A couple of years ago I was talking to Dan and Kevin about new projects and the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger was one of the planes that came up. I hate to say I knew nothing about it or what it even looked like so after the Thud project finished I started looking up info, finding 3-views, photos to study. It was the Navy’s first supersonic fighter, It had an interesting start per this info from Wik and Its odd claim to fame was for being the first jet aircraft to shoot itself down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_F-11_Tiger

When I studied its look I noticed it’s very similar to modern RC sport jets but with the classic 50’s jet design lines. So I chose the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger for my new project. On this one I want to try some new building techniques and learn more about fiber glassing airframes that I have very little experience in doing.
The plan is to make a detailed fuse plug out of foam and cast a single piece female mold somehow. I want to make a light weight fiber glass skin for ascetics and incorporated the carbon rod spine for tying in all the stress components and bulkheads too. Also use cheep components because the Thud was over the top on expensive components.

Here I go.

Ity bity intakes.....but one cool jet!

I'm watching this one for sure. I've been thinking about it for a long time for a pusher prop jet.

Tony

Nice jet

Looks pretty similar to the Folland Gnat but it's still one nice looking jet Going for 90mm again?

Originally Posted by turbonut

Ity bity intakes.....but one cool jet!

Turbonut,
I checked to the fan area and 58in fuse got it there for a 90mm. I will mod it a little for a slight rounded inlet. Section D was used for the calc and it is about 1in from the inlet.

I used 2in blue Styrofoam and glued 4 60in pieces together for a starter block. The planned size is 58in fuse with a 42in wing. I also assembled a model for a 3D visual that has helped in the past for this phase of the fuse shaping. The cardboard templates got me to a good starting point before rounding the corners to the 12 profile shapes I got from the 3-views.

Great project Jeff.
Love all the early jets, modern jets don't do anything for me.


J

sweet project!!!!! the F-11 is a GREAT subject!!!!!ill be watching. this is a jet that is almost never modeled. i know MAHO on here in europe scratch built a 70mm version, and it flies great/ he posted a vid somewhere.....

ill be watching!!

Looks like you guys have gotten a good start. Good luck with it.

J

hey! you cant come over here gramps!!!! just kiddin

the only real challenge with the f-11 as a model is the main gear location mixed with the ducting. but, with a 90mm in a bird that size....you should have plenty of room

Thanks Guys, this should be a fun one and I hope with not as many challenges as the F-105 once the fuse molding idea gets figured out. Any help there would be appreciated.

CN,
Good to hear about a 70mm flying so well. The Angles love it to so it must have flown great. I need that, just can’t seem to get enough stick time to feel confident yet.

I am going full electric gear on this one and will build up a mock like Savage did on his very cool F111 gear. Lucky with the rear gear moving forward at station G pivot point the area balloons out at F so that should help for added room. With the gear in the fuse it should also make the Wing a lot easier to make. I also think I should have the front gear swing forward to keep as much room available between the ducts as possible for batt location. I want to go 8s 2P 3700mA maybe an ARC motor and HK fan as a power setup. The theme on this one is cheap and light.
I have sanded up station F and that was the easy part now for the ducting and nose.

Great looking start Jeff. This bird should be a good flyer
Maybe locate the landing gear in a non scale position?

Nice Jeff!

Hi Jeff
Very nice indeed. I don't know if you are aware that the Blue Angel's flew the F-11's back in the 60's. This site, http://www.blueangels.org/, has many pictures of the static display F-11"s in both Blue Angel and non Blue Angel paint schemes. Just select the "old aircraft" box to see all the types that the Blue's flew. The aircraft that is on display on the Intrepid came from the Pensacola museum and the Blue Angel maintenance crew were the ones that dissassembled it and got it ready for shiment. An interesting project as most of the bolts that attach the wings to the spars were severely corroded.
Best of luck with this project and I am looking forward to the finished product and successful test flight.
Frenchy

i have always wanted to try this one too . the small inlets gear and mid wing design make it a tuff subject...but im sure you can make it happen with every ones help around here