BAC Lightning F6 64MM

[Husafreak]

Can't wait to hear how that goes...

[kallend]

Can't wait to hear how that goes...

Winter in Chicago - probably be a while before flying season starts

[Husafreak]

Build then!

[Wrongun]

I've heard talk of a clear canopy, Motion list one from a different model for some reason, has anyone knowledge of the listed canopy and offered it up to see if it could be fitted/chopped up to fit etc.

Looking at the Lightning canopy it is essentially hollow, there are good sized painted frames where the glass would be. I've been looking at various clear plastic food/drink containers. I think it would be a straight forward minor "modelling" job to let some clear plastic into the foam for most of them at least. I've got a 2nd Lightning en-route from Aliexpress so will have a go once Christmas/New Year is fully out of the way.

Did I see 3D rockets for it.

[Husafreak]

kallend has made 3D rocket prints I believe. Back in the thread somewhere. The canopy is very thin foam and the open space under it with no cockpit floor or pilot is useful. A clear canopy may be a big job. I think I will put clear paint over the foam and or change the color a bit to make it different than the silver fuselage.

[kallend]

Build then!

Is this enough activity for you?

https://www.thingiverse.com/kallend/designs

[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!

[kallend]

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

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

[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.

[Mark 2]

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

[tab28682]

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

[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.

[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]

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.

[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?

[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]

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]

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

No, and yes.

[Wingnutz]

No, and yes.

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

[Wingnutz]

Is anybody actually flying this model successfully WITH landing gear?