Build threads a coming!

[sweetpea]

So I've wanted to get into jets for years!!!!!


With my impending move and future deployments IMAC will not be my primary focus anymore as I can't devote the time to the practice. I'll still attend events when I can and enjoy the competition though.

Something I got into R/C planes for in the first place was for fun. I really enjoyed going to fly-ins and just hanging out on the weekend (a break from the R/C car racing I was doing).


I recently purchased 2 items.

First will be my trainer jet. I really don't think I need one but the price was really good and it will give me time to work on the primary jet slowly to make it look like what I want. I plan to move most of the items from the trainer jet over to the primary in the end.

Here is the trainer---

top.gif bottom.gif

This is the Falcon 120 by Nitro Models. RCU has lots of pages of build threads on converting this nitro pusher jet to a full blown turbine. It actually doesn't require much to do it. A little re-enforcing of some parts and installing a removable canopy and its basically ready. I've watched several videos of it online as well with a turbine and the speed looks to be about 150-170 depending on the engine. I'll have a build thread here on FG to document the whole process. The jet is here, still in the box....just waiting on the move.

I still need to order the gear and I'm on the waiting list for the turbine.


Ok so after that is done and flying I'll be working on the primary jet.....

viperout1.jpg

Jet Legend 1/8 F-16.

The plane came from Global Jet Club painted in this custom scheme. I've got 3 fuel tanks and the sidewinder missiles for it as well. I plan to actually repaint this plane and buy the centerline tank that doubles as a fuel or smoke (smoke in my case). The plane has all the panel lines already there and I'm going to add the rivets as well. Still waiting on the cockpit kit and scale gear that are on the long slow boat from China. The plane also needs the gear doors installed along with the cylinders for them. It will be a slow build for sure.


The motor I've chose to go with is the Jet Central Rabbit. 18-19lb thrust which is right between the P-70 and P-80. Its supposed to have a faster spool up time than the Jetcat and has a lifetime warranty. For me the warranty was important because Jetcat only had a 3yr and with my upcoming deployments that 3yrs would come by fast without me even flying.

I'll be flying both planes on the JR10X with Spektrum conversion and the AR9000 with 2 satellites. I'm most likely going to run a smart-fly EQ6 as well (just haven't decided on which version of it yet).


After pricing the jets out.......you can get into Jets less than the cost of a 40% IMAC bird. Prices have come down quite a bit since I originally wanted to get into jets.


Of course those that follow my builds.......I've also got my TF Giant P-47 to finish up as well when I move and a PAU (BME) Ultimate ARF to build.

Should be a good year of building! Hopefully I can squeeze in some flying also.

[Thomas_W]

PICS PICS PICS! hahah. j/k

[Larry Lewis]

Hey Sweetpea,
That Falcon 120 is a GREAT intro into Jets. I recently entered the jet age myself, and the Falcon was my trainer as well. Powered with a JJ 1400, 14 lb turbine, it had pretty good vertical, and speeds around 125 mph. With full flaps, it's VERY stable, and lands as easy as any sport plane out there. It was a great plane to learn with, and it's great for juust about any type field, grass or pavement. My uses spring air retracts with brakes, 14 lb. turbine with a 64 oz tank. Gives me 9 to 10 minutes of full throtle flying, or a good 15 minutes of sport flying. I got my waiver with this plane, and hope to keep it in my fleet for a long time to come. I'm in the process of building jet #2 now. Comp ARF Euro Sport, Artes 170 Rhino, and IntAirco gear.
The Falcon really doesnt need that much modification to get going. Just the removal of a couple of formers. In most cases, you can even use the stock motor mount blocks supplied. I purchased mine RTF from a fellow modeler, and it has quickly become a big hit on the fly in circuit. Another club member is building one now, and you'll soon see a duplicate version of mine as a product reveiw for a very well known magazine in the comming months. We recently test flew that one for him and it performed very well. Matter of fact, he already has several folks standing in line to buy it RTF as soon as he lets it go.
I recently attended my first jet meet as a pilot, and had an absolute BALL with this lil bird. Drew a lot of positive attention, and several folks left ready to order that same plane. Especially at $209.00 !!!!!!!!
One note. Be SURE to install a floor in your canopy to stiffen it up. If not, there is a good chance you'll cause the canopy to buckle in flight. Youre gonna LOVE the Jet Set Life!

