RC F18 Super Hornet - 50mm EDF version 2.

0 by Nitrox416

Printing and assembling Manual

With pleasure I share the file of my creation, inspired by the hero of the last Top Gun film: the
F18 Super Hornet.
The plane is not for beginners it's a small fast flying jet to hand launch or bungee launch as
you can see from videos.
Photos of building and tips and tricks can be found at the official discussion:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4176333-F18-super-hornet-50mm-edf-
video-maiden

Video: https://youtu.be/wAHX01IdDKs

Components required:
- 4 x 9g servos

- EDF 50 mm (powerfun type https://www.turbines-rc.com/en/turbines-rc-fd/2698-edf-ducted-

fan-fd-model-50mm-11-blades-4s-motor-4300kv.html, but the edf ring can be adapted to
multiple edf type write me a message)
- 4s 1500mah battery
- ESC around 45A
- Radio and receiver
- small magnets and velcro for battery hatch
- carbon spar optional 0.5x5 or 6mm (approx 600mm needed)
- carbon or steel piano wire for aileron and elevator 1.2-1.3mm in diameter

IMPORTANT: correct CG 60 mm from leading edge at fuselage - wing joining

What you find:

 all STL needed to complete the plane

 Assembly manual
check the STL named "printing disposition" to ensure correct printing position.
50 h of total 3d printing in my prusa

I will add further revision if necessary, is always a work in progress,

message me for any doubts or errors.

Hook included but not tested, I prefer hand launch.

3D PRINTING SETTINGS:
Disclaimer: These are my personal settings and what you find are gcode prepared and tuned
for 0.6 nozzle and PRUSA Mk3 printer. This does not mean you can achieve same results with
other setups (including 0.4 nozzle with appropriate extrusion multiplier). You will have the
same performance of gap closing with the same extrusion width (0.55-0.6 mm) the other
parameters can be customizable based on your needs, components and quality desired.

G code settings:

LW-PLA

0.4 or 0.6 (recommended) nozzle

0.55-0.6 extrusion width (compulsory)
2 bottom layer
0.3 layer height
260 °C nozzle
60 °C bed

Top bottom
Name printing mode
layers layers
Nose spiral - vase mode 0 2
F1 spiral - vase mode 0 2
F2 spiral - vase mode 0 2
F3 spiral - vase mode 0 2
F4 spiral - vase mode 0 2
F5 spiral - vase mode 0 2
F6 spiral - vase mode 0 2
F7 spiral - vase mode 0 2
hortip spiral - vase mode 0 2
horoot spiral - vase mode 0 2
ELE L-R spiral - vase mode 0 2
ELE2- L/R spiral - vase mode 0 7
FINL1 spiral - vase mode 0 2
FINL2 spiral - vase mode 0 2
FINR1 spiral - vase mode 0 2
FINR2 spiral - vase mode 0 2
LIP2-L/R spiral - vase mode 0 2
LIP-L/R normal 2 perimeter - 2
edf-hatch spiral - vase mode 0 2
 NOZZLE spiral - vase mode 0 2
Wing-L/R spiral - vase mode 0 2
Wing2-L/
spiral - vase mode 0 2
R
Wing3-L/
spiral - vase mode 0 2
R
edf-hatch spiral - vase mode 0 2
batt-
spiral - vase mode 0 2
hatch2
batt-
spiral - vase mode 0 2
hatch1
notch normal 2 perimeter 0 7+
AIL-
SPLIT1 (L- spiral - vase mode 0 2
R)
AIL-
SPLIT2 (L- spiral - vase mode 0 7
R)
Alignmen
t pivot
x20 Normal – 2
2 2
(including perimeters
some
spare

Printing Profile:
Personal experience a brim of about 2-3 mm is good practice to ensure perfect bed adhesion,
here are reported the exceptions:

 LW PLA All around, for personal taste alignment pivot and edf could be printed in other
materials.

For printing orientation of all parts please refer to “printing disposition.STL” file, this is my
printing plate setup where you can visually inspect all the parts and their orientation, again you
can modify orientation as you wish. In this revision all parts are already oriented ready to be
printed.

V2 new features:
 3D printed control horns for elevators and aileron the are now splitted in two
 fins are now splitted to be more easily printed horizontally in order to close the top end
 alignment features has been included all over the plane, glue is not needed for them
just put in the holes the alignment pivots.
 Improved power cables management.
 Figure 1:printing disposition screenshot

Assemblying
This is a simple plane however some attention has to be paid to cable routing, as some holes and cuts have
to be done.
Figure 2: exploded view of plane components.

Rear section
Let’s begin with the rear section:

 glue together the two parts of elevator moving surface if you have decided to use 3d
printed horns
 Install elevators in horizontal stabilizers, with carbon wire and control hinges

 Install the servos in the horizontal stabilizers

 Cut a hole in the root of the horizontal stabilizer in the F7 section, following the circular
footprint

 The servo leads should be inserted through the Horizontal root hole and the hole in the
front section of F6 glue horizontal stabilizers and fins to the assemblies.
 Glue together F7, F6 and the horizontal stabilizers
 Glue nozzles to the assembly
Middle section:
 Prepare the esc with motor leads long at least 10-15cm
 Insert the esc in the squared slot in F3

 Prepare F4 cutting some holes in the right end side (seeing from the front) to let the power cables
through F4 to the slot near the EDF, NB you can skip this cutting if you decide to print F4 without
bottom layers.

 Prepare F4 cutting holes in correspondence to the circular footprint in the root wing, insert servo
leads extensions through holes and pass them till the front end of the section
  Insert esc motor cables through F4 to the EDF cavity, Glue F3, F4 and F5 together

Front section:
 Insert magnets in the 45° portion of the nose, do the same in the corresponding face of the battery
hatch.
 Glue together the two section of battery hatch and the notch
 Glue together nose, F1 and F2.
The Marriage:
 Insert servo leads true the tubes of the middle section
 Connect the servo extensions leads to the elevator servo leads and glue middle and rear section

 Glue the front section to the rear assembly and complete the fuselage
 Glue the fins
 Glue together Lip1 and 2, and glue the assembly to the fuselage
Wings
 Prepare the wings gluing the three sections
 glue together the two parts of the aileron if you have chosen to use the 3d printed horn

 Insert the carbon spar (if needed) in the fuselage slot, a little vinyl glue on the spar will ensure long
term fixing
  Connect wing servos to the previously installed servo extension
 Glue the wings following the carbon spar route

EDF installation

Now with ESC and servo cables installed you can put all together, the tricky part is finished. Install EDF
supports on the EDF stator, and place it on the hatch. Two drops of CA glue on the sides of EDF hatch (like
in figure) and push the assembly in place. For maintenance with a cutter you will be able to cut the glue and
with care extract the assembly from the fuselage.
Install servos linkages, and prepare to CG setup.

CG setup: 60mm aft leading edge

Control throws:

I suggest +-5mm on the inside for the ailerons to begin,

And +-10 mm for the elevators.

Enjoy Flying