Title: Billy's F-18
Description: Billy's F-18 takes to the sky (sort of)
Billyfrost - February 16, 2005 02:49 PM (GMT)
Just an update on my F-18 Hornet. I arrived at the field yesterday with my brand new F-18 in hand. My trusty co-pilot (Roger Hagler) showed up to assist. This plane is supposed to be bungee launched, but after much deliberation with Roger, it was decided a crash at hand launch speed was much better than a 50 mph bungee death roll. So, I steeled myself for the first flight pucker factor and decided to go for it. I know the plane has plenty of thrust, but, with no prop to move air over the control surfaces these EDFs can be hairy on takeoff. We had about a 10-12 knot headwind so, "no guts no glory", lets go!! We lined up into the wind and spooled up the fan, with a nod to Roger the Hornet was expertly hand launched ( well done Roger :banana: ). My set up was perfect the plane just majestically rose into the air and looked awesome!! This thing is fast!! I was trying to do a gentle turn but is was moving so fast it was going out of sight. I got it coming back toward us then I lost an elevon :crying: . After some spectacular gyrations the jet went in way out in the landfill :plane_crash: :crying: . A long walk to survey the scene revealed a lost nose cone :dance: what a tough plane!! A post crash intensive investigation <_< revealed port side elevon servo coming loose. The instructions said to mount servo with double sided tape <_< . I will now glue. I ordered a new nose-cone and should be back in business soon!!
jonkoppisch - February 16, 2005 03:39 PM (GMT)
Sounds like it's going to be another fun jet!!!! Can't wait to see it go. May be another plane to add to the list B)
alvinonline - February 16, 2005 04:41 PM (GMT)
Very good, Mr. Billy.
Glad to hear that it is a fast one.
Bet it is a knock out. :boxers:
Can't wait to see it get sling-shot launched with your bungie launching device. :yes:
Don Koval - February 16, 2005 07:35 PM (GMT)
Tape, to hold the servo in a jet??????????? BILLY :banghead:
I used glue for the servo in my Tiger Moth :thumbup:
Billyfrost - February 16, 2005 08:08 PM (GMT)
I have used tape to hold servos in before and practically had to tear the plane apart to get them out. It depends on the tape and the type surface you are taping to. The problem with glueing on this plane is you have no access. I will fix it though..
Don Koval - February 17, 2005 01:37 AM (GMT)
I used masking tape around the servo, then glued the tape to the plane.
When you want to remove the servo you can cut the tape.
Well I hope it works :huh: I havent had to remove a servo yet :rolleyes:
Any way ;) when I get through crashing the plane that it is in, it won't matter if I have to rip it out :wacko: