[paulj]

I've just received my next plane kit today.
This is going to be a build progress thread were I will post photos of various
stages of construction.
The aircraft is a F14 Tomcat (TopGun) swing wing fighter. It will be a pusher prop model
and at this stage I am still deciding on power plant to use.
Main building material is Depron and the swing wing mechanism is ply.
This is very much a kit model there is nothing ARF or RTF about it.
Here are some photos.







Just need to finish off a couple of small details on my Tucano then I'll make a start on this baby.

Paul

[kizza42]

2200kv inrunner, 6x4 prop, 30amp ESC then whatever 3S battery balances it out! Power system of champions!

Have to say the finished product looks awesome, can't wait to see it fly!

[paulj]

Thanks Kieran,
It just so happens that I've got a spare Turnigy 2835-2200Kv Inrunner here
as I took it off of the old Electrafun XP.
Also got some spare esc and plenty of HXT 900 servos.
I will need a metal geared servo for the swing wing mechanism
kit instructions suggests something like a Hitec HS81-MG or better.
Unfortunately HC have them on backorder.
Anybody got any suggestions for a similar servo that HC have in stock?
Anyhow no great hurry will continue to watch their stock levels or check local hobby stores
for prices.
One other thing. You may have noticed that the model pilots come in pieces that I have to cut
out and glue together, well I'm thinking why not use these pieces as a mould and cast them.
That way I might be able to make up some extra pilots for others.

Anybody got any suggestions for casting material? Thought of plaster of paris but don't think that will pick up
enough detail and may be a bit heavy. Looking for something like a resin material.

Paul

[kizza42]

Corona Digital Metal Gears: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... oduct=6314
We'll have to do some tests but we may be able to program it for you to go slow without a servo slower on it.

Also ESC's are back in stock. I think we can squeeze one last order in before chinese new year which is why I've been holding off the last few weeks.

For the pilots, we need vacuform!

[robair]

Gday Paul

Next time I see you we can have a chat about your options re duplicating parts. I uses to be a Dental Technician and can offer about 8 different methods to duplicate objects using various materials. As Kieran mentioned vac forming is an option, we can discuss using this method using a PET bottle, some plaster and a hot air gun. I have been experimenting with this method in order to make canopies and have used it on my model railways for yonks to make rock moulds for cliff faces etc etc.
Also, can you take a photo of how the swing wing works, I am "very" slowly building up some plans for a F111 and am curious as to how this works in model form, I have CAD designed brass tube sleeves that the wing can pivot around and the wing carry through box but that's about as far as I have got to date?


Cheers
Rob Byrnes

[paulj]

Thanks Rob will have a chat when next we me.
I'll make sure I photo document the swing wing feature as I'm pretty sure
you would be able to incorporate it into an F111.
This build is a "Leap of faith" for me as it's by far the most complicated model
I've ever attempted to build.
Like you, I enjoy the building challenge nearly as much as the flying.
Looking forward to starting next week.

Paul

[paulj]

Ok everyone, to wet your appetite so to speak here is a short youtube
video of the finished model. Note that it incorporates some footage of the real thing
just in case you can't tell the difference
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCOFhSwenLM&feature=player_embedded

Paul

[~KevJ~]

Gday Paul

Also, can you take a photo of how the swing wing works, I am "very" slowly building up some plans for a F111 and am curious as to how this works in model form,
Cheers
Rob Byrnes

hey Rob i have a just completed a swing wing design you may be interested in.. i used whats called a "ground" actuator.. the design failed tho when the actuator failed to return the wing to position #1 ... :roll:

seriously tho ill be down the field tommorow between say 8:30 and 10 am to give you this wreckage if your still interested. ive taken my suspect rx and esc out but have left the servo's in there and linkages and everything to make it easier for a rebuild for you.. it really wouldnt take that much to get her back in the air but i have cleaned the garage and brought down the next airplane box to start building so it must go

ps dad.. sorry for the thread hijacking, that vid you posted looks awesome, cant wait for you to build her.... so i can fly her im looking forward to seeing how proficient you get with the depron b4 i hit you up for a phantom or something

[kizza42]

Thread hijack indeed! 3 Week ban :P

[paulj]

Hijack ok this time.
Don't know about Phantom....(might be my next plane)..
Seriously no problems but I'm sure if I can do it so can you especially after
the awesome job you did on the EasySport.

Paul

[paulj]

Ok, small change of plans.
As there are some depron working techniques I need to practice,I've decided to
not start this build for a couple of weeks.
I have an F16 needing some TLC so follow my progress on the F16 Remodel thread
and see what I'm up to.

Paul

[paulj]

And so it begins............................
Started cutting out the depron parts.


Lots of parts all cut out.


Construction starts tomorrow.
Can't wait to fly this baby.
Originally a pusher jet but I've been reading up on
a guy who has converted it to a twin EDF and I'm seriously considering
wether or not to do the same.
Will need to decide soon as it will require some small alterations to the
build.
Stay Tuned.

Paul

[~KevJ~]

hell yeah go the ducted, but perhaps you can get away with a single 70mm with thrust tube. on extreme they have a few models that come in two versions, twin 70mm and single 90mm , i think they do it so they reduce the space required and have room to fit retracts on the 90 mm versions.. check out one of their f18's .. hmm come to to think of it it could have been banana that i saw it.. im just thinking twin is more weight and more components (although maybe something like steve's a10 setup would be good) and stuff but ducted tomcat with working swept wing is a cool thing in anyones book i reckon..

