Sessholvlaru

Here's my deal. Years of R/C experience. 3D, speed planes, etc. Have flown many EDF jets (F-104's included), and have a 199.5 mph Weston Magnum with a Nelson on it so I have lots of experience with planes that have next to no wing area and glide like bricks. I also have excellent eyesight and can judge aircraft orientation better than most from my experience.

All I don't have is experience with turbine lag (outside the sim of course). This isn't quite the noob who wants to jump right into a P-51, but I wanted to know what you guys thought. -Chris

Springbok Flyer

Mate,

No problem, if you can see it (don't fly it too far away) and you know how to use a throttle to control altitude and attitute (not elevator), then you will have no problem. Many years ago my second turbine was a Philips Avonds F-104 and I had absolutely no problem with it. Have fun, if the F-104 you fly as your first turbine is anything as good as the one I flew, you will enjoy it.

Cheers,

Jan

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Which 104 are you looking at buying??
Vin...

Sessholvlaru

Thanks for your words Jan! Awesome advise.

Sessholvlaru

Hi Vin. I am looking at either the Fly Eagle (yeah, I know) 1/6 scale F-104 or Avonds' 1/7 scale. Are they still selling jets? Their price list hasn't been updated since 2010...

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

I would not hesitate in buying the fej 104. They have a "stretched wing" version that looks the part and still flys great.
Vin...

j.duncker

My Feedback: (2)

I had an Avonds F104 as my second jet it flew like a dream 14.5 lbs dry with a Wren SS but it was easy to get disorientated and it needed care on landings. I was glad that I had gone with a Boomer as my first jet not because I needed to fly the boomer but to learn about turbine operation.

If you are used to landing high wing loading models say a WW2 fighter then you should be OK PROVIDING you build it light AND you fly with a buddy who has turbine operation experience.

siddus74

I have an Avonds 104 and its by far my fav model ... likes straight lines though, you really need to yank the turns but its great - cant speak for other 104s - but as first turbine? Depends on you experience and guts I guess but def as 2nd one ... Flying a 104 makes flying an F15 and such like dull ...

Like every plane, dedication to what ever you decided to do is the key - take off, turn or land ... any hesitation or split decision on a 104 could leave you in a nasty predicament ...

Scott.

tp777fo

My Feedback: (28)

PA F104 was my first turbine...flew it for years before I sold it.

Sessholvlaru

Do you have the scale retracts? I see they are considerably more expensive than the whole F-104 kit lol.

Redline7000

My Feedback: (2)

I have a NIB PA F-104 w/ Robart retracts if interested.

wojtek

My Feedback: (73)

where are you planning on flying ?


~V~

siddus74

Not scale retracts ... bought the model complete less RX and Turbine for £850 .... had two previous owners and only two previous flights LOL Dont feel the need for the extra hassle that tends to come with scale retracts ... they are put away within 5 seconds of take off in anycase!

Sessholvlaru

What are you looking to get for the package?

Sessholvlaru

Floyd Bennett, most likely.

Redline7000

My Feedback: (2)

@Sess

If interested, write ktrum7 at gmail dot com

Sessholvlaru

Written to.

Joe Dirr

My Feedback: (8)

Chris,

Skymaster will soon release their F-104; it's a monster at 11' long and approx. 3' tall!

However, the empennage/tail separates just aft of the trailing edge for transport.

The landing gear is very impressive - check out the video link below.

Here's are some links from the SM web page:

http://www.skymasterjet.com/104.htm

http://www.skymasterjet.com/LGF104.wmv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRVAf...ature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y3BL...ature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEpIi...ature=youtu.be

Enjoy!

Joe D.

essyou35

My Feedback: (11)

Sess, was hoping to have my first turbine flight last weekend but the 30 mph crosswindswere too much for me to risk it. I am not sure what you've flown, nor do I want to deter you in any way, but simply want to add my experience. Looking at your models you posted, one is a foamy which provides you barely anything in terms of flying a turbine powered jet or even a fiberglass EDF for that matter. The other one while fast, probably does add value for sure in terms of speed, and orientation, and maybe eve landing though it does not have a gear. I am certian that is not all you have flown but a good heavy fiberglass EDF will get you very close to the flying part.

I first chose a fly eagle f-16 and was admonished for for it, so I bought the Modellbaue f-86D. I can tell you from a risk perspective, while the f-86D will be easier to fly, the chance of something going wrong is much higher due to the amount of modding and work that had to be done. The FEJ f-16 is by far easier to assemble.

I did have my first taxi test the other day, I was shocked to learn in that wind it is not controllable on the ground and it will weather vein into the wind. All my EDF (fiberglass, 10S setups, 10-15 lbs) and even my smaller HET models will shrug that wind off and even fly. On Idle, the jet will get moving about 10 mph and no way to stop it except brakes. I got a bit flustered with it not stearing and rolling away from me somehow I hit the retract switched and it laid down on the ground like a good dog.

Right now I am kicking myself for not getting a boomerang or shockjet only because I would of been flying already and no where near the risk I am taking. But I know after my first flight I will be so glad I didnt buy that stuff. Assuming of course, it is successful.

So I am not saying to get the 104 or not, but I can tell you it is a new experience. I cannot comment yet on the flight yet and from what I am being told many EDF are harder to fly. Regardless of flying, there is a lot more going on on the ground.

I have an HET l-39 that weighs 11 lbs, that puts the wing loading higher than many turbine powered. But my f-86D weighs 21.5 lbs wet so I am not sure what to expect, but it does seem light on its toes in that wind...

If I get my flight in soon I'll comment again but my instincts tell me this is going to be cake to fly, assuming I did the ground work correctly, and that is the key in all this. If you have flown and built some high powered, heavy EDF I think you are good. If I dont fly for a couple weeks (possible), do you want me to PM you how it goes and give you my final opinion if it is ok to jump into a scale jet?

DavidR

My Feedback: (1)

Tom you failed to mention to him also that you had years of df experience under your belt as well before you went turbine.

OP no matter your experience level get some help with your turbine ops, while most wouldn't start with a 104 it's certainly doable, just doubtful that your enjoyment level will be as high with the additional stress level of a more difficult to fly scale plane as a "turbine trainer"