Phase 3 F-16 build thread.

[Viperfixer]

Here are a couple pics of my jet. I used WBPU/fiberglass and made my decals from a 1/48 set I had. She has a LSJS for a powerplant and I use PQ 1800 4s and Zippy 2200 3s batteries. Thanks for looking!

[iflyrc1012]

great job on the f-16!!

[M@F69]

Does anyone have any improvements they made to the control linkage for the tailerons. I don't like the z bend as it has to much play. I have been looking at maybe using some helicopter ball links and rods. Can't find any the correct size.
Anyone tried this with success??

[iflyrc1012]

the z-bend is an almost failsafe method of attaching a control rod to a servo. i've used them for 20 years on all sizes of models up to 30lbs and never once have i had a crash due to the failure of a z-bend. i've had clevsis break,control horns, both at the servo and the control surface fail but never a z-bend. i was worried about the ball links on the tailerons but left them on because the plane is gonna have a stock powerplant. . not too much stress on them i think.

[singingperry]

Z bends work just fine for me, the plane tracks so solid and predictable at full speed one favorite trick of mine is to fly to the edge of vision in the distance above tree top level then tip the wings so it slowly comes around at the back of the woods and reappears over the other side of the club field from behind the trees. All of a sudden the guys at the club stop whispering and put on their best poker faces. I just make sure the air is stable and calm, and that I don't do it often, the tension is kinda like hoping the space shuttle makes it OK.

[hillbille]

Maidened mine this morning!! My dolly sucked - but the F-16 flew like it was on rails!!! Love it!! I used Rhino 2350 3s1p and it was only 68 degrees after the 4 minute flight and the motor was a cool 74.6 degrees!!!!

Here she is -


Hillbille

[Grasshopper]

Congrats on the maiden Bill. She looks good in the air. Now I'm getting anxious for mine to arrive.

[Larry3215]

Originally Posted by hillbille

Maidened mine this morning!! My dolly sucked - but the F-16 flew like it was on rails!!! Love it!! I used Rhino 2350 3s1p and it was only 68 degrees after the 4 minute flight and the motor was a cool 74.6 degrees!!!!

Here she is -


Hillbille

Congrats!

I need to finish mine up!

[hillbille]

Well the only things that held me up were wind, weather (SNOW - rain), friends (advising against it in inclimate weather!!), family (visiting during the holidays - limiting time) and time!!

I had made a small take-off dolly - but it didn't work (4 times!! LOL!!) So I decided to just toss it and see what happens - flew right away - mushed along for a few yards and then planed out and WOW!! I'm happy!!


Hillbille

[crxmanpat]

Bill,

Congrats on the maiden! I'm still loving mine and fly it at least twice per trip to the field (only because of a lack of lipos). On the stock setup, I've found a good hard toss slightly nose up works perfect for launching.

[iflyrc1012]

congrats hillbillie!!! nice high angle of attack on the takeoff pics!!! mine will be ready soon. . . . stock also!! it must be tough flying in that cramped little flying field ya got there!!! (JEALOUS)

[crxmanpat]

So I spent the last 4 days at the 5th Annual Arizona Electric Festival, and there were about 5 Phase 3 F-16's in attendance. We managed to get two or more up at one time several times over the long weekend. Flew the snot out of mine and had fun buzzing around. I even managed to do a high speed WOT "scrape and go" after being egged on by the peanut gallery to "Go lower!!".

But alas, I must now relate a harrowing event that occurred while I was flying my plane on Friday. At the Fest we had 7 pilot stations all in a row, and each pilot had to have a spotter with them. On this particualr flight, Carl was spotting for me, and was standing slightly behind me and to the left. We were in the far right hand pilot station, and the pattern was left to right.

I was already in the air and buzzing around as usual, and Carl and I were discussing a power system for a plane I'm going to build him. Down the field to the left a large twin EDF A-10 was doing it's takeoff roll. He was having prolbems with his nose steering not working effectively (and he had no rudder controls), and he was veering to the right towards the pilot stations. For some reason, instead of chopping throttle and letting the plane hit the plastic barrier fence, he pulled back hard just before the pilot stations, just to our left.

