Matthew Sanders
Elite member
Hello FT Forum User! Let me start off by saying "XL" doesn't mean I'm making a huge F-16. Instead I'm making this:
^ Not your typical Viper
<sigh> Why am I doing this? Unlike most people on this forum who use fancy computer aided design, I use pencil, foam board, a yardstick, and math. So, instead of designing this from the ground up, I'm borrowing the XF Viper plans provided here on the forum by none other than @Mid7night (Thanks for the cool plane, Ben!)
So, I'm sure not too many of you know the story of this plane. Essentially, the USAF wanted a modern Fighter-Bomber, and two designs were submitted. The F-15E "Strike Eagle" (Winner) and the F-16XL (Didn't quite make it into production). Anyway, I've been wanting to do this for a while now, so this is where I will update you on my progress.
What I'm doing:
I've already cut the plans out of DTFB, so now I'm going to be assembling the XF Viper FUSELAGE ONLY for now, since the normal F-16 and the "XL" have near identical fuselages, with minor differences (Such as the exclusion of the Ventral Fins on the XL)
Later on, I'll probably modify the wings from the existing plans to create the XL's "Cranked Delta" wing. I have no idea if this will actually work, I'm using a 64mm EDF on 4s, so I'm going to try to keep the airframe as light as possible, because I have no idea if it will actually fly, and I'm secretly hoping that I can just make a flat wing like the Viggen and just fly on the thrust of the motor, but I need a light Airplane for that.
Alright, that's it for this post. Feel free to stick around, I'm going to start building now.
^ Not your typical Viper
<sigh> Why am I doing this? Unlike most people on this forum who use fancy computer aided design, I use pencil, foam board, a yardstick, and math. So, instead of designing this from the ground up, I'm borrowing the XF Viper plans provided here on the forum by none other than @Mid7night (Thanks for the cool plane, Ben!)
So, I'm sure not too many of you know the story of this plane. Essentially, the USAF wanted a modern Fighter-Bomber, and two designs were submitted. The F-15E "Strike Eagle" (Winner) and the F-16XL (Didn't quite make it into production). Anyway, I've been wanting to do this for a while now, so this is where I will update you on my progress.
What I'm doing:
I've already cut the plans out of DTFB, so now I'm going to be assembling the XF Viper FUSELAGE ONLY for now, since the normal F-16 and the "XL" have near identical fuselages, with minor differences (Such as the exclusion of the Ventral Fins on the XL)
Later on, I'll probably modify the wings from the existing plans to create the XL's "Cranked Delta" wing. I have no idea if this will actually work, I'm using a 64mm EDF on 4s, so I'm going to try to keep the airframe as light as possible, because I have no idea if it will actually fly, and I'm secretly hoping that I can just make a flat wing like the Viggen and just fly on the thrust of the motor, but I need a light Airplane for that.
Alright, that's it for this post. Feel free to stick around, I'm going to start building now.