XF VIPER - Foamboard F-16 EDF

kilroy07

Legendary member
I have JUST cut parts for my copy
Speaking of that... I'm not sure if this will help anyone or not (if it does let me know) but here are my "Cut" files for my laser cutter in DXF format.

The outer shape is 700x500mm (my laser's working area.
Red is a cut (through) line
Yellow is a 50% cut line
Green is a mark line (The laser barley fires so it just lightly discolors the paper.)

Kudos to Ben for such a great design!
With some of the old FT designs there can be quite a bit of rework... with this last one it was mostly just changing colors and moving things around sheet layout due to working area (mostly.)
 

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thenated0g

Drinker of coffee, Maker of things
Mentor
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Mid7night

Jetman
Mentor
FINALLY got myself another Viper built and flyable after getting home from FFOH'18. This is the second flight on it, after putting some color on. I tried to get closer so you can see the slow-flight, tight loops and Cobras. Not that I'd be any good with it, but I think this bird would really like to have a functional rudder for high-alpha maneuvers. ;)

 

kilroy07

Legendary member
I tried to get closer so you can see the slow-flight, tight loops and Cobras.
Might want to limit the touch and goes... That intake will scoop up some rocks I bet! :ROFLMAO:

Nice flight! I hope to have mine in the air shortly (waiting on batteries that'll power a 70...) :cautious:
 

william steendam

New member
FINALLY got myself another Viper built and flyable after getting home from FFOH'18. This is the second flight on it, after putting some color on. I tried to get closer so you can see the slow-flight, tight loops and Cobras. Not that I'd be any good with it, but I think this bird would really like to have a functional rudder for high-alpha maneuvers. ;)

The 50 mm edf 71.5 version should be ready for maiden tomorrow
 

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thenated0g

Drinker of coffee, Maker of things
Mentor
Ben, what scale would you say this is close to...like for ordering graphics. Im cool with "close enough" size.

That fan is looking pretty sporty. What is it?

Its a Alloy DPS Series 68mm EDF unit with 3580kv Motor - 1000watt . Its what i had in my viggan and hauled on 4s. I was running with 4000-6000mah 4s but i think i will try 2800-3000mah this time to try and get the wing loading down.

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Im really enjoying this build Ben. I realized this morning that even though i have been scratch building foamboard kits since 2014, it has always been a flitetest kit that had full build videos or it was one of my own designs. Really enjoying this style of building where you have some pictures and you know where stuff should go but you still have some figuring out on your own of what to do.

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william steendam

New member
Ben, what scale would you say this is close to...like for ordering graphics. Im cool with "close enough" size.



Its a Alloy DPS Series 68mm EDF unit with 3580kv Motor - 1000watt . Its what i had in my viggan and hauled on 4s. I was running with 4000-6000mah 4s but i think i will try 2800-3000mah this time to try and get the wing loading down.

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Im really enjoying this build Ben. I realized this morning that even though i have been scratch building foamboard kits since 2014, it has always been a flitetest kit that had full build videos or it was one of my own designs. Really enjoying this style of building where you have some pictures and you know where stuff should go but you still have some figuring out on your own of what to do.

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totally agree Nathan. was fun and challenging build , I think my 2nd one will come out better and faster now I know how it goes together :) hopefully ill maiden my % 71.5 50 mm edf on 4s this sunday,,, looking foreward to it.
 

kilroy07

Legendary member
"Stay on Target..."
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I think my 2nd one will come out better and faster now I know how it goes together
My thoughts exactally (besides, at my skill level... I'll be lucky if I run through all batteries on hand in a day.)
Speaking of that, my batteries should arrive tomorrow!!

Should have maiden video soon... THEN paint.... :sneaky:
 

Mid7night

Jetman
Mentor
Looking good guys!

