54" F4D-1 Skyray

[Kloverzero]

Hello again my peeps!!

Drawings are complete, and construction has begun in earnest. The model is going to be powered by a 90mm inrunner, on 6S 5000 mAh with a Castle Creations Talon 120A ESC.

Built up ribs construction for the fuse, the ducting will be achieved with poster board, lightly brushed with fiberglass resin for waterproofing and durability. Wings will feature a radial spar design. The landing gear are rotating, so I think I am going to use the new A-4 Skyhawk landing gear in it. I am toying with the idea to make the wings removable, but I have not gotten that far in yet, so I will wait to see the viability of this option when I get there. The span is only 43", so it will not be totally cumbersome. The tall tail (which I have decided to go rudderless) will present more transportation problems than the wings I think.

Anyway, here are the start of construction photos, I hope you guys enjoy the build!!

[TiredIronGRB]

You are a wild man Mike!

[AZFlyer]

Awesome! Eager to see the finished product.

[Corsair nut]

Subscribed!!! Loooove it man! And perfect size to boot!!!

Brent

[bradl4648]

Looking like a fuse can not wait to see more.

[Alpha]

WANT!

[Corsair nut]

WANT!

I told ya a long time ago....freewing 80mm...cmon! :p ill settle for 90mm though....lolol

[Kloverzero]

I told ya a long time ago....freewing 80mm...cmon! :p ill settle for 90mm though....lolol

That's pretty funny. My original intent was 80mm in this one, but once I got the drawings finished, and was looking at it, I thought an 80 might not have as much a$$ as I was hoping for. Now that construction has started, and I am seeing exactly what it will be, I think I might should have stuck with the 80. I think the 90 is gonna put this thing into orbit. I already have all of ducting sized for the 90 though, so no turning back now!! To the moon Alice!!!

[Corsair nut]

90 will be awesome. If it has the inlet area, why not :) my 28" wingspan depron version was 70mm amd it flew saweet. It is a skyray afterall..performance should be pretty spirited :) they set some records thats for sure. Such a cool subject.

[Kloverzero]

I have already determined that I am going to need a cheater due to the small inlets, but that is okay. Rather have the air and not need it, than need it and not have it!!! The way that I have the ducting worked out, I think I am going to add two louvers, one aft of each inlet, and I am thinking I may put one just forward of the fan as well. I don't want to compromise the duct too much though. I will have to do some wattage and thrust tests once everything has come together.

[dkalwishky]

I think I might should have stuck with the 80. I think the 90 is gonna put this thing into orbit. I already have all of ducting sized for the 90 though, so no turning back now!! To the moon Alice!!!

Remember the throttle is not boolean (off or on); you can fly at something less than full. Ha ha, just yanking your chain. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed plane and a flight video. This is very cool!

[Kloverzero]

Remember the throttle is not boolean (off or on); you can fly at something less than full. Ha ha, just yanking your chain. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed plane and a flight video. This is very cool!

I do not use the throttle stick for throttle, I assign the throttle channel to a two way switch;)

[Kloverzero]

Last nights progress...

[Kloverzero]

Progress from last night. I finally got her off the board!! Wow, super light and super strong!! She is straight as an arrow and very rigid. Tonight, I will get the upper ducting in and the fan mounts, get the top sheeting filled and sanded, and start working on drawing the bottom formers. I also went ahead last night and made the templates for the tail and the wing, so maybe I can get a few snapshots of what the whole picture will look like!!

[Boots Whirlygig]

This is really cool! Same materials as the Bronco, half inch blue with 3/16 sheathing and epoxy? Brilliant! I might build one as a belly lander, and power it with a 80mm 6 blade on 4s. Probably make a great edf trainer.

[Kloverzero]

This is really cool! Same materials as the Bronco, half inch blue with 3/16 sheathing and epoxy? Brilliant! I might build one as a belly lander, and power it with a 80mm 6 blade on 4s. Probably make a great edf trainer.

Yup, same material as the Bronco!! After getting it off the bench last night, I am seriously thinking about shrinking the fan mount section and putting the 80mm fan in it. The top of the fuse doesn't even weigh 6 oz, I think the empty weight for this one is going to come in about 24 oz or so. That will put it all up minus the battery at about 4 lbs. There will be three servos (No rudder or flaps. Nose wheel steering and elevons), three retracts, receiver, ESC and fan. I am afraid that 90mm inrunner will tear it to pieces, because you know, if I have the power, I am going to use it!! I am taking a short stay home vacation, so today is my last day at work until Wednesday, so maybe, I can have it pretty close to finished by then, and get a maiden next weekend!!

Here she is with the posterboard wing and tail templates!!

[Boots Whirlygig]

You may have to Fiberglas this one! Reminds me of an funny story I read on the squawk....
LOL

[Kloverzero]

You may have to Fiberglas this one! Reminds me of an funny story I read on the squawk....
LOL

You are not amusing...:Crying::Crying::Crying:LOLLOL

[OV10]

You may have to Fiberglas this one! Reminds me of an funny story I read on the squawk....
LOL

I missed that one Boots.........how about a refresher for us memory challenged Squawkers :P

[Kloverzero]

I missed that one Boots.........how about a refresher for us memory challenged Squawkers :P

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-airplanes/the-hangar/55047-the-sig-king-kobra-batplane

He is just making fun of me and my 18 pound King Kobra....