Phase 3 F-16 build thread.

[profilefan]

Congrats on your maiden Mike, did you add any expo?

So how fast you think the stock set up goes, 50-60?

[Angler-Hi]

Originally Posted by profilefan

Congrats on your maiden Mike, did you add any expo?

So how fast you think the stock set up goes, 50-60?

Thanks friend. I didn't add any expo yet, but I might. I also want to setup some dual rates, probably around 80% for both elevator and tailerons. I'm gonna mix in a bit of elevator so when I bank sharp, she doesn't lose so much altitude. Don't get me wrong, she's an awesome plane to fly, but she could use a little tweeking.

Mike

[Fly Time]

Originally Posted by Angler-Hi

Thanks friend. I didn't add any expo yet, but I might. I also want to setup some dual rates, probably around 80% for both elevator and tailerons. I'm gonna mix in a bit of elevator so when I bank sharp, she doesn't lose so much altitude. Don't get me wrong, she's an awesome plane to fly, but she could use a little tweeking.

Mike

Your flight already looks pretty smooth Mike. I doubt you need much expo.

There's a trade off when the mixing aileron and elevator. You can mix it to keep a more level turn, but then rolls become less axial. On my A-7, I actually mixed in some down elevator so that it rolls nicer. I'm already used to holding a little up elevator through a turn so no problem keeping it level when I need to. You might consider programming the mixing so that you can turn it on or off from one of the Tx switches.

[Angler-Hi]

Thanks Doug...not sure what i'm gonna do except set some D/R for when I want a little more relaxed flight. Thanks bud.

Mike

[AlexinFlight]

Great looking F-16 Mike! I was so impressed I just bought one on ebay for $109.99 delivered. This will be my first EDF.

Alex

[Angler-Hi]

Originally Posted by AlexinFlight

Great looking F-16 Mike! I was so impressed I just bought one on ebay for $109.99 delivered. This will be my first EDF.

Alex

Alex she's a great flying plane! Just remember to balance her at the cheater holes (rectangle holes) in the side of the fuse. You want to balance her at the edge of those holes closer to the front of the plane. Also, make sure to weigh your batteries you plan on using. The fan unit needs to be mounted depending on your battery weight. Also, give her a few clicks of up elevator trim on maiden...this will help keep her out of the dirt and allow you enough time to get her up and trimmed out. BTW, HobbyPeople has her on sale for $99.00 with free shipping. Good luck and feel free to post your progress on the build here. I would love to follow your progress friend. Good winds.

Mike

[AlexinFlight]

oh shoot...lost 10 bucks to the evil bay gods, LOL! Oh well. Thanks for the kind words Mike. I will post pics as I build it in another thread. I don't HiJack your thread.

Alex

[Angler-Hi]

It's all good friend. Just post a link to your build thread here so I can find it. Thanks Alex.

Mike

[crxmanpat]

Mike,

Congrats on the maiden! Well done.

Got a lot of airtime on this bird over the long weekend. On Friday, a flying buddy's wife took some in-flight pics of mine. Enjoy!

[Angler-Hi]

Nice pics man!! I like the scale look. I'll probably do a scale paint scheme on my next two!

[M@F69]

I have all my parts now to start putting mine together. I want to do some painting before I start the assembly. I have heard that if you use the wrong kind of paint, it will eat the foam. I need some advise on what kind of primer and pait to use on the foam. I bought some light weight spackel that i am using to fill in the imperfections, then I will sand, t hen I want to prime, then sand. Then paint.
I need recomendations on the kinds of paint.
I can't wait to get this thing put together and start flying. I think I am going to do it in the paint scheme of the FLorida Makos that fly out of Homestead.

[Angler-Hi]

I used water based polycrylic craft paints on mine. There was no need for a primer. If you want to use other paints with acetone and such, you will need to seal the foam with some kind of sealer. The sealer needs to be water based though. Most spray paints will eat through the foam because of the propellants.

You can try coating her with Minwax WBP (at least two coats) before you prime or paint. This will help seal the foam. You will need to make sure that you miss NOTHING when doing this though. Any area on the foam that was missed will be noticed because that's where the paint will start eating through the foam. What method do you intend to use as far as painting...airbrush, spray paint, brushes, Etc.?

