Panavia Tornado, ready for battle.

[StuartC]

Well after getting this is an Xmas Prezzie, I finally got arround to getting it flight ready.
I think this will be a ballistic missile compaired to the typhoon when its wings are folded. The span in that configuration is tiny and its chucking out a lot more power as well.

Video of the first power up test:-




Now All I need is a calm day and the nerve to try it out.

[Richard]

Very nice, do the flying characteristics change much in the air when you move the wing?

PS: Just edited your post to add the youtube tag to the video

[StuartC]

No Idea how much it changes with the wings back yet. Just put it together last night, still wating on the wind to take a holiday.
From what Ive read and seen from others, it does get nose heavy with the wings back. The Battery box is between the leading edges of the wing root to minimise the effect ( the other EFD's I have the battery box is as far up the nose as it can get ).
Its a very cramped fuselage. i had problems finding a position for the receiver once the battery was in. Sticking it in the nose didnt work as you couldnt get the cockpit back on. no room ether end of the battery ether. I eventually carved out sone foam from beneath the copilots part of the cockpit and recessed the receiver into that, with the two little thread antenna poking up into the cockpit so there out of the way of any of the electrical gubbins.

[StuartC]

Well, it finally got its maiden flight. Its fairly rapid even without the wings sweapt back ( want brave enough on its first flight ).
Had an unfortunate end to the flight when its lost thust with a flat battery and stalled. Good thing is only the nose gear got broken.

[Richard]

Its a right screamer, the poor camera man was all over the place in the beginning

Pity about the landing...

[solentlife]

Nice ... and yes pity about the cameraman ... should get a refund on that I reckon !!

Is there any use coupling in a touch of elevator with swing-wing ? to compensate for CoG change ? or even a small counter weight ?

[StuartC]

Could mix in a touch of elevator. Havent tried to though as the weather is currently defeating my flying attempts.
Usefull mod would be to split the two elevator servos onto separate channels so you could mix in some elevons. The aelerons are pretty much useless when the wings are back.