Blue Angels formation flyer

[frankenfoamy]

Hello, I am new to Wattflyer
To kick this off I would like to share my latest project


http://media.putfile.com/blueangels5

http://media.putfile.com/blueangelsclosecall80 shorter

http://rcguy.tripod.com

[ifixairplanes]

That my friend, is freakin cool! Good work

Sean

[Mike Parsons]

Cool :)
FF,
I have been in love with your Optica ducted fan shroud (if that is what it is called) for about three years now. I love that thing.

For those wondering what the heck I am talking about see this http://rcguy15.tripod.com/FRANKENFOAMY.htm

[frankenfoamy]

Thanks Mike,

There will be more to come.
A kit maker wants me to make a 52" version
with molded parts.
You can see that I have collected alot of research.
An interesting thing is I have built two versions of the plane to study different building methods. Both have been featured contruction articles in magazines. Glad to hear I am not the only strange plane lover.

http://rcguy.tripod.com

[Solcat]

That thing would sell like crazy,

[Nitro Blast]

I cant wait to see it in person at the field... I missed the club meeting where you showed it off too...


Sweeeeeet video.

[tashley]

Very cool! That thing must look awesome doing slow rolls, but have you tried the starburst? lol.

[g10]

There was an original nitro burner version of these way back when in which the lead plane had a prop. Where you connected to that project or is this a totally differant E project?

I like this E version would definately simplified.......

[Spiderman_48]

There was an original nitro burner version of these way back when in which the lead plane had a prop. Where you connected to that project or is this a totally differant E project?

I like this E version would definately simplified.......

I have the original nitro version of that rig. My forum picture has them in the background if you look real close.... OS .10 FSR powered 3 Channel, as a matter of fact, I just tried to fly it in (too much) wind a few months ago and knocked the nose off and broke one of the fiberglass arrow shafts that connects the planes.
It's on my agenda to fix it, tho... It was a real show pleaser at the model air shows we gave at the local airport full-scale show.... except that a few smarties wanted to see the star-burst manuever!!! Ha ha...

[frankenfoamy]

Here is another pic to give a sense of scale

http://rcguy.tripod.com

[nstaller]

I love it.I gotta have one. Awesome job.

[mountaindr3wz]

hey franken foamy i noticed you a member by seawold san diego. very cool plane. i like it are u making any planes to make a bigger one?

[BOB H MOORE]

I am a A&P ME3CHANIC AND PRIVATE PILOT. I GOT A CHANCE IN 1990 TO WORK ON AND FLY A OPTICA SCOUT.THIS WAS QUITE A THRILL. IT WAS REALLY QUITE IN COPIT. THE PLANE WOULD FLY AT 105 MPH AND STALL AT 30. THE PLANE WAS HAVING OIL HEATING PROBLEMS

[frankenfoamy]

No plans on a bigger one as it would be difficult to transport.

I still fly the original mini optica almost every flying session
I will be building a bigger version of that one.

http://rcguy.tripod.com

[NitroCharged]

I would love to do a formation setup myself one day FF :)

So many projects... so little time...

[frankenfoamy]

I made a single plane from the lead plane of the formation flyer.
Tailerons
IPS 50 motor 3 x3 prop
3oz

http://rcguy.tripod.com

[tashley]

Looks sweet Frank! Have you flown it yet?

[frankenfoamy]

sure have
video http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=30619&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

[Vendetta]

Wow, I've got to agree thats darn cool !!

Good job man !

[frankenfoamy]

See what a little paint can do!

[Joe 1320]

I gotta try doing one of these. :D

[frankenfoamy]

more video http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=487873#post5136836

[frankenfoamy]

Built one using the formation flyer outlines ( 12" wingspan )
laminated two fuselages together and tried Ali/Ele this time.
Otherwise the same runing gear.
12"wingspan
3.2oz

[Joe 1320]

Are the kits available yet? I would love a small 12" jet like that.