[crxmanpat]

FWIW, I used regular old Testor's rattle can on mine (see 4 posts up). Just be sure to stay at least 12" away while spraying, and apply in light coats. I have painted all kinds of foam with this stuff and have never had an issue with it melting.

[TDisaster]

Originally Posted by Angler-Hi

Nice pics man!! I like the scale look. I'll probably do a scale paint scheme on my next two!

I'd call it scale enough .

[M@F69]

I have a airbrush, but I think I just want to use a spray can.
The reason I was going to prime first was to get a uniform look to the final painting. THe foam will have a different look than the wings that have the wrap on them.
Dose that make sense?
So it looks like water based paint will do the trick. DOes it come in a spray can?

[Fly Time]

Originally Posted by M@F69

I have a airbrush, but I think I just want to use a spray can.
The reason I was going to prime first was to get a uniform look to the final painting. THe foam will have a different look than the wings that have the wrap on them.
Dose that make sense?
So it looks like water based paint will do the trick. DOes it come in a spray can?

Krylon H2O comes in spray cans, but the color selection is limited and from my experience it tends to splatter sometimes. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. I've had really nice results and really crappy results with H2O. Maybe I don't shake the can enough.

[Angler-Hi]

Don't use H2O!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is in my opinion the worst stuff to use on foam. it doesn't stick well, it runs and requires multiple coats (weight). As Doug was saying, the color selection is horrible. If you have an airbrush kit, you can buy enough craft paints to do 3-4 paint jobs for half the cost of a can of H2O.

[Bobby M.]

I agree, I'll never use it again.... I used it on my PC-9 and it splattered, ran, and went on so thick it must have added quite a bit of weight. I thought it was just because I didn't shake it well, but the second coat I shook and shook, with the same results. I'm most definatly going to sand down and repaint it with my airbrush.

[Angler-Hi]

Originally Posted by M@F69

I have a airbrush, but I think I just want to use a spray can.
The reason I was going to prime first was to get a uniform look to the final painting. THe foam will have a different look than the wings that have the wrap on them.
Dose that make sense?
So it looks like water based paint will do the trick. DOes it come in a spray can?

I haven't seen them in spray cans friend. I actually took the paper off the wings to get a constant texture, and to support the wings with silk.

[Angler-Hi]

I agree Bobby, not very good paint on any level if you ask me.

[USMC_VTOL_Mech]

Mike
You are correct...Krylon H2O paint is junk. Now if you can find the Krylon H2O PRIMER.....that I highly recommend. About 2 to 3 good coats and it will fill your foam nicely. Sand down with 350 to 400 grit and your ready for the topcoat. Just make sure and do your sanding outside because that primer is like sanding chalk! But it really comes out smooth. I call that stuff "lightwieght spackle in a can"
Try it ...it works good if you can find it...plus it's white....so everything paints over it well

[AlexinFlight]

I have heard Krylon Fusion paint works well. But again advise was to stay 12" back when spraying. My F-16 arrives tomorrow!

[David M]

If you chaps have any trouble with a dip on the launch, you may want to use the GEAR to ELEV mix on your Tx to enable a switch to be activated for 2-3mm up elevator. During the climbout, maybe about 2 houses up, this can be switched off to enable your normal flight trimmed elevator position again. My Tigershark was a pain to launch until I sorted this mix out and now my 3/4 throttle launches are llike this...

[Larry3215]

Originally Posted by David M

If you chaps have any trouble with a dip on the launch, you may want to use the GEAR to ELEV mix on your Tx to enable a switch to be activated for 2-3mm up elevator. During the climbout, maybe about 2 houses up, this can be switched off to enable your normal flight trimmed elevator position again. My Tigershark was a pain to launch until I sorted this mix out and now my 3/4 throttle launches are llike this...

Great idea!

[CHELLIE]

Originally Posted by Angler-Hi

I haven't seen them in spray cans friend. I actually took the paper off the wings to get a constant texture, and to support the wings with silk.

Hi Mike try the krylon short cuts paint, it works great, use in thin Coats, let dry between coats, its the best for foam that i have used, yes h20 paint is heavy and junk IMHO Take care, Chellie

http://www.misterart.com/store/view/...Short-Cuts.htm