n00bflyer

Hi all,

I thought I would share some pictures and info on a plane I just completed. It's a craft store foam core F-18 with a 16" wing span and a 22" length. After crashing my new EDF jet so many times I just wanted a cheap jet looking thing to fly around. I went to the craft store (since my LHS is SOOOOOO lame that they don't cary hardly any plane stuff) and picked up some foam core. With the poaster boaed glued on both sides it's actually pretty stiff by itself. I found a top and side view of an F-18, drew a grid on it and used that to "enlarge," somewhat by free hand, the image on to the foam core. It's a pretty simple construction. I had some good gusty wind today and was able to approximate the CG. I just got it to glide heading into the wind. I have probably a 4000ish KV motor on there. Little GWS prop, 25amp ESC and 11.1V 1500mah 15C battery. I was inspired by this picture for my paint job. [media]http://3dfoamy.com/images/Parts/3dfoamy%20hornet%20001.jpg[/media]

It's got aielrons and elevators and about a 1 to 1 thrust ratio. Full throttle, nose up into the sky, close to ground and it wants to hover and then some =).

Hopefully she flys!

CHELLIE

It looks great Its best to remove the paper on Foam Board, because thats half the weight of the foam Board, and a small foamy does not like weight, see how this one flies, and if its to heavy you will need to remove the paper, on the next one, also, a min 20" wing span is better, a short wing will want to torque roll real Bad, I had to give the right wing on my f16 , with a 16" wing span, weight on the right wing tip, to compensate for left torque roll, here is a build i did on a F16 that might give you some more ideas, I made my F16 from 5mm Foam Board, Take care, Chellie

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25054

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Fdvq6jCwQ[/media]

CHELLIE

a Little How to on cutting Foam,

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39733

Alpea42

That's a neet jet, profile flat fuse is a little distracting . Here's a cool F-4 Phantom I made in a couple days last week . The F-14 I made befor that.Flew the F-4 this sunday and it flys like a dream I got lucky on the power choice and trust angle and incidences so it controls solidly.

n00bflyer

Alpea42,

Nice F-4! What kind of foam did you use for the fuse and the wings and where did you get it? It looks like you have some of the blue foam on that plane. I have looked all over in my area for that and it seems no one is carrying it any more. It's not at any home depot or Lowes. There isn't any pink foam either. The best I can find are HUGE sheets of styrofoam for insulation but I would need a hot wire to cut it how I would want and it just doesn't seem that durable.

My LHS (closest one worth any salt is 30 miles away) just started to carry depron but with the price he charges and the price of gas it's still cheaper for me to go to my LCS(local craft store) and buy foam core.

Another question. Anyone know what "plastic" people use to cover their foam models? It gives thema nice smooth surface when done. Is it some kind of iron on thing, or is it grocery store plastic wrap? =)

GreenAce92

Nice lookin jet man! just make sure the CG is right, thats a big deal on these planes.
Hope she maidens well!

Alpea42

Hey man I've learned alot about foam. O K here's the skinny on it. Cheapest depron is from R/C foam on line. Dow Protection Board III and Dow Blue Core we can get at Loews here in So. Cal. The newest good cheap foam we've found is available in the east it's called Green Guard P-14 or PX-14. It's what I used on the F-4 wing. The nose cone of the F-4 and canopy of F-14 I carve and sand outta Dow Square Edge blue foam scraps that I salvage at a local refridgeration Co.s dumpster. They use it to insulate refer cases. it's great for sanding and carving and it's free and it comes in many thicknessess.If you live by a large city look up refer manufactoring co.s in yellow pages. You make a high gloss finish and harden the foam with MInn-Wax Water Base Eurathane, from Home DEpot at 16$ a qt. You can also use it to glass foam and I use nylon drywall tape or Snuggles dryer sheets for the cloth. The coolest parkjet free plans are from www.Parkjets .com. Check this F-14 out. One thing tho FOAM is ADDICTING once you start making your own models you wont be able pass a piece of foam with out thinking of all the wonderfull flying machines you could make out of it. Read all the threads you can on scratch building I did. Learned most of what I know here in the last year. The big B-2 and the 4' w.s. wing are made outta the white Insulfoam sheets. Good Luck Al.

Alpea42

I forgot a few LOL. I caught the foam addiction bad.Just ask my wife. The 1st step is to admit you have a problem I'm NOT ADDICTED,I'M NOT ADDICTED ,I'M NOT ADDICTED----- I can't get past the 1st step so screw the other 11

Alpea42

Here's the launch of the F-4.Out of all of the parkjets it flys most like a real jet. Fast , hi g turns and even with out paint you know it's a F-4 http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297515

Wrench66

Al is our local (loco! ) foam jet hero........amazing what can be done with UNrecycle-able foam huh?
Would be just clogging our landfills for the next umpteenbazillion years if it weren't for Al and his love for foam.

umm, I think it rubbing off on us Al, HELP!! hehe......pass the depron please.

