BAE Hawk 64mm EDF Jet 750mm EPO w/Fan, ESC, Servos & Retracts PNF

• Overall
• Quality
• Value

Construction of Hawk (PNF) with Retracts

Apr 19, 2017

The model is nicely presented with a set of visual instructions. It is carefully packaged with servos installed and very little to do in the way of readiness for flight. The assembly is fairly straight forward and involves attaching the tail, stabilisers, wings, push-rods, hinges, radio gear and a few other bits and pieces. However, there were a few niggles which had to be sorted during assembly.

The front retract linkage was incorrectly attached at the factory, so that the wheel would not retract into the fuselage. The solution involved the removal of the mechanism and the re-installation with the linkage correctly orientated.

The suspension springs on the three retract mechanisms were far too weak for the job. This caused the Hawk to sit at the bottom of the spring travel when the battery was in place, and as they are hinged this looked rather ridiculous. I replaced all three springs with stronger ones and now the suspension system is up to the job. If you do not replace the springs, I anticipate that damage will occur during anything other than the softest of landings because the suspension would have been completely ineffective.

The method of attaching the rear stabiliser leaves a lot to be desired and results in a gap between the fuselage and the inside edge of the stabiliser. The solution was to fill the gap with light weight filler and repaint. Looks much better now.

The battery bay needed some modification as the battery was inclined to rest on the rudder/front wheel steering servo horn causing it to bind and buzz.

I was a little concerned by some of the control surface linkages which are of a low quality plastic. I substituted ones of higher quality for my peace of mind.

The Fan and motor unit is excellent, well balanced, and on 4S battery produces a serious blast of air and a turbine-like sound drawing a shade under 50 amps while static.

With a little adjustment of battery location it was easy to achieve the C of G suggested in the instructions.

The rest of the assembly was smooth and there is ample room for the radio gear and battery under the cockpit.

The model looks excellent and fairly scale. The only thing left to do is fly when the weather is right and when I have installed two pilots. I will report later.

All in all, it is a nice model, but the Quality Control at the factory could do with improvement. If you are fairly competent at building then this should present few problems for you, but I do recommend the same modifications as I have done.

• Overall
• Quality
• Value

Fantastic

Feb 15, 2017

Fantastic looks and finish. Should fly in a couple of weeks. Will report flight later

• Overall
• Quality
• Value

Fantastic

Feb 15, 2017

Fantastic looks and finish. Shoul build withi a couple of weeks. Flight report right afterwards!

• Overall
• Quality
• Value

Fantastic

Feb 15, 2017

Fantastic looks and finish. Shall be flying in a couple of weeks. I'll post flight report later.

• Overall
• Quality
• Value

Fantastic

Feb 15, 2017

Fantastic looks and finish. Shall be flying in a couple of weeks. I'll post flight report later.