Fly Fly Hobbies F-22 Raptor

[Aros]

I traded one of my planes today for a Fly Fly Hobbies F-22 Raptor. Never been flown, still needs to be put together. Nowhere near a high end model but with some TLC and the right mods, it has potential. Decent size (looks like a 90mm class), foam is that old school beer cooler EPS. Super lightweight, but super vulnerable. Came with old school EDF (5 blade with a 7 blade spare) so I will be installing an updated, decent 12-blade power setup. I may be able to make it a hand tosser...Even with the power system and battery it probably won't be too heavy to toss...Can't stand static gear on a jet and I doubt I will go to the trouble of finding the right retract system for it.

The foam is super porous...You can see little holes here and there...Just the nature of this type of foam. I was thinking about sealing it somehow so the finish after priming and painting would look smooth (as well as toughen up the foam a bit in the process).

Anyone have any good ideas for sealing? Thinking like something with the consistency and coverage of light spackle but obviously not that for the entire airframe...Would love any ideas...

[tezact]

Hi Aros, Any sort of spackle type filler with plenty of water and worked in with an old shaving brush. You'll have to wipe down when semi dry or sand it. If it is the same FlyFly mob that do a Mirage, Sabre and Hawker Hunter you will be well pleased with the airframe. As you say put a good 900mm combo in it and you'll be happy. Both Mirage and Sabre 90mm handlaunch easily and fly very well. Check my YouTube search under Tezact and you will see that they are good airframes

[F106DeltaDart]

Aros, this process might work: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...bird-realistic. I've been considering trying it out on my next model from how his models turned out. As for the F-22, looks good! Only thing I didn't like about it was the oversized wing. Maybe if you're keeping it light as a hand tosser it could be cut to scale size though..

[bill34207]

I have one of those still sitting in the box myself. From what I gathered in the RC Groups thread it's probably the only Fly Fly model that doesn't fly well. https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...ly-F-22-Raptor
I think it would greatly benefit from having a gyro installed.

[Aros]

Thanks tezact for the info, I will look into that and check out your videos!

Dang F106, that process could be precisely the ticket! I know what you mean about the wings...Eesh. Should be easy enough to trim down...

bill34207 I was just going to post about how I came across the build thread on RCG earlier today and was less than thrilled. Seems like this bird is their lemon model. No wonder the guy was practically giving it away, lol... However, with the proper mods and careful research, I think this pig just might fly. And if it would rather eat mud? Then she will make a nice hanging model or a gift to a neighborhood boy at our next annual garage sale.

LOL

[Pogo]

H i Aros! I too have one hanging in the shop, untouched as yet- got it from Jepejets several years ago: http://www.jepejets.com/jepeshop/91-...m-version-jets He used to offer a bunch of modified foam air frames (FlyFly F-86, 22, Starmax A-10, Haoye F-18 among others) but unfortunately it looks like he's curtailed his business. Anyway, if you do some reading and copy his wing mods, CG etc. it should fly well (least I hope so :)) Some links:

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1895481-JePe-F22-maiden

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1342405-F22-Raptor-Jepe-Fast-Foam

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=2375 (scroll down a bit)

http://www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=33675

As regards finishing the foam, if you want a durable airframe glass cloth applied with epoxy resin or WBPU is for sure the answer but very labor intensive (unless you actually LIKE sanding). I've done several (with epoxy) and though a lot of work the end result is nice.
I just know, though, that if I commit to doing this bird FW will announce a gorgeous superscale version half way into it, and then what?!:Silly:
Tom

[bill34207]

I'm plugged in and listening on this one. Maybe it will give me some motivation to drag mine out while waiting for the A-10. :a10
Of course the ultimate solution would be for Motion to put a bug in Freewing's ear that we REALLY need a nice single 90 (or twin 80) mm F-22 :Cool:

[CT]

