Combat Models F16N

Factory Specifications

Wing Span

Wing Area

Weight

Wing Loading

Fuselage Length

Engine

Radio

45 in

650 sq in

7-8 lb

24.8-28.4 oz/sq ft

68 in

2-Stroke .46-.61

4 Ch w/4 servos

Completed Specifications

Weight

Wing Loading

Prop

Engine

Radio

8 Lb

28.4

10x6 APC Pusher

Jett 50

Futaba 9CAF

Construction Log
Date	Photo	Comments
12/25/2001		Received kit as a gift from my wife.
Jan-Dec/2001		Lots of constructions steps that I didn't get pictures of.
12/2002		Landing gear complete
2/2002		Fuse complete
2/2002		Another view of the fuse
2/2002		Flying surfaces reinforced with carbon fiber and glassed
3/2002		Pilot and seat ready for painting
3/2002		Cockpit base paint applied, ready for detail and pilot mounting
7/20/2002		Pilot painted and ready for installation after cockpit detailing.
7/20/2002		Landing gear installed with functional doors. I'm not sure what I did wrong with the gear mounts but I had to take out a lot more foam inside the fuse compared to what the video showed.
7/20/2002		Sitting pretty on the LG
2/1/03		Ok, I've been making progress but not getting a chance to post pictures. The next several shots catch things up.
2/1/03		The wings and canopy are on. Need to tape up the canopy before primering.
2/1/03
2/1/03
2/1/03		My questionable detail skills at work. Still looks good :)
2/1/03		Ready to add the vertical, rudder and missile racks.
2/1/03		Vertical Stabilizer and missile are in place. The only alignment is by good old eye ball. Hopefully everything is on at the proper angles.
2/1/03		Side view
2/1/03		Starting to look like the real deal. Install the rudder, a couple of fillets and ready for paint.
12/21/03		Base color applied. Still could have used some more sanding but I'm getting very impatient and anxious to get this thing flying. This latex paint is very runny. Needed to apply it in several mist coats.
12/30/03		Aggressor Scheme Applied, port side
12/30/03		Nose On
4/10/04		Complete and ready for flight test.
4/10/04		I still want to add more detailed markings, missile fins etc. but for now I just want to get it in the air and fine tuned then make it look more scale.

Flight Log

Date

Conditions

Notes

4/10/04

Clear and windy.

Preformed successful range check and attempted to run the engine. Fueling went well and the engine started promptly but would not make significant RPM. It looked very rich. A full turn to the lean with no effect. I gave up for the day.

4/28/04

Clear & mild wind

Progress! After removing a pinch in a fuel line and leaning out the top end a full two turn from the bench run, It's close to being able to fly. It is still loading up in the mid-range but it's definitely close to running right. The muffler came loose so I had to stop for the day after some successful taxi testing.

5/12/04

Overcast, no wind

The engine is now running fine and thanks to some longer muffler bolds, the exhaust is staying on. The diverter was also coming off but nothing some high temp silicon couldn't fix. After getting the engine all tuned up and doing some high speed taxi runs, it was time to put this bird in the air. Aired up the retracts and started going over the plane checking that everything was secure and discovered the the landing gear had come loose so no maiden again today. I think I will add some carbon fibers strips to help hold the LG in place.

5/17/04

Approaching storm. Overcast with no wind

Well, it actually flew and pretty well for the short amount of time it was up. After a couple of high speed taxi runs, I took to the air and after a couple of laps around the pattern, I slowed down a bit to adjust the trim. When I tried to throttle up, the engine died and I had to dead stick it into the wheat field. I spent the next two nights (in the pouring rain) searching in vein. Finally, I got some help from a flight instructor from a local airport and located the plane with only minor damage. The missiles got broken off so I will probably ditch them. I have broken them off several times just moving the plane around. I also need a different turn-around on the exhaust as the silicon/zip tie didn't survive the first flight. Not sure but perhaps the loss of the turn-around caused the dead stick.

10/1/04

Calm & Clear

After the wheat field debacle, I inspected the plane more thoroughly and discovered a crack in the fuselage. In frustration , I put the plane aside until recently when I fixed the crack and gave it another go. I spent a couple of hours fiddling with the engine and thought I had it ready fly. I pointed it down the runway and took off, all was well. Turned around and raised the retracts which caused the plane to pitch down severely. Afraid to throttle back for fear of a dead stick, I blasted around a few times at WOT. This thing is fast and looks good in the air. After finally getting to a point where I could try to adjust the trim, the engine started surging so I headed back to land. I lost the plane in the sun for a moment but managed to recover and get it pointed at the runway. Dropped the gear and it pitched up, so I was high and hot. I chopped the throttle and managed to get it on the runway in one piece. After my heart stopped pounding, I taxied back and packed up for the day. Obviously some more bugs to work out both in the engine and elevator trim. I may have to put some mix in to accommodate the pitch change when retracting the gear.

10/20/04

Partly Sunny, no wind

Finally, I have the Jett tuned so that it runs consistently. Upon initial start-up, it seems blubbery rich but once I run it up and clean it out, it does not load up any more. I started from scratch on the needles and estimate that I am about the same place I was on the bench runs. The trim problem is a non-issue now. I have the plane trimmed for level flight with the gear up and lowering the gear does not cause the pitch up I experienced on my previous flight. The initial richness fooled me so I went way to lean. Got some bugs in the LG and doors (I had to do one 2 wheel landing) but I should be able to work those out.

June 2006

Sunny, Windy

I have finally gotten some reasonable consistent flights on this bird when disaster struck. Turn on final, with a significant cross wind, the plane drifted behind the flight line and trees. I failed to recognize the need for additional throttle and had to dump the plane before it hit a building. At least it's repairable.

Carnage Photos

My pilot got cut in half but he will fly again