FMS Rafale 80mm EDF PNP Assembly & Flight Review | The RC Geek
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- Here's my assembly & flight review for the FMS Rafale 80mm EDF. This model is executed really well with some nice features, has a super smooth finish and flies awesome! I've not flown a delta winged jet in a long time and it's been fun flying it. High alpha for days! :) A couple things worth noting, the model features a flap/crow function which reduces your pitch authority on landings which is not what you want. So, I don't recommend using it. Also, the exhausts are oversized and actually create a bit of drag, and so I designed and 3d printed nozzles that glued into place and reduce the exhaust to about 90% of the fan swept area. The file can be downloaded at www.thercgeek.com/stl-files Or, if you don't have a 3d printer, they can be purchased at www.thercgeek.com/category/3D... #Rafale #TheRCGeek #ScaleModel
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High Alpha 00:00
Assembly 1:00
MultiBurner & Nozzles 2:35
Radio Setup & CG 3:30
Flying 5:35
Clean Flight (with nozzles) 7:28
Full Stores Flight (no nozzles) 10:15
Final Thoughts 12:10
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It really is a nice plane after you make all the necessary fixes (grass field)*
1. Lengthen Nose strut by 5 mm.*
2. Shorten main struts by 3 mm.*
3. Remove enough foam so the gear close in all 3 bays.*
4. Regrind flat spots on Canard shaft so they both match each other
5. Add longer grub screws to the canards so they don't go past the metal inserts.
6. Bypass the mixing box if yours doesn't work like mine did not.
7. Move all the wires underneath the battery tray so you can get the battery in.
8. 3D print exhaust nozzles and install.
9. Close off the bottom cheater hole.
10. Learn to live with the fact that the gear doors will open and close several times on their own for no good reason.
Do all this and build the model. Hey! the manual says you should be done in 20 min LMFAO
These are just the facts guys. Once you've done all this it really is an amazing plane to fly with tons of High Alpha's and just a great flying model all around.
This is a beautiful jet. I think the yellow and blue goes great together.
Excellent video Chris! I may be ordering those nozzles soon 👊🏻💥👊🏻
I just bought both, the multiburner LED and the 3D printed afterburner inserts from your store. I can't wait to install them on my Rafale... Thanks a lot for this video, and for providing us with such cool additions for our planes...👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾...
Thank you for your kind support! 😊
Do gotta have that I'm curious
Just bought both, the multi-burner LED and the 3D printed afterburner inserts from your store. Great idea on the FSA @ 90%. Keep up the great work. The factory FSA gives you a shorter take-off but the 90% FSA will take a longer distance on the take-off but will give you more speed. Think of it as a venturi effect on a carburetor by increasing the air velocity.
Thank you! 😊 controllers are shipping today finally, so shouldn’t be too much of a wait.
Terrific walk through Chris. I love how this bird sounds and presents in the air. As always you flew it like you stole it ;)
Thanks man! 😊
Sounds great nice roar .
That's stunning
Thanks for this excellent video ☺️
Thanks for watching! 😊
If you are thinking about or have this plane the 3D printed outlets are a MUST!!!! You will be disappointed with this plane if you don’t have them I almost sold mine till he made this file available had a friend that printed these for us huge difference I can not say enough about these outlets!!!!!
Thanks! it’s a night and day difference. Really peps up the performance a ton which makes it really fun. 😊
I got those printed outlets and his afterburner light as well...Maiden flight to be done soon! 👍🏾Wish me luck🤞🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾Greetings from Douglas, Arizona 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾🌵🦠😷🇵🇷
Nice review Chris and of course nice flying is always!
Thanks man!
@@Thercgeek are you going to Hemet jet rally next month?
I wasn’t aware there was one? Only one I saw on the calendar was the one last month.
Another great clip 👍👍👍👍
Thank you!
Looks Very BRIGHT Bro!!!! Very Cool!!
I’m DEFINITELY Getting the Afterburner Setup from you for my New JAS 39 GRIPEN! Your Burners Kick ass dude!!!
Thanks dude! Sometimes the burner is all you see in the distance, haha!
@@Thercgeek I hear ya there!!! Yours are BRIGHT As the Sun!! Lol
The yellow blue helps a ton for orientation so yes i prefer it up in the sky out at a distance with those colors
I get that. Definitely not hard to see this one! 😊
Good review Mr Geek 👍
Thanks! 😊
Thumb up nr.200 :) fantastic Model RC Jet.!
Hey, thanks!