[paulj]

Going 90mm fan or even 70mm would require too much
modification to the airframe which I don't want to do as this
plane flies so well as designed (so the various websites reckon anyway).
The conversion I'm looking at requires 2 x 50...55mm fan units one in each
jet inlet.
The only modification required is to move the 2 taileron servos so as they are
not blocking the edf outlet.
Also although not really necessary, I am going to install twin rudders.
Getting quite excited about this project just hope my building skill are up
to the job.

Paul

[~KevJ~]

yeah i know 90 mm is way! too big , i was meaning a single 70 instead of two 55's or whatever.. but as you say not worth it if too much mods required..

[paulj]

Building progressing.
Here is some photos of the early stages of construction of the
forward fuselage section




Floor in place


Nose blocks glued in place


Nose blocks sanded to approx shape


So far no major problems build going quite well

Paul

[~KevJ~]

great progress mate.. keep it going!

[paulj]

Ok the plot thickens.................
First a little history about this model.
Originally designed in 2005 as a pusher jet by Steve Shumate
in USA. He published his plans for anyone who wanted to buy their own
Depron and cut out all the parts by hand.
Later as this model became very popular a company called 6mmflyRC entered into
a commercial arrangement with Steve and started
producing this model as a kit containing all die cut Depron and plywood parts.
This is what I bought.
Also in 2005 another model maker converted Steve's pusher jet to use edf and this is what
I was/am intending to do.

Problem 1
At first glance it seemed a straight forward conversion, however as we all know nothing seems to
be as easy as we first think
My biggest problem is in the fitting of the 55mm fans. It appears that 55mm relates to the exhaust
end of the edf and the inlet end is considerably bigger.
In the case of GWS fan units this size is 68.4mm. The nacelles on this model are only 64mm square. :roll:
The solution appears to be to remake the nacelles to a slightly bigger size that will accomadate the fan units.

Problem 2
If I do remake the nacelles, this will have a carry over affect as it impacts on the swing wing mechanism which
may now rub against the larger nacelles.
I have corresponded with the guys in the US who have done this conversion and they have had mixed experiences.
Some say that it's no big deal and as long as I'm careful in how big I make the nacelles tey should be ok.
Others say that it was not worth the effort, that the 55mm fans did not generate enough thrust for their liking and
that sticking to a pusher jet as originally designed will give me a faster plane and a more enjoyable flight.

So I'm at the crossroads............. What to do????
Maybe I would be better off sticking to my original plan and build this as a pusher and buy a ARF edf plane that will
satisfy my edf urges.

Paul

[kizza42]

Go the extra thrust and simplicity of a prop for now. EDF's can come later when your comfortably tossing a fighter around. All the mods and chance work seems like a lot to not have enough thrust and bury it on the first flight!

[~KevJ~]

i agree with kieren

it sounds like it would be a pretty complicated conversion for what may be ordinary results..

buy a different plane for edf.. that way you have 2 planes...

[samste]

I third that opinion, Keep as Pusher and fly it, then when comfortable flying you may reconsider an edf conversion, though you may just fall in love with the way it flies as a pusher.
Keep in mind Edf,s flying characteristics are a lot different to pusher and tractor props planes and may not be as well suited to the f14 as mention on other sites and i guess i learned that lesson first hand with my stryker to front prop conversion and ended up returning it to pusher and now just want to fly it all the time.

Theres a stack of EDF's cheap at Hobbyking plug in fly that may be of interest.
Steve

[paulj]

I have made a decision.
I'm staying with a pusher prop model.
After long discussion with my financial advisor(wife) she
advises that I have sufficient funds to purchase a ARF edf model.
So construction will continue as planned.
Thanks for all your advice

Paul

[paulj]

Just want to mention that build has slowed down
for the moment as I want to get the Gunfighter back
together and able to fly on weekend.
Soon as this is done I'll get back to this.

Paul

[paulj]

At long last I'm back working on this project.
Delay took a bit longer than anticipated.

Anyway have now completed the engine intakes and
attached them to fusalage,also installed motor mount at the rear.

Now about to start work on the swing wing mechanism.

Here is a couple of progress photos.
   
   

Paul

[~KevJ~]

this is starting to look very cool mate..

im thinking of it with my funjet power system in it.. wow!

easy climb out with wings open, climbing 1/2 throttle

turning to line up with the runway..

then it comes!

wings sweep back...
............................ and slam down the the throttle!!!

WOT low passes wings back .. take me right into to the danger zone!

darren spills coffee sitting in his chair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSRngcYVoM0

then pull up at end of runway and go crazy on the rolls.. yeah baby
fly your circuits wringing it out the whole time then turn to back straight , wings open settling into a nice approach bringing her in on a nice glide path.. (making sure not to chuck a cougar if kieren gets a missile lock during flight)

[paulj]

Couldn't help myself...
I just had to quickly put the parts together to give you
an idea of how she will look.

   

Sorry about blurry picture but this is just a quick pic to
see the parts that I've slotted together to give an approximate
of the finished article.
I'm still working on the swing wing mechanism but it's coming
along nicely and almost finished.
Things are moving a little slowly as I'm fibreglassing each part as
I complete it rather than waiting until the end of the build.
This is a much easier way of fibreglassing, especially where there are
many curved surfaces involved.
Had the TV running in the background while working. To give me inspiration
what did I run??
Top Gun...............

Paul

[samste]

It is Coming on well looking Good Paul

[kizza42]

Ahem...

http://www.the-vellas.com/files/TopGun.mp3

[paulj]

Finally ..
I'm at the painting stage of the F14.
Stand by for some photos of finished article later this week.
Maybe I'll get a short video of the swing wing function too.

[samste]

Cool Always love Pictures