[frankenfoamy]

Updated the video

http://media.putfile.com/Blue-Angels-Formation

[Joe 1320]

This got me going months ago, now I've got the lead plane done, 3 more to follow. Can't wait to get mine in the air. Although not totally true due to using F-16s instead of F-18s, maybe I should do the Thunderbirds instead? In any case..... can't wait to get it in the air. :cool: Thanks for the inspiration!

http://www.Wattflyer.com/photoplog/images/6136/medium/1_misc_plane_stuff_058.jpg

[frankenfoamy]

There is a guy in RC groups that did a formation of f-16s more of a parkflyer

[fl62]

Okay - who is going to be the first to take this great idea a little too far....

...and put for HET F-18's together in this formation rig and fly them? :D

[U812]

Frankenfoamy,

Good to see you here. Nice job as usual. Welcome to Wattflyer!

Steve

[frankenfoamy]

Backyard Flyer has the Formation flyer as an online construction article

http://www.backyardflyer.com/online...mationflyer.asp (http://www.backyardflyer.com/onlineonly/formationflyer.asp)


Sureflite.com should have kits soon

[frankenfoamy]

http://www.backyardflyer.com/onlineonly/formationflyer.asp

construction article in Backyard Flyer

[frankenfoamy]

Added a brushless motor to the 15" wingspan version
Scoots!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjPJOpgqoj8

[frankenfoamy]

Stalled the formation on landing approach ( 30' up). Instant jigsaw puzzle.
I hated the thought of starting from scratch so I gathered up the pieces and put humpty dumpty back together good as new!

[rcav8r]

I saw this years ago in RCM; maybe 1990ish. Ken Willard I think did this, and i belive used a .25 glow engine for power. If I remember the story correctly, he would have 3 other guys stand on the flight line w/ xmitters w/ him as he would fly the "formation".
I've always wanted to duplicate, and when I got into electric I thought it would be a perfect foam/electric project. It appears it is :D

[frankenfoamy]

Yep, Ken was the first.
He used built up planes with wood and fiberglass dowels connecting them.
Much different connection method, but very effective.
The plane was called "Bluebirds" . They were of his own design and not scale of any real plane.

[lslewis]

I want one!
Hurricane Larry

[Joe 1320]

Mine is coming along, the EPP airframes will really help when dumb thumbs prevail. :D The only part that gives me the chills is the CG point on the maiden. It's chuck glider experimentation at it's finest.

[frankenfoamy]

I have had many inquiries about the CG.
For my set up it is about where the wings meet the fuselage on the outboard planes. I hesitate to say that because it is for the dimensions I used. Another builder may use different dimensions.
Joe 1320 called it right. I used a chuck glider to figure mine.

rcguy.tripod.com

[frankenfoamy]

BETA Testers wanted

Well the day has finally come!
Laser cut kits are ready to be tested.
Sureflight is looking for 4 average model builders to beta test.

The kit includes:
all foam parts
Carbon Rods
Aurora 300df brushless motor and prop
Brushless ESC
Landing gear
Control rods and horns
servo extension wires
instructions

You supply:
receiver
battery
three micro servos
glue
Tape

The cost to participate is $100 with $50 returned on completion of the model.

Contact sales@sureflite.com (sales@sureflite.com)
place BETA TEST in the subject line.
This test is restricted to the US due to shipping costs.

I am looking forward to the critiques

[Joe 1320]

That looks like a blast. :cool: E-mail sent.

[EvanM07]

Is it possible to make a formation like this?

23366

[frankenfoamy]

Easily done.
more parts to cut and might be too large for transport unless you use 8" wings

[pltoffdenner]

awesome, im a great lover of any hornet wether it be a twin jet or little beauty like this! great job.

[Evan]

Easily done.
more parts to cut and might be too large for transport unless you use 8" wings
except you cant put smoke on an electric plane

how do you make it

i would love to make somthing like it. only i would like to do a thunderbird f-16

i already have an edf f-16 jet but its pretty big(compared to what you are doing so i probably couldnt do it unless i put a real tubine in it). 31 inch wingspan and its 35 inches long

i got it off of ebay

[EvanM07]

yeah I wasn't thinking of puting smoke on it (just the only pic I could find of that formation).