I want one!!! Nicely done! These foam jets just keep improving!!
Thanks and yes they do! 😊 I’ve really been enjoying flying this one, especially with the nozzles in there. Really changed the performance substantially.
Added the nozzles to my Rafael and the performance is great!
Thanks Chris!
Awesome! 😁
Great video
Thank you!
The vertical stab design is badass. Don’t love the “claws” on the fuse
Hey just wanted to thank you for the thrust cones they are the bomb fixed all my complaints with the plane and I now am getting 3d printed nozzles for the mig 29 from arrow what you think outlet size should be any comment would help but after the rafale will tune in to your channel more often keep up the great work thanks dan
Fale
I’d recommend about 90% of the fan swept area (fsa). The fsa is basically just the disc area of the fan blades, so hub area minus the shroud ID. That’s where I’d start.
I love your videos
Thanks so much!
Reducing the nozzle size I used 25gm yogurt pots. Just trim the bottom off at 52mm diameter and the top is 60mm so just remove the rim and glue them inside the existing tubes. Quick, easy and cheap. 👍
Cool beans!
I agree, the yellow seems a bit much, maybe good for visibility against the bottom blue - but they could have chosen another color
As always a great informative review, thanks. What glue did you use for your nozzles? Your fight with stores noted that it was without your 3D printed nozzles. Was it done before you added the nozzles or did you have a way to remove them?
Thanks! I used foam Tac to glue them. The stores flight was filmed before I had installed the nozzles, but with the foam Tac, they can be be removed if needed by pulling them out with a pair of pliers.
@@Thercgeek Thanks, I'm getting ready to maiden mine.
Good luck on the maiden!
I like it 😊
Me too! 😊
Great videos! Can the ESC on this jet do reverse thrust? Thanks.
Thanks! Reverse thrust would require an esc change as far as I’m aware.
Hey bro nice video and plane great show
Thanks!
Thanks 👍👍☺️
Hi Chris: Could you advise if it has a plastic-lined cockpit to prevent bubbling?
The cockpit is not lined with plastic unfortunately. It’s just foam.
Chris, did you leave the Reflex unit in? I want to use the AS3X on my receiver should I remove the Reflex and wire directly to the mixing box?
This one didn’t have the reflex gyro in it. In fact, doesn’t have any gyro in it. My guess is yeah, wire directly to the junction box.
My 80mm Rafale landing gear is broken and I want to replace it. Where can I open the body? I did not find it
Love the walk through thanks 👍 why did you balance it upside down , that part always confuses me. Upside down / right way up ? Maybe that’s why I crash a lot lol
Haha! Right side up, upside down it really doesn’t matter for the longitudinal cg. I did it that way mostly because it was easier to handle the model and place my fingers.
Ideally, ALL bottom wing planes are balanced inverted.
It really doesn’t matter, Cg can be checked either way. Typically it’s easier to check a low wing aircraft cg inverted which is why I think folks default to that.
One more is the control mixing for the canards and elev done through the Reflex or the juncture box?
The mixing should all be taken care of in the junction box, not the gyro.
Hi Chris. For those of us that do not have 3D printers. Would it be possible for you to make these nozzles and ship them ?
Thanks
Yup! The parts can be purchased at thercgeek.com/3dparts
If you were to paint this would you take the decals off or are they super thin to wear you wouldn’t see them under the paint?
I would peel the markings up. They’re a thick type of sticker. I’ve heard that using ice to help freeze the stickers off the surface helps preserve the foam surface underneath, so I’d recommend trying that.
Afternoon Chris, I just purchased the rafale that you reviewed, I noticed that you installed the 3-D printed nozzle cones, is this something i can purchase from you being that i dont own a 3-D printer. If so, i will have my builder order the nozzles along with your twin afterburner. I also once again enjoyed your video, thanks Robert
Yep, they are available through my website. 😊 www.thercgeek.com/product/FMS-Rafale-Performance-Nozzles
Hey Chris, I received my centerburners 🔥 yesterday and they look awesome! Very anxious to install. BTW, you included a 3rd tail cone and I'm not sure what that's for. Please advise. Thank you
Awesome! Not sure about the extra cone. I had it noted on my sheet, but looking back I see I noted that by mistake.
@@Thercgeek I can return it if you like. I do plan on ordering a set for my sons Freewing f-14 Tomcat I plan to order next week. If this cone will fit the set for the Tomcat we can work something where his centerburner set could be sent minus one cone. Not sure, Just a thought. Let me know thanks
No worries at all. They’re easy to print, so no need to send it back. 😊
@@Thercgeek ok.