The plane lept off the ground, and the nose wheel struck Carl right on the top of his head. And even though he was wearing a hat at the time, the gear managed to cut a pretty good gash in the top of his scalp. He was very fortunate that the plane did not hit him about two inches lower. I shudder to think of what might have happened if it did.

When the plane hit Carl (and I'm surprised it didn't hit me as well) all I heard was a loud "bang", and then Carl staggering backwards saying "What hit me?". The sudden noise made me flinch reflexively, and by the time I looked up my plane was quickly headed towards terra firma. Somehow, I managed to pull up hard at the very last split second and saved the plane, which I then landed immediately to help tend to Carl.

Turns out that by the time I got my plane on the ground and off the runway, we already had two medical technicians (who were sitting in the pits) with a first aid kit open administering aid. Andrew Jesky (world famous aerobatic RC champion) was on the phone to 911, and Carl was taken to the hospital shortly thereafter.

In the end, Carl needed 20 stitches, and had a pretty bad headache for a few days. He was released from the hospital that evening, and he was back at the event that next day. The pilot that hit him wound up buying him a new plane the next day to try and make up for the incident. Fortunately, Carl seems to be OK, and all the tests they ran at the hospital came back negative for permanent damage.

[Larry3215]

Whew! A close one!

Pilots need to remember that the throttle stick can go DOWN as well as up.

When Im training new pilots I pound it into them that the first thing you do is cut the throttle when heading for people/pits/cars etc. Never try to fly out of it and especially dont try to "save the plane" when people are in the line of fire.

I probably shouldnt talk because Ive done exactly the same thing in my early days. One close call was enough for me and I learned my lesson - luckily without hurting anyone.

We have a new rule at our field sinse last summer just for this situation. ALL takeoffs are supposed to start at the mid field point which is directly in front of the pilot stations.

If your plane cant take off in 1/2 the runway distance (175 feet) too bad. It shouldnt be flying at all in that case.

[pablo27]

That sounded really nasty, I'm glad your friend/spotter Carl was ok and that you didn't total your plane too.

Larry's club's rules sound pretty good and make a lot of sense. I know that I too have tried to rescue a crash by throttling up when it should have been down and it's always had dire consequences .

[iflyrc1012]

o.k she all done. . . here ya go. .anybody can spray grey!

[Rolling Thunder]

Originally Posted by iflyrc1012

o.k she all done. . . here ya go. .anybody can spray grey!

That is one of the COOLEST looking planes I have ever seen.Thankyou for sharing & inspiring

[iflyrc1012]

i learned it all from youse guys right here at wattflyer!!!

[Grasshopper]

My F-16 arrived yesterday. Yea!!!! I've got a GWS 64mm 6 blade fan unit with a Don's wicked 4800, 40 amp ESC and some 3S 2200 25C packs that will fit in nicely. I've decided to cover it with silk and WBPU then give the airbrush another work out. Now I just have to decide on a paint scheme for it.

[iflyrc1012]

grasshopper,
have you seen the light blue, dark blue, @ black artic schemes? had i not done mine cheetah, thats the scheme i liked most.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by iflyrc1012

grasshopper,
have you seen the light blue, dark blue, @ black artic schemes? had i not done mine cheetah, thats the scheme i liked most.

I kind of like the black and gray like this one.

[iflyrc1012]

yeah thats smokin!!! keep us up to date on your progress.

[Grasshopper]

I really like that but I'm also a little concerned on keeping orientation since it's the same on top and bottom. I need to find more pictures showing the top and bottom.

[Ribcracker]

This is the scheme I'm gonna use:

[Grasshopper]

Bingo! I found a site that actually has the colors for this scheme. I think this one would be a pretty easy one to paint.

http://www.101airbase.com/pages2/F-16C-18th%20AS.html

Here's a couple more pics.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Ribcracker

This is the scheme I'm gonna use:

That's a cool scheme. Looks like one that's been carried over several generations of aircraft.