HSD F-16 105mm EDF Jet

[Aros]

I've seen this ridiculously cool F-16 on the market for the past couple years or so. I didn't have the funds for it and that's what kept me away. However, in recent months I was doing some clearing out of my hangar which afforded me this sweet 105mm EDF jet. So I took the plunge and although I have yet to maiden her I am glad I did.

The quality is self-evident. The jet goes together in mere minutes. Quality servos and the fit of the parts is pristine. Reminds me of Freewing quality just at a larger scale. And speaking of scale...WOW! I'm still trying to get over how BIG this girl is! I thought 90mm jets were big...This thing is almost as tall as I am and I am almost 6 feet (okay only in my dreams but whatever...lol)...

I just finished doing the detail paint work as I got the Arctic Aggressor livery and the white camo was a bit more light grey but other than that the jet came out of the box nearly perfect. From everything I have read, this jet is ridiculously user friendly. A lower wing load for it's size and acts like a *****cat in the air. Landings, again, from what I read, are easy peezy.

I'm going to get her all buttoned up in the next few days to get her ready for maiden. I hope to maiden within a week or so weather-permitting.

I'm nervous because I fly at a junior high school because of their long parking lot in the back, but I've never flown an EDF jet this size off of this parking lot, and with all the obstacles around, I am truly nervous. I am scouting other potential loooooong paved runways in my region but I don't have much to choose from where I live.

Anyone else with knowledge of this bird? I would love to hear your thoughts!

[RCjetdude]

A guy I fly with has one and he says it flies really good but he is down waiting for a replacement part to fix some problem with the nose gear. He makes it sound like a flaw with the gear which makes it harder to get the part because everyone is after it. Don't know if that is true or not. Sweet looking jet. I have always liked the Artic Aggressor scheme.

[Grossman56]

Oh Christ, just when I've pretty well wrapped up what I want to buy for airplanes, along comes this F-16 with the COOLEST looking livery ever, and danged if Aros didn't get one!!!
Just a little jealous!
Seriously, that is one sweet looking bird and I've always loved the F-16, keep us all informed when you maiden it.
I agree, find a BIG field with no obstacles, the last thing you need on a maiden is things that get in the way!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Grossman56 and wife

[Grossman56]

BTW, where did you find this gem??

Grossman56

[Westsider]

That thing screams "Hide or die!" to me - ( and you will likely do both anyway) bad to the bone!

[Peteflys1]

That is one nice looking jet. I did a search to see where I could by one. I presume you painted the Artic Camo? Looks awesome!
There is a guy in Vegas that has the Thunderbird scheme for a really good price, but won't ship. I'm thinking road trip, except I just spent all my hobby funds on Christmas! Dang it.
Let us know how the maiden goes!

[T-CAT]

Looks great Aros! We know how long and patient you waited for that jet. Ha-ha. Good luck on the maiden.

[T-CAT]

That is one nice looking jet. I did a search to see where I could by one. I presume you painted the Artic Camo? Looks awesome!
There is a guy in Vegas that has the Thunderbird scheme for a really good price, but won't ship. I'm thinking road trip, except I just spent all my hobby funds on Christmas! Dang it.
Let us know how the maiden goes!

The Artic Camo paint scheme is new on this HSD F-16, but several vendors will have them in the future. Several US vendors are DragonHobbyUSA, BananaHobby, and DymondUSA.

Other vendors oversees can drop ship them too like F-Hobby.

[Alpha]

I've had good experiences with Alex and Yanci at Dragon.

Aros and I were discussing how to bring this big bird down in his very confined flying area. Steep, slow, power on, and don't steer until all the speed has bled off! His approach area is very narrow. Hats off to him and guys who have to fly in areas like that.

[Aros]

Thanks guys, yeah she's a big girl...Always loved that livery. Going to get her maiden-ready tomorrow. Probably won't actually maiden until this next weekend at the earliest, weather permitting. Still trying to hold out slim hope for a long paved runway somewhere void of obstacles. Just afraid it doesn't exist around me. I got mine from T Hobbies, a chinese distributor. They are in high demand and most places are in back order.

[AkumaZeto]

There was one vendor saying if you can fly the 1400 FMS zero you will have no problem with this edf....I always shook my head at that statement. Looking forward to your flight report.

[global101]

Have one of these myself but my experience so far hasn't been all that great. Attempted to maiden her twice, however, the first take-off roll the plastic nose gear mounting plate that secures the electric retract tore off the form (not glued very well with what ever the rubber cement is). So things didn't look all that bad since it happened at the beginning of the take-off run so I decided to re-glue it using Hysol. Performed multiple gear swings and taxi runs and everything appeared to be go for flight. The second run was a perfect day smooth runway with a few bumps but this time I got her up to rotate speed when low and behold the dam gear ripped out again. The plane departed the runway and made a beautiful kart wheel when the nose hit the ground. After arriving at the crash scene I checked the gear to make sure it was locked which it was and then began to investigate what the hell happened. Well to my amazement everything that was not glued with the hysol was completely ripped out and now she's in overhaul nursing her wounds. Planning on fiber glassing the area this time as this appears to be the weak link just like my Yellow F-16.

[Aros]

Ugh, sorry to hear about that global101..Thank you for sharing your experience however as I will most definitely be strengthening up those areas before the maiden. Good luck to your next maiden attempt!

[Grossman56]

Hey, welcome to the forum Global101, so many great new members lately, glad to have you aboard!!

Grossman56

[Aros]

Hey, welcome to the forum Global101, so many great new members lately, glad to have you aboard!!

Grossman56

Agreed! Welcome!

[Aros]

After two flights I finally got her dialed in. global101 you had some excellent advice as I ran into the same issue with the gear but luckily my gear was intact, but after the second flight the mounting plates were loose. Just wanted to give you a shout out for that so thank you.

The first two flights were iffy from a CG that ended up being too far aft and flying her from a school that is no place for this jet. I found a new place which is a concert venue with a parking lot that is unobstructed 1800 feet!! I've never had the luxury of flying off of a runway that long in my life and it was complete heaven. No worry about takeoff roll or landing roll out length...CG is at 165MM and she flew on rails. Now that I have her dialed man I can't wait for the next flight. And that parking lot is only 12 miles from my house! Merry Christmas to me! LOL.

(Click on the arrow in the video below and then the YouTube logo for the full width display)

[Grossman56]

Great to hear Aros!
Nothing like an unobstructed long wide runway. Our field is pretty good for that, but the one in Cowley (which we finally gave up on because every time we'd level it, the idiots with the 4wd's would party on it and mess it up again) was football field size and nothing in the way for miles.
Now you're in Hog Heaven!!!

Happy New Year!

Grossman56

[Prowler901]

That's a good video. I love that perspective. It made those trees on the approach look reeeally close. :D

[Desertlakeflying]

You can get that with a K-60 turbine all you need to add is batteries and receiver for $3000.

[Aros]

That's a good video. I love that perspective. It made those trees on the approach look reeeally close. :D

Yeah tell me about it.