SM 1/5 F-9F Cougar

[flyloose]

Yes, that was me, I've built 3 Skymaster jets now and I've had to do some sanding on all of them to free up the control surfaces. Can't wait to see your F9 at Wingham.

Mike

Thanks Mike, I'm pumped as well...

[BJH424]

Nice looking project, always liked the Panther after watching " The Bridges of Togo Ri " Hope to see it a t Wingham.

[flyloose]

Nice looking project, always liked the Panther after watching " The Bridges of Togo Ri " Hope to see it a t Wingham.

Lol, that's awesome. I soooo have to see that movie now......

[flyloose]

What do you guys think of the Skymaster hardware? Seems ok to me, may swap out the fuel tank stopper and vent...I like using Viton N tubing in the tank as well instead of tygon, where I can...

[flyloose]

The goodies are showing up....I can at least get started on things, one more order from Peter and I'll have everything I need...just saving up some pennies as I decided to get a Jeti DS16+CB200 as well...lol

[flyloose]

All the control surfaces needed the usual work to free them up

[flyloose]

Then I realized that standard size servos in the stabs were going to be an uber tight fit. I'll be getting MKS 747's for the elevators as they are 5mm narrower...oh well

Onto the wings for now....

[flyloose]

I found the factory installed servo mount tabs were giving me grief in terms of servo location and arm clearance, etc. So I dremeled them out and made my own.

[tbrum]

Good call on the servo tabs Eric!!

These Skymasters fly great and are very reliable if you put the time and effort into them to add reinforcements and work out some of the little issues.

[Springbok Flyer]

Hi Eric,

I have just completed the build on my SM F9f Cougar, but still need to maiden it.

I attended the Best-in-the-West Jet Rallye last October and met up with Jack Diaz and his son Geraldo. They have one which flew superbly and I have taken a great amount away from their experience. The main changes are:

- Because these jets come out very tail heavy AND the SM quoted cg is not right, I remade the complete front wood structure to accomodate as much as possible up front. (Partly to offset the weight of my AMT Pegasus HP). BTW the cg is on the LE of the main/leg doors - this is quite a lot back from the SM cg. With the SM nose heavy cg Jack told me they almost lost the jet on the first flight as it dropped badly in turns and virtually ran out of elevator on landing.

- Move the servo arm attach point on the flap back to get a better leverage. The original point does not close the flaps properly.

- Same with the airbrakes, either reposition the cylinder mounting or move the attachment point on the airbrake back....real PITA.

- Mounting the cockpit is great (sadistic) fun. Again I followed what Jack did and attached it at the rear on the bulkhead under the canopy opening and then inserted a spring steel rod from the front nose bulkhead, through the cockpit front floor to hold it up. You need all the space under the cockpit floor, so putting structure there makes pulling the cockpit out and reinstalling later, very difficult.

- As you probably aware, you need to change out all the rubbish SM airtubing.

Other than that it has some challenges (like getting a light kit to fit nicely), but nothing that cannot be achieved.

Enjoy,

Jan