Author Topic: FJ-4 Flys.. (Read 5018 times)

Bob Reeves · « **on:** June 07, 2010, 06:47:25 AM »

Well after having it finished for several months and waiting for a day with reasonable wind conditions the FJ-4 made it's maiden flights yesterday. With the understanding this is the first time I have ever flown a 3 wire set-up or a carrier airplane I believe it went rather well. It did everything I asked of it and handled the wind well. If it needs any further trimming I am not experienced enough to know what it is. Maybe one of the experienced guys at Brodaks will give me a couple pointers before I make my first official. Think I have a pretty good handle on high speed low speed flight but not real sure about being able to land on the deck.

Photos by Elwyn... Preparing for flight, High Speed and Low Speed..

Joe Just · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2010, 08:19:58 AM »

Bob, you can take this to the bank...you will find the carrier guys more than willing to help in any way they can, from advise to parts to launching and retreval.
Joe

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2010, 08:27:09 AM »

Looks good for a landing in the last pic, nose high and hook down. You'll find it I'm sure!
Great looking model, and super project.
Chris...

roger · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2010, 08:49:23 AM »

great jet

john e. holliday · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2010, 09:45:29 AM »

Bob, the in flight shots look great. As far as finding the deck, it is not that hard. You have to remember to have your handle over the center marking when coming in for a landing. Most of all, don't dive for the deck. I still love carrier, just need to get out and fly more. Also I do not like hanging. Have a great time at Brodaks.

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2010, 01:06:04 PM »

Quote from: Bob Reeves on June 07, 2010, 06:47:25 AM

Well after having it finished for several months and waiting for a day with reasonable wind conditions the FJ-4 made it's maiden flights yesterday. With the understanding this is the first time I have ever flown a 3 wire set-up or a carrier airplane I believe it went rather well. It did everything I asked of it and handled the wind well. If it needs any further trimming I am not experienced enough to know what it is. Maybe one of the experienced guys at Brodaks will give me a couple pointers before I make my first official. Think I have a pretty good handle on high speed low speed flight but not real sure about being able to land on the deck.

Photos by Elwyn... Preparing for flight, High Speed and Low Speed..

Bob, thanks for the first flight pictures. Airplane looks great. See you at Brodaks.
Wayne

bfrog · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2010, 07:18:53 PM »

Great looking airplane. Nice job!!! Really looks good in flight.

I'm sure that the guys at Brodaks will help in any way they can. Just take it one step at a time and have fun.

john vlna · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2010, 08:02:23 PM »

Bob,
I usually have the deck setup by Tuesday afternoon so there should be time to try your first deck landing before the contest. I even allow test flights during the contest, as long as there is no one signed up for an offical attempt.

John Vlna
Brodak carrier event director

wwwarbird · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2010, 08:04:32 PM »

That's really cool! Please keep us posted on how it goes.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #9 on:** June 08, 2010, 06:27:20 AM »

Quote from: john vlna on June 07, 2010, 08:02:23 PM

Bob,
I usually have the deck setup by Tuesday afternoon so there should be time to try your first deck landing before the contest. I even allow test flights during the contest, as long as there is no one signed up for an offical attempt.

John Vlna
Brodak carrier event director

Are you talking This Thursday? We should be rolling in around noon on Saturday, if the deck is set up should find time to get a couple flights in before everything starts. I really need to practice a little stunt so I won't make a complete fool of myself in the stunt circles. Think I have flown a total of 5 stunt patterns in the last year.

roger · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2010, 08:33:58 AM »

what plans did you use? i cant stop from going back and looking at those pic.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2010, 09:55:17 AM »

Quote from: roger on June 08, 2010, 08:33:58 AM

what plans did you use? i cant stop from going back and looking at those pic.

Plans... Almost had to laugh (no pun intended).. This project started with a set of foam slow combat wings and a 3-view of the FJ-4. The whole build is more or less documented in this thread..

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=14390.0

Thomas Wilk · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2010, 01:57:23 PM »

that system of building is called TLAR
That Looks About Right.

Tom Wilk

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2010, 04:32:19 PM »

Your FJ flew great Bob!
Don't forget that Perry carb has an idle mixture disc along with idle speed.
You should have lots of help up there in PA. Wish I was in a position to go, best of luck to you guys.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #14 on:** June 08, 2010, 10:21:28 PM »

Quote from: Thomas Wilk on June 08, 2010, 01:57:23 PM

that system of building is called TLAR
That Looks About Right.

