DIY 64mm EDF F-117 Nighthawk Maiden Success

[ThatPolishHotdog]

Made this plane from the FF-117 Nighthawk V2 plans from RC Foam Fighters (heavily modified of course). I wish I had some sort of build guide for those who want plans but I really just eyeballed it with what I know and made it. If anyone wants, I could post in-depth photos of the build if wanted.

It is definitely FAR from a gentle flyer and trying to control it is like wrestling a slippery beaver covered in mineral oil on a slipping slide that's balancing on a tightrope, but it looks awesome and so scale in the air. It's not efficient but it is fast and I think (assuming I don't crash it) that this will be a common flyer in my fleet.

Enjoy!

 

[Burnhard]

This looks awesome! Congratulations to an awesome build. I still have not dared to launch mine.

Quick question, in relation to the thrust/ weight ratio, when you hold yours vertically, is there enough thrust to lift it?

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

This looks awesome! Congratulations to an awesome build. I still have not dared to launch mine.

Quick question, in relation to the thrust/ weight ratio, when you hold yours vertically, is there enough thrust to lift it?

Thank you! It does not have 1:1 unfortunately. I tried using a scale to measure thrust but it just didn't want to read the amount. Since publishing the video, I have made major adjustments to the intakes to allow for more airflow and from the "holding it up" test, it has more power, so I will probably make an update on that and see if I can get specific numbers.

I might also try to modify the exhaust as well but it is very difficult since the rest of the plane is basically glued shut.

One thing to note, when I did the vertical thrust tests, I was at 5,000 feet altitude, but the maiden was at a park at 2,000 feet density altitude. Hopefully the performance increase is enough!

 

[danskis]

It does look really cool!!! Maybe reduce the throws and add some expo. That should quite it down - and maybe last longer. Congrats!!

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

It does look really cool!!! Maybe reduce the throws and add some expo. That should quite it down - and maybe last longer. Congrats!!

I can't reduce throws because it reallllly needs that extra control surface area and I'm not a huge fan of expo so I did add it to a switch that I'll test next flight.

 

[Burnhard]

Thank you! It does not have 1:1 unfortunately. I tried using a scale to measure thrust but it just didn't want to read the amount. Since publishing the video, I have made major adjustments to the intakes to allow for more airflow and from the "holding it up" test, it has more power, so I will probably make an update on that and see if I can get specific numbers.

I might also try to modify the exhaust as well but it is very difficult since the rest of the plane is basically glued shut.

One thing to note, when I did the vertical thrust tests, I was at 5,000 feet altitude, but the maiden was at a park at 2,000 feet density altitude. Hopefully the performance increase is enough!

Well, it’s also called a flying brick so I would not expect any arobatic wonders. Though, your roll rate looks quite high.

On the thrust, when I hold my Viggen upright, on full speed, it slightly pushes upwards. Does not happen with my F117. Altitude where I live is about 120meters (360 feet?).

Anyhow great build you have there. Quite an eye catcher.

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

Well, it’s also called a flying brick so I would not expect any arobatic wonders. Though, your roll rate looks quite high.

On the thrust, when I hold my Viggen upright, on full speed, it slightly pushes upwards. Does not happen with my F117. Altitude where I live is about 120meters (360 feet?).

Anyhow great build you have there. Quite an eye catcher.

Yeah, when I flew I was at a density altitude of about 2,000 feet, and where I live the density altitude is regularly 6,000 feet. Hopefully, I will be traveling this Summer to places of lower DA's and I can test it there.