StarMax F-16 90mm EDF

 

Grab a picture of your new setup if you get a chance.

Kaldek It's too bad your fan destroyed itself as it is actually quite good once balanced. My fan unit fit in the fuse with the cover but it has to be in the slight indentation to fit (i'm thinking it was about 1/4" behind the most forward position). Your photo shows the battery a little too far back for balance. My pack is centered on those 3 foam "formers" for good balance.  I did sand those wheel collars to fit the elevator attachment points prior to my first flights. Mine has a tendency to roll (left) during sharp pullouts. The servos are too weak. I don't trust the tiny plastic servo splines either. I can see the arm jumping a spline very easily and causing a crash. I'm going to replace my servos with metal gear type before the next flight. That HK pointy type fan is OK but is lacking in power on 6S. At least 10% less static thrust and noticably less speed in flight. The shroud is very good though and I'm using it with the original fan. My original fan blades became shortened when I bench tested it in the original shroud (unsupported around the circumferance). The original shroud is too thin and flexes to weird shapes rubbing the blades down prematurely.  The original shroud is also brittle and will crack around the motor supports eventually letting the motor move and destroying the fan. Don't use it.

I'm using the thrust vectoring. They work OK (not nearly as good as the SU34). They help with take off rotation and do nice stall turns. You just have to reinforce the plastic dowel ends with brass or aluminum tubing before you screw in the wheel collar controls.

The TREX batteries will work if they are a GOOD 25C rating. You will sacrifice some power though (around 10% or so).

You must also reinforce any part that may come in contact with the ground or the foam will tear away. Assume your nose gear will collapse (because it will) and or one main gear. The nose is the most fragile so I added a crescent shaped clear lexan skid just under the nose. Its a couple inches long glued into a slot starting at the very tip. It sticks down about 3/8" but is invisible. It has saved me many times. Otherwise the pointy nose will dig right in and break off if you hit the grass. I spread some 5 minute epoxy on the underside of the intake scoop with very good results. The wing tips can also be protected this way or use plasic or fiberglass sheet like I have. It takes less time to protect it now rather than ugly repairs later. Speaking of repairs, it glues nicely with 5 minute epoxy (from the dollar store)! Any cracks filled with DAP fast'n'final lightweight filler will disappear once you touch up with paint. Craft stores have your colors in acrylic in bottles. It brushes on and dries fast. Don't forget to replace the landing gear servo arms (they will twist in one or two flights). Mine came from corona 929mg servos but others may fit. 

P.S. If anyone has a canopy left over (from a bad crash)  I need one and will buy it from you! I did a low inverted pass and it vaporized! The rest of my plane is repaired and is still flying. I ordered a yellow aircraft F16 canopy but it is slightly too large. I'll make it fit if I can't get a starmax canopy. It's a shame HK doesn't have any parts (or customer service).

Enjoy Eric

ericklepsch@bell.net

 

and good plan Kaldek, good to see someone supporting the local blokes when its specialist gear.

 

thanks