Conference vmszoo::rc

    Anker, 
    
    Are the wings fixed or detachable?  
    
    I don't blame you for trying to keep the weight down, BUT if you're
    putting that .90 in it would'nt the glass/paint be better.  My
    reasoning is that 1) the wings are relatively small 2) you have
    to paint the fuse anyway, so why not avoid color match problems
    and 3) would'nt the wings be more "hangar rash" resistant with a
    harder shell finish to protect the foam cores?
    
    Whatchuthink?
    
    Chris

    Anker,
    
    I know it's hard, but try not to think about the [seemingly] miniscule
    wing area.  I'd have never believed it but the F-16 is one of the
    friendliest ships, prop or fan, I've ever seen/flown.  A very large
    percentage of the total lift is actually generated by the fuse,
    the wings being not much more than platforms upon which to mount
    the ailerons.  I've seen [and personally flown] the F-16 in slow
    flight with the nose at a ridiculously high angle of attack, just
    cruising by at a speed so low you'd swear it'd simply fall out of
    the sky...weird lookin' but you can imagine how easy this
    characteristic makes landings.  We've got a guy [who's a mediocre
    pilot at best] who has an old, raggedy, beat-up F-16 which he treats
    like an Ugly-Stik and that bird continually forgives him of the
    _worst_ rookie mistakes.  When he does prang it, it's suprisingly
    durable and only minor damage occurs...remarkable, it's been enduring
    heavy use/abuse for over 5-years and is still going strong!
    
    The ultra-thin fiberglass fuse is a Byron trademark; that's how
    they keep the weight within reason.  For cutting holes in it, yer'
    best bet is to use a Dremel tool with a carbide routing bit to [first]
    punch a small hole then enlarge it to near desired size.  At this
    point, I use a piece of dowel or tubing [with sandpaper spiral-wrapped
    and glued to it] the same diameter as the finished hole size to
    clean up the hole.  BTW, everyone I know who has an F-16 recommends
    making a former which fits in the aft fuse and extends full length
    to the inside tip of the fin.  Without this, the after fuse tends
    to be a little flimsy and vulnerable to high-speed flutter of the
    entire tail-section.  I've seen this flutter on two different ships
    and, believe me, it's scary!  Make the former from 1/8 or 3/16 ply.
    
    Film covered, bare foam wings are another Byron trademark.  I don't
    care much for this as the wings are very vulnerable to hangar rash
    but, structurally, they're fine. 
    
    Are you using retracts?  I'd sure recommend you do.  We have all-jet
    fly-by's all the time at our 1/8 AF meets and the contrast between
    the super-clean retract version and the one with its "feet" hanging
    down is dramatic.  Of, course, flying from grass might have some
    [negative] practicality implications. 
    
    Keep pluggin' away and good luck with the project..., Adios,	Al

        Re:< Note 477.1 by MDVAX1::SPOHR >

        Chris,
        
                I retrospect  I  should  have  ordered the class and poxy
        finishing.  I  thought  there  would  have  been some leading and
        trailing edge sheeting.   Now that the stuff is paid for (and the
        wing sheeted) I'll continue with  the Ultracote, but it's obvious
        that the hangar rash is going  to  be  bad  after a while.  Maybe
        I'll get a new set of foam wings then.
        
                The ETA is hard to say.   I'm a fairly fast builder, more
        because I put a lot of time into  it  than rushing the job, so it
        may be ready in a month or two.   It  may be a while before I get
        around  to  flying  because  the  flying  field  is  goint to  be
        rototilled  and  resurfaced  as  soon as the spring mud season is
        over.
        
        Anker

        Re:< Note 477.2 by PNO::CASEYA "THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8)" >

        Al,
        
                One of  the  recommendations  is that I place a former in
        the aft fuse,  I'll  definitely  follow  it.    This  leads  to a
        question:  how do  you recommend glassing, there seem to be three
        ways:  A) saturate the  cloth  and then place it where it goes B)
        paint poxy where the cloth goes,  place the cloth on top and then
        paint/squeegy on top, or C) place the  cloth  and  then paint the
        poxy on top.  I have been doing A and have to do a major cleaning
        job on myself every time.
        
                I  worked  the dremel trick myself after messing up  that
        first hole.  Dremels are wonderful tools.  I didn't  get one till
        I had to build this ship.
        
                I  got  the  Robart retracts.  I just couldn't imagine an
        F16 tearing  around  the  sky with the wheels hanging down!  When
        they refinish the  flying  field it's going to be some stuff like
        they use in running  tracks.    It  should be much kinder towards
        retracts, I hope.
        
        Thanks/Anker

    Anker,
    
    My favorite method for laying glass for this application is based
    on my thorough dislike of trying to work with my hands all sticky.
    
    I lay dry cloth in the desired area and task it in place with a
    few drops of thick CYA.  This prevents it from wandering all over
    the place when I apply the resin.  Finally, I mix the resin and
    apply it generously with a throwaway brush, pushing the resin through
    the weave 'til the cloth is thoroughly wet.  The brush is also used
    to dab the cloth into all the nooks and crannies as well as picking
    up any excess resin before it cures.
    
    A word about glassing to glass fuses:  make sure you use the same
    resin as was used to make the fuse.  I believe Byron uses epoxy
    glass; this can be verified easily by sanding in the area you intend
    to apply the glass [which should be done anyway to clean away any
    wax and/or release agents].  If the sanding products are virtually
    odorless, it's epoxy and epoxy resin should be used to apply the
    glass.  If, however, sanding produces the unmistakeable odor of
    polyester, you'll need to use polyester resin.
    
    Adios,	Al

        Re:< Note 477.5 by PNO::CASEYA "THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8)" >

                Time for a new installment in the saga.
        
                After doing  the  wings  and  fixing  the aileron plug-in
        linkages with no  problem  whatsoever  the next step was to go to
        the flying stab.  The instructions warn you that the stab must be
        balanced in order to reduce  the  likelyhood  of  flutter.  After
        covering,  which went real well (practicing  on  the  wings  have
        taught  me  a lot about Econocote) I started shaving lead off the
        weights until  the stab balanced with them fairly far forward (in
        order to reduce  weight).  One of them didn't slide in easily the
        last 1/8 of an  inch  and  I unfortunately applied so much finger
        pressure that I made a  small  dent  in the foam - darn again.  I
        then proceeded to assemble the linkage  -  which  is very unusual
        because of the small amount of room aroung the thrust tube.  Each
        stab has an imbedded aluminum rod which enters the fuse through a
        brass bearing.  Inside the fuse it is connected to a semicurcular
        piece of aluminum that goes around the thrust tube.   My  problem
        is that the holes in the attachments on the inner piece really is
        too tight and I have a heck of a time getting the  rods into them
        -  more  foam  damage likely.  On the other hand I'm reluctant to
        start sanding the rods or drilling the holes for fear of suddenly
        not being able to tighten them enough.
        
