BAC Lightning F6 64MM

[Dayzemass]

Admittedly my eyes are > 80 years old, but I find this Lightning with the upgraded fan unit gets really small very fast. I clocked just over 100mph with the missiles off, and just under with the Firestreaks on.

Don't take your eyes off it.

I did get it flying, 4 x flights now and using fixed gear, did 1 LOS flight and it's fast but seemed lacking, then made 3 x FPV flights and hadn't noticed in my OSD the throttle setting doesn't exceed 97...
Did some research and it would appear my TX16S can't calibrate my throttle via the onboard flight controller above 97. So increased the end points and seems to have fixed it, so next time, will be full power, I guess in comparison to lighting the burners 😆. It was however moving at a quick rate on the reduced power settings so am hoping she's going to really move now.

I bought a second Lightning but just modifying the canopy for strictly LOS flying.
I did test fly first , and being lighter , she really moves, the vertical is very impressive, and yes had to concentrate hard keeping it in sight, but it's a great flyer, need just a little more aileron expo, but otherwise very happy with it.

Here's a few photos from the FPV sorties and my new model canopy mods .

Am using 4S EVE 30PL Li-ion cells for this. After a 4 minute flight, 72% remains in the pack, amazing cells, extremely low IR. ( One of my 5 packs pictured ) They're good for 60 amps constant discharge too.

My FPV model weighs 175 grams over the stock version detected no nasty flying habits all all.

[kallend]

Admittedly my eyes are > 80 years old, but I find this Lightning with the upgraded fan unit gets really small very fast. I clocked just over 100mph with the missiles off, and just under with the Firestreaks on.

Don't take your eyes off it.

[Dayzemass]

I used firestreaks on mine, many thanks!

I've swapped the motor and ESC in mine, 3100kv/ 50 amp Admiral ESC.

I also managed to fit a 4S 21700 Li-ion Eve 40PL pack into the battery bay. The power from the fan is incredible!

Wasn't going to use Li-ions due to them making the model nose heavy, but since the motor upgrade, balances out great, so I've built a 4S pack. (4000 mah )

The T5 is RTF now, only need to install a 5v BEC as I'm running 6 servos.

I'm hoping the thing will be almost ballistic in flight, yes it's heavier , but given there's so much thrust I don't envisage any problems.

FPV system is spot on and working, the view from the left seat is epic.

Hopefully fly soon.

[kallend]

Be aware that if using my missile designs there are now two options for the Firestreak and RedTop. One is permanently glued in place, the other has tabs for insertion in a socket (also included) so the missiles are easily removable/interchangeable.

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

[Dayzemass]

Auto correct spelt leader, I mean lead. Should proof read before I post! 😆

[Dayzemass]

Looks fantastic and a different idea with the two seat conversion. I moved the lead from under the lower exhaust ring, I thought I would need more because of the move forward but a reshuffle in the battery compartment seems to have resolved it.

Can't push my 2200 4S battery further back, but is balancing OK with the leader I've added, plus with the FPV gear in the area behind the canopy has moved the CG forward.
I'm prepping 2 x 3D printed Firestreaks my friend created on his Bambu printer.
He's used light PLA , just a few grams, hoping it's not going to upset the CG again.

Really looking forward to this one both FPV and LOS. The bright scale scheme should help a little with LOS...So the theory goes lol.

[Wrongun]

Managed to survive a couple of nose heavy flights and a couple of more balanced (gear installed and 21g on tail) flights before my little silver bird got so far away, I lost orientation and you all know the rest. I like the model, so recently bought a second one and hope to remember to keep it closer. My first one flew off of a geotex runway in Florida, but now I’m home the model will be flying with gear, off of grass. I’m not expecting problems as I have a competing brand 64mm fixed gear edf which flys happily off of our bumpy grass field, but wondering if anyone else has experience doing this.
I really enjoy the landings and take-offs so not anxious to hand launch.

My Lippisch with gear on takes off from cut grass without issue. My eyes could be better so tend to keep it close in like UMX models

[Wrongun]

I've almost finished painting my conversion. I to added lead into the leading edges of the tailplanes, to balance, also added assume lead into the lower exhaust ring, and a little under the plastic elevator servo bay. Balances perfectly with the FPV gear and cockpit detail up front.

Anyway, hoping to fly soon. I too have yet to change out the elevator servo, that's next.

