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Aviation Hobby => Other Aviation Hobbies => Military & Aircraft Modelling => Topic started by: Viggen on May 17, 2007, 01:16:12 PM

Title: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on May 17, 2007, 01:16:12 PM
Well yesterday i became a proud owner of this JA37 Viggen. (Scale 1/10).  It needs some maintance but is in good shape overall. However i dont have a engine for it, so it wont be flying in the near future. (jetengines are really expensive for r/c models).  :D

Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: fizzog17 on May 17, 2007, 02:42:54 PM
nice maybe you can show me pics when engine is all done and its flying, i allways crash aircraft models reckless  >:D
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on May 17, 2007, 03:34:37 PM
He he, that makes us two then.  ;D

Like i said, im not expecting to get this one flying anytime soon. Im still a beginner flying r/c models, so even if i got it finished i still would not take it up in the air. I need more practice with easier models first.  :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Globetrotter on May 18, 2007, 03:56:07 AM
what about plastic fans? the elctrical ones?

Yeah, well, they sound like a hoover, but it's something ;D
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on May 18, 2007, 10:35:24 AM
You are right Globe. I did some investigation yesterday evening. A 120mm fan is sufficient with a good electricengine that can rev high.  Not counting in the batteriepacks needed to run the engine and the rest, the power generated will get 9kg in the air without a problem.

The plane is at the moment an empty shell, Maybe i need the 140mm fan.  :)

Length: 148.5cm
Wingspan: 107cm
Height: 53cm
Weight: 2kg (just weighed it)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Gripen on May 18, 2007, 10:40:18 AM
buy a real one?
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on May 18, 2007, 01:34:54 PM
You cant buy real Viggens, besides even if i could. It would cost a fortune and who would fly it.  ???
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on July 31, 2007, 02:36:50 PM
Working on my Viggen into the late hours...  :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on July 31, 2007, 02:38:02 PM
And here is the engine that will power my beast...  ;D
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Webmaster on August 09, 2007, 05:05:31 PM
Wow, it's big! I like!  ;D
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: WRCKid on August 09, 2007, 10:44:25 PM
That's pretty Rad dude!!!
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Globetrotter on August 10, 2007, 02:22:37 AM
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS IT WILL FINALLY FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on August 10, 2007, 03:26:27 PM
This is how a finished Viggen is supposed to look like. But i will go for the gray paintscheme. I have already removed the splinter-camo.  I hope i can make mine just as beautiful as this one.

The work im doing  at the moment is slow and hard. Working with fiberglas, its smelly and poisonous. Dosent take long to give you a headache, even when woring outside in a garage with the doors open. Have to strengthen the airframe where cracks have evolved. With any luck then i will have it ready to fly next year. Its mostly comes down to $, £ or Skr.  :)

Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Globetrotter on August 10, 2007, 05:05:31 PM
Why? You don't like the splinter camou? I think its very nice! Maybe difficult to do if the other was ruined :-\

SO you are putting a fan (electric) on it? :P
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on August 10, 2007, 07:10:59 PM
Why? You don't like the splinter camou? I think its very nice! Maybe difficult to do if the other was ruined :-\

SO you are putting a fan (electric) on it? :P

Of course, i love the splinter camo. The camo was ok and its not so hard to do. I have all the original drawings and blueprints both for the model and the splinter camo. But all of the RC viggens i have seen so far use that paintscheme. I just want to be diffrent.  ;)

Yes, it will be a ductedfan but not electric. They cost to much for me. Thats why i bought this one secondhand, delivers 5,5Kg of thrust at 19 000rpm. But who knows i might get lucky and find a electric on cheap before i start mounting this engine inside the fuselage.  ;D

Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on November 01, 2007, 04:06:07 PM
Scale 1/10 vs 1/72  ;D
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Globetrotter on November 02, 2007, 07:49:32 PM
that's cool! any plans for first flight date? ::)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on November 03, 2007, 02:02:21 AM
No dates yet. Just packed the thing up for the winter. Have no place where i can work on it during these cold  times. So far i have changed my mind again about what kind of egngine i want to use. Now i have set my goals on a electric ductedfan version. Its just makes it much easier to build and maintain. Dont have to consider about fuel tanks and ignition. Gives me more space inside the fuselage, which in turn also saves weight and lets me use retractable landing gear, would not fit otherwise.  :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on January 07, 2008, 03:41:35 PM
Sweet! Hey Viggen are you using a VGA camera for all these shots? Or a low mp count one? It looks awesome, though. You should make a video of it flying when you're done. Btw, are the engines all free?
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 10, 2008, 08:30:44 PM
Just using the camera in my mobilephone to take the shots. I will defenatly make a video of its first flight, since its the biggest risk then for a spectacular crash. LOL!  ;D

No engine is for free, they all cost money from a variaty of priceranges. The most expensive ones are the jetengines of course. Since the model is so big, any type of engine that is powerfull enough to get this bird into the air is more expensive then i can afford. This is my biggest dilemma. I neeed an engine that is easy to use, dont take up to much space and packs enough power for a reasonable price. Looking at brand new equipment is out of the question, all i can do is look at second hand stuff.

Ultimate would be to win alot of money and just buy a brand new jetengine. ( That way it will sound correct also).  ;D  You really need an engine before you can complete the aircraft, since so much needs to be built and fitted around the engine. Since im an amatuer at flying/building models, i cant do any shortcuts. Everything has to fit and be placed in such way that you dont upset the balance, or you will never get it safly up in the air or even off the gound.
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on January 12, 2008, 02:53:44 PM
;D why don't you build your own engine?
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 12, 2008, 11:57:29 PM
Because i dont know how.  :(
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on January 14, 2008, 03:19:00 PM
Yeah, i figured. Which phone are you using now? Sorry gadget geek naturally curious. ;D

About the free engines. I have some idea about the engine prices. I just thought you could get a free with your model because you were changing it over and over again. :P

Well, you could borrow an engine from a shop then reverse-engineer it...
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 14, 2008, 08:04:06 PM
He he, no shop available close to me. I order parts through websites and my local club. Besides i dont think i even have the knowledge or the tools to reverse engineer an engine. Besides buying the material to make the engine, would probably end up being just as expensive in the end as buying a new engine. :)

My phone is a SonyEricsson P990i. I bought it less then a year ago, works fine for me even though it has its problems.  :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Webmaster on January 14, 2008, 08:54:20 PM
How much do these things cost then?

(powerful enough ducted fan and the cheapest jet engine that has enough power)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 16, 2008, 09:36:59 AM
The cheapest jetengine so far i have seen, a swedish made one. Costs 19000 Skr/ 1750 Euro if my calculation is correct. An electric engine (ducted fan) with enough batteries to power my aircraft would cost about half that much.

If i look at second hand, then i will get away cheaper. But then you have to be aware that it has not been in a crash or been runned overpowered/overheated.

There is so much to think about before buying anything. Like compitability between diffrent components, all the electronics inside the aircraft. The more weight, the less it costs. So its a delicate balancing between your own economy, good and reliable components.

There is much more to it then i first thought when i started with this project. Im a bit out on deep water but help is not far away if i ever need it. The restoration of the airframe is easy, to get it up flying safe in the air is the hard part. :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Webmaster on January 16, 2008, 03:54:31 PM
That is indeed more expensive than I thought. But when you consider what most people are spending on their hobbies, it's not that expensive. Of course you still need to have the money.  ;)

What if you order it via the internet from the USA. I bet you could save a lot of money because of the poor state of the US Dollar, even with the additional shipping and insurance on it it should be cheaper than in Sweden. There's only that risk that you have to pay import taxes for it.

I was thinking you could start a blog about your project here on milavia, asking for sponsors/donations for the project. But I'm afraid it won't bring in enough money to buy an engine, maybe one bucket of paint eventually.

Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 16, 2008, 10:52:34 PM
True, its really not more expensive then golf. But then i cant afford to play golf either...LOL!  ;)

Would be really cool to be sponsored and it would defenatly help with alot of finacial problems. I actually thought that i would get this bird in the air by this summer. The way things are right now, that wont happen.