                The  next  step  is  the  vertical stab.  It's foam -  of
        course - and is attached by neans of a piece of ply that is glued
        to  the  back  of  the stab (in front of the rudder) that extends
        down  through  a  hole  in  the fuse and is then glued to a small
        bulkhead that is  glassed  in  place.   I assume the stab is also
        epoxied to the top  of the fuse to give reasonable rigidity.  I'd
        appreciate a bit of advice here.  It just seems odd that the fuse
        needs to be reinforced with an  extra  former, but the attachment
        of the stab doesn't seem rigid enough.
        
                The instructions really suck.  I got my retracts a couple
        of days ago and it took quite a  while to figure out how the main
        gear  attaches.  The aluminum brackets could go on  any  of  four
        ways.    We finally figured out that they mount inside  the  fuse
        with  the  gear  coming  out  at a fairly sharp angle.   I  still
        haven't figured out how to do the nose gear/servo tray.
        
        Anker

    Anker,
    
    Sounds like the later Byron F-16 kits have been retrofitted in some
    way, perhaps in response to the tail-section flutter problem.  The
    birds I've seen had the vertical stab [fin] molded as an integral
    part of the fuse, thereby being hollow inside.  This is where I
    was saying an additional former should be installed in the fuse,
    extending up into the hollow fin to stiffen both the fin _and_ the
    after fuse. I expect that fin/rudder loads were bieng transmitted
    directly into the fuse causing the entire after fuse to flutter.
    Perhaps making the fin a separate foam piece. lightly attached to
    the glass fuse is an attempt to dampen fin/rudder loads and isolate
    them from the fuse.
    
    On the flying stabs...once plugged into the semi-circular aluminum
    yoke, don't you permanently pin the tube to the yoke?  Or am I not
    reading the problem correctly??
    
    Adios,	Al

        Re:< Note 477.7 by MAUDIB::CASEYA "THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8)" >

        Al,
        
                I'm confused.  Let me explain what it looks like.  On top
        fo the fuse (really part of the fuse molding) is an about 4" high
        fin.  On top of  that  sits  a  foam fin thats well over twice as
        high.  The fiberglass fin will  be rock solid with the ply former
        that you decribe and I feel great about that.  What worries me is
        that on top of this is a foam fin that I don't feel is adequately
        fastened. 

                        /---------/
                       /       --/
                      /       / /
                     / Foam  / /
                    /       / /
                   /----  -/-/---|
        ----------/ Glass /     _|--|
                                    |
                                    |
        ----------------------------|
        
                The  above  is  a  terrible drawing of the configuration.
        Betewwn the ruffer and the foam stab there's a piece  of ply that
        extends  down  into  the  glass  fin  and is attached to a  small
        former.  As far as I can see this is the only  "solid" attachment
        of the foam fin. I'd say that's not nearly enough.
        
        Thanks and adios/Anker

Anker, If your that concerned than why not opt to fiberglass the stab
    and in the process laminate the stab to the fuse?
    
    					Tom

        Re:< Note 477.9 by SPKALI::THOMAS >

        Tom,
        
                I may  resgret  it  later, but I have decided to continue
        Econocoting and then  later  getting a complete set of foam parts
        and redoing them all with fiberglassing.
        
        Anker

    Anker,
    
    OK, now I think we're on the same track.  I can't recall ever
    seeing/hearing of a failure of the fin-to-fuse joint but, if you
    just can't bring yer'self to like/trust it, you might consider dowel
    pinning the fin to the glass fuse.  Or, you might make a plywood
    spine to fit up into a hot-wired slot in the foam fin and epoxied
    into a slot cut into the glass fin-base on the fuse.
    
    Adios amigo,	Al

    Anker,
    
    I know you'd have loved to be at the scale fly-in this past weekend
    as there were _lotsa'_ jets in attendance; 3 F16's [maybe 4], 2
    Violett Sport Shark/Agressors, 1 Tom Cook Starfire, 2 F-20's, 1
    Tom Cook F-4 Phantom and a smaller F-4 by Col. Bob Thacker.  There
    might've even been more but those are the ones I remember offhand.
    Oh yeah, there was some sorta' Star Wars lookin' delta also.
    
    I was so preoccupied with working the meet I never thought to eyeball
    the fin-to-fuse installation on the F-16's for you but you'll be
    glad to hear they all flew fine, no mishaps of any kind.
    
    Kevin and Kay got lotsa' pix and video so I'm sure you'll want to
    see the stuff they got on the -16's.  BTW, K&K are supposed to get
    in touch with me sometime this week for dinner (before they leave 
    Friday) and they said they'd be glad to hand-carry yer' tape back
    to you...then you could distribute it as you saw fit.  Sound OK?
    Incidentally, all who've seen the tape think it's great.
    
    Adios amigo,	Al

        Re:< Note 477.12 by MAUDIB::CASEYA "THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8)" >

        Al,
        
                Thanks for  thinking  of  me.    I should have thought of
        asking one of  the K's to look for building tips.  Anyway, I have
        become more comfortable with  the  stab.   Particularly since the
        forces lateral to the fin  itself are much less than on the other
        flying surfaces.
        
                Just send the tape back and I'll distribute it.
        
                I haven't done a lot of  work  on  the  F16  recently.  I
        finished covering the vertical fin and attaching  the  rudder.  I
        also made the hole in the top of  the  fiberglass fin to pass the
        rudder  control  rod  through.  Of course I discovered  that  the
        bottom of the rudder was rubbing on the top of the fin and had to
        take a bit of the covering off and sand it down.
        
                This finishes the work to be done on the flying surfaces.
        Next step is the fuse.  As far as I can see most of the remaining
        work centers around the servo tray and the front retract.
        
        Anker

    Anker,
    
    Just to reinforce yer' thinking re: the fin/rudder not being exposed
    to the same forces as the horizontal [flying] surfaces, therein
    being somewhat less critical, lemme' tell ya' `bout an incident
    I witnessed a coupla' years back.
    
    We [the 1/8 AF] had been invited to static-display and fly during
    the intermission(s) at the Desert Sportsman Pilots' Assn. aerobatic 
    airshow.  During part of our flying demo, two of our guys were up
    at the same time; one with a 9' Nosen P-51 and the other with a
    Byron F-16.  As luck would have it, they had a head-on mid-air
    collision which left the big Mustang staggering around with covering
    from the left wing trailing in the slipstream and the F-16, seemingly
    unaffected, continued on minus its fin/rudder.
    
    The Mustang was landed without incident but the pilot of the F-16
    found that he had a serious loss of lateral stability when he slowed
    for landing.  He played it cool though and, after trying several
    landing techniques, finally set up a landing approach and lined
    up on final from way out at full throttle.  With the threshold made
    and his alignment satisfactory, the pilot brought the bird down
    to about 6' and chopped the throttle, landing routinely from there
    on.
    
    The message is that the plane was fully controllable at full throttle
    and, while somewhat squirrely at low throttle, was _still_ capable
    of being landed safely with the fin/rudder completely missing.
    
    I was again impressed with the extremely friendly/forgiving nature
    of this slippery looking ship and I hope this story gives you some
    warm and fuzzy feelings of confidence towards it as well.    
    
    At least once during the meet just past, we witnessed an F-16 on
    final get the nose too high and, rather than stall or snap, just
    settle to a completely acceptable "ker-plunk" sorta' landing from
    about 10', causing no damage whatever, save for that done to the 
    pilot's pride, that is.
    
