TamJets 90mm EDF F-16 (1/12 scale) Page 1

ERJets EDF Jets Turbine Jets Propeller Planes Video Gallery Photo  Albums Jet Scheme DF Rules/FAQ Tips-Glassing  Favorite Links Contact

Building pictures (Page 1)

Click here for page 2 & page 3 

Thunderbird F-16 history

Early in 1983, the Thunderbirds reinstituted their traditional role of demonstrating the AirForce's frontline fighter capabilities. Transitioning to the F-16A Fighting Falcon allowed the team to demonstrate the very latest in fighter technology. In 1987, the Thunderbirds became the first U.S.demonstration squadron to perform in a communist country, as the team visited China. In 1991, theteam traveled to Europe for the first time since 1984. During the 30-day tour, 11 air demonstration swere performed in eight countries, including first-time visits to Switzerland, Poland, and Hungary.

In 1992, the Thunderbirds transitioned to the F-16C for their aerial demonstrations. The squadron was the last active-duty unit to convert to the upgraded model. The conversion took place simply because the team represents the rest of the Air Force and every frontline F-16 squadron employs the F-16C. The switch also made sense for logistical and combat-conversion reasons. In its rookie season, the Thunderbirds took their F-16Cs on a 17-day tour of Latin American countries. All totalled, 75 air demonstrations were performed before an estimated 6.6 million people in 1992.

The 40th anniversary air demonstration season was abruptly cut short after a pilot injury. The commander /leader was unable to fly the final 14 scheduled air demonstrations due to a lower back injury. The lead jet position serves as the platform for all the maneuvers performed during an air demonstration and as leader, his style of everything -- from making the majority of radio calls to his steady inputs of airmanship -- is critical to the success of every performance. The squadron still traveled to those canceled airshow sites and delivered poise, professionalism, and public relations inother forms, to include static displays, media orientation flights, autograph signings, and visits to local schools and hospitals. One of the highlights of the season was the 800th air demonstration flown inthe F- 16. More than 8 million people saw the Thunderbirds in 1993.

The 1994 demonstration season proudly ushered in the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron's fifth decade. The Thunderbirds flew 67 air demonstrations in front of more than 6 million people, surpassing the 275 million mark for attendance. Traveling to the Far East in August, the squadron's 26-day "Thunder Over the Pacific" tour showed 1.3 million spectators in Alaska, Japan,Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Guam, and Hawaii the capabilities of American airpower.

 

1:12 Scale composite EDF F-16 from Tamjets

Tamjets is well known for its track record of producing high end durable turbine jet kits and ARFs. With almost a decade of experience producing composite jet aircraft, Tamjets is now expanding its product line to the electric jet market (EDF). Leveraging this experience, we are now able to produce scale aircraft that are high perfomance, light weight and strong all at an affordable price. We have invested over one year in engineering strength and efficiency for maximum perfomance capable of top speeds eclipsing 150MPH.


Specification


Lenght: 54"
Wingspan: 42"
Weight: 8 to 8.75 lbs

Set up

Fan Size: 90mm
Motor:
NueMotor 1515 1.5Y, 1515 3D and 1515 2Y
ESC: CastleCreations HV85
Lipo:
8s to 10s 3700mAh and 12s set up only use with 1515 2Y motor
Radio: 5 channel, 4 servo
Retract: Tamjets mini retract
Optional:
3 air cylinders for gear doors, door air valve and doors mounting hardware
Optional: Painted light weight cockpit

 

6711Visitor Counter (From Nov 07)

 

All parts are well protected.

Trail fitted and all parts seem to fit perfectly.

Factory painted which really saved me lots of time sanding and spraying. Now I can have more time to concentrate on the build.

Bottom view, I would say they did a good job on the paint job with smooth finishing and is quite close to scale.

This cockpit is an optional part from Tamjets. No doubt it is a half burst figure but after trail fitted in the cockpit, it looks really cool.

Back view of the Thunderbird outfit pilot.

Lets start with the main fuse.

Cutting of the gear doors can be quite tricky. Make sure that you have a sharp craft knife ready.

Doors are all being cut out.

Cut a couple of 3mm thickness balsa straps for gear doors.

Balsa straps for main gear doors being C.A and epoxy onto the fuse.

Bottom view of the main gear access.

Front gear door straps being C.A and epoxy.

Bottom view of the front gear door area.

Pre-cut carbon plate from factory to re-inforce former.

Carbon plate being installed and using clamps to hold it in place while waiting for the applied aeropoxy to dry.

Main gear doors installed

All gear doors are being installed in place

Next, I had cut out a couple of plywood to shape for the air cylinders which you will see in the following pictures where the mounts are going to place.

Here you go, position the mount in place and apply some aeropoxy.

This is the most tricky part of the installation because if the alignment of the air cylinder is slightly off, the door will not close properly and will have leave some gaps.

Done for both sides, so far so good without any gaps. Next I will concentrate on the front door and retracts. Once I am done with that the rest of the installation I will say should be quite stright forward.

Front door air cylinder installed.

I had removed those door hatches and sprayed them white on the inside.

Fuse covered up with news paper and is set ready for touch-up.

LEDs added to create a after burner looks.

Copyright © 2007 / ERJets.com / All rights reserved.

Super bright LEDs

Build continues in page 2.