Did LX Su-47 gator?
It was all black.
It was all black.
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Well, there's the solution!
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At least if they do a SR-71, F-117, and/or B-2 in black painted EPS foam, I could strip the paint and fiberglass it for rigidity and durability (and EPS is lighter than EPO, so hopefully the end product won’t be overly heavy). Ha-ha. Then again, if it’s EPS, I’d like to be provided with an unpainted jet, since there wouldn’t be any paint to remove prior to fiberglassing. Glassing EPO foam is generally terrible, so EPS would be a potential solution to produce a black painted aircraft, but EPS obviously has it downsides too. If Freewing can make EPS work with an aircraft as large and heavy as the SR-71 would be (assuming 80-90mm EDF’s), then I’d be intrigued to see it and potentially own it. If I remember correctly, I thought Motion RC said that Freewing will produce only future new jet releases in EPO foam due to EPS foam increasing in cost (I could be wrong and maybe it was a different reason like EPS availability). However, who knows, things are always evolving with supply, demand, cost, shipping, etc., and what was once said could no longer apply now or in the future. On the other hand, the following below is what I believe could be an option that may be taken as an alternative.
What could be a viable option is to use Balsa (although there is a current shortage of it, so that puts a damper on it already) for something like the stealth RC aircraft such as the SR-71, F-117, and B-2. The reasoning includes, but not limited to, it not requiring the same process needed as the foam mold, the ability to produce much sharper trailing edges than foam could/would and sharp angles that need to look correct and scale on stealth aircraft (nothing looks worse than thick trailing edges on a stealth aircraft, ha-ha), and the ability to either cover the balsa in vinyl covering (which also has the benefit of printing scale details on it, such as rivets, etc.) or allows the user to fiberglass it rather successfully (like EPS foam does as well). Motion now has partnerships with brands that manufacture Balsa aircraft, so it’s possible these types of stealth aircraft will be introduced as balsa jets and not a Freewing product. Motion could very well help their Balsa partners develop these stealth aircraft. Certain aircraft (like the stealth aircraft I listed above) may be worth creating in balsa instead of foam to nail the look properly and make the endeavor worth while, and I do think Motion RC would want to nail the look on each one of those.Comment
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Some of the Black Horse models are being updated with CF replacing some of the wood components. Stealth EDFs could be made with light ply/CF framing skinned with molded composite material with sufficient detail.
With a dark colored sheeting/coating applied, keeping the adhesive from loosing the bond to the framing, might be a challenge in the sun or high heat.Comment
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I don’t think Freewing is ever going to make balsa models. I’m not a factory expert but they would have to get all different equipment to take a risk on a F-117, B-2 or SR-71? I would LOVE it if it happened but I want them to stay in business. Some foam F-117’s and even the LX version of the B-2 has been available and I’ve never seen one at the field. Somewhere I thought I heard Alpha mention that just trying to get a new foam plane to market is upwards of $100k. Who knows what a balsa one would run. That’s a lot of F-117’s to sell.
I was thinking about this a lot today as Horizon announced 2 more in my opinion totally boring planes today, the RV-4 and the PNP 60” Ugly Stick. Just looking at the airplanes that Great Planes or Tower Hobbies sells is depressing. (The Uproar? C’mon. It looks like a child designed it) Whatever Motion does, I hope it brings profit in and keeps them in business. They have about the widest array of scale foam birds, and I hope they keep adding to it. 5-10 years ago I wasn’t a fan of foamies, except for small planes. Now, I love them. Life is too busy for me, for balsa anymore. Balsa and wood is amazing, don’t get me wrong. Foam is just SO easy now, and if I ding a wing, I can fix it quick or more likely buy a new one. I’m pretty convinced that with everything Motions done with airplanes, that they can figure out an SR-71 that doesn’t gator, or decent stealth type planes with good lines, or...... that damn twin 70mm, 80mm or even 90mm B1-B that I would give up the rest of my planes for. They’ll figure it out.
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I think it was 100K in tooling to make just a few elements of a new plane, with several tools being needed for a complete foam model. Huge commitment.
As for balsa/composites - different materials, different processes, different plant and equipment, different supply chains, different skillsets...
No way would a manufacturer be diversifying in that way in the current environment. Just look how hard a time the companies who play in that space are having getting their products in customers hands.Comment
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i want a T2 but its not coming iam sure but i can always hopeComment
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As for making extensive parts of a model with CF... you really don't want to do that unless really necessary. CF wreaks havoc with radio signals, and we have enough 'brownouts' as it is with foam models, ROFL.
For stressed skin, GF is probably a better solution. CF is cool and all, and can be used but it takes extra know-how and precautions taken on the side of the user.Comment
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I do think a 90mm 105 would be pretty coolComment
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Well what a disappointment
Waited ages for a new EDF and we got the Vulcan
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First, I have a Vulcan and it's a very nice plane for what it is, a 70mm sport jet. What kind of plane are you hoping for?Comment
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Sorry I was asking Tigerman, I know what you want John.
He's in the UK or EU, complains about the Motion EU store, I feel sorry for them as they seem to not get the planes nearly as timely as we do.Comment
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Here in Europe we are totally forgotten. The Mig 29 has now been out of stock here in Europe for a year now. Most spare parts are out of stock. I get most if my Feewing parts now from R C Castles in Hong Kong
I have given up on MRC Europe now. Just debating to order the Mig 29 from RC Castle they have it in stock
Regards what jet. I surpose it down to what people want. I personally like military jets but I know that is not everyone's cup of tea. So maybe I was a little bit unfair there. Be interesting to know how well the zVulcan sells but I bet it would of sold a lot more if it had been a VULCANComment
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Do you have a 3D printer and an intermediate level of kit building experience?
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Man, I would be all over one of those and even preorder one, somethiing about a Buckeye that I just really like, but were dreaming that I know, but nooo, we get a Vulcan.....
Do you have a 3D printer and an intermediate level of kit building experience?
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