Short of glassing, I am using Oracal 651 to skin all surfaces. It is durable vinyl 2mil thick which stretches and conforms to complex curves (with heat). I especially use it for my flyflys which add super rigitity to fuses and wings, all the more important since the Mirage and Sabre do not have spars. The beauty of the vinyl is the surface will always look shiny new and handles abrasion with no problem. Even with my oldest vinyl job on a F-18 still looks brand spankin new

[Aros]

H i Aros! I too have one hanging in the shop, untouched as yet- got it from Jepejets several years ago: http://www.jepejets.com/jepeshop/91-...m-version-jets He used to offer a bunch of modified foam air frames (FlyFly F-86, 22, Starmax A-10, Haoye F-18 among others) but unfortunately it looks like he's curtailed his business. Anyway, if you do some reading and copy his wing mods, CG etc. it should fly well (least I hope so :)) Some links:

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1895481-JePe-F22-maiden

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1342405-F22-Raptor-Jepe-Fast-Foam

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=2375 (scroll down a bit)

http://www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=33675

As regards finishing the foam, if you want a durable airframe glass cloth applied with epoxy resin or WBPU is for sure the answer but very labor intensive (unless you actually LIKE sanding). I've done several (with epoxy) and though a lot of work the end result is nice.
Tom

Thanks for the links Tom! A huge help! I brought it over today to my buddy's hangar to sniff around and we tested the stock power plant on 3S, 4S, 5S and 6S. Defintely did NOT like the 6S! The sweet spot turned out to be the 5S. Around 45-50 amps peak which is well under the 65 amp stock ESC, watts around 740. So 190 watts per pound or so...Not bad? Still very skeptical though after reading through a lot of the RCG thread...Eeek. But hell, we are always up to a challenge, lol.

I just know, though, that if I commit to doing this bird FW will announce a gorgeous superscale version half way into it, and then what?!:Silly:

Tell me about it!! LOL

[Aros]

Can anyone who has this bird together please take a photo of the elevator servo connection (pushrods, horns)? I think I have pieces missing and I cannot figure out how to set up the linkage system...Much thanks in advance!

[Pogo]

Here are photos from Jepe's instruction PDF, I think he's using the stock pieces (other than the clevices) and has just relocated the servos forward- hope it helps.
Tom

[Aros]

Thanks Pogo...My buddy figured it out for me. We epoxied horns right on the hinge points with the servo arms parallel and from there simply added two short pushrods and she's good to go.

Now I just have to figure out what the best CG is. I hear the manufacturer's CG is way too nose heavy. Taxi'd her out front of my house. Lord she's LOUD. Like a vacuum cleaner mic'd up to a P.A. system!

LOL

Should be an interesting maiden to say the least.

[Pogo]

Good luck!!

[Aros]

Thanks I'm gonna need it! LOL

[Pogo]

Just checked and FWIW the Jepe F-22 (with modified wing shape mind you) has a recommended CG of 69 cm. from the tip of the nose- how does this compare with what you're going with?
Tom

[Pogo]

Here's a pic of the modified wing- I'm no aerodynamics expert (can't even spell it lol) but with that LE material removed maybe the center of lift has moved back a bit (?)
He also recommends 3mm of up aileron (washout) and a fair amount of elevator up-trim.
Tom

[Aros]

Thanks! I haven't measured my CG yet...I will measure 69CM from the nose tip to see how far off I am. I am not going to modify the wing for the maiden....I do have significant up trim for the elevators....Thanks again for the help Pogo!

[Aros]

Well I maidened her today. Flew like a gorilla strapped to a brick. Hilarious. Had to fly at WOT the entire time just to keep her airborne. Total dog. Flew on the bone stock setup on a 5S. Sounds like 10 cows in heat. I am going to put her on Craig's List as-is for 40 bucks or something. Not worth investing time and money in her to be honest. Man, I wish I didn't trade my E-flite Timber for this hunkajunk. Worst RC trade ever. I sure hope Freewing makes a nice scale 90mm.

[Pogo]

You weren't expecting anything much different, were you? ;)
Tom

[Aros]

No Tom. Not one bit. LOL