F-35 please!!!
#1
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (7)
F-35 please!!!
Well, a few of us had the great fortune of taking a tour of the Lockheed-Martin F-35 plant in Ft. Worth yesterday. What a super and historic facility with many planes like the F-16, B-36 and B-58 being manufactured there. This new plane is absolutely crazy in its capabilities and understand it's expensive but with each one sold, the next lot gets cheaper. Please, let's leave all the political rhetoric out of this and discuss a model.
I've been looking for a model of this plane for years and keep running into brick walls. Right now, I've been able to find three advertised "manufacturers" like FEJ, Jet Legend and Der Jet. FEJ-- enough said about that! With its history, I think it'll be awhile before many pilots consider trying out another of their kits. Bravo to the new set of beta testers and maybe they'll make it but not for me at this time. Jet Legend-- I contacted them back in '15 and received an email back essentially saying, "So sorry, we no make F-35 now, check back 1-2 years!" Finally, been following the slow progress on the Der Jet F-35 thread and not much activity with two prototypes out there but not much else.
Now to the question. Why can't one of the big "power kit makes" make us an F-35?!? Especially a C model with the larger wing which would make it an even easier model to fly. (We don't need to have a VTOL version) This plane is replacing our F-16's across the board with 1200 examples going to the US armed forces alone yet we see none out at our flying fields. Come on guys, let's get a quality, great flying kit in a reasonable size out to the flying public! And, I might add, it would be nice to get it out in a reasonable time-- I'm spring chicken and would like to fly one myself! (Ha)
John
I've been looking for a model of this plane for years and keep running into brick walls. Right now, I've been able to find three advertised "manufacturers" like FEJ, Jet Legend and Der Jet. FEJ-- enough said about that! With its history, I think it'll be awhile before many pilots consider trying out another of their kits. Bravo to the new set of beta testers and maybe they'll make it but not for me at this time. Jet Legend-- I contacted them back in '15 and received an email back essentially saying, "So sorry, we no make F-35 now, check back 1-2 years!" Finally, been following the slow progress on the Der Jet F-35 thread and not much activity with two prototypes out there but not much else.
Now to the question. Why can't one of the big "power kit makes" make us an F-35?!? Especially a C model with the larger wing which would make it an even easier model to fly. (We don't need to have a VTOL version) This plane is replacing our F-16's across the board with 1200 examples going to the US armed forces alone yet we see none out at our flying fields. Come on guys, let's get a quality, great flying kit in a reasonable size out to the flying public! And, I might add, it would be nice to get it out in a reasonable time-- I'm spring chicken and would like to fly one myself! (Ha)
John
Last edited by patrnflyr; 03-24-2017 at 03:44 AM.
#2
My Feedback: (18)
I'm sure the reason more kits aren't out there is merely economics over anything else. I'd bet if they thought they could sell a bunch of them you would see a bunch of people making them. I just don't think they are very popular at this time.
Maybe once there are lots of full sizes flying with various scale paint schemes to choose from, the hobby industry will give you more choices.
Maybe once there are lots of full sizes flying with various scale paint schemes to choose from, the hobby industry will give you more choices.
#3
The DJ F-35 flies fine, its the old issue of full scale verses model balance point. On the DJ model the balance is 11" in front of the main wheels, so rotation needs ground speed to get the leverage. Also the gear doors are all at wild angles, when the main gear doors open the change in lift and airflow over the tail is marked, so you need a gyro to smooth things out.
We are just about there on the DJ model, I'm finishing the manual, last weekend I flew mine in windy/rough conditions to get more data, it handled the conditions well, but its not for everyone.
Main stream volume sales manufacturers are never going to touch it.
DW
We are just about there on the DJ model, I'm finishing the manual, last weekend I flew mine in windy/rough conditions to get more data, it handled the conditions well, but its not for everyone.
Main stream volume sales manufacturers are never going to touch it.
DW
#4
Well, a few of us had the great fortune of taking a tour of the Lockheed-Martin F-35 plant in Ft. Worth yesterday. What a super and historic facility with many planes like the F-16, B-36 and B-58 being manufactured there. This new plane is absolutely crazy in its capabilities and understand it's expensive but with each one sold, the next lot gets cheaper. Please, let's leave all the political rhetoric out of this and discuss a model.
I've been looking for a model of this plane for years and keep running into brick walls. Right now, I've been able to find three advertised "manufacturers" like FEJ, Jet Legend and Der Jet. FEJ-- enough said about that! With its history, I think it'll be awhile before many pilots consider trying out another of their kits. Bravo to the new set of beta testers and maybe they'll make it but not for me at this time. Jet Legend-- I contacted them back in '15 and received an email back essentially saying, "So sorry, we no make F-35 now, check back 1-2 years!" Finally, been following the slow progress on the Der Jet F-35 thread and not much activity with two prototypes out there but not much else.