    	OO	 Adios,      Al
	( >o
    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

    I keep hearing stories about how "friendly" the Byron F-16 is, how
    it doesn't stall, lands easy, and is nearly bulletproof.
    
    Would you-all say it's suitable as a trainer for an electric-car
    jock?  (That is, I understand the difference between left-coming-at-ya
    and left-goin-away and don't need to think about it, I just do it.
    Likewise throttle on the left and turn on the right is nothink-just-do.
    
    Opinions?  Am I being seduced by these wonderful stories?
    
    	-Bill
    
    

    Bill,
    
    Much as I'd like to say otherwise, an emphatic NO!  The F-16 should
    in no way be construed as a trainer for a novice pilot.  Friendly
    as it is, a ship that flies over 125 mph and is highly maneuverable
    would only serve to dig big, expensive post holes for a beginner.
    
    It is a GREAT first jet but NOT a first airplane!!  Sorry `bout
    that......  

      :
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

                Yesterday was rainy and awful, so I spent most of the day
        working on the  F16.  It was almost 100% glass work.  The formers
        in the tail fin went in and the servo tray and nose wheel support
        went into the nose, not  to  forget the caps on the tail and wing
        supports.
        
                I finally figures out how to  glass  stuff  in  reliably.
        First, I have to correct something Al  said  in  an earlier note.
        The fuse is made from polyester resin, but  everything  should be
        put in with epoxy!  This is because epoxy  resin  has much better
        adhesion  that  polyester,  even on a polyester base.  Anyway,  I
        discovered  that the most reliable method for fiberglassing is to
        sand the  parts  and  then paint a good coat of epoxy on.  Then a
        dry piece of  fiberglass cloth is laid on the parts and pushed in
        place until the epoxy  and  cloth are really well bonded.  I then
        let the epoxy cure and  finally I paint a coat of epoxy on top of
        the cloth.  The result is fiberglassing that's painless and looks
        as good, and feels as good, as the work done by Byron's.
        
                Before  I  saturated the cloth and tried  to  lay  it  in
        place.    The  problem  was  that the cloth  would  be  extremely
        difficult to get into place because it would stick to everything.
        
                I  just  ordered  the radio, a Futaba Conquest 5  channel
        PCM.   I am really happy with the other one  I  have  and  cannot
        afford the new Airtronics PCM radio.
        
        Anker

    well, i'm back from a weeks vacation and still trying to catch up.
    wont even get thru rc notes today...
    i did see lots of f16's fly last week in arizona.  and the landing
    that al talked about (sort of vertical desent from 10 feet) i captured
    on video.  this week i'll try to condense the stuff down into an
    hour on vhs.  it came out ok, not bad, not great.  anker, i'll be
    sure you see the tape.
    
    1 quick impression about jets at the fun fly, it was amazing how
    many jets were real dogs, hardly able to take off from 600 feet
    of perfect pavement, while other jets really performed and took
    off using 1/4 of the runway.  some people either have superior
    equipment or know how to set them up.  maybe this is due to fans
    not "biting" till 20,000+ rpms.  i dont know.  they were fascinating
    to watch and there were some real performers.
    
    i'll describe my trip in more detail later.  right now work has
    me underwater.  bugs bugs bugs.
    
    i will say thank you al casey for being a wonderful host.  we all
    had a great time.
    
    kevin

    Re: .-1, Kevin, 
    
    Pornada, amigo!  I was my pleasure.  Looking forward to the detailed
    report(s) from you and Kay as soon as you get yer' respective noses
    above water.  Hope you were as tickled at being had as we were to
    have you.  :8^)
                   

      :
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

	re .17


	Hmm strange.. The pylon racer I'm building has a polyester
	fuz... the instructions say not to use epoxy resin as it 
	won't bond to polyester......  I used Stabilit to put the
	bulkhead and tailbits in, seems to stick ok, but does that 
	stuff smell........

	cheers

	bob

                It's been  a long time since I last wrote an installment,
        but I have been working on it.
        
                After mounting all  of  the  servos, which I think I have
        covered, the next job  was  to install the stabs and norods.  The
        flying stabs went in with a minimum of trouble.  It's amazing how
        much movement you get in spite  of the extreme length of the arm.
        The nyrod is attached as follows:
        

                        ----X---- 
                       /         \        
                      /           \       
        ==============             ===============
        
                You are looking at the stabs from  the  rear  and the /-\
        thing  is  a  semicircular  piece of aliuminum that  circles  the
        thrust tube. The X is where the nyrod attaches.
        
                The  vertical  stab is a different story.  It's  hled  in
        place  by a piece of plywood that extends from the  back  of  the
        stab through a hole in the fuse and is bonded to  a  former.   In
        addition,  it  bottom  of  the stab is epoxied to the top of  the
        fuse.  In spite of measuring a zillion times the stab is a little
        bit crooked from the vertical - darn.
        
                Another problem is the  rod  that connects the nyrod with
        the rudder.  It is  real  thin  with  a  lot  of flex in it.  I'm
        worried about flutter. Any experts ready to venture an opinion?
        
                Next to go in was the  thrust  tube  and the engine.  The
        fan schroud had to be filed a  bit  to  allow the nyrods to pass,
        but there really wasn't any problem.
        
                The  last  couple  of  days I have been  working  on  the
        retracts.  It took a long time to get  going  because  I couldn't
        fiind anything that would bend 3/16 wire reliably.  Boy,  is that
        stuff  stiff!    In finally fiound the Mighty Wire Bender in  the
        Tower Hobbies catalog.  It came in yesterday, so last night I was
        bending wire.    The  retracts  are  now  in,  and  the sucher is
        beginning to look  like a real F16.  I made the gear a tad longer
        than the cutouts in  the  fuse  and  will have to make them a tad
        larger, but I felt I needed the ground clearance.
        
                Just this morning I tried  to  fit the tuned pipe in next
        to  the  retracts.   It will  juuuuust  fit,  but  barely.    The
        instructions,  of  course,  assume fixed gear and  tons  of  room
        around it.
        
                Talking about  instructions.    Byron's latest newsletter
        announced a redesign  of  the F16 kit with the major change being
        moving all of the servos close to the control surfaces.  I wish I
        had either reveived the newletter  a  few  days  earlier,  or had
        thought of it myself.
        
        
                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

                Am I on a roll!
        
                I now  have all the stuff connected, including tuned pipe
        etc.  etc..  Given them I'm a person of little patience I decided
        to start running the engine in before finishing.  So this morning
        I carried the beast out into  the  driveway,  loaded  it  up with
        fuel, connected the glow plug and shoved the starter extention up
        the rump.
        
                Of course it took a little while before  I  got  it going
        because of the needle valve setting, but finally it did.  My plan
        is to run it in according to Harvey Thomasian's principle:   Full
        throttle,  bubbling ritch and just a minutes running, then let it
        cool  off, repeat ad infinitum, and then start extending the runs
        and leaning it out ever so slowly.
        
                Boy, am  I glad I decided to run it in in the ship.  Even
        at an extremely  ritch setting it really likes to rev up, sending
        a cloud of smoke  all  over  the neighborhood.  The noise is also
        incredible. I thought it would have been quieter.
        
