Flex Innovations F-100 Thunderbird, 90mm

[F22trainer]

Got a ways to go yet, but the damage from packaging is fixed, fan and motor is in and clear Polycryllic has begun. I did get it powered up, but no control surfaces are programmed yet. Couldn’t get the gear down yet either.

[F22trainer]

I can't remember exactly at this point, but I think when I first opened up my F-100, motor and ESC was connected. I also replaced the stock fan with the one from the Viper 90. Yes, as you say, it didn't quite fit, but with a little foam shaving and compression, it went in. I also replaced the ESC with an Avian because I wanted reverse. Although on the surface, this Flex F-100 looks really nice, but are some really "off" things about it. Like the antiquated fan/ESC they use - very similar to the old Taft ViperJet. Then there's the "hollow" innards and very hard to reach servo rod connections. Ailerons that when deflected to the high throw, hits the one bomb and bends the fins. The gear has to be cycled at least once before they work. Paint looks nice but scrapes off easily if not sealed. That thrust tube is so old school. When I put in the much more powerful Viper 90 fan, the thrust tube collapsed in on itself at high throttle (bournoulli principle - sp?). I had to shop Amazon to get some really thick gauge plastic sheets to correct that problem. I have several Flex products and each one has its own idiosyncracies that belies Flex's supposedly high standards.

The fan cylinder had Taft Hobbies molded in raised letters, lol! I was aware most of the information pointed to weak QC, and it is noticeable. Nowhere near the quality of FW or others. But I really wanted the airframe and just decided I would go for it and planned on doing the upgrades right out of the box. Kinda fun actually. Even the cosmetics like the overspray and minor decal lifting can all be resolved with some effort.
I may swap out gear and sequencer also. That said, who has a recipe for the silver color?
Buellar?
Anyone?

[xviper]

finally managed to get some time and start on this. Isn’t the motor and ESC usually connected? It wasn’t and it was the ESC that had been shoved in so hard it tore the foam as you see - from the inside. Only reason I opened up the motor hatch was to pull the thing out anyway, so not really a factor but I noticed there is nothing in the manual about making up the connections, which I found out is next to impossible.
The 90mm Viper fan and motor unit don’t exactly drop in, but I’m getting through it and making some motor extensions, since no one seems to sell 12 AWG. I’m replacing the 100 amp ESC with the Freewing 130 amp.
The Aura 8 will be coming out also, in favor of Spektrum AS3X.

I can't remember exactly at this point, but I think when I first opened up my F-100, motor and ESC was connected. I also replaced the stock fan with the one from the Viper 90. Yes, as you say, it didn't quite fit, but with a little foam shaving and compression, it went in. I also replaced the ESC with an Avian because I wanted reverse. Although on the surface, this Flex F-100 looks really nice, but are some really "off" things about it. Like the antiquated fan/ESC they use - very similar to the old Taft ViperJet. Then there's the "hollow" innards and very hard to reach servo rod connections. Ailerons that when deflected to the high throw, hits the one bomb and bends the fins. The gear has to be cycled at least once before they work. Paint looks nice but scrapes off easily if not sealed. That thrust tube is so old school. When I put in the much more powerful Viper 90 fan, the thrust tube collapsed in on itself at high throttle (bournoulli principle - sp?). I had to shop Amazon to get some really thick gauge plastic sheets to correct that problem. I have several Flex products and each one has its own idiosyncracies that belies Flex's supposedly high standards.

[rifleman_btx]

Oh absolutely, I just did a freewing 9blade in mine, that was enough to really wake it up.

[F22trainer]

Yeah thats a factory defect all the way. Sad they missed it and sent it on, but I guess it happens to them all, also doesn't help that their fuselages on most all their planes are hollow construction. Like in the flexjet, there's pockets between the outer fuselage and the intake and thrust tubes

finally managed to get some time and start on this. Isn’t the motor and ESC usually connected? It wasn’t and it was the ESC that had been shoved in so hard it tore the foam as you see - from the inside. Only reason I opened up the motor hatch was to pull the thing out anyway, so not really a factor but I noticed there is nothing in the manual about making up the connections, which I found out is next to impossible.
The 90mm Viper fan and motor unit don’t exactly drop in, but I’m getting through it and making some motor extensions, since no one seems to sell 12 AWG. I’m replacing the 100 amp ESC with the Freewing 130 amp.
The Aura 8 will be coming out also, in favor of Spektrum AS3X.
Doing some homework on the gear components and electronics as well.
Of course all of this makes to Minwax Polycryllic coverage much easier.

[rifleman_btx]

Absolutely, will do!