About a blog. That could be fun, however i dont have much to write since no work has been done during the winter months. But sure i could give it a try. There is always something to write about the model.  :)

Ordering parts from US or Germany is what most pro´s do. Parts are cheaper and they are of high quality. Even with paying import taxes it results in being cheaper. The diffrence in prices between Sweden an US are like night and day when it comes to general components and parts.

Just check this baby out, and its looks even larger then my sweetie. Second hand, but it comes complete and ready to fly. All you need to do is add the fuel. Something for you perhaps Niels? ;D
http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=358237
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Webmaster on January 16, 2008, 11:18:50 PM
Maybe when I win the lottery! It sure looks good though!
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 17, 2008, 03:36:42 AM
Im guessing that each jetengine on that Tomcat has a thrust of 12-16kg. Top speed should be above 300km/h. Mount a camera on it and you got youself a shortrange UAV. (Which you can buy with a special LCD-screen to mount on your transmitter also). 8)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on January 17, 2008, 05:04:44 AM
P990i=3.2megapixel camera. Reasonably good shutter speed. But not the best smartphone on the market.  ;D

No hobby shops near you... You could, um... make a miniature of the real thing? Valkyrian should know a few tips.  ;)

I don't know much about these models, as it's not exactly practical to use them in Singapore, so i guess the closest i'll ever get to flying one of these is if i join the RSAF UAV squadron.  :(

Would it be possible to custom the engine? So that you'll have the same weight-thrust proportion as the real viggen?
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 18, 2008, 11:30:51 PM
P990i=3.2megapixel camera. Reasonably good shutter speed. But not the best smartphone on the market.  ;D

No hobby shops near you... You could, um... make a miniature of the real thing? Valkyrian should know a few tips.  ;)

I don't know much about these models, as it's not exactly practical to use them in Singapore, so i guess the closest i'll ever get to flying one of these is if i join the RSAF UAV squadron.  :(

Would it be possible to custom the engine? So that you'll have the same weight-thrust proportion as the real viggen?

He he, i dident buy the the phone because of the camera. Better to buy a real digital systemcamera insteed. I bought the phone because my memory sucks and the calender is easy to use.  :)

Maybe some smart engineer can custom the engine. You have to remember that these jetengines are small, and the parts are of the highest quality to be able to handle the pressure and heat generated. To start messing with them could easy end up in a catastrophic failure. If that happens it would be like standing next to a handgrenade.

Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on January 21, 2008, 09:49:32 AM
True about the calendar. Though you could have gone for an O2 or Nokia if you want a superb calendar.   ;)

True about the handgrenade. But hey what's the fun in flying a fighter that has no proper ordnance?  :P It'll be a kamikaze Viggen!  >:D
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 21, 2008, 06:01:41 PM
Ohh noo! No kamikze and crashing with the Viggen. I have the BAE Hawk for that.. LOL  ;D

I got a sweet deal on this phone, so i could not resist. I should not have bought this phone because it still was expensive for me. But my old phone had really seen better days.  :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on January 22, 2008, 06:48:38 AM
Hmm true. So get a bigger more powerful engine for the Viggen, lift the Hawk up and drop it on your arch-nemesis' head!  >:D *evil laughter*

About the phone... Right now, the prices in Singapore are $196 on top of a 2-year mobile plan. How about you?
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 22, 2008, 09:34:52 AM
Think it will be little over 50$ on a 2-year mobile plan. (Hoping i´ve been counting right). :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on January 22, 2008, 10:18:25 AM
 :o little over 50 bucks??? How much is the mobile plan?  ???

Have you found an engine for your plane yet? Or reverse engineered one?
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on January 22, 2008, 10:32:39 AM
I payed less then 1$ for the phone, but i pay little over 50$ each month for 2 years which is added to the phonebill.
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on January 22, 2008, 02:35:14 PM
Ah. Ok that's really really expensive...  :o

No wonder you can't afford a jet engine..
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on August 11, 2008, 03:54:34 PM
Moving the Viggen to its autum and winter location. The basement!
Thinking of just making it into a static model until i can afford to make some serious building on it. So i guess i will just have to bring it up from the basement when i feel that i want to work on it during the winter.
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: SukhoiLover on August 11, 2008, 04:01:52 PM
Moving the Viggen to its autum and winter location. The basement!
Thinking of just making it into a static model until i can afford to make some serious building on it. So i guess i will just have to bring it up from the basement when i feel that i want to work on it during the winter.

