MF-Tomcat

by MESA RC | June 24, 2016 | (11) Posted in Projects

Cool Maiden Video

Build Video

To the Flite Test Community;

The High School students of MESArc are at it again with another project to slam in before the year's end. The Tomcat has always been a project that has been shelved due to its level of difficulty, not flying it, however, designing an easy way of constructing the variable swept wings.  Sophomore ELITE student Trent, now in the program for 3 years and working his way to go to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona, took on the Tomcat challenge.  Keeping in mind a number of variables, weight, number of foam boards, easy of build, ease of flying, etc. he designed, created, tested and his solution is as follow;

As always, here are the free plans!

MF Tomcat FULL SIZE

MF Tomcat TILED

 Or Support the program and purchase our build kit!

Using the FT EDM Trent was able to stay organized to create an awesome aircraft. See below the FT EDM he used and if you are a teacher looking for a design thinking strategy for your students look no further then FT STEM!

Building it! We like to prep all of our pieces, bevels, folds, creases, and then spray paint.

The Electrical Equipment you will need:

  • 2212/6 Brushless motor
  • 30amp plus ESC
  • 4 Servos/Push rods/Linkages/Control Horns
  • 4 6"-12" Extensions
  • 2 Servo Y-Harnes

Start by gluing the fuselage together and then installing it on the belly pan with motor as guide for spacing.

Piece together your main underwing and install on top of bottom fuselage.

Fold belly pan pieces in and glue!

Begin to work on your wings, carbon spars that extend out the wing tip would be a great addition.

The front pin is locked in, the back pin is moveable for adjusting angle of wing.

Construct wing and double check your hole placements and then install, see video for better views.

Install Elevator servos by using the pre cut holes on the kit.

CG placements are marked under the wing.  Don't confuse those with the holes for the skewers.  The front hole is the CG mark for wings swept forward, the back hole represents CG for wings swept back.

Construct the back top fuselage piece.

Take your time making the nose just right.

Glue up the canopy and work its was on.

Finall through the Stabilizers, finish all connections, and your ready to go.

 

Maiden

If your doing a Tomcat video you have to a reenactment! Trent seen here playing Iceman.

Trent's build, flying with wings swept forward for easier flight.

Nic flying with his wings swept back for faster flight.

In air flight.

Brought the Wolverine in for an epic dog fight.

That was close!

The crew!

Servo layout and difference between its rival the Wolverine.

All smiles!

 

Some builds already from the community!

COMMENTS

westbows on June 25, 2016
Great Job! sweet looking plane, and a thoughtful design.
Log In to reply
MESA RC on June 27, 2016
Thank you Westbows
Log In to reply
westbows on June 27, 2016
Forgot to mention how much I liked the video. I was cracking up. Into the danger zone!
Log In to reply
MESA RC on June 29, 2016
Nice, if only we shown the bloopers to that intro, haha.

Log In to reply
Kdobson83 on June 25, 2016
Just built my FT F22 and now I wish i would have waited to build this. Plane looks epic guys!!! Im jealous!
Log In to reply
MESA RC on June 27, 2016
Haha, fly until the FT22 crashes and fix yourself up a Tomcat!

Log In to reply
jrvalentin62 on June 26, 2016
As always gentlemen "Job Well Done" Best of the Best. Clear Skies, Calm Winds.
Log In to reply
MESA RC on June 27, 2016
I like that in a comment! lol
Log In to reply
mrwhiskers on June 28, 2016
I've seen some Depron F-14s before that had servo-controlled Swing Wings. I wonder how hard it would be to make this one do that. Great design by the way!
Log In to reply
MESA RC on June 29, 2016
We would love to see someone take a try at it.

Log In to reply
Jpot1 on June 28, 2016
Build in progress but having problems getting the top intakes to fit. All is fine with the wing out, but with the wing swept back the wing binds with the top cover bending down to secure the paper by the motor. Looking for suggestions or additional pics if possible?
Log In to reply
MESA RC on June 29, 2016
Dang, we are in summer break right now, I could get over to the school and try and take a pic. In order to be successful with that fold, follow these steps;

Prior to gluing that back flap over the main under wing next to the motor you need to move your wings in the swept back position, if you don't, and form that piece with the wings swept forward, it will be too tight when moving the wings back.

So move the wings back, and depending on how you flat you made the wing insert and your bevel job, work that top piece back, glue whatever paper flap you have over and secure that piece with a bigger piece of packaging tape.

That should do it, does that make sense?
Log In to reply
Jpot1 on June 29, 2016
Makes sense. That was my challenge - with the wing swept back I did not have a lot of material to fold under. Just printed another copy of the plans and going to leave the flap by the motor longer to see if it helps.
Log In to reply
sadieandbuddyaviation on October 25, 2016
I was wanting to come up with a Top Gun themed uav training curriculum for a CAP academy and was thinking about remaking that scene, came to the articles and here one already sits! Love the design guys! We may have to remake that scene too! Can it use any of the FT power pods?
Log In to reply

You need to log-in to comment on articles.


MF-Tomcat