                It also surprises me how hot the tuned pipe gets in spite
        of the air being pulled across it.
        
                The  final  purchase before I can  give  it  it's  maiden
        flight is a pilot.  Where do  I get a good contemporary jet pilot
        in 1/6 scale?
        
        Anker

    there is this english outfit that claims to sell the best looking
    pilots anywhere. They advertize in MA and RCM. NAme escapes me at
    the moment
    
    md

    Anker,
    
    Write or call Larry Wolfe at Jet Hangar Hobbies (213) 860-7612.
    He should be able to provide the pilot figure you require.
    
    BTW, Larry recently moved his shop and I don't have the new address
    but you should be able to get it from recent Jet Hangar ads in the
    magazines.  The phone number may have also changed but, I'd think,
    dialing the old number would produce a recording giving the new
    number.    

      |
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

	A H Designs, somewhere in Wales.. I cn dig out the address
	if you want it....

	cheers

	bob

    i bought a 1/6 wwII pilot from these folks.  pilot was
    "ok", but cheap and ready to fly, so i guess i'm happy.
    i think they're claim of "best looking" is reaching a bit.
    
    kevin

        Re:< Note 477.26 by TALLIS::LADD >

                I eneded  up  purchasing one from Byron's in order to get
        an order up to the $20 minimum.
        
                I made the silliest mistake in a long time installing the
        tuned pipe.  I  first  just installed it and then found a page of
        tuning instructions, which told me  to  have 12 5/8 inch from the
        center of the glow plug to  the  bulge  in  the  pipe.    Well, I
        measured that off and foun d that  there  was  a  gap between the
        exhaust header and the pipe.  Well, since  it had to be that way,
        I  clamped on the silicone tubing provided to fill  the  gap  and
        then took it out to continue running it in.   After  1 minute the
        tubing  broke  and  I  now  had  free  exhaust,  the  racket  was
        incredible.
        
                Realizing that something had to be wrong I called Byron's
        to order a new piece of tubing and find out what the problem was.
        They couldn't figure it  out  so  I finally sent down and got the
        pipe and the header, measured  them  while  on the phone and only
        then realized that the sumn of  the  lengths  was greater than 12
        5/8!  Then it dawned on me  that  I  had  been  measuring  14 5/8
        inches!  I guess I'll remenber that a  foot  is 12 inches and not
        10 in the future.  We all had a  good  laugh  and I went down and
        hooked it up right.
        
        Anker

                Yesterday I  had run it in enough to lean it out and give
        it the full  blast.    Expected  results,  except that a piece of
        rounded ABC plastic that  sits  between the engine and the fan to
        help airflow worked itself loose  and got into the fan.  I didn't
        hear anything but felt a small  sting  on  my  hand to see a tiny
        piece  of plastic.  Knowing where it  came  from  I  stopped  the
        engine and saw that it had disappeared entirely.  All I found was
        three tiny pieces of plastic.  Glad it wasn't a hand or something
        else more substancial.
        
                I'm getting ready to paint and true to form there  are no
        descriptions anywhere.    I  assume I lightly sand everything and
        paint with primer, sand it smooth and then add the topcoat.  Stop
        me quick if this  is  wrong!    I also plan to wipe the fuse down
        with thinner to remove any oil or wax traces.
        
                Also, I plan to brush  the  stuff  on.   I have messed up
        enough times with spray guns to  know  my limitations.  I know an
        expert job is perfect, but that's beyond my capabilities.
        
        Anker

    Anker,
    
    Make sure you give us a few days notice on where and when the first
    flight will be. I can't wait to see this monster fly. And you did
    say you wanted an audience of thousands.
    
    Dave
    

        Re:< Note 477.29 by IGUANO::WALTER >

        Gauranteed!
        
                I will  have  the  maiden  flight in what I guess will be
        about 2 to 3 weeks either at Orange or at the Central Mass field.
        Watch this space for an announcement.
        
        Anker

                Well, there will be an event.
        
                Randy King has kindly given us permission to have the F16
        event at Orange  the  14'th of this month in the morning.  I have
        permission to bring a  crowd,  create  a  general disturbance and
        even to have the crowd bring their planes and do a bit of asphalt
        flying.
        
                I  suggest  we  make this a  major  DECRCM  (and  others)
        outing, bring planes, barbecues, soft drinks etc.  and invite the
        local  club  to partake for free.  Randy  declined  my  offer  to
        charge a fee and donate the proceeds to the club.
        
                Any good ideas?
        

                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

    
    What time? I usually play golf in the mornings and fly in the
    afternoons. What about choppers?
    
    					Tom

        Re:< Note 477.32 by SPKALI::THOMAS >

        Tom,
        
                The plan  is  to  have  the  major event at 10AM and then
        follow up with general flying and enjoying one another's company.
        
        Anker

    
    Anker, that sounds like an event....do you think you could post
    directions to "Orange" for us in other areas who'd like to come
    and watch?
    
    	I have only seen one RC F16 to date, and would welcome an
    excuse to take a trip and view yours.  Maybe even bring the family
    and make a mini vacation out of it!!
    
    	Thanks in advance,
    
    		Brian in Vermont
    

    Anker,
    
    Best of luck with the maiden voyage!!!!!!!!  Wish I could be there
    but there's this minor "geography thing," you know.
    
    Best advice I can offer is to do _all_ the homework posssible _at_home_!
    Nerves will be frayed enough without the additional pressure of
    having to fix/adjust something at the field.
    
    Also, remember that jet (even ducted fan) power is a different animal
    than yer' accustomed to.  No prop blast over the control surfaces
    at low speeds tends to make things mushy...objective: don't go slow
    when you don't have to.  And remember that you have to _think_ahead_
    of the throttle;  in cases where you need to add power, e.g. aborted
    or bounced landings, you _mustn't_ wait, like you might with a recip-
    powered ship to, add power...try to add throttle "before" you actually
    need it, know what I mean?...and use full throttle - a D/F virtually
    has no meaningful thrust at anything less than full power.    
    
    Again, best of luck and I apologize if I'm mentioning things you
    already know but the _key_ thing you must try to remember is that
    a jet is a different critter from a prop-job.  You've got one of
    the best, most forgiving ships there is to learn on so I'm sure
    you'll do fine...just play heads-up ball!

      |
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

    ... but will not be free the wkend of 13th-14th as I will be bicycling
    in a 200 mile fundraiser - for the Jimmy fund.
    
    Would have liked to make it. Good luck, and hope all goes well.
    Tell us your stories when you are back!
    
    ajai

        Re:< Note 477.36 by HPSRAD::AJAI >

                I'm  considering  postponing  the  event  a  week.    Two
        reasons:  my  weife  really  wants  to witness it herself and she
        will be in Europe.   Secondly there's a big glider competition at
        CRRC and I should attend and help.
        
        Anker

>                I'm  considering  postponing  the  event  a  week.    Two
>        reasons:  my  weife  really  wants  to witness it herself and she
>        will be in Europe.   Secondly there's a big glider competition at
>        CRRC and I should attend and help.

Great - then I will be able to attend and I will bring the new Aeromaster.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
---------------O---------------
================================================================================

    Where is CRRC holding the glider event ? I thought the Sudbury
    field was still Off-Limits.