[lslewis]

OK RC Guy! I signed up for Beta Testing but have not heard yes or no. I would like to know either way, I am a big boy.. I can take rejection... I promise I won't cry... for long.

Larry aka Hurricane Larry
Cape Coral Florida

[Joe 1320]

OK RC Guy! I signed up for Beta Testing but have not heard yes or no. I would like to know either way, I am a big boy.. I can take rejection... I promise I won't cry... for long.

Larry aka Hurricane Larry
Cape Coral Florida


Yeah, same thing here. I'm itching to build something different.

[ElectricFlyGuy]

Anything is possible.;)


Is it possible to make a formation like this?

23366

[frankenfoamy]

Sureflite owner just came back from a trip in China.
Today I found out that the person in charge of Beta testing dropped the ball.
I am not in charge of this, just the lowly designer:rolleyes:

I suggest calling to get confirmation.

858-571-6100

I saw the parts ready to ship

Good luck

[Spiderman_48]

except you cant put smoke on an electric plane

Hey check out Jason Noll's SMOKE! :eek: (Looks electric to me??:confused: ?)

click here. (http://www.flyinggiants.com/gallery/data/573/jasonnoll.wmv)

Spiderman

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/cid:003463521@29032006-06FD

[frankenfoamy]

Sure wish I could edit postings.
The link to the video croaked

here is a new one.

http://one.revver.com/watch/105823/flv/affiliate/43347

http://one.revver.com/watch/206307/flv/affiliate/43347 close call with fence

[Spiderman_48]

I found the inspiration for "our" formation flyer back in the early '80's. Ken Williard penned this set in the Model Aviation mag, December, 1978. It's a glow powered one, tho.

[frankenfoamy]

Yep, from what I know ken was first.

I talked to someone that saw a demonstration of Ken's plane and he said that the crowd was very impressed.

[Evan]

Hey check out Jason Noll's SMOKE! :eek: (Looks electric to me??:confused: ?)

click here. (http://www.flyinggiants.com/gallery/data/573/jasonnoll.wmv)

Spiderman

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/cid:003463521@29032006-06FD
the "spiderman" link or pic does not work

that heli looks gas to me

[Spiderman_48]

For the electric smoke,
Try the following link:

http://www.flyinggiants.com/gallery/data/573/jasonnoll.wmv


...and the spiderman image should be below:


26615

[rcav8r]

So any beta testers get their kits yet? I sent my paypal about 2 weeks ago, and no kit or responce to my emails?

[lslewis]

I sent an email saying I could start mid-may. I expected a rejection but heard nothing.

Hurricane Larry

PS I still want a kit if they ever get their act together.

[Joe 1320]

I sent a reply to an e-mail that was sent to me but never got a response so I didn't send funds via paypal. Someone seriously needs to get their act together. :rolleyes:

[rcav8r]

Well I was starting to get a little worried too, so I called them. Apparently they are a little behind, and should have the kits out in a week. I'll be a little more secure when I get the kit :)

[frankenfoamy]

Several people asked to participate but only two sent in money. Sureflite.com mailed out the beta kits couple weeks ago.
There maybe a chance to replace the beta testers that did not follow up.

[lslewis]

As I said a month ago I could start the beta build mid May. I expected a rejection but heard nothing. I began to believe this was all smoke and mirrors. Not about to send off $100 to a black hole. I would still like to do the build and can start in 10 days. Talk to me, a Yes, No or whatever would do the trick.

Hurricane Larry

[jeholliday]

How about a guy that flies C/L comp and sport? I fly R/C for fun. I love to build and have more than I can fly. DOC Holliday

[frankenfoamy]

I don't handle any of the decisions on who participates in the beta test.
The design was done many months ago. The delays had several reasons from what I understand. Change of staff, owner went to China, parts availability, right hand did not know what the left was doing.
Anyway they are ready to go. I saw the packed kits with my own eyes.

I will handle building questions.

All other questions should go to Sureflite.com

Good luck

http://one.revver.com/watch/216407/flv

Some video of the plane that was built for the photograghs in the manual

[lslewis]

Well Sureflite finally sent me an email and I have shipped off my $ and looking forward to a fun time.