Also had a bit of fun with AI 😆

Looks fantastic and a different idea with the two seat conversion. I moved the lead from under the lower exhaust ring, I thought I would need more because of the move forward but a reshuffle in the battery compartment seems to have resolved it.

[Wrongun]

I've almost finished painting my conversion. I to added lead into the leading edges of the tailplanes, to balance, also added assume lead into the lower exhaust ring, and a little under the plastic elevator servo bay. Balances perfectly with the FPV gear and cockpit detail up front.

Anyway, hoping to fly soon. I too have yet to change out the elevator servo, that's next.

Also had a bit of fun with AI 😆

Looks fantastic and a different idea with the two seat conversion. I moved the lead from under the lower exhaust ring, I thought I would need more because of the move forward but a reshuffle in the battery compartment seems to have resolved it.

[Dayzemass]

I've almost finished painting my conversion. I to added lead into the leading edges of the tailplanes, to balance, also added assume lead into the lower exhaust ring, and a little under the plastic elevator servo bay. Balances perfectly with the FPV gear and cockpit detail up front.

Anyway, hoping to fly soon. I too have yet to change out the elevator servo, that's next.

Also had a bit of fun with AI 😆

[Wrongun]

Following the clear canopy and pilot mod and creating interchangeable gear/no gear mods I found i needed 20+g of weight at the rear. Reading a few more posts I moved the two 10g weights to the elevator in front of the pivots, makes a significant difference to the control, next up is the MG 9g servo for the elevator thats been sitting there on the bench for some weeks.

[Dayzemass]

Love to hear that, as a Lightning should. Awesome! That's my next stage on the model list. I'd love to see some video should you get any .

[kallend]

Flew mine today with the metal gear elevator servo, and it seems to be more "solid" in pitch. It has an inrunner fan and upgraded ESC - accelerates going straight up (just like the real thing). Still getting 4+ minute flights.

[Dayzemass]

The elevator issues might be exacerbated by the tail planes not being statically balanced, so I intend to install small lead weights into the roots forward of the pivot, possible aerodynamic excess loads upsetting the servo.

I'm still converting mine to T5 status, and made a seat yesterday.
Still much left to do, but don't mind the wait..

[Dayzemass]

The elevator issues might be exacerbated by the tail planes not being statically balanced, so I intend to install small lead weights into the roots forward of the pivot, possible aerodynamic excess loads upsetting the servo.

I'm still converting mine to T5 status, and made a seat yesterday.
Still much left to do, but don't mind the wait..

[Wingnutz]

Managed to survive a couple of nose heavy flights and a couple of more balanced (gear installed and 21g on tail) flights before my little silver bird got so far away, I lost orientation and you all know the rest. I like the model, so recently bought a second one and hope to remember to keep it closer. My first one flew off of a geotex runway in Florida, but now I’m home the model will be flying with gear, off of grass. I’m not expecting problems as I have a competing brand 64mm fixed gear edf which flys happily off of our bumpy grass field, but wondering if anyone else has experience doing this.
I really enjoy the landings and take-offs so not anxious to hand launch.

[Dayzemass]

Sorry guys. My initial upload failed to post it said, tried a few times so cancelled and tried again.

Sadly it won't let me delete these extra posts, which all had apparently failed, turns out they didn't.

Apologies

[Dayzemass]

I'm just going to install a 9g MG servo in mine, will obviously be better than the supplied, I have an Emax going spare.
Mine arrived, 9 days from AliExpress. It's a PNP, no landing gear or gyro which suits me.

2 pix of mine, nothing glue yet, have some mods to make first.

The photo below my scratchbuilt 50mm version , the new fuselage is around 4" or so longer.

[Dayzemass]

I'm just going to install a 9g MG servo in mine, will obviously be better than the supplied, I have an Emax going spare.
Mine arrived, 9 days from AliExpress. It's a PNP, no landing gear or gyro which suits me.

2 pix of mine, nothing glue yet, have some mods to make first.

The photo below my scratchbuilt 50mm version , the new fuselage is around 4" or so longer.

[Dayzemass]

I'm just going to install a 9g MG servo in mine, will obviously be better than the supplied, I have an Emax going spare.
Mine arrived, 9 days from AliExpress. It's a PNP, no landing gear or gyro which suits me.

2 pix of mine, nothing glue yet, have some mods to make first.

The photo below my scratchbuilt 50mm version , the new fuselage is around 4" or so longer.