BAC Lightning F6 64MM

[Wrongun]

Several pilots, myself included, have posted in a different forum about pitch behavior that suggests the elevator servo might not be up to the job at high speed.

Anyhow, I've just ordered the FSS39093 which is the 9g metal gear servo used on the (one per side) elevators of a bunch of larger models (70mm F-16, 70mm F-35, 80mm F-5, 70mm F-22, 80mm Gripen canards). It apparently has some 25% higher torque than the 39091 plastic servo that comes stock.

I have a bunch of Freewing 9g & 17g MG digital servos i've been considering, what's your oppinon on the smart servo?

Similar issue on the Freewing 1500mm DH Venom, 9g and I think plastic gear servo on the elevator, there were a number of reports of it being overwhelmed in a dive, or could be you've pushed it too much. I swapped that out for a 17g MG item and it looks and feels like a better choice along with ball connectors. Also added a 3mm x1mm strip of carbon fibre on the TE, different beast now

[kallend]

Admittedly I'm a geezer, but this plane is really fast, which combined with small size and its stock color means it's a challenge to keep it readily visible.

[Dayzemass]

OK you did it. Sorry.

[kallend]

Wow ,this thread has much useful information and tips, so thanks guys!

I have mine arriving this week, and with that some mods already planned.

I want to try the afterburners mod for one, and will swap out the motor for an inrunner as per John Kelland's advice.

I said that I did it. I don't think I advised it. In fact I advise against until you have flown it stock, it is already very fast for its size.

[Dayzemass]

Wow ,this thread has much useful information and tips, so thanks guys!

I have mine arriving this week, and with that some mods already planned.

I want to try the afterburners mod for one, and will swap out the motor for an inrunner as per John Kelland's advice.

I also want to change mine to represent the T5 variant , which is a 2 seat side by side affair, just think it looks so cool, so a bit of a kind of kit bash.

Absolutely looking forward to this arriving.

Thanks for all the great work guys :)

[kallend]

Several pilots, myself included, have posted in a different forum about pitch behavior that suggests the elevator servo might not be up to the job at high speed.

Anyhow, I've just ordered the FSS39093 which is the 9g metal gear servo used on the (one per side) elevators of a bunch of larger models (70mm F-16, 70mm F-35, 80mm F-5, 70mm F-22, 80mm Gripen canards). It apparently has some 25% higher torque than the 39091 plastic servo that comes stock.

[Wingnutz]

Is anybody actually flying this model successfully WITH landing gear?

[Wingnutz]

No, and yes.

I’ll be more careful how I word my questions in the future, but thank-you for both answers.

[kallend]

Thanks for all your suggestions John. Are you using landing gear and still able to balance without counterweight?

No, and yes.

[Wingnutz]

I put an inrunner EDF unit and "afterburmer" in mine, no CG problems.

Thanks for all your suggestions John. Are you using landing gear and still able to balance without counterweight?

[kallend]

I fitted the landing gear but made it removable,( its a few pages back) Tried various batteries from 1800 to 2200 4s pushed right back, always nose heavy. One of mine came with the Freewing gyro pre-installed I added a AR620 obviously made it worse, pulled the gyro and extra cables and swapped the AR620 for a AR630, yes still nose heavy. I tried a few weights at the back end and it needs approx 20g - 3/4oz

I put an inrunner EDF unit and "afterburmer" in mine, no CG problems.

[Wingnutz]

ESC Cooling Vents?
With a 2200 4S pushed all the way back (seems to be necessary if wheels mounted) there isn’t much space for air to get past the battery to cool the ESC. Anyone else concerned or have a solution?

[Wingnutz]

Thanks Wrongun. Guessing steering servo and nose wheel together require the counter weight. Regret I glued the nose wheel in before I found this thread, but good to know others are having the same experience with the nose wheel. Will add ballast (cringe!) and report maiden.

[Wrongun]

How did your friend make out balancing his model with wheels? I’ve mounted the wheels and with a 2200 4S pushed all the wayback, my Lightning is nose heavy.
Photo of my batterybay/cockpit area below.

I fitted the landing gear but made it removable,( its a few pages back) Tried various batteries from 1800 to 2200 4s pushed right back, always nose heavy. One of mine came with the Freewing gyro pre-installed I added a AR620 obviously made it worse, pulled the gyro and extra cables and swapped the AR620 for a AR630, yes still nose heavy. I tried a few weights at the back end and it needs approx 20g - 3/4oz

[Wingnutz]

Also the crashed plane has its wheels installed, we fly off pavement. I've flown that one and taxi takeoff and landing are a pleasure with the gear. It does slow it down and add a lot of drag inflight though. But with all that power it is still a good performer. I'll bet it would be fine on grass.

How did your friend make out balancing his model with wheels? I’ve mounted the wheels and with a 2200 4S pushed all the wayback, my Lightning is nose heavy.
Photo of my batterybay/cockpit area below.

[tab28682]

I see that Aros just started the Official 64mm BAC Lightning thread….

[Mark 2]

Nice work. Just shows what can be done with a little ingenuity and some modelling skills.

[Wrongun]

Decided to have a pop at a clear canopy mod. Very sharp knife, Ferrero Rocher 300g clear lid, ( other sickly sweet sweeties/candy are available) and a slightly blue green mineral water bottle.

Clear lid is about 1mm thick for front screen and top piece, thin bottle for sides.

So, cut right through the foam leaving a very small silver margin around the edge, then cut slightly outside this into the black frame area, about 1.5mm and to a depth of about 1.5mm to create a small rebate for the "glass". I did start to colour the cut edges with a black sharpie but it dried up so more work later. Use the removed piece and masking tape to create a template to stick to the plastic for cutting.

I've kept the masking tape for the necessary repaint, going to refinish the black areas in matt black before a coat of Polycrylic semi gloss. I may reinforce the areas around the windows with carbon fibre thread or very thin bar.

Plan is to glue in a cockpit floor 0.8mm - 1/64 ply and have ordered to pilot motion list with the plane.

[kallend]

I've added a few more bits and pieces for the Lightning to my Thingiverse collection:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7203817

[Husafreak]

Yeah man! I am always amazed at how some modelers can produce so much cool stuff. I'm on the fence about printers only because it would be another hobby! But if I had one I would be printing up A LOT of your designs, cheers!