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 29, 2009, 07:23 AM
|
||
|
Birmingham, Alabama
Joined Feb 2007
7,869 Posts
|
Quote:
No one's stopping you from moving here...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 29, 2009, 08:09 AM
|
|
Joined Jul 2009
109 Posts
|
Was just browsing round and came down on this. Excellent review!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 30, 2009, 09:11 AM
|
|
|
USA, TX, Trophy Club
Joined May 2002
12,972 Posts
|
Thanks Max....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools | |
Similar Threads
|
||||
| Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
| Discussion BAe Hawk 15 DF ARF | ASAMech | Electric Ducted Fan Jet Talk | 3 | Nov 29, 2008 06:50 AM |
| New in box Kyosho T-33 electric ducted fan ARF | Jason M | Aircraft - Electric - Airplanes (FS/W) | 0 | Sep 23, 2003 02:19 PM |
| Wattage F-86 ducted fan ARF $69 | Jason M | Aircraft - Electric - Airplanes (FS/W) | 0 | Jul 07, 2003 01:00 PM |
| Mig 15 ducted fan size | stealthy | Electric Ducted Fan Jet Talk | 0 | Jun 01, 2002 12:25 PM |
| Mig 15 Ducted fan jet- $55 | rtrigo | Aircraft - Electric - Airplanes (FS/W) | 20 | Apr 13, 2002 09:20 AM |
|
|