kiwikid
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 86
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Post by kiwikid on Dec 11, 2008 13:10:09 GMT 12
Hi all. Good grief, this one was a bit of a mission. Finally got my Scooter finished - a day late (well, several) and a dollar short (well, lots) and have clocked up two flights on her. This is the same model as lesterpk’s - a vid of his maiden flight is here: Mine has been built as a TA-4K from the mid 70’s. I think the TA-4Ks belonged to No.2 Squadron, but I liked the No.75 insignia so 6254 is on temporary detachment to No. 75 Squadron. I’m sure they would have wacked their emblem on there soon enough. Didn’t spend a lot of time on detailing as foamy EDF’s can have a limited life span, but it will do. It was probably a lot easier working in 1/12 scale than 1/72 like a lot of you guys have done. Many thanks to Mumbles who inspired me to do the RNZAF build with his excellent magazine article back in April and Calum for his A-4K model pics and superb A-4 Alley site. The model is hand launched and belly landed as the underwing stores and landing gear etc are just for static display. Top speed is around 150k and it has a great flight envelope as it can be slowed right down for landings. Some build pics are in a blog entry here: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=966521     I will organise some flying pics and a vid once I have a few more flights on her. This is my first EDF and I want to get a bit more comfortable with the flight envelope before showing off for the camera. EDIT: Video is now done. Link is recorded in the last post on this page. Kiwikid |
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Post by shorty on Dec 11, 2008 13:16:35 GMT 12
You will be pleased to know that it doesn't need to be attached to 2 Squadron. In the mid 70s all A-4s were with 75 Sqdn. (incl the T birds)
What power set up are you using and what AUW did you end up with?
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kiwikid
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 86
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Post by kiwikid on Dec 11, 2008 13:55:55 GMT 12
Thanks for that Shorty. I installed a HET 6914 Fan and HET 2W20 motor powered by 2X 2250mAh 4 cell 25C batteries with a 75 Amp ESC and separate 5 Amp BEC. Produces around 800 watts.
Flying weight is 1390 grams or around 49 oz. Some build pics are in the blog entry mentioned above.
Kiwikid
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Post by FlyNavy on Dec 11, 2008 15:14:49 GMT 12
Looks terrific and a lot of fun. Good Luck! Look forward to a video. ;D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 11, 2008 16:02:30 GMT 12
That looks really nice, well done!
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Post by phil on Dec 11, 2008 16:40:13 GMT 12
Not sure what you've got hanging on STNs 1 and 5 though?
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kiwikid
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 86
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Post by kiwikid on Dec 11, 2008 19:23:52 GMT 12
Haha, well spotted. They are not scale for the time period although the Scooters did carry similar smarties later on that I based these ones on. This is only a semi scale flying model (not for rivet counters) so I took a few liberties along the way ;D
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Post by FlyNavy on Dec 11, 2008 20:17:29 GMT 12
Well, I like the crew in their 'bathtub' - FlyWavy indeedy. ;D
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kiwikid
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 86
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Post by kiwikid on Dec 11, 2008 21:48:02 GMT 12
Yes, I would have liked to make the cockpit a bit more scale, but things are a bit busy down below  |
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Post by Naki on Dec 11, 2008 22:02:09 GMT 12
For a foamy that looks fantastic - electrics have come a long way on the RC scene
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Post by mumbles on Dec 11, 2008 22:42:23 GMT 12
Thanks for the compliment  , glad to be of service! Never been much into RC, but that looks coooooool  |
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Post by phil on Dec 12, 2008 6:44:21 GMT 12
{quote]This is only a semi scale flying model (not for rivet counters)[/quote]
It looks very good to me.
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Post by FlyNavy on Dec 12, 2008 8:18:02 GMT 12
Don't worry about my 'funny' comments. Just have fun and many happy landings!
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Post by flyjoe180 on Dec 13, 2008 11:18:32 GMT 12
Marvellous model! Any action pics? I'd be too scared to fly it!
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kiwikid
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 86
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Post by kiwikid on Mar 3, 2009 10:45:01 GMT 12
VIDEOThanks for the comments guys. I figured that the only way I was going to get to see an RNZAF A-4 fly again was to build one myself. First couple of flights were pretty freaky as it was like watching a 1980’s era airshow, but I had to focus on flying the jet as well. Got a bit side tracked with summer hols and what not , but finally got on task and made a vid of the A-4. My stills camera is not up to jet flight, so I will have to round up one of my flying buddies with a telephoto lens camera and get some flying shots. YouTube vid below or you can download this one direct to your comp: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showatt.php?attachmentid=2374647KiwiKid 
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Post by FlyNavy on Mar 3, 2009 11:05:47 GMT 12
kiwikid, that looks like a lot of fun - boring holes in the sky while the fuel bill is low. ;D How does the airframe survive the grass landing wheel-less? Without being a pain could you estimate the cost of your project please? Just an idea of cost is what I'm after. Tah.
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kiwikid
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 86
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Post by kiwikid on Mar 3, 2009 15:54:57 GMT 12
Yes, alot of fun FN. I was keeping it in pretty close for the camera in those shots, but let loose she really uses alot of sky. The bottom of the fuse is lightly fibreglassed (3/4 oz cloth sealed with water based polyurathane) which protects it from general wear and tear - see pic below, all the grey paint is over fibreglass. There is a link to a build blog in the first post of this thread. RC flight is pretty expensive and thats one thing you need to put out of your mind when flying. To set up the A-4 in a ready to fly state, you would not get much change out of NZ$1,000. The GWS (TA-4J) body is actually one of the cheaper items so if it gets smacked up or worn out you can just transfer the gear into a new body. The kit comes with a fan unit that is pretty ordinary and only rated to three cell batteries. You can either bin it, use it in something modest or on sell it. Net cost of airframe is then NZ$90. Off the top of my head set up costs would be: Air Frame 90 80 amp ESC & BEC 220 HET Motor 150 HET Fan 75 Servos (3) 135 Receiver 100 Paint 60 Batteries 4 cell (2) 200 So, yeah around NZ$1000 KiwiKid  |
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Post by FlyNavy on Mar 4, 2009 13:29:24 GMT 12
Thanks for the info. That is a great photo above with 'the Hand' under the TA4. ;D GOOD LUCK with all your fun flights - may all the landings leave no damage.
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, glad to be of service!