Another builder has pointed out that the under-nose/diverter area is a difficult area to get "right", because it has to transition from flat at the diverter to octagon-'formed' as you go forward, and there aren't really any darts or seams that allow it easily. I know I need to clean up that area and provide a more repeatable assembly solution, but I'd like to know how everyone else handled that area on their builds.
 

kilroy07

Legendary member
Another builder has pointed out that the under-nose/diverter area is a difficult area to get "right"
Yea... That piece does scare me a bit (Last night I was like "Well, THIS is a good place to stop for the night!"... :LOL:

I will attempt tonight and let you know how it goes.
I will say, I did several of the lines as Crease lines when I really think they need bevels (as shown in a couple of your pics) NOT slighting anything, but that did get me cursing when I tried to wrap the rear fuselage around the fan unit. Maybe a color for crease and a color for bevels.

Also, have you seen the formers/build techniques @DamoRC uses?
https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/ft-edge-540-polymycrophobia-edition.54890/

Not saying for everything, but for complex pieces I think he could be on to something... (sort of an external bulkhead.)

I just wish I had seen it earlier, I think it would have helped my GeeBee project for the Red Bull contest (that little project has been shelved for awhile...)
 

Liemavick

Member
Mentor
Just add glue...

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After seeing how well Ben's F-16 Viper flew in Ohio I wanted to build one. It just so happened there was a 70mm EDF laying around that needed a new home.
Fair warning to anyone who is still fairly new to building, this is quite the project. Building the F-16 with just the BETA plans and Bens photos and comments is difficult. Although Ben did a great job on the plans, there are still some areas that its easy to go right, when you should have turned left. There were what I call some "custom alterations" needed on my build. With that said I have my own build photos to share. Maybe you will see something in mine that can assist. Take your time cutting out the parts, there are quite a few of them and some are critical you get them right. If you have any questions you can post them here and I'll do my best to help answer them.

Brian
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kilroy07

Legendary member
Maybe you will see something in mine that can assist.
WOW, nice build! Great photos, I probably should have taken some (any) during my build. :cautious:

It IS a HUGE build... I guess I had forgotten seeing it at FFO, the thing just kept growing across my workbench!

I too had a small gap on where the upper cockpit fuselage came back to meet the rear fuselage (but just on the Left side.)... :unsure:

I would suggest having the nose on hand while you form and glue that piece. I found it and gluing the elevators (horizontal stabilizers) on, the hardest part of the build for me. I slipped the nose on the front then used the former piece (bulkhead) to push the piece outward and held it there while the glue set (a 3rd, 4th and maybe even a fifth hand would have helped) :LOL: I guess another route would have been to build the fusalage first THEN the nose... might try that next time... (save a hand or two.)

One thing I did start doing that helped was where there are major creases for the fuselage pieces I beveled one side. it made folding those larger pieces much easier. I beveled both sides on the nosecone and it went together quite easily (I started with the back ring and worked my way forward.)

The bottom collar for the vertical fin NEEDS more trimming on the front than what I did... (Probably the ugliest part on my build and it's RIGHT there on top!) :cautious: We won't talk about the cockpit floor (It's hidden from view! :LOL:) My second build will be MUCH better.

Batteries didn't come last night, so no maiden... Might happen tonight but weather is iffy here...

Please don't think I am complaining, it looks FANTASTIC!! And I saw them fly at Flite Fest (so if mine doesn't I know it's me...:ROFLMAO:)
So, Thanks again Mid7night for sharing!! I really do enjoy builds that challenge me or force me to work out a solution or two.

Now, to charge my gopro for the maiden video and get this bird in the air!
 

Mid7night

Jetman
Mentor
All:

Don't feel bad AT ALL about sharing your "gripes" with the build, especially at this stage. Y'all are basically beta-builders at this point; you're working from version TWO of these plans .... I went through SEVEN on the A-4 before SP0NZ broke my pencil and re-drew the plans in his beautiful format. (and I just revised them one more time....). I know it has warts and areas that need improvement, but it's YOU GUYS that really help bring the "help needed HERE" items to the surface.

All your comments, pointers, problems and solutions will help refine and make the next iteration better. Thank YOU for tackling this crazy build!
 

Mid7night

Jetman
Mentor
Quick follow-up question - I've been getting questions elsewhere about the inlet lip -

Did you all see and/or understand what I did with the BBQ skewers on the inlet lip, for landing reinforcement?

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