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!
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!
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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?
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