---Ray

Alpea42

NooB, Ray has been bitten by the foam bug TOO

n00bflyer

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the info on the foam. Alpea you have some cool planes.

Unfortunately after about 10 attempts with several repair jobs in between the F-18 just wouldn't fly good enough. The longest flight was probably 100 feet and only lasted 10 seconds. The good news is that I think I learned from my trials and I'm currently 10% done with my re-do of the jet. It's going to be about %20 percent bigger and the motor / prop will be more centrally located in the fuse. This should help protect it in the inevitable crashes before I can get her all balanced out. It should also help reduce the torque roll effect from the motor. It probably won't be quite as fast nor have the awesome 1to1 thrust ratio, but it should glide better =)

Alpea I love your suggestion to serch the yellow pages for industrial businesses to support my NEW addiction to foam =)!

GreenAce92

Hey heres a great tip, to find your CG first build your plane all the way where you can just add electronics adn fly, so keep it empty just the foam and then take a weight of some sort and put it on the nose so that it glides, then once you find your CG mark it and then add the electronics in. works great for me!

Alpea42

LOL after I started raiding those dumpsters they put up a sign saying dumpster divers would be charged with trespassing. My wife says I'll get her fired. But I still eyeball any pieces of foam I see sticking up outta it. An addicts gotta do what an addicts gotta do.

n00bflyer

Anyone know what "plastic" people use to cover their foam models? It gives them a nice smooth surface when done. Is it some kind of iron on thing, or is it grocery store plastic wrap? =)

GreenAce92, thanks for the tip. I had always been doing this with the bat and motor already mounted. But your way makes more scense, there will be less weight in it when it hits the ground. HOW do you know the proper glide angle? Example; with a straight and level light toss should it keep that same attitude all the way down to the ground? Or do you want just a little nose down attitude during the glide?

n00b

n00bflyer

OK now I feel dumb. Alpea42 I just re-read your post regarding gloss finish on foam. You already responded to my question. I'll have to try that MinWax. I used one of their products when I redid my hardwood floors and I was really impressed.

Does this procedure add much extra weight though?

gfdengine204

Why not ask the manager if they mind if you take their foam. Maybe even explain why, they may not care.

The "No Trespassing" signs may be to avoid a lawsuit should someone be injured while dumpster diving on their property. This country is so sue-happy, yanno.

proffcharlie

As for dumpster diving, a vast wealth of foam and other materials can be found at furniture stores. All sizes,shapes and density of foam can be found. The store near me is happy to "donate" to my cause. He actually has to pay to have this stuff hauled away so it saves him money. As for plastic covering, you can use colored packing tape simular to that used on the Zaggi wings. I have used Monocote brand "Trim Cote". It is about 4 inches X 30 inches and has a sticky backing that does not require ironing. Just make sure it is aligned like you want before applying. Once it contacts the surface you won't be able to peel it of without damage.

Charlie

Alpea42

I finished my F-4 . 2 coats of minn-wax , Dap Crack Shot Spackeling for filler and Rustoleum Universal "All surface paint" Gloss Artic Gray spray can. It still wants to melt unprimered depron.The black is Rustoleum Vinyl Gloss. The decals are down loads from www. parkjets .com for Steve Shumates F-14 printed on my P C printer. The Jolly Rodger Squadron also flew F-4s. The paint and finishing added 2 oz. to my AUW. Since Tue. is Veterans day it's the perfect weekend to fly a war bird or 2 or 3. LOL Not bad for a 2 day project rush job HUH? There's a couple of EDFs that fly pretty good except for Koyoshos but those ARFs are $169. and up. I've got maybe $20. in this one and had fun making it.

n00bflyer

DANG Alpea42 you da bomb! =) That's a great job for a two day project! I want video I want video =) What KV motor and what size battery did you use?

Well F-18 V2.0 flew yesterday. It's 30% bigger, motor is mounted in the center of the plane, and it has landing gear LOL, since it's darn near impossible for me to hand launch this plane.

It flew pretty good. only decent climb out but the straight and level flight is fast and fun. I can't wait to do some barrel rolls with this thing!

Alpea42

Thanks Noob it did come out nice and flys great. Told ya you'ld get hooked good job on #2 . Here's video of the maiden of the F-14 http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...3#vid-f51fb3b3 I gotta have my F B post video of the F-4 then I'll post the link. Or can follow our efforts and chit chat at this thread here at W F The Chino Renegades RC Fliers Club Off topic forum