This question might sound a little silly, but since i´m not exactly a model expert, here it goes:

When installing an engine to the model, which engine do you choose, an engine that gives a higher T/W ratio to the model than the real plane to do some crazy stuff, or and engine that gives the model a similar T/W of the real plane for realism?
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on August 11, 2008, 04:19:39 PM
Moving the Viggen to its autum and winter location. The basement!
Thinking of just making it into a static model until i can afford to make some serious building on it. So i guess i will just have to bring it up from the basement when i feel that i want to work on it during the winter.

This question might sound a little silly, but since i´m not exactly a model expert, here it goes:

When installing an engine to the model, which engine do you choose, an engine that gives a higher T/W ratio to the model than the real plane to do some crazy stuff, or and engine that gives the model a similar T/W of the real plane for realism?

Thats not a silly question In fact its a very good question. :)

First of all you need to decide on what type of engine you want to use, jet, electric, 2 or 4 stroke combustion. After that you need to calculate the total weight of the aircraft with all the parts needed (engineweight, electronics, batteries, servos etc..). I had a pro done this for me because i dont have a software or the "knowledge" to calculate it right. This way you get the numbers you´ll need for you to choose how powerful engine you´ll need to get the thing up in the air.

This might also show that you first choice of engine, lets say like in my case the combustion one will not be able to do the job safly. So in short the first priority is to choose an engine tha gives you a T/W ratio to get it flying safly.

To get an aircraft to behave like the original, you usally use the electronics to simulate the behaviour. (This is what i have been told).

Hope my answer made any sense.  :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Webmaster on August 13, 2008, 02:04:11 AM
Nice to finally see a good picture of the Viggen with you in it, it's big! Really cool!
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on August 13, 2008, 02:30:58 AM
Thanks. My brothers idea really. Since i was on my way to carry it down, he wanted to snap a picture of it just to show of the scale. Im 176 cm tall.  :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on August 13, 2008, 06:25:03 PM
Oh you're pretty short for your part of the world aren't you.  ::)

It would be quite cool if you made it do weird stuff actually...  ;D
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: WRCKid on August 13, 2008, 07:16:43 PM
Dude! that looks to be a bitchin' project!!! congrats keep us updated on the progress!!!!
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on August 13, 2008, 07:39:58 PM
Oh you're pretty short for your part of the world aren't you.  ::)

It would be quite cool if you made it do weird stuff actually...  ;D

LOL! You are absolutly right Raptor. The top of my head only reaches the yaw of my 7 year old younger brother and most of my swedish friends. But it dosent matter because im stronger then most of them anyway (just like sherpas), which surprise most people. ;D

What kind of wierd stuff? Like make a helicopter out of it?  ;)


-WRCKid-
I´ll tried to keep you updated whenever i have done something. But its so darn expensive with parts, so it is moving very slowy.  forward. Also it requiers more work then i first belived, but the amount of work is something i can live with happily. Thats half of the fun of making the model.  :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: SukhoiLover on August 13, 2008, 08:27:01 PM
This though just crossed my mind:

-If i had a model like that, i wouldn´t have enough guts to fly with it, imagine if the thing crash  :'(
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Viggen on August 13, 2008, 11:23:05 PM
This though just crossed my mind:

-If i had a model like that, i wouldn´t have enough guts to fly with it, imagine if the thing crash  :'(

True, if it were able to fly right now. i would not dare to fly it. Thats why im practicing with smaller models so i will have the knowledge and confidence to fly the big model once its finished.  :)
Title: Re: My new radiocontrolled aircraft
Post by: Raptor on August 19, 2008, 10:15:12 AM
LOL! You are absolutly right Raptor. The top of my head only reaches the yaw of my 7 year old younger brother and most of my swedish friends. But it dosent matter because im stronger then most of them anyway (just like sherpas), which surprise most people.  ;D

That's a little like me...  ;)

Weird stuff like make it do those nose-over-tail airshow stunts...  ;D

SukhoiLover-I'm quite scared to fly my cheaper models already. I can symapthize.  :(