[sweetpea]

Thanks Larry- I plan to put a cockpit kit of somekind in the plane. I'm going to use the Airpower retracts/wheels/brakes with robart trailing link struts.

I've read the entire RCU thread on the plane and downloaded most of the pics. I don't think I'll get a motor until around August so I've got some time. I also plan on the 64oz juice bottle fuel tank and I'm going to put the smoke tank for the F-16 on it once I'm comfortable. I should be able to get my waiver soon. I plan to take this plane to the "Jets over Whidbey" along with the F-16 (static only) if I get the gear for it in time.

Pics will roll in starting in July

[starzak]

" you'll soon see a duplicate version of mine as a product reveiw for a very well known magazine in the comming months. " Pettit has already announced his intensions on another forum. Good thread sweetpea, keep it goin. Larry, the JJ-1400 has been receiving a lot of bad press over on RCU, how do you feel that they perform ? Are you really getting 9 minutes on a 64oz. jug ? I've got the same Falcon 120, and turbine combo sitting on a shelf, waiting for me to finish up another 1/4 Giant Scale effort. Once I get it finished, and flying, I'll jump on to the Chineese Bob Cat. I bet ole BV loves it when they copy his stuff.

I got my JJ-1400 from Gabe Brown over in New Mexico, Jet Joe US. I mounted it on a table, and it pop's off, starts, and runs beautifully. I just don't understand all of the negative comments over on the elite RCU Jet forum ? It just doesn't seem fair.

Keep it goin sweetpea, and I'll join up with you guys at a later date, once I get started.

> Jim

[sweetpea]

No prob Jim.......the build should start in about 3 weeks (Falcon build at least). Got word my cockpit kit should arrive tomorrow for the F-16. For now I got the Fly Eagle F-16 cockpit. Once I have it in hand I'll decide if I want to spend the $$$$ on the more scale one that http://www.camlex-rc.com/ carries and put the Fly Eagle in the Falcon 120

Though the Chinese Falcon looks similar to the bobcat from BVM......I'd say its no where near the same plane. About all they really copied is the overall shape of the plane. There are alot of internal and external differences that make the plane far inferior to the Bobcat. If I wanted a sport jet to just fly then I would have got the Bobcat/Kingcat/Flash etc type plane. I only wanted something easy to fly fast with flaps and retracts and a turbine to learn what I need to get my waiver

Its kinda like saying Dalton and Carden copied each other on the Extra 260. The planes are the same sorta.....but there are differences.

[Thomas_W]

Well.. because i'm going to have another build thread coming up, thought i'd pop in a say. I'll be ordering up a Composite Arf Flash an all the trimmings. stuffing my air-start Ram 1000 in it. Should have that up and started by august. Hope ya dont mind me doin a bit of thread jumping

[sweetpea]

Not at all........FG needs more Jet Jocks on here!

I'll be looking forward to your build as well.

[Thomas_W]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sweetpea
	Not at all........FG needs more Jet Jocks on here! I'll be looking forward to your build as well.

as am i of yours. i'm interested in seeing how that falcon comes out. i'm to lazy to go thru the 10,00000000000 posts on RCu about it. haha..

i'm going for the plane white version of the flash and have some plans of doing some airbrush work to it.. i just dont know what to do. haha

[sweetpea]

tell me about it.......so many posts and so many ways to skin the cat on that plane.

I'm going to do some type of gear doors also on the Falcon, but they won't be air doors

[Thomas_W]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sweetpea
	tell me about it.......so many posts and so many ways to skin the cat on that plane. I'm going to do some type of gear doors also on the Falcon, but they won't be air doors

if you use robart struts, some of them have little "tabs" you could put some type of "follow me" linkage on.

[sweetpea]

That is what I was thinking. Maybe a 2 piece door like I'm going to do on my P-47.

Don't want to go crazy scale since this is my trainer jet and I want to get it in the air.....but I do want some practice on making gear doors.


After fitting the Fly Eagle cockpit kit to the F-16 I've decided to use it for the Falcon instead and I plan to use the JL specific one for the F-16. Its supposed to be a better fit.