I've just been given this old Byron F 18 Hornet kit.
How lucky and you get!
Ducted fan is something I've always wanted to get into.


Was just wondering if there were any tips, or any changes to the kit that would be worth considering before I take the plunge.

Sandy, I have a Skymaster F-18 I am currently building. The Skymaster 1/8 scale F-18 is very close in size to the Byron F18 you might want to check out Skymaster version's for gear installation location and layout tips, also the Skymaster F-18 is designed for turbine engines. That said many of the accessories available for the Skymaster F18 could very well be adaptable to your Byron F-18. eg. landing gear, elevator and flap linkage mechanism plus scale accessories...
Let me know if you would like any photos or specific details and I could
photograph these on my F18 for you...

Skymaster website URL (click on F-18 link at top of page)-
http://www.skymasterjet.com

ozcan thanks for your reply,
any help I can get I'd greatly appreciate. the kit seems to come complete with all the undercarriage and wheels etc.
I'm still not sure whether to sheet the fiberglass fuse or not. I've been told different things by different people, so I guess its going to be a l-o-n-g build what with all the decisions.
I'd love to see any photos you got

can I use just normal control horns and linkages or should I be using heavy duty ones like Robart?

Sandy

Sandy- no need to cover fuz with sheeting as polyester glass fuz is strong and as intended by Byron ready for paint with a little preperation eg. wash glass work with warm soapy water to remove mould release agent (wax) then prep glass work for paint by lightly sanding all over (150 grit sand paper). Foam wings do not require sheeting either and can either be covered as is with Monokote or glassed using 3/4 oz glass cloth and epoxy resin (NOT POLYESTER RESIN) as polyester attacks foam.
Robart heavy duty hinges and horns work well although most hardware for F18 as well as construction manual should be with kit...

heres the thread I have started on the TJT forum page about the Skymaster F-18 (pics included) - http://www.TJT.bz/board/viewtopic.php?t=46

ozcan, thanks for the info. I didn't realise about the washing of the fuse being all that was needed, it sure will save a bit of work.
I was kind of thinking of replacing the hardware since it's been hanging around in a garage for a very long time, not always a good idea in Aucklands wet weather, which is why I asked.

Way cool pics of the skymaster kit. made the knees go slightly weak lol cant wait to start building.

if you don't mind me asking, what is your opinion on the behotec turbine. not that I can buy a turbine for quite a few years, but they're getting quite a lot of publicity here.
many thanks Sandy

Hi Sandy- Iam somewhat biased with my turbine engine preferances as you would expect, being a rep for TJT and FTE turbines. As to the behotec I have only personally seen one of these up close, that one was at Wangaratta Jets in Oz last November. That particular engine performed very well in a scratch built Skyray, That said I cannot say more on the behotec as I have not really seen or heard to much about them.
Iam sure you would know of Rene Redmond, owner of Galtech Models in N.Z. If not... you should contact Rene and ask him about service and availability for the various engine choice options....not only that but rene can assist with all the jet/turbine advice you will ever need, right from construction methods, equipment choices and model rigging and flight prep.
Rene will look after you I can garentee.

http://www.galtechmodels.com/index.asp
http://www.galtechmodels.com/turbine/index.asp

Sandy, Keep the questions coming as I am only to glad to assist as much as possible.... Also when you speak to Rene, tell him I said hi! :D

ozcan, yeah I do know of Rene, even been to his shop once.
at the moment I'm packing everthing up as I'm off to
adelaide quite soon. so building is on hold for a few months till everything settles down.Then I may have a few more "dumb" questions for you.
Many thanks again. Sandy