    I may make it as well. The cub should be dried out by then..
    
    md

        Re:< Note 477.39 by LEDS::COHEN >

                We have  special  permission  from  the  army to hold the
        event.
        
                Now that I'm  at it the situation around the drop zone is
        improving.  We got  a very encouraging letter from the commanding
        general at Fort Devens and  hope  we  will be able to work out an
        arrangment that will restore access to the field, probably with a
        few more restrictions than we used to have.
        
        
                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

    Oh Darn!!!  I can make it on the 14th, but not the 21st.  :-(

    (I have even made plans for an R/C pilot/friend of mine to come
    up from Conn. on the 14th to watch...  Oh well...)

    Well, assuming the big day gets pushed back to the 21st, be sure to
    get lots of videotape of the action!!!

                       _____
                      |     \
                      |      \                          Silent POWER!
      _        ___________    _________   |            Happy Landings!
     | \      |           |  |         |  |
     |--------|-  SANYO  + ]-|  ASTRO  |--|              - Dan Miner
     |_/      |___________|  |_________|  |
                      |       /           |     " The Earth needs more OZONE,
                      |      /                       not Caster Oil!! "    
                      |_____/

    
    	The 14th or the 21st, doesn't matter much to me....but I still
    haven't heard how to get there!!!!  (Or maybe someone's trying to
    tell me something???)   Hmmmmm!
    
    	How's about it Anker...or anyone who knows where this place
    that the EVENT is to happen, is??
    
    Brian
    
    
    P.S.  Hey Al, you got plenty of time, what with the date being pushed
    out...C'mon over to our neck of the woods and join in!!  What do
    you have a motorhome for, anyway!!   *-)  (cyclops smile)
    
    

                The new  date  has been confirmed with Randy King, so the
        maiden flight will  be  on  the  21'st of August at approximately
        10AM.  The maiden  flight  will  be followed by a general fly-in,
        barbeque and messing about.
        
                I don't have directions myself  and depend on Kay to give
        us some, and also to let us in when we get there.
        
        Al,
        
                Thanks for the advice.  I  have  been through the routine
        in my sleep a few times, and  keep telling meself:  SPEED is what
        gives a DF control, not throttle.  I  hope  I'll  remember at the
        crucial moment.  I think it will be a  whale of fi`un and we will
        miss you sorely.  Since you keep refusing to come up here I guess
        we will have to come down to you.
        
        Anker

>                I don't have directions myself  and depend on Kay to give
>        us some, and also to let us in when we get there.

OK - yet another attempt at posting directions to Orange:

Go west on route 2

Past Acton
Past Littleton
Past Leominster
Past Fitchburg
Past Westminster
Past Gardner
Past Philipston
Past Athol
Getting close now...

Take the Orange Airport exit (also the exit for 202 south). 
You want to go North.

After you take the exit you want to sneak into the airport on the 
back side.  You are within a mile of the field.

Go north about 100 yards and turn left into the Orange Air PARK.  
If you get to where you see a sign to turn for the Air Port you went 
too far - you want the PARK not Port.  The Air Park is an industrial park 
on the back side of the air port.  After you have turned left drive to the 
end of the road and take a right on Gov Dukakis street.  Go about 100 feet 
and take your next left.  Go thru a gate and start following your nose.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
---------------O---------------
================================================================================

    Re: .47, Anker,
    
    I aassure you it's _not_ a question of desire!  It's more a question
    of corporate travel here, locally; there [essentially] is none...at
    least for me.  With my luck, when they finally decide to send me
    back there it'll likely be in the winter; every trip I've made back
    there to date has been.  Best 'o luck on the 21st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    

      |
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

    kay, you forgot the important part.  when you make that left into
    the airport itself, there is a gate that might be locked.  if locked
    kay is the only one who has a key unless anker has other arrangements.
    
    also a runway will be straight in front of you.  go left.  where
    we normally fly is at the far end and its quite a little drive on
    a rough dirt road.
    
    kevin

>    kay, you forgot the important part.  when you make that left into
>    the airport itself, there is a gate that might be locked.  if locked
>    kay is the only one who has a key unless anker has other arrangements.

Well - I'm not going to stand by the gate all day so Anker is going to get
permission for us to leave the gate open or for someone else to open it.
Right Anker?

>    also a runway will be straight in front of you.  go left.  where
>    we normally fly is at the far end and its quite a little drive on
>    a rough dirt road.

I send Anker a few copies of the club rules and maps.  If we have enough
lead time and folks commit to Anker then he can send them maps and rules.

Now about the meeting time.  I will get in trouble with my wife if we
meet before 11:30 (Church).  Also Kevin and I have found that on Sundays
that it rains in Orange till after Church.

So I propose we meet at the Paradise restaurant at 10:30 AM for breakfast.
I'll have to get permission from my wife first tho.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
---------------O---------------
================================================================================

        Re:< Note 477.50 by K::FISHER "There's a whale in the groove!" >

        Kay,
        
                I'll be  perfectly  happy to meet for breakfast, could be
        quite a crowd,  and then proceed to the gate at some agreed time.
        People who skip breakfast  could  then  come  to  the gate at the
        time, say 11:30 and maybe say  that  stragglers will be let in at
        noon.  I could defer the main  event  till  just after stragglers
        get let in.  Fly for a couple  of  hours  (not me, you!) and then
        have a cookout!
        
        Anker

    
    	I am planning on being there for it.....am not sure if I can
    make it for breakfast, but just in case, where is the Paradise Rest.?
    If its right in town, it shouldn't be too hard to find.  I looked
    at the map last night and discovered that Orange is not too large!
    	I will be coming down I91, so will have to modify your directions
    slightly, but I don't forsee any problems.  I won't be bringing
    the family, as the wife said she'd rather not go this time.  So,
    see you all the 21st!
    
    	Brian
    

>                I'll be  perfectly  happy to meet for breakfast, could be
>        quite a crowd,  and then proceed to the gate at some agreed time.
>        People who skip breakfast  could  then  come  to  the gate at the
>        time, say 11:30 and maybe say  that  stragglers will be let in at
>        noon.  I could defer the main  event  till  just after stragglers

OK - anyone who is coming send mail to Anker just so we have some idea how
many to expect.

As to breakfast - The Paradise Restaurant in Athol is where I would suggest.
Take one exit sooner if you want to go there - Exit for route 32 North.
Follow your nose to down town Athol and on your right almost right
away next to the library/police station and a small news stand is the
Paradise Family Restaurant - they can only seat about 10-15.

Alternatively if you go to the Orange Airport exit and keep going north
past the Air Park you will soon see a MacDonalds.

So the plan stands at Breakfast at 10:30.  Open airport gate at 11:30.

>        get let in.  Fly for a couple  of  hours  (not me, you!) and then
>        have a cookout!