Hurricane Larry

[Joe 1320]

Well Sureflite finally sent me an email and I have shipped off my $ and looking forward to a fun time.

Hurricane Larry

I received one as well, I was hesitant to send the funds until I heard a response.

[lslewis]

Frankenfoamy - You suggest an aurora 300DF motor a Gunther 5X4.5 prop a pusher?? A 3S 1050 mah Lipo. What size ESC? And who stocks the prop? I like to have everything I need so if there is anything else let me know. Thanks,

Hurricane Larry

[rcav8r]

Well I sent my money, but received no kit. I asked for a refund about 2 weeks ago. Finally got the refund, and about 2 minutes after the refund was sent, I received an email saying the kits were in and to send payment. Geesh I wish they would make up their mind....

[lslewis]

Despite my email, despite my request Sureflite sent the kit to my Florida address. Lucky the kit got to Florida before I left. I sent my money via paypal and here is the paypal record Notice the shipping address:

Business Name:
Sureflite Inc.
Email:
sales@sureflite.com

Business Contact Information

Customer Service URL: http://www.sureflite.com
Customer Service Email: sales@surelfite.com
Customer Service Phone: 858-404-0102

Total Amount:
-$100.00 USD

Date:
May 6, 2007
Time:
08:10:53 PDT
Status:
Completed

Subject:
Attn: Patricia Dacus
Note:
Please hold for Dad
Shipping Address:
Lawrence Lewis
340 McCellan Dr
Carson City, NV 89704
United States
--------------------------------------------------------

Of course there was no instruction CD. The parts are small enough Maria thinks she can get them in our suit case. Where do you think they will send the CD?

Hurricane Larry

[frankenfoamy]

As the designer, I have the instructions that are downloadable.
Send me a pm and I can send them to you if you have trouble getting the CD

[lslewis]

Thank you frankenfoamy. I got you PM but did not download the instructions yet. I am flying to Nevada tomorrow and will do so later this week.

Larry

[Joe 1320]

Mine arrived, it was too late last night for me to open it and check for the CD but I'm assuming it's not there.

[Joe 1320]

I did receive the CD but I cannot open the instruction document. All the pics and vids are fine, just the wordpad document. I can still figure it out based on the pics though.

[rcav8r]

In hindsight think I got a link from frankenfoamy for the files earlier today, but it went to some download services that asked for registration . And there was only the link in the email text and an ambiguous subject line so I deleted it.... Looked suspicious.
Then I got a link to the same place from Sureflite later this evening. Anyway I reluctantly registered (with a spam bucket email account) logged in, and tried to download the file. It failed a few times, and when it finally went through I get a corrupt zip file.....
Anyone else getting this?

Frankenfoamy... isn't there another way to get us the file? Post to a web site or something?

[Joe 1320]

He sent me a PDF file conversion, PM me your email address and I'll foreward it to you.

[lslewis]

I got a chance to start on the kit today. Read the instructions twice, twice more and I will have it under control. Instruction seem to be clear. We shall see.

However the purpose of this post is to alert all that the shopping cart on Sureflite.com is flaky. Everytime I tried it added something I did not want and it said some of the stuff I ordered was out of stock. But it did not tell me what. I strongly suggest you be very careful using their shopping cart. Check every item and do your own math.

I went with an alternate taller supplier.

Measure your CF rods my 23" rods measure 21.5???????

Hurricane Larry

[Joe 1320]

Mine came with a MTM 400SH brushless motor. I can't find any information about this thing anywhere on the net. I've found several other models like the 400F, but nothing on the 400SH. Anyone have any info on this? All I have is a spec sheet that shows max load of 18A, 3300 kv, 35g weight and 2.3mm shaft.

[lslewis]

Mine came with the same motor and I could not find anything on it either. I would like to put it all in Motocalc. I am missing the promised control rods and servo extensions. I also need to find a Bamboo store! :silly:

Hurricane Larry

[Joe 1320]

The kit needs a few details. This seems like a cross between a short kit and an ARF. I need to pick up servo extensions, linkages, bamboo, a prop along with supplying the normal stuff like servos and radio equipment.

