Skyman's F-14 Tomcat - In Action

**Yeti** · #1 01-24-2015, 06:01 AM

This is Skyman's F-14 with some slight modifications.

Here's the flight video...

https://vimeo.com/117661303

A special thanks to Skyman for making this great model available here.

**paperengineer** · #2 01-24-2015, 09:42 AM

It's a really good flyer! Now that I think about it, it could be a fun weekend project to make a little squad of these and then fly them off of a hill or something.

**bigtodd** · #3 01-24-2015, 10:33 AM

That is really cool. I have not looked at the original design by skyman, is this something that I can do with my nephew from a download? Can you elaborate on this ?

It looks like it would be a great "Cool uncle weekend visit!" project.

**paperengineer** · #4 01-24-2015, 11:00 AM

Simple F-14 VF-24 it says it's simple so I'd say so.

**Yeti** · #5 01-24-2015, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperengineer

It's a really good flyer! Now that I think about it, it could be a fun weekend project to make a little squad of these and then fly them off of a hill or something.

Yes, I think flying off a hill, or elevated structure could bring some impressive results. For one, you have more altitude to start with that way, and secondly hills produce rising air currents on the windward side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtodd

That is really cool. I have not looked at the original design by skyman, is this something that I can do with my nephew from a download? Can you elaborate on this ?

It looks like it would be a great "Cool uncle weekend visit!" project.

Nice idea! The file can be downloaded here at Papermodelers.

The trick to getting these to fly is balancing them. I usually bring paperclips and tape to the field in case I need to adjust the center of gravity.

The chin pod / catapult hook was something I added, but hand launching seems to work fine.

I also added camber to the wings and made the nose area thicker than the rest of the aircraft. But, I'm not claiming those modifications are needed to make it fly well. These are just things I wanted to experiment with.

Federico has built and flown this model with the wings in the swept back position. If remember correctly, he said it flew very well like that.

**frederico** · #6 01-24-2015, 06:58 PM

i sure have, and i am quite impressed with your modifications. by comparison, mine looks far more simpler. i might end up making a new version. my old one has become rather dull from past flights.

mine flew exceptionally well, especially on windy conditions where it can turn and follow the direction of the wind. i also use torn pieces of tissue and glue to reinforce the nose to be very durable and take impact

**Yeti** · #7 01-26-2015, 03:08 AM

Frederico, thanks, though I think my mods probably added a good bit of weight. I was initially worried about flying in the wind, but now I think a little more wind would have helped.

The durability of paper never ceases to amaze me.

**Falco** · #8 01-30-2015, 01:49 PM

Flying paper models is right up my alley! when and where will I be able to acquire one of these?!?

**Yeti** · #9 01-30-2015, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falco

Flying paper models is right up my alley! when and where will I be able to acquire one of these?!?

Hi, Falco. You can find it the downloads section right here at the site!

**Falco** · #10 02-01-2015, 12:43 PM

Thanks I'll download and build a dozen of them! It'll be raining Tomcats soon.