Now to the question. Why can't one of the big "power kit makes" make us an F-35?!? Especially a C model with the larger wing which would make it an even easier model to fly. (We don't need to have a VTOL version) This plane is replacing our F-16's across the board with 1200 examples going to the US armed forces alone yet we see none out at our flying fields. Come on guys, let's get a quality, great flying kit in a reasonable size out to the flying public! And, I might add, it would be nice to get it out in a reasonable time-- I'm spring chicken and would like to fly one myself! (Ha)
John
I've been looking for a model of this plane for years and keep running into brick walls. Right now, I've been able to find three advertised "manufacturers" like FEJ, Jet Legend and Der Jet. FEJ-- enough said about that! With its history, I think it'll be awhile before many pilots consider trying out another of their kits. Bravo to the new set of beta testers and maybe they'll make it but not for me at this time. Jet Legend-- I contacted them back in '15 and received an email back essentially saying, "So sorry, we no make F-35 now, check back 1-2 years!" Finally, been following the slow progress on the Der Jet F-35 thread and not much activity with two prototypes out there but not much else.
Now to the question. Why can't one of the big "power kit makes" make us an F-35?!? Especially a C model with the larger wing which would make it an even easier model to fly. (We don't need to have a VTOL version) This plane is replacing our F-16's across the board with 1200 examples going to the US armed forces alone yet we see none out at our flying fields. Come on guys, let's get a quality, great flying kit in a reasonable size out to the flying public! And, I might add, it would be nice to get it out in a reasonable time-- I'm spring chicken and would like to fly one myself! (Ha)
John
It's an ugly plane that's accomplished nothing to write home about yet. Look how long it took for CARF to come out with e B2. CARF will make one eventually as on the plus side it has a lot of internal space but there's no great clamor for one. It's lacks the character something like a F-104 has.
Last edited by luckymacy; 03-24-2017 at 11:58 AM.
#5
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (7)
As far as the gear goes, understand completely. We noticed during the tour that the A model's main LG was raked forward approximately 15 degrees which I guess aided the rotational ability during takeoff. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" The reason for this thread is it seems the research in getting this model out is at a crawl speed wise. Some models, like the Havoc, were released at Florida Jets this year and they've received a ton of orders while the F-35 just languishes in test flying, poor manufacturing practices or just plain ol' disinterest by the modeling public.
Last edited by patrnflyr; 03-24-2017 at 04:44 AM.
#6
My Feedback: (28)
I want one also!. It would be easy to make both the A and C models as it is mainly wing size. I also spoke with JL and got the same line....then dont advertise it. Wouldnt touch anything FE. DJ is too small for my liking. The Yellow F-22 was a remarkable flying jet and it is now gone also. Nothing modern is coming out of the Chinese cookie factories.
#7
My Feedback: (9)
I want one also!. It would be easy to make both the A and C models as it is mainly wing size. I also spoke with JL and got the same line....then dont advertise it. Wouldnt touch anything FE. DJ is too small for my liking. The Yellow F-22 was a remarkable flying jet and it is now gone also. Nothing modern is coming out of the Chinese cookie factories.
Also for the F22 Tom. I have been working with T1 models and they have a F22 in the mold phase. Should have pics in a few weeks of the mold. Its going to be around 110 inches long. Been sending lots of pics of my old yellow F22 thrust vectoring to try and come up with some scale thrust vectoring for it. Would hope for something towards the end of summer.
F35C
#10
My Feedback: (9)
Well last time I talked to them We discussed one in the 1/6 or 1/7 range. Not sure what they settled on. 1/7 would be about 107 inches long I think and 1/6 would be just under 117 inches long. Both would be set up for twins but I also think it can be a single option. We have also discussed making the bomb doors functional. But thats just icing on the cake that will come after a good flying model is produced. I hope they dont do the doors so I can custom make them and have the only one with it lol.
I miss my old baby!
#15
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (7)
"Main stream volume sales manufacturers are never going to touch it."
Why? Because of the gear? We overcame the problems with the Phantom leaping off the ground by increasing the length of the nose gear and then returning to normal position after retracting once. Surely, one of the kit manufacturers can get this plane going...
Why? Because of the gear? We overcame the problems with the Phantom leaping off the ground by increasing the length of the nose gear and then returning to normal position after retracting once. Surely, one of the kit manufacturers can get this plane going...
#17
Several years ago Lockheed Martin had their lawyers demand license payments from kit manufacturers who were producing scale models of their historic designs, eg the P-38 Lightning. This act was well publicised on the RCGroups electric scale forum at the time and at least one small scale producer just stopped making and selling his kits as the license fees were too much and it was uneconomic to continue.
Does anyone know if Lockheed have stopped their demands for such payments? If they haven't, maybe the license fee is delaying the F-35 gaining popularity among model jet manufacturers.
Gordon
Does anyone know if Lockheed have stopped their demands for such payments? If they haven't, maybe the license fee is delaying the F-35 gaining popularity among model jet manufacturers.
Gordon
#18
My Feedback: (57)
Several years ago Lockheed Martin had their lawyers demand license payments from kit manufacturers who were producing scale models of their historic designs, eg the P-38 Lightning. This act was well publicised on the RCGroups electric scale forum at the time and at least one small scale producer just stopped making and selling his kits as the license fees were too much and it was uneconomic to continue.
Does anyone know if Lockheed have stopped their demands for such payments? If they haven't, maybe the license fee is delaying the F-35 gaining popularity among model jet manufacturers.
Gordon
Does anyone know if Lockheed have stopped their demands for such payments? If they haven't, maybe the license fee is delaying the F-35 gaining popularity among model jet manufacturers.
Gordon
So, take it with a grain of salt. Sometimes is just better to ask fro forgiveness than to ask for permission.