Tom Wilk

Good one Tom, I like to call it "Eyeball Engineering". It's pretty much become my standard approach.

mike hartung · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2010, 06:24:00 AM »

Great looking plane. Please take lots of pictures at Brodak's cause I can't make the trip this year.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #16 on:** June 21, 2010, 09:07:20 AM »

Back from Brodaks... Need a couple days to recover

Had a great time and the FJ seemed to be a hit. Mike Danford coached me through my first official carrier flight, pretty good coach considering he was a real Navy pilot. Hooked up on the first pass. 2nd flight I got a little confused about when to signal and hooked up on the 2nd pass. Not real sure how I did, didn't hear or see any results. Am sure I wasn't in the money but would like to know the outcome.

Thanks to all those that gave me tips and help, I'll be back next year..

john vlna · « **Reply #17 on:** June 21, 2010, 09:18:46 AM »

Bob,
I forgot to pick up my score sheet from Sandy so I don't have the exact results, but you were in the middle of the pack. I thought you did very well for the first time out, and the plane flies very well. I was going to talk to you about the signal but didn't catch you before I left. The thing to remember is signal as you come across the deck and land on the next pass, If you have to abort you loose 5 points for each pass.
John

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2010, 10:41:23 AM »

Thanks John.

Should have paid more attention to the results while I was there. Do they break them down between High, Low etc. Would be nice to see where/what I need to improve. Also don't remember any mention of Sportsman at the awards presentation, did I just miss it or ?

One thing is I'm sure I can make the FJ fly slower with some trimming and practice. Also bought racing wheels which might help the HS a bit, was afraid to to use them till I saw how hard it was going to land.

mike hartung · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2010, 12:17:26 PM »

Bob thanks for a great post; from the build right through the contest. CONGRADULATIONS and THANK YOU.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2010, 01:05:55 PM »

Quote from: mike hartung on June 21, 2010, 12:17:26 PM

Bob thanks for a great post; from the build right through the contest. CONGRADULATIONS and THANK YOU.

You are truly welcome, was a very enjoyable project. Picked up a Guardian kit while I was at Brodaks, ever seen a Guardian morphed into an FJ-4

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2010, 02:37:10 PM »

Bob, some pictures of your flight at Brodaks, one at a time.
Wayne

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #22 on:** June 21, 2010, 02:39:00 PM »

another.
Wayne

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #23 on:** June 21, 2010, 02:40:38 PM »

another

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #24 on:** June 21, 2010, 02:42:09 PM »

Hooked

john vlna · « **Reply #25 on:** June 21, 2010, 06:45:36 PM »

Bob,
The score sheets have all the info, you could have picked yours up. I would suggest calling Sandy and she if still has them. I normally keep the details but this year I was so tired thursday night that I just forgot about them.

Joe Just · « **Reply #26 on:** June 22, 2010, 12:11:52 PM »

The real crowd drawer was of course Bob's jet. What a great flight, and how great it was to see the gobs of help that Bob recieved. Here is one of my favorite pictures from the Brodak contest. Had a great time even though pain interfered with flying and jawing with everyon e I wished to visit with.
Joe Just

mike hartung · « **Reply #27 on:** June 22, 2010, 02:41:32 PM »

Great pictures; thank you Wayne and Joe.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #28 on:** June 22, 2010, 04:21:27 PM »

Mike, the pictures are great of the plane in the air and the landing. Must have been quite a turnout to keep Bob off the trophy stand if he got a high, a low and a landing in one flight. At least it looks like Bob is having fun. Maybe next year.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #29 on:** June 22, 2010, 04:51:18 PM »

Love the photos, thanks..

john vlna · « **Reply #30 on:** June 22, 2010, 05:02:35 PM »

Doc
We had 37 entries in four events. The deck was busy for two full days

john e. holliday · « **Reply #31 on:** June 23, 2010, 09:07:57 AM »

That is great. Thanks.

roger · « **Reply #32 on:** August 02, 2010, 12:03:12 PM »

bob
whats the reason for the longer fuse?

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #33 on:** August 02, 2010, 03:15:08 PM »

Quote from: roger on August 02, 2010, 12:03:12 PM

bob
whats the reason for the longer fuse?

Not sure I understand the question. The fuse was scaled from a 3 view but I used a different scale for vertical plot points to narrow it. I also shortened the nose to allow just enough room for the tank and engine. This makes it look like the tail moment is stretched.

roger · « **Reply #34 on:** August 02, 2010, 04:15:57 PM »

oh i see i looked at some of those jets on the web and they just look shorter
thanx
roger