Thanks
What are you guys doing to fix the nose gear issues,it looks like a great edf
What is the nose gear issue? I haven’t had any issue with mine at all this far after many flights.
Hi, great vid, showing both different flights, excellent work! are you a fan of the Reflex system on board?
Thanks! I’m not sure what the reflex system is. Are asking about the landing configuration they have programmed in? I’m definitely not a fan of that.
@@Thercgeek Its the pre program system and giro
Ah, ok. Mine didn’t have a gyro in it
@@Thercgeek Oh! ok so did you program flaps in and use them ? Thanks
I talk about that in the video. I don’t recommend using their “flaps,” which is more like a crow config, at all. It’ll end up just reducing your control authority more than anything else.
Hi, great video. One question: would you recommend this plane or the eflite 80mm f16 for smoother flight characteristics? (easier to handle and more relaxing to fly). Also may i know if the rafale is suitable for rougher grass fields?
The Rafale is definitely the more forgiving flyer compared to the F-16. For grass, I’m really not sure as I’ve only ever flown it from pavement. That said, it should do notably better on grass than the f-16 since the rafale has a bit larger tires.
@@Thercgeek ok thanks! This is very helpful! 😃
Can I ask you here did u put reciever ? Mine came with a reflex unit also
I stuffed the receiver in the area behind where the battery goes. The receiver wires weren’t very long and so that was the only place it could go.
I have a (probably really) moronic question on the thrust tubes for the Rafale: what type(s) glue/adhesive do you recommend for gluing them on/in? (1st time. My 1st true jet & prefer to NOT screw it up).
Thanks!
I used foamtac, but you can use ca or epoxy too.
@@Thercgeek
Thank YOU sir! Mine arrived today. The tubes (& rich) will b at my house Saturday.
IF the rain doesn't quit soon, i may have to build a boat!
Chris, are you flying on 6S 5000mAh or 4S 5000mAh? Really nice flying Chris on this Bird 🦅 👏👏👏👏👍😁
I’m using a roaring top 6s 6250mah pack
Looks and sounds SUPER
All stock in this flight ?
Cheers !
Yes, it’s all stock with the exception of the nozzles I added which increased the performance. They didn’t change the sound at all.
What, no out takes? I am bummed...always my favorite part!
Haha, unfortunately not as many when I’m filming in the shop on my own. I love to mess with my friend Paul on the camera when we’re at the field which is usually where that comes from.
Do you have the wing set to Normal or 1 Ail and 1 Flap?
Yes, that’s correct. And tail set to normal also. All of the elevon setup is sorted out within the airplane but you need to have to flap function active to get both servos working correctly in the wings.
Hey Chris. Great video. I know you fly around San Diego clubs. Do you only fly at fields?
I live in Oceanside, been trying to find a good site ( not a club) at least for now
Any places you know of that you would share?
Thanks
Thanks! There are a few places around town. There’s the silent electric flyers, weed wackers, Wingmasters, and the palomar rc flyers mostly.
@@Thercgeek thanks for the reply 👍. I didn’t think I worded that right.
I ment just some open areas to fly, not a RC club.
Open areas are different one and I’m not certain about. There’s a spot on top of the hill in black mountain which is pretty good.
I have a stupid question, probably.
Is the canard supposed to go up or down with up elevator? 🤯
Thanks in advance!
Yes, the canards are used to augment pitch control on the full scale rafale. 😊
Can’t find one of these, does anyone know if they will make more kits?
I’m sure that they will come back in stock at fms. I’ll ask.
What’s the drag:lift coefficient on this unit fully loaded?
I don’t think you’re going to find those coefficients listed anywhere for any rc aircraft. That being said, this model has an extremely wide speed envelope. It is a delta, so it’s not going to glide as well as something with a traditional higher aspect ratio wing, but it’s not bad.
Is this an aircraft as a decent first EDF for someone with prior RC flying experience?
If you’re a proficient pilot, I think you could jump into this as a first edf. The one key is with landing the airplane, it requires getting the nose up and using the power to control the rate of descent. Otherwise, you’ll end up hot if you’re not looking at the bottom of the airplane on approach.
I'm a bit confused you intially say dont use this crow feature so why would u go to flap setup ?? To initialize it?
Based on that premix board they have in there, I found that the trailing edge surfaces wouldn’t all operate until I setup that flap feature. Once I set it up, everything worked as it should, but I don’t ever flip the switch for that crow function.