I'm going to dig on info about this motor. It sure appears to be a nice candidate for a 55mm EDF.

[lslewis]

Any idea of where to purchase a Gunther 5 X 4.5 prop?

[Joe 1320]

Nope. i've got several small APC props around that size range. I think I have a 5x5, a 4.75x4.75........ either of those may be good enough for a maiden. APC does show a 5.1x4.5 that would probably be close enough. maybe a little trimming would do the trick. Once I find out more on this motor I'll know more about a prop substitute.

[Joe 1320]

Houston, we have a problem.:roll:

Something just didn't sit right and I e-mailed Mike. Turns out the brushless motor should be run on 2s and NOT 3s like stated in the instructions. So....... those of you doing the beta test, a 2s lipo is what was flown in the video. ;-)

[lslewis]

NO, no, do not tell me 2S is required. I just ordered a 3S from CBP! What next?

Hurricane Larry

[lslewis]

Got my receiver and my servos today. Mike said sureflite had the propellers so I emailed them. They are not on their website. If the kit had the bamboo and dental floss I would be well on my way. Maybe tomorrow.

Hurricane Larry

P.S. Is anybody in addition to Joe 1320 and I building?

[frankenfoamy]

The kit needs a few details. This seems like a cross between a short kit and an ARF. I need to pick up servo extensions, linkages, bamboo, a prop along with supplying the normal stuff like servos and radio equipment.

I'm going to dig on info about this motor. It sure appears to be a nice candidate for a 55mm EDF.

The kit should have all the servo extensions, linkages, prop & prop adapter.
You can use toothpicks for the bamboo. I used shish ka bob skewers
100 for $1
I am going to forward this thread to the sureflite owner.
The 23" rods will still work shorter but I will find out why they were cut shorter

[frankenfoamy]

NO, no, do not tell me 2S is required. I just ordered a 3S from CBP! What next?

Hurricane Larry

Perhaps sureflite will swap that motor for a 300df they cost the same

[lslewis]

Hi Mike - That would be great if they would switch the motors. My kit was missing the same stuff as Joe. Sureflite said they would send me a prop so that was good. I will email them about the motor.

Hurricane Larry

[Joe 1320]

I suppose I should e-mail sureflite as well. I already ordered a bunch of supplies anyway from various sources. Dang....I put a fortune into just the nickel and dime stuff on a regular basis.

[lslewis]

I did too! I got foam safe glue, canopy glue and all the extensions from Atlanta Hobby. Servos & receiver from tower. It is going together easily I am using epoxy where I would have used UHU por the foam safe glue. I had the gorilla glue (polyurethane)

[Joe 1320]

measured the carbon fiber rods, wouldn't ya know it. One 29" rod, two 21.5" rods and one 17.75" rod.

[Joe 1320]

as I get further into the build, i discover that one of the wing langing gear is missing. :roll: looks like I'm going to be creating my own parts to finish this. the build is going easy, I just wish the contents weren't slowing me up.

[jeholliday]

Sounds like Sureflite needs to upgrade their quality control. DOC Holliday

[Joe 1320]

One can expect problems with kits when they aren't even in production yet.

here is a link to the build thread on RCGroups.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=686625#post7510776

[Joe 1320]

And..... no control rods either. :rolleyes:

[Joe 1320]

Mine is ready for the maiden, weather the last few days has been really crappy. It's been high and dry for months...... :rolleyes:

[lslewis]

Hi Joe - It looks like Florida has returned to the normal Summer weather with rain every afternoon. The forecast looks good for this morning. Hope it works out for you.

Best of Luck,

Larry

[Joe 1320]

I almost flew it this morning. Due to the large rear fin and no effective rudder or nose wheel steering, this requires starting with the nose in the wind, crosswind takeoffs are are not in the cards. The skys were clear but we breeze kept her grounded. :sad:

I did however fly my F-22 Raptor, it has nose wheel steering and plenty of power in reserve. :$