10.29* I’ve uploaded all fuselage sections for the retract 90mm version in a separate zip.
Its hard to hide my love for the legacy hornet. Truly a multi role fighter/work horse. Perfect blend of utility and beauty. F18's just fly different. When the designers came up with the idea, they knew they needed a maneuverable but also slow flying / high lift airframe. Thats what I feel makes the hornet so special.
This design will come with 3 versions
1. 70mm hand launch
2. 90mm hand launch
3. 90mm retract (freewing retracts)
I modeled this airframe closley to the freewing version. I've never owned one or flew one but I knew the dimensions and the weight. I aimed for those figures and surpassed. Both 90mm's are around 1k lighter than the Freewing version.
Maiden flights 90mm and 70mm https://youtu.be/-aWmqKhdw8g
More 90mm flights https://youtu.be/4Hykw3sNxIU
landing gear flights https://youtu.be/0OAhqcqkick
Build tips https://youtu.be/QWvgJhfyzlE
My 90mm Hornet with retracts and a 4000 6s is 2260g ready to fly. The freewing is 2640 without the lipo.
Parts Needed
(90mm/70mm)-any 17g servo (both 90 and 70mm hornet. I used thesehttps://a.co/d/hfCi6JW
-8mm carbon tube for the spars and pivot tubes https://a.co/d/7wu9gIC I've used two different brands and have provided 3 sizes of pivot tube sleeves to accommodate all the different tolerances of different 8mm tubes on amazon.
- 90mm hornet uses 4x 9g servos for ailerons and flaps https://a.co/d/b2pewuI
-90mm hornet uses 1x 4.3g servo for front retract. 2x 4.3g servos for 90mm version rudders. https://a.co/d/hm14z6s
-70mm hornet uses 4x 4.3g servos
- ball links for full flying tails. you can use any 2mm ball link or similar. not critical on brand https://a.co/d/b9C6M5m
-2mm threaded pushrod https://a.co/d/bA7DBJy
- any 70mm fan for the 70mm version. I prefer the FMS 70mm 6s fan along with an appropriate ESC.
-I used the freewing 90mm fan https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-90mm-12-blade-edf-6s-power-system-w-3668-1960kv-inrunner-motor-e72216
-https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-120a-esc-with-8a-bec-with-reverse-thrust-function-070d002010
-Freewing retracts for the 90mm https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-90mm-edf-f-a-18c-hornet-main-landing-gear-right-fj31411083
https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-90mm-edf-f-a-18c-hornet-main-landing-gear-left-fj31411082
https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-90mm-edf-f-a-18c-hornet-nose-landing-gear-fj31411081
-any 1.2 mm pushrod with z bends for ailerons and flaps and nose gear servo.
-velcro for attaching the battery and esc and receiver.
-Y harness adaptor for ailerons,flaps if you choose to link.
- long servo wire extensions
- Hot glue to fix the fan and servos in place
-CA glue to construct the airplane and attach the full flying tail system. I use medium CA glue for everything but the full flying tails. Use thick CA glue to glue the full flying tail horn to the carbon tube! Then use CA glue to attach the full flying tail to the carbon tube.
8mm OD carbon pivot tube lengths
you may need to slightly adjust as needed
-90mm carbon tube 97mm in length
-70mm 82mm long
8mm carbon wing spar:
90mm 520mm
70mm 430mm
90mm retract carbon tube length inside the strake 270mm
Aircraft Specifications
- EDF: single 70mm
- Servos: 4