Be advisee guys, the function called flaps, is, on the real jets, the airbrake function. Inner elevon going down, outer elevons going up, and canard going up. So it might be as well an airbrakes on the RC plane maybe? Can you confirm me that you feel a gain in lift? Cause it should be the opposite. Nice Rc!!!
I mention it in the vid, but I don’t recommend using their “flap” function. It reduces the lift and also the elevator response which is not what you want on the landing. On the full scale, the whole trailing edge actually cambers downward slightly in combination with a leading edge slat and the canards tick upwards as well. That’s not how this is setup.
I have to agree. it’s very good to see the orientation, but I‘m really not warming up to the yellow scheme. Terrific review as always!
I have a humble request: I know it’s been out for ages, but could you maybe give your two cents on the Freewing T-45 90mm. Preferably the high performance version.
It’s a rather interesting jet with slats and a lot of bells and whistles.
I will have to see about that one. They just raised their prices. 😢 I’ve seen a few and they sure seem to fly well.
Do you sell the exhaust nozzles?? Would love to buy some
Yea, I can make that happen. They’re $15/pair plus shipping. Shoot me an email as I’ve not added them to my site for purchase, only the free download.
Forgot to mention, my contact form is thercgeek.com/contact
Ok, I’ve just added them to my printed products page at thercgeek.com/3dparts
Great video as usual Does this come with reflex system installed
Thanks! Are you asking about a reflex gyro system? There’s nothing like that pre-installed in the airplane.
@@Thercgeek ok box said it !!
Hmmm, I’m not sure then. Maybe they’re referencing their flap/crow setup?
Mine came with the reflex 2, I guess it depends if you get it from horizon or fms direct...did you use some spektrum receiver with gyro?
@@Thercgeek no think horizon dosent inc it fms does
Hi Chris,
What battery connector does the model come with please
From memory I believe it’s an xt90. The EC5 connectors work directly with it.
@@Thercgeek awesome! Cheers
1 more, (& last stupid question, i promise! 🤪), What are you using for low, & mid rates?
Thanks again! 👍
& would YOU have a link on your 3d printed cones fir the Raf?
Honestly, I couldn't tell you off hand. The rates I show in the vid are what I fly with everytime I fly. I'd recommend setting those as your mid-rates and then giving yourself a higher and lower option for tuning/feel.
the nozzles are listed on my website here: www.thercgeek.com/category/3D-Parts
@@Thercgeek
My flying buddy ordered a pair. Rich B. in Tennessee while y'all were in NH😁
@@Thercgeek
What kind of adhesive(s) do YOU recommend for attaching the tubes? (I have everything. CA, slow and fast, FoamTac, epoxy, yada, yada, yada)🤪
I’d like to buy your thrust tubes. I have the rafale coming in a few days. How to I go about that?
They can be ordered at thercgeek.com/3dparts thanks!
Done. Thanks
Would you recommend this... over the FMS A-10?
You know, I haven’t flown the fms A-10 so can’t really say specifically. That said, I do like this rafale a lot and still fly it regularly.
@@Thercgeek I will be sure to purchase through you if available... def want the afterburners and anything else you have found to add to the experience. I plan to do this as FPV with head tracking through crossfire. Will be in touch.
What mah battery do you use
Roaring top 6s 6250mah.
I'm curious what is the reason for reducing the diameter of the aft thrust nozzles by 10%?
It increases the in flight performance considerably. There was a very noticeable increase in top end speed and vertical performance.
@@Thercgeek Understood, but for every performance increase, there must be some other component that suffers. For every action an opposite and equal action must occur. Perhaps the low-end thrust might decrease.
For a ducted fan, there’s a sweet spot on the exhaust diameter that balances top end performance with low end thrust. The low end thrust is impacted as the exhaust size is reduced, but with the right diameter and its not terribly noticeable. I actually didn’t notice a change in the takeoff performance with the nozzles on.
@@Thercgeek Does this also apply to the newer 3658-2150Kv brushless inrunner motor, or is this not a factor?
Put the nozzles in my cart, am looking for the 80mm dual centre burner for the Rafale. Will pick up a couple of Freewing F4 Dual burners as well. Can you provide a link to the Rafale burner.
Here’s the link to my burners page thercgeek.com/centerburner the correct design to order is my 32mm inrunner multiburner. It’s in the third block on the page and then just select the correct design from the drop down. Thanks!
