BH Blitz F35

[19000rpm]

I had so much touble hand launching my Blitz mini F18 I decided to put the landing gear on the F35. I thought the gear would give me more time to finesse it into the air. Well, that was a mistake. It took forever to lift off, I'm assuming the weight of the gear was a factor, and stalled as soon as it got airborn. In contarast, my 70mm fan F16, takes off in half the distance and will go near vertical at that point.

These mini Blitz airframes, the F18 and F35, are not successfull EDF's IMO. Of the lot, the Mig 15 is a nice performer, if not stellar, hand launches well, has decent speed and aerobatic capabilities, but the other 2 have a deficiency in getting moving fast enough, soon enough, to make them reliable. If you can get enough airspeed soon enough, which takes a very hard and accurate toss, gettting past the stall speed, they fly great. They are problematic in the inital launch area. The wing loading is too high (too little wing area for the weight) and the initial thrust, too low, making it more trouble than it's worth. Meaning: 1 out of 2 launches, ends up in the dirt.

I'm going to try one more mini Blitz: the F16 which appears to be more suited to the task. The lighter wing loading, at least, should help. I really like the size. It's just right for the small field. I'll keep you posted.

[akent]

Thanks for this review...
It will be interesting to hear how the F-16 compares. If the EDF unit is the same, then I might expect similar performance...

I wonder if there are any hotrod parts you could try with the pigs?
Kent

[19000rpm]

I think the F16 will fair better because of the increased wing area. Any basic delta congiuration will fly great; all other factors being equal. Another big clue is that they SHOW a video of it being launched and flown. Not so with the F18 and F35. Boy, I should have seen that one coming.

I think a bigger motor, not much of a mystery there, might help the Mig, AMX and F16. The other's, The F18 and F35, IMO, are a hand launch or ROG are lost cause. Probably a bungee launch would do it. On the few occasions I manage the F18 into the air it flew great.

I continue to have enjoyable flights with the the Mig. No barn burner but a lot of fun to fly. It hand launches like a dream. No drama. It goes exactly where you point it (once I got the true CG figured out).

When the Mig's motor starts to go I'm going to put in a more powerful motor. Maybe figure out how to cram a more, higher discharge, battery in there too. I think this plane has the potential to be a little rocket. Not that I need that, I'm just saying...

I decided that I'd put the F16 on hold and get the twin 50mm SU34 next. I've always liked that plane. It will be my first twin anything. And, the video shows some awesome high alpha INVERTED. Again, something I've never done.

I haven't decided what to do with my life if I ever grow up. ;D My wife isn't holding out any hope at all. She's a realist. Wait a minute. She just bought a Monster RC truck. I guess we're both lost causes...But, we're having a blast.