Kevin will fly his big jug for a couple of hours.
I do hope everyone brings a plane or glider.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
---------------O---------------
================================================================================

    Whadda you mean brings a plane or glider?  What about my low altitude
    crop-duster?  :+)
    
    If I can get new batteries sometime soon, the Tyke may make it...
    I think something went wrong with the 10 amp charger, I mean the
    4C rate is OK, isn't it?                                                  
    
    Willie

    from my experience (and lack of organization) i have learned that
    murphy's law applies particularly to rc models.  many times i have
    gone to the flying field with 2 models and a pile of tools, only
    to have to quit sooner than expected (prop fell off, muffler fell
    off, broke my last prop, fuel bad, engine wont start, forgot rubber
    bands or xmitter, prang landing gear on first landing, etc etc).
    
    my point is that despite best intentions, anker may not get the
    f16 off the ground.  thats especially true of a maiden voyage,
    and also especially true of such a complex model as the f16. 
    i'd hate to have people travel from timbuktu to see the f16 static
    display, but it could happen.  fortunately there should be lots of
    interesting models, kay's "pale peril" included, to guarantee a
    good show!
    
    btw, i predict success for the f16!
    kevin                             

    btw, how many of you are planning to have family members tag along
    for the show ??
    
    md

        Re:< Note 477.56 by BZERKR::DUFRESNE "VAXKLR - You make'em, I break'em" >

                I will  have  at  least  one family member tagging along.
        Early next week  we  will try to get a handle on how many and see
        if we can organize the cookout.
        
        Anker

                There has been a somewhat underwhelming response.  I have
        received one mail  message  and seen a few notes.  I don't really
        care how many show  up,  but  it  would be fun if we could have a
        mini fun-fly.  This is also a unique opportunity to try to fly of
        paved runways.
        
                What I'd like to do is get a handle on:
        
                Who is going to show up for breakfast at 10:30.
        
                Who is going to come directly to the gate at 11:30.
        
                Who is going to bring something for the cookout:
        
                        Grill  -  I can provide but  not  transport  (Dan
                        Snow?)
        
                        Soft  Drinks (Sam Fuller will bring a  couple  of
                        cases)
        
                        Patties
        
                        Condiments
        
                        Chips
        
                It's easiest if you can send me a mail message.
        
        Anker

							Anker Berg-Sonne
							Product Marketing
							Strategic Programs
							UPO1-3
							DTN 296-4805
							MURPHY::ANKER
							19-AUG-1988
	
		The following  have indicated that they will be coming to
	the maiden flight:
	
	(*D:K::FISHER)
	(*D:TALLIS::LADD)
	(*D:MURPHY::ANKER)
	(*D:BTO::NOYES)
	(*D:BZERKR::DUFRESNE)
	(*D:JACKAL::SNOW)
	(*D:DECWRL::"[email protected]")
	(*D:AKOV11::CAVANAGH)
	(*D:RDVAX::FULLER)

		In addition, I  will  be  bringing a friend of mine, Carl
	Crockford and his wife,  and a couple of carloads of CRRC members
	will be coming too.
	
		Arranging the barbecue  hasn't  worked out, so we will do
	the following:  I will try to get my gas grill there, either with
	Dan Snow - he didn't  answer  his  phone  this  morning  - or Sam
	Fuller.  Would all of you  please just bring your own stuff, plus
	a little so that we can treat any local folks and people who have
	forgotten.
	
		I  don't  think  I  will make the restaurant with al  the
	arrangments I have to make, so I will meet all of you at the gate
	at 11:30.
	
		Do not forget to bring your power planes.
	
		I  just  checked  the  forecast for Sunday - fair - so it
	looks like its a go.
	
	Anker

    Good luck, Anker.  I wish I could make the big event, but I have
    other family plans.  Take lots of pictures!
    
    Charlie
    

    The same from me.  I've tried to wiggle out of my plans for Sunday
    without success.        :-(      

    Good luck!
                                - Dan

    Anker,
    
    That's right, this _is_ the BIGWEEKEND, isn't it!!  Sincerest best
    wishes from the Desert Rat on the test hop.  I expect glowing reports
    of the successful maiden voyage in the notes_file first thing Monday
    AM.  Damn! Wish I could be there to help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    You'll do fine...just be cool and remember to do all yer' homework
    _at_home_.  Takes a lot of needless pressure off the first flight.    

      |
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

    Anker,
    Best of luck.  I will be at the Franconia Helicopter Fun Fly, but
    my thoughts will be with your maiden flight.  Be sure to post the
    results next week.

		________
	 /	  __|__  
	=========[_____\>
	/	__|___|__/  BREAK A BLADE,
			    Ken    	

                Thanks for  all the "best wishes" from you guys who can't
        be there.   I'll  report  as  soon as I come back.  Cameras, both
        still and video are  all  loaded  up,  the  weather  report keeps
        getting better, so I guess I'll have no excuses.
        
        
                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

                The sort  version of the long story is that it didn't get
        airborne!  The  problem was the nose wheel assembly which was too
        weak to withstand the cracks and bumps in the runway.
        
                On  the  first attempt  it  couldn't  be  steered,  so  I
        substituted some wire for the  fishing  line  that  connects  the
        retract horn with the fixed horn.    This  turned  out  not to be
        enough, so I then tightened everything up.   Next the wheel still
        turned across and almost wore the rubber off the tire.  Finally I
        was able to keep it on a straight run and rotated just before the
        grass, but didn't lift off before the grass caught the main gear.
        This broke the blocks the nosegear was fixed to.  By then  I felt
        I has tried enough and packed the F16 for the day.  I'll  replace
        the retract  nose  gear  with the fixed gear for the next flight,
        sometime in October - after Deathworld.  This decision was helped
        by watching Kay  fly his Super Aeromaster in the very gusty winds
        and cartwheel it on  a  dead  stick  landing.    It did the usual
        Aeromaster trick - tearing the soft balsa fuse sides.
        
                After this we has been through  all  of  this  we settled
        into a good afternoons flying.  It  was  a  lot of fun flying off
        alphalt, very different.  Something I wasn't prepared for was the
        much greater ground effect than on grass.
        
                Kay and Kevin Ladd were still there when I  left at 4 PM.
        Brian Noyes came down from Vermont - a 3 1/2 hour drive!
        
                The  spectator  crowd was really impressive.  I would say
        about 10 cars and somewhere around 25 people counting kids.
        
        Lot's of fun.
        
                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

    
    	It might have been different had the wind not been blowing across
    the runway...kinda messed up the available takeoff space.  It was
    also the wind which crumpled Kay's beautiful Aeromaster. Such a
    nice job, and after....one wing off, and the engine/cowling sitting
    a few feet away also.  I was very sorry to see it happen, and was
    amazed at Kay's ability to shrug it off!  Kevin Ladd had his Impressive
    P47 there...care to comment on if you did actually run it after
    I left, Kevin?  I was hoping I'd get to see it go, but just couldn't
    see getting home after 7 PM. (Which I would have, had I left later...as
    it was, I got home at 6:30!)  I must say it was great fun being
    there, and meeting Kay, Kevin, and Anker and his wife.  I enjoyed
    the day immensely.
    
    	It was too bad that Anker didn't get off the ground, but I was
    happy to see him put the "16" away when he did.  Things just weren't
    working out towards a smooth flight, and it seems when lots of stuff
    goes wrong, thats when you'd better put it off, or risk trouble!
    	Good judgement call, I'd say!
    
