Kyosho F-86F

Pull-start power for a ducted fan!

If you have been paying attention to trends in RC models, you are aware that almost-- ready-to-fly (ARI) models have arrived in a big way. They come in all types-trainers, scale, aerobatic, fun-fly and park flyer-and sizes, from backyard flyers that weigh just a few ounces to 1/3-scale giant acrobatic planes. It was only a matter of time until someone came out with a plane like Kyosho's new F-861F Sabre ARE This semi-scale, 39.5-inch-span warbird comes complete with a pull-start O.S. .15 CV ducted-fan engine and fan unit, ready to install. As it is front Kyosho, the excellent quality and value of the kit come as no surprise.

In my review of the Kyosho of electric Learjet in the January 2001 issue of Model Airplane News, I wrote how impressed I was with the kit and its performance, Like the Learjet, the F-86 is an innovative and well-engineered ductedfan model. but that is where the similarities end. ile Learjet is all sheet-foam construction; the F-86 has a fiberglass fuselage and built-- up, film-covered flying surfaces. Most notably, the F-86 is powered by an O.S. .15 CV-DF engine with a pull-starter and tuned pipe, all of which are included. The colorful box is well packed, and the photos serve as a guide for applying the many graphics that dress up the model. The fuselage is fiberglass with a silver finish molded in. The built-up balsa wings and tail surfaces are covered in multicolored film; they are light and expertly built. SPECIFICATIONS

Model: F-86F Sabre

Manufacturer: Kyosho

Distributor: Great Planes Model Dist.

Type: semi-scale, ducted-fan ARF

Wingspan: 39.5 in.

Wing area: 341 sq. in.

Airfoil: flat bottom

Weight: 58 oz.

Wing loading: 25.4 oz./sq. ft.

Overall length: 37 in.

Radio required: 4-channel; 4 servos

Radio used: Airtonics RD-6000 Super transmitter, 92777 receiver and four 94556 Microlite servos Engine Used: O.S. .15 CV-DF with tuned pipe (included)

Prop used: 3.5-inch-diameter fan (included)

Price: $429.99

Features: fiberglass fuselage and prebuilt, film-covered flying surfaces and includes ducted fan, engine and tuned pipe; kit includes everything needed for assembly (except fuel tubing); lots of colorful graphics.

Comments: its well-engineered design looks great in the air. The F-86F requires a paved surface for taking off with wheels, but it can be bungee-launched from grass. The engine and fan unit operated flawlessly with a minimum 25-percent-nitro content (45-percent preferred). It has good flight characteristics, but it isn't for novices.

Hits

* Excellent design and parts fit.

* Very complete kit.

* Nice scale appearance that looks great in the air.

* Excellent power system.

Misses

* Many more tools required than listed in the instructions.

* Written instructions lack detail and clarity.

ASSEMBLY

* Wing. Construction starts with the wing. The ailerons must be hinged, and the hinge slots are precut in both the wings and ailerons. Glue the included sheet plastic hinges in place with thin CA. Glue the aileron-control torque rods into each aileron with a light coat of epoxy. Join the wing panels with 30-- minute epoxy. Keep some solvent and paper towels handy to clean off the excess epoxy before it cures. Cut away the covering to glue the servo-mounting plate to the wing. I used Airtronics Microlite high-- torque servos. These are shorter than the holes provided in the servo plates, so I cut the aileron plate in half and shortened it to fit the servo. I filled the other servo mounts with scrap and glued a 1/16-inch ply piece over each end of the plate to close it up. It is necessary to drill out the servo arms with a no. 51 drill to fit the pushrod wire. Carefully lay out the holes for the front wing hold-down dowels, drill them and epoxy the dowels in place. Mount the landing-gear struts and wheels to complete the wing.

* Fuselage. The fuselage assembly is a little out of the ordinary, so be careful to follow the instructions, except where noted. The instructions are well illustrated with excellent photos and hardware descriptions; however, they fall short on descriptive text. The Japanese to English translation is very poor and in some cases comical. Take time to study each step and understand it.

First, install the plywood brace for the front wing dowels and the balsa air ramp in front of it. All the plywood parts are laser cut and fit well. Open the gun ports up to 6mm. I did not find it necessary to cut notches in the wing saddle to fit the formers into the fuselage. Before installing the two formers, make sure they fit into the fuselage. They will show on the outside of the fuselage if they fit too tightly. A few passes around the outside edge with sandpaper will bring them down to the proper size. Once they fit, mount the ducted-fan shroud on the front former with four screws.

At this point, jump ahead to step 12 and make up the front former. Make sure the former fits on the shroud before you add the bell-mouth mounting ring, and don't fill the inside comers with epoxy-I used thin Zap for this. Jump ahead again to step 14. Trim the bell mouth to fit inside the fuselage and inside the front former ring against the shroud. It is much easier to do this with the parts outside the fuselage. You want a good, smooth transition from the bell mouth to the shroud. Fit the shroud and rear former into the fuselage but don't glue anything yet. Epoxy the wing screw-mounting plate in place. It is critical that this is located correctly, or the front former will not fit. The front edge of the plate must be back from the wing opening at least 17mm. I made a simple depth jig to position it. Mount the wing and make sure it is square to the fuselage.