@@Thercgeek Thanks All ordered. Nozzles the dual burners for the Rafale and 2 sets of 39mm for my 2 Freewing F4s. I have an LX F4 its twin 70mm with 2 JP 70mm fans CW and CCW. Do you have burners for the JPs yet? Also have the Freewing A10 with the 90mm Fans. Its also getting CW and CCW JP fans.
Thanks! I have one for the jp90, but not the other sizes.
@@Thercgeek Tell me what I need to order and I will get 2 to go with the others. And that's for all the stuff you do, and the products you make for us. It makes our hobby even better.
Thank you for your kind support! Are you asking about jp90 specifically? Or something different? I’ve not actually added the jp option to my site yet.
Are you in Baltimore?
I’m in San Diego. 😊
The Full Stores Plane is running off the runway! CUT!! Lol 12:05
Yeah, the runway is pretty short. Pretty normal to run off the end with a jet, especially if you touchdown midfield like I did on that landing.
Whats the range of this ?
I couldn’t tell you. You’ll lose sight of it before you lose control of it.
She is a really nice piece of Kit. Unfortunately here in NZ we are talking around $1500 NZ dollars bit more than I wanna pay for a Foamy shame as would buy other wise. Ah well I can just watch you. Flys real nice though I must say.
Wow, that’s really surprising. Is it that you’re having to order and have it shipped from overseas?
One of the Shops here had one and that's what they were asking and that's without shipping with in NZ. Container costs to the bottom of the world gone ballistic. What would usually be maybe $3000 a container is well past the $10,15,20000 plus now so most people will go back to building I suspect (yay) so long as all the building stuff is about at resonble cost. I have Rafale plan so better get balsa ordering
Yeah, shipping logistics are completely outrageous. Better off building a balsa one anyhow. More rigid and durable and while this model does fly well, a balsa one will probably fly even better IMO.
Yeah plan I have you. Ya build each side separate then join together and the former work is quite elaborate. You guys over there had quite cheap mail but lads tell me not anymore.. God imagine what that awesome Sky raider would cost to get here it's huge gotta love a Sandy eh. On the look out for Balsa USA ENFORCER Plan as well another awesome delta. Again to expensive to ship so plan next best thing. Looking forward to Hustler build another awesome Delta.
the yellow color is for rafale solo display
Cool
Can u hand launch this
Probably not very easily. FMS just released a smaller 64mm EDF version which would be much better suited for that.
Why did u remove nozzles
You mean with the stores flight? I just wanted to show the difference in performance mostly.
Tk u for replies Do u have Rafael setup shown somewhere as I cant find it ?
Yeah, all my setup info is in the video. 😊
@@Thercgeek ok dont see it but thank you anyways
Maybe I misunderstood. Are you asking for the cg and deflection information (which is in the vid)? Or a radio file specifically (which isn’t)? I haven’t published a radio file as it was done on the nx radio and isn’t backwards compatible with the dx radios.
We look forward to SOLOTURK 😃🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷
12:10 shame didn't see the crash at the end of the runway :)
Haha, it wasn’t a crash. Just ran off the end of the runway into the grass, no damage, no excitement.
전동알시rc비행기라팔이디애프제트비행기애여?.
I’m sorry, I tried to translate this in google translate and I didn’t understand the question.
Funny my flight time increased when I took them off . Who knows
Nice 👍 flight, I’m not a big fan of the color scheme too.
Thanks! Man, I’d love to see this in a cool gray scheme. 😊
@@Thercgeek Do it and show us the finished product!!
First
Haha, nice!
Congratulations 🎉 you earn a scratch and sniff sticker. Lol 😝
@@ruger1420 xD
@Kaleb S yes I do!
THIRD!!! LMAO! :P
Haha, almost! 🤣
@@Thercgeek :P
It´s called the Rafale, not Rafael!
That’s what I said, rafale. 🤣
Not buying this due to the horrendous scheme
I understand, haha! It’s definitely easy to see. 🤣
GREAT VIDEO SIR. The MORE I see this plane the MORE im LIKING it and WANT 1.🇬🇧🛫✈️🚁🛩️🛬🇺🇸 RC GEEK ♥️💯👍🤩
Thank you! I tell you what, it’s a really fun airplane, especially with the 3d printed nozzles. Performance is so much better with them on there. So, if you get one, put the nozzles on too. 😊
@@Thercgeek THANKYOU SIR
What receiver are you using?
I can’t remember off hand, I’ll need to pull the airplane down to check. I’m pretty sure it was either an AR6610 6channel or AR8020 8channel.