    	I took a few pictures of people and planes, so provided they
    come out well, I'll be sending them down to their respective owners
    if they'd like.  I took two of Kay's Aeromaster prior to the splat,
    and if you'd like them Kay, let me know!
    
    	Gotta run.....it was a blast, and I wish I lived closer!  I'd
    be there more often!!!!
    
    Brian
    

    i also had a great time yesterday.  when i first arrived i was shocked
    at all the people and cars.  anker brought quite an entourage(sp?) with
    him!
    
    at first people kinda just set up their airplanes and kicked each
    other's tires.  there had to be about 20 planes i'd guess.  it was
    real windy, and usually the wind was in the worst possible direction.
    the grill was fired up and anker began tinering, but nobody flew.
    
    then kay launched the big stik 20.  the wind was nasty but kay had
    little difficulty, and landed dramatically but safely.  a few other
    planes then went up with similar results.  landings were always
    nail-biters.  by now anker has made several fast taxi attempts,
    not much luck.
    
    kay launched the aeromaster and probably immediately wished he hadnt.
    after massive trimming it was flying pretty good, then the engine
    started acting up.  kay was gonna circle around till the wind let
    up but the engine threatened to conk out altogether real soon, so
    kay set up for landing.  i was videoing much of the flight, but
    as kay turned on final, my chin and camera about hit the ground.
    the aeromaster did.  i felt sick and didnt even get the incident
    on tape.
    
    anker made another attempt with the f16 and would have taken off
    had he been able to go the length of the runway.  instead he went
    diagonally due to wind direction and simply ran out of runway. 
    i think he was lucky in a way cause the plane started to rotate
    and almost went airborne before hitting the grass.  after examining
    my video it looked like he could have kept it airborn but i doubt
    he'd have cleared the the trees.
    
    then it started to rain and drove many to their cars for good. 
    a few hardy soles flew in the rain (it wasnt that bad).  after the
    rain is when most of the flying took place.  when starting my pee47
    i noticed that it felt like there were rocks in the engine when
    i turned it over.  with all the humidity in my basement i believe
    i've badly corroded the bearings of my como 51.  what a drag, i
    flew it anyway.  it performed as usual, leaning out if i ran the
    tank too low.
    
    just before the rain i dragged out the baker p47.  my new friend
    brian noyes (hello brian) helped me get the wing on (definately
    a 2 man job in the wind).  i had a minor problem with the retracts
    which could have been diseasterous had it happened in the air. 
    to make a long story short, the retracts went up, but not down.
    it was field repairable.  later in the day i ran the engine.  the
    engine and muffler is my main concern.  the muffler is a tatone
    in-cowl muffler with the normal exhaust exits plugged with permatex
    silicone, and a new (large) exit cut in the back with a tube going
    to a second chamber made out of what people correctly identified
    as a soup can.  sounds crazy but it proved to work well.  the exhaust
    exits from a pair of tubes which exit under the cowl where it meets
    the fuse, and with the engine running rich, looks neat with the
    smoke puffing out of each.  not quite the correct scale exhaust
    outlets tho, that would be on the other side of the firewall and
    beyond the scope of THIS project.  anways i taxied the jug around,
    it taxied and idled great.  i need to just make some adjustments
    to the toe-in of retracts, and figure out how to prime the engine
    with the cowl on, and i may just be in business.
    
    anyway i had a great time at the fun fly yesterday.
    kevin
    

    > Thta still leaves the problem of landing..
      
    Just reverse the process, have the plane make a low pass over a
    moving car and have someone snag it out of the air!  Might work
    better with a sunroof....  :+)
    
    Willie

>    	I took a few pictures of people and planes, so provided they
>    come out well, I'll be sending them down to their respective owners
>    if they'd like.  I took two of Kay's Aeromaster prior to the splat,
>    and if you'd like them Kay, let me know!

No thanks Brian - I took lots of Before pictures.
I started repairing the Aeromaster last night.  All done except for cosmetic
stuff and the muffler.

So - can you weld a cast aluminum muffler?  The only part that broke ended up
laying in the cowl after I got all the parts home.  It is a little corner with
a screw on it about 1/4" diameter.  Sure would like to have some expert weld
it back on.  Brought it in to work today and I'll probably start calling welding
shops if anyone here thinks that is possible.  Crash looked pretty bad cause
the plan shedded lots of parts including the engine, cowl, bottom wing, radio
receiver, battery, aileron servo, etc.  But everything went back together just
like a jigsaw puzzle.  

In case anyone wonders here is what I did wrong.
1.  It was entirely too windy for my skill level.
    Biplanes are harder to fly in strong cross winds than monoplanes.
2.  I was trying to fly a standard pattern approach to land which caused me
    to turn with the wind on the turn just before final.  This would be
    OK normally but with strong gusty winds I should have only made turns
    into the wind.  Again - it wouldn't have made much difference to an
    expert but with my skill level I should have opted for the safest turns.
3.  At this point I had normal ground speed but darn little air speed because
    of the wind and I stalled it from maybe 20 feet up.  Full up elevator
    gave no results because I had no air flow over the elevator.

To the Aeromaster's credit it did not snap - a reasonably straight stall.
So in summary it was just a case of a classic stall on a down wind turn.
Yah - I chopped power just before the turn also - I normally do.

Anyway - If I can get the muffler fixed then I will bring it to the
fun fly next week.

===============================================================================

Anker's F16 looked pretty good but I think it was divine intervention that
prevented his take off.  I thought he was only doing high speed taxi tests
and like Kevin - I don't think he could have cleared the trees if he did
get it up.

===============================================================================

Kevin's Jug looked and ran pretty good.  Still has some minor things before
first flight.

1.  Engine idle - it seems great but loads up in about 2 minutes.
2.  Engine starts hard.  Constantly need access to the glow plug and
    carb to get it to run - can't presently do that with the cowl on.
3.  The retracts are real loose.  Never felt anyone elses large scale
    retracts - but it didn't seem right to me.  Al - want to comment.

Unless you've held this beast back you would never believe how hard it
pulls when that Weber Bully is spinning that 20x8 prop at 7K.  I had to
wrap a towel around the horizontal stab cause the darn thing was hurting
the backs of my legs while I was standing in front of the tail.

===============================================================================

Oh - Yah - the wind stopped at approximately 6:30 and it was nice and calm.
But we all left by then.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
---------------O---------------
================================================================================

    Aluminum burns when heated to welding temperatures.  Typically, it
    must be Heli-Arced when welded (Heli-Arc welding blows a high
    pressure stream of Helium gas past the tip of the arc welder so
    that the joint being welded is not exposed to Oxygen).  There is
    another way of welding Al., which I can't remeber right now, that
    doesn't involve Heli-Arc, but I do remeber that it leaves a REAL
    messy looking weld.

    Re: .74, Kay,
    
    Commenting on the larger scale retracts, I haven't really ever felt
    of them either but I know that some slop in the down/locked position
    is normal (I've got it in the MiG-3) and the "apparent" slop is
    amplified with the length of the strut.  I'd SWAG that Kevin's gear
    might _normally_ exhibit as much as 1/4-3/8" of play at the end
    of the strut.    

      |
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

    al, your right on about the slop in my retracts.  when i first
    noticed it i figured gene and bert must know what they're doing,
    so i've dismissed as normal.
    
    a concern i do have is for the set screws that allow adjustment
    of toe-in.  they work much like a wheel collar - an allen head screw
    threads thru an aluminum outer tube and locks onto an inner aluminum
    tube.  i've been too timid as yet to really tighten these set screws
    enough to not have the toe-in eventually wander during taxi tests.

