F-5 twin 50mm EDF

Mid7night

Jetman
Mentor
Normally I start a build thread when I start building the plane, but this one sprang to life in a rather odd and quick fashion, so right off the bat you've got a maiden video:



Thanks to Nate for the inspiration to do this build in the first place, it's all his fault. I WILL be posting plans, but please be patient, they still need tweaking. I'll put 'em up with they're ready!

Meanwhile, enjoy some of the rough build photos and a few more videos showing it off:





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Mid7night

Jetman
Mentor
Here are the build-log pics for the second version of my F-5, as well as the PDF full-size plans. It's 3 sheets of foam, and not a really hard build, but it is a little fiddly, so look closely at the build process and ask questions if you need any clarification. Enjoy!


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wilmracer

I build things that fly (sometimes)
Mentor
Looks awesome and congrats on a sweet maiden. I'll be really interested to see the final AUW and wing loading. Looks like she definitely likes to go fast!
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
Absolutely LOVE the F5 and you did a spectacular job on this! The F5 is one of my favorite planes to fly in X-Plane

Really need to work on my plank skillz this year so I can do more than pile drive 'em into the ground!

Cheers!
LitterBug
 

Mid7night

Jetman
Mentor
Looks awesome and congrats on a sweet maiden. I'll be really interested to see the final AUW and wing loading. Looks like she definitely likes to go fast!

If memory serves, my total weight (without the tail lead) was about 34oz.

Wing area, including the forward strakes, is about 173 sq-in.

That puts wing loading at: 28.3 oz/sq-ft

That is about the same wing loading as my medium-weight PSS slope ships, which easily hit 100mph coming down from a pump. I would not be surprised if this F-5 was capable of 100mph, especially coming out of a shallow dive.


what size battery are you running?

Turnigy NanoTech 2650mAh 4s 35-70C

It could fit at least a 3000mAh, but I didn't have one with high enough C-rating.


Looks to be a lot faster than your A-4! How long before it's painted like a "MiG-28"?

;)

I'll leave paint schemes for a bit later down the road - I still am focused on wrapping up the plans. :)
 

wilmracer

I build things that fly (sometimes)
Mentor
Lol... Very nice! I'm actually relieved to hear your AUW and wing loading as it gives me more confidence on my Talon project. Our Cube Loading factors are only off by 1.3 so knowing I'm in the same ballpark as this sweet flyer makes me feel good :cool:

Can't wait to see more of these buzzing around!
 

thenated0g

Drinker of coffee, Maker of things
Mentor
With that long of a nose (lever) in the front how doable would a pusher prop in the back be? Seems like it would weigh less than 2 edfs, but be farther back, but it sounded like the plane was leaning towards nose heavy anyways. Hide the motor in between the two jet exhausts. And if you needed more weight in the nose...well you do have some 6s packs.
 

wilmracer

I build things that fly (sometimes)
Mentor
With that long of a nose (lever) in the front how doable would a pusher prop in the back be? Seems like it would weigh less than 2 edfs, but be farther back, but it sounded like the plane was leaning towards nose heavy anyways. Hide the motor in between the two jet exhausts. And if you needed more weight in the nose...well you do have some 6s packs.

It works quite well as a pusher.

There has been a parkjet pusher version out there for a few years designed by a really great modeler named Steve Shumate. He goes by Jetset44 on the forums and has designed a dozen or so pusher jets that all fly great. He has a T-38 thread and a few pages in published the changes needed to make it an F-5
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?306817-T-38-Talon-Park-Jet

His designs don't lend themselves to DTFB construction, at least with the paper still on. He has you layer foam and then sand to shape. It works really well and you get some nice smooth lines but it does add to the work involved. I'd strongly recommend people check out his stuff. He's got the T-38/F-5, F-15, F-14 w/ variable sweep wing, F-18,F/A-22,, X-29,X-31, SU-37, and a few others. He's also the guy who designed the Polaris.
 

JimCR120

Got Lobstah?
Site Moderator
Wow, nice build! SO how long did that take? I like the shiny aluminum tape leading edges. I'm interested in your sliding nose section as a clean way to access electronics. How is it secured? Friction? Velcro? Magnets? Pinned? Is it coming to FFE.
 

Mid7night

Jetman
Mentor
Wow, nice build! SO how long did that take? I like the shiny aluminum tape leading edges. I'm interested in your sliding nose section as a clean way to access electronics. How is it secured? Friction? Velcro? Magnets? Pinned? Is it coming to FFE.

Well, it was the first one, so it took me a couple hours each night for 3-4 nights to sort everything out. But if I were doing it from a more "speedbuild kit" state, I think the build time is 3 hours or less.

The nose slides on and mostly is held on just by friction. I put a little bit of tape across the bottom seam, only because I didn't want any rocks to catch an edge and tear it.

I can't commit to anything regarding FFEast ...I can say I'm trying my darndest to get there, but it's not secured yet.