[F22trainer]

Yeah thats a factory defect all the way. Sad they missed it and sent it on, but I guess it happens to them all, also doesn't help that their fuselages on most all their planes are hollow construction. Like in the flexjet, there's pockets between the outer fuselage and the intake and thrust tubes

I’ll be looking to add some fiberglass reinforcement in any weak areas. You keep me posted so I have time to fire up the smoker and charge some batteries

[rifleman_btx]

Looks like I be on the phone, Excited to see how big she was, and delivery was in a typical double box. No damage outside to the shipping box or product package. But alas’ my joy was short lived when I lifted the top tray.

Yeah thats a factory defect all the way. Sad they missed it and sent it on, but I guess it happens to them all, also doesn't help that their fuselages on most all their planes are hollow construction. Like in the flexjet, there's pockets between the outer fuselage and the intake and thrust tubes

[rifleman_btx]

Finally hit the ‘send it’ button…what are the odds you get to vacation out this way again?

I'm thinking very fair odds, as long as the price of fuel doesn't skyrocket again, I've got plans to head there.

[F22trainer]

Heck yeah even the stock fan wasn't bad, I just wanted alittle bit more. I'm not balls to the wall flyer all the time, but it's fun knowing you have it if you want it.

Finally hit the ‘send it’ button…what are the odds you get to vacation out this way again?

[F22trainer]

Which one did you get. Is it going in the Viper and the Viper going into this?

I had already ordered the 90 mm Viper fan and motor, solely for this (T-birds)
plane. I was thinking of using a Freewing 130 amp ESC w/ the 10 amp BEC and same sequencing unit from the T-33. I have a Spektrum AR8360 with AS3X I planned to program for this bird. Similar combo of upgrades I made to my T-33 and it has become a real joy for scale flight, but I put the AR631 in the T-33 and got excellent results. So it would hurt my pride to go with another 631 and save the 8360 for some other builds under way. (SopwithPup 1/4 scale)

[xviper]

Pretty much how I thought it through also! Fan unit and motor showed up today too!

Which one did you get. Is it going in the Viper and the Viper going into this?

[F22trainer]

That's actually quite generous. A replacement part would mean a fuselage and could take many weeks.

Pretty much how I thought it through also! Fan unit and motor showed up today too!

[xviper]

That's actually quite generous. A replacement part would mean a fuselage and could take many weeks.

[F22trainer]

Looks like it was done during packing at the factory. There's not even a hole in the cellophane. If they won't do anything about it, I suggest you use Spackle to slightly over-fill the hole, let dry thoroughly and sand it to match the surrounding terrain. Match the paint and blend it in.

They offered to either send a replacement part (from factory) or knock off $$$. So let’s just say they easily paid for the upgrades to the Viper motor and fan unit…

[xviper]

Looks like it was done during packing at the factory. There's not even a hole in the cellophane. If they won't do anything about it, I suggest you use Spackle to slightly over-fill the hole, let dry thoroughly and sand it to match the surrounding terrain. Match the paint and blend it in.

[F22trainer]

Looks like I be on the phone, Excited to see how big she was, and delivery was in a typical double box. No damage outside to the shipping box or product package. But alas’ my joy was short lived when I lifted the top tray.

[Enzo_K]

Howdy y’all,
You don’t know how much I appreciate the thorough set up and review. While not my first jet, I held off buying this one because of price and a full hangar. But a healthy bonus and the “limited availability “ notation made it imperative to green light this project. Delivery should be Wednesday and I’ll have your notes along for assembly, as I have a rare week off.
Nope, I didn’t abandon you guys just had to learn how to fly a desk and an airplane at the same time.

👍🤟

[Enzo_K]

Since my last post here (Feb/22), I did eventually get this plane directly from Flex Innovations. Sucked it up and paid the high shipping costs. I knew what I was getting from reading all the stuff on the forums, so when I got it, mods began right away. I knew from having a FlexJet that the powertrain was inadequate for me and the Aura 8 was getting pulled right away. In went the 90mm fan from the Eflite 90mm Viper and a reversing ESC. It flies with authority with HV battery and the reverse is great to get it stopped before nailing the grass at the end of the runway. Strangely enough, the small bombs on the wing interferes with the aileron's full movement. Next season, I'll be taking those off.

Glad to hear you have it up and running well. Hope you caught it during their sale event. If I didn't mention the clear exhaust pipe would get sucked in by using thrust reverse. Make sure you have it glued in place (at EDF joints and along the fuselage).

[xviper]

Since my last post here (Feb/22), I did eventually get this plane directly from Flex Innovations. Sucked it up and paid the high shipping costs. I knew what I was getting from reading all the stuff on the forums, so when I got it, mods began right away. I knew from having a FlexJet that the powertrain was inadequate for me and the Aura 8 was getting pulled right away. In went the 90mm fan from the Eflite 90mm Viper and a reversing ESC. It flies with authority with HV battery and the reverse is great to get it stopped before nailing the grass at the end of the runway. Strangely enough, the small bombs on the wing interferes with the aileron's full movement. Next season, I'll be taking those off.