    Kevin,
    
    What you do is determine by whatever method, up to and including
    taxi tests, just where you want the setting to be.  Then you
    disassemble the strut and file a flat or place a dimple on the inner
    binding surface such that the allen screw seats and, thus cannot
    be dislodged if the outer strut tries to torque/twist.  BUT, be
    careful and work as precisely as you can as, once you've done this,
    if it's wrong, it's hell to correct.    

      |
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

    thanks al,
    i thot of that but was hoping it wouldnt be necessary.  like you said,
    its hard to undo and i might one day want to.  like when the retracts
    go in another plane.
    kevin

        Re:< Note 477.79 by TALLIS::LADD >

                I plan  to  give  the F16 another try at the Drop Zone on
        Sunday if the weather permits and my fuel comes in.
        
                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

    Anker,
    
    Deja-vu!  I was just wondering last night why we hadn't heard from
    you is what seems ages...and what ever became of the F-16.  Good
    luck with it this weekend...I'll be pullin' fer' ya'!!!    

      |
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

        Re:< Note 477.81 by PNO::CASEYA "THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8)" >

        Thanks Al,
        
                This time  I  will have beefed up the nose gear, be using
        20% nitro fuel  instead  of  15%,  lean  the  engine  out to give
        adequate power, and finally  install  wires  inside  the  aileron
        nyrods.  The ailerons flexed  much  more  than  I was happy with.
        Hopefully  this  will be enough to  get  me  airborne,  and  more
        importantly, down again in one piece.
        
                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

RE: < Note 477.82 by CURIE::ANKER "Anker Berg-Sonne" >
>>>                          -< Banzai, Banzai, Banzai >-

    "Bonzai"?  After all the modifications you made, is the F-16 now
    officially a Japanese FSX fighter?  :-)

                       _____
                      |     \
                      |      \                          Silent POWER!
      _        ___________    _________   |            Happy Landings!
     | \      |           |  |         |  |
     |--------|-  SANYO  + ]-|  ASTRO  |--|              - Dan Miner
     |_/      |___________|  |_________|  |
                      |       /           |     " The Earth needs more OZONE,
                      |      /                       not Caster Oil!! "    
                      |_____/

    
    Anker, even with all the ribbing ; Good Luck. I fun but frustrating
    when your the only person in a club or area trying something different.
    All chopper pilots have an understanding of what your up against.
    
    
    Tom

    What time Anker? I want to see this!  By the way I have some OMEGA
    Sidewinder 25% nitro if ya want a tank of it. Sure made a difference
    in the Kougar!!!!
    
    
    							Dave
    

        Re:< Note 477.86 by TARKIN::HARTWELL "Dave Hartwell" >

        Dave,
        
                Around noon.    I got the 20% fuel last night, so no more
        excuses.
        
                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

                After waiting all day for the wind to die down we finally
        took off for  the  field  at  5:30 PM.  Even then I wasn't sure I
        would try to fly it because it was still blowing like stink.
        
                When  I got to  the  field  there  were  two  guys  there
        already, much to my surprise.   With me I had the generous donor,
        my wife, and my daughter's boyfriend,  Pete.    We  also  had the
        necessary parephenalia for documenting the event.
        
                When filling it with fuel I thought  I  had  run  out  of
        luck,  it  seemed  to  run  out  as  fast  as  I  poured  it  in.
        Fortunately it was just a loose plug on the fuel tank.
        
                Next step, start the sucker.  That went well  too!I  then
        leaned it out and since everything was checking out OK  I took it
        out, lined it into the wind and gunned it.
        
                The  takeoff  looked  like a repeat of many others, plane
        bunping along and bumping along, but finally, just before running
        out of runway, it LIFTED OFF!
        
                The ailerons were  much  too  touchy,  but low rates took
        care of that.   It  was really strange to fly, mostly because the
        short wings make it hard  to  see whether its flying flat.  After
        getting a bit used to it  and  calmed  myself  down  I  tried  to
        throttle back and it seemed easy enough to control.
        
                Then to the really hard part, the  landing.    The  first
        approach  was  much  too  high.   I was  expecting  a  Supersonic
        Aeromaster-like dropping brick, but it "floated" fine.  So on the
        next approach I came in lower, kept the nose high  as  I had been
        told  and  gave  it some throttle just before touching down.   It
        came down a bit hard, but in one piece!
        
                The next  takeoff try broke the darn nosewheel off again!
        So that was it.
        
                One year and 4 months after I got it, it finally flew!
        
                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

    	Congratulations Anker!  I hope I have the same success with
    my Super Chipmunk.  I'm just waiting for the wind to stop.
    
    Ken

    
    		"CONGRADULATION'S"
    
    	Anker, on a successful first flight. Question is,how are 
    you going to cut ribbons off of Dave Hughes planes with it??
    :-)
    
    
    Tom

re:<<< Note 477.91 by SA1794::TENEROWICZT >>>

    
>    	Anker, on a successful first flight. Question is,how are 
>    you going to cut ribbons off of Dave Hughes planes with it??
>    :-)
    

    Ditto the congratulations. And don't worry about cutting ribbons,
    there won't be any, because if I'm ever around when the F16 is
    flying, I'll be watching IT, not flying ribbons around!

    Dave

    Congratulation, Anker!!  I, too, made the maiden flight of my PT40,
    which I know is nowhere as dramatic, but traumatic just the same.
    
    Best of luck,  Chuck

                             |                      
   \	       	         ____|____                      /   Regards,
    \________________________O_________________________/    Frank.
    

    
    	Great Job Anker!   I remember coming to Orange to see it fly last
    year, and am sad to have missed it go this time...but I'm super happy
    that you got it up and down safely, and wish you many happy hours with
    it.  Maybe someday I'll realize my dream of building one!
    
    	Brian
    

    Good show Anker! My only regrets is that I left at 3:30 and missed
    it.
    
    
    						Dave
    

    
      |
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

        Re:< Note 477.97 by PNO::CASEYA "THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8)" >

                Thanks to you all, guys!
        
                My primary  regret was that there were so few spectators,
        but my wife  videotaped  the  whole thing and I am sure Eric will
        put it on the  next  DECRCM tape.  I had to fly it then because I
        don't know when I will  be  able  to  fly  off the Drop Zone next
        time.  We don't have any  more  weekends  in  June,  and we still
        don't know when we will have it in July.
        
                I don't think I have been this nervous for years!
        
                      _ 
                     / |
        |  _====____/==|
        |-/____________|
        |    |        o \
             O           \ 
                          O
         Hang in there! o_|_
                          |
             Anker      \_|_/

Anker,
    Congratualtions on the first of hopefully many flights with the
    F-16.

		________
	 /	  __|__  
	=========[_____\>
	/	__|___|__/  BREAK A BLADE,
			    Ken