I'm so happy with my JD Falcon Kit by Blue Sky Models!

LAST EDITED ON Oct-25-04 AT 10:13 PM (CDT)
 
Hi!

The postman just delivered my JD falcon kit from Blue Sky Models. The big box arrived via priority mail this afternoon and inside, under a large sheet of bubble wrap, was what has to be the nicest kit I've ever had!

Firstly, there are about 10 sheets of laser cut parts. If you haven't seen one of the new laser cut kits, you'll be as blown away as I was! Every part is perfectly cut and nearly falls out of the sheet. The wing ribs have alignment holes for jig building and even the small parts like the fuselage performers and the stab/elevator filler blocks are included.

I was really pleased to find that the plywood clips that hold the landing gear blocks are lasered as well. I've always been successful
cutting them with my jigsaw but they can be time-consuming to do perfectly. The plywood fuse doublers have gotten the same treatment.

There's plenty of block the wood in kit. Some obviously intended for the Cowl, with pre-shaped pieces for the wing tips and wheel pants. Tom personaly hand selects all of his wood at Lone Star.

The kit includes a very nicely molded canopy. I had originally thought to use a painted canopy on this plane but after checking out the canopy, I know I'll be looking for a sexy pilot willing to go for a ride!

One thing that did grab my attention, was a separate 19 inch long cardboard tube, that proved to contain a molded turtle deck. I really didn't expect that! This one feature will save most of you some weight and the rest of us at least an evening of carving and shaping or a couple of days of mold making.

By the way, the plans are CAD drawn with more than enough notation to scratch build the plane but they are also accompanied by a 15 page booklet that details the construction of each and every part, with plenty of color photographs.

One thing that is unusuall is the absence of any control system parts. Tom, very wisely, knows his audience and therefore has left the control system decisions to the builder.

With this kit, Tom has really done justice to his friend John D'Ottavio and the "JD Falcon" and I know that Tom is (Justly.) very proud of his work. The fact that this is a labor-of-love is evident in every part in this kit.

As quickly as cottage industry Manufacturers come and go, you might want to order a JD falcon kit to add to your kit stash. I've had mine for about three hours and I'm already thinking about ordering another one!

BIGS

PS:
Tom also offers wings and other componants as custom-built assemblies, laser cut ribs and several canopies, along with vintage plans and mag. reprints. Contact: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER!

I ordered and paid full price for my kit, just like everyone else does. Like me, you may have to wait a bit for wood deliveries to come in, but I can assure you, that every kit that Tom sends out will be as nice mine!

" What constitutes the dignity of a craft is that it creates a fellowship, that it binds men together and fashions for them a common language. For there is but one problem - the problem of human relations."

LAST EDITED ON Oct-27-04 AT 02:08 AM (CDT)
 
I built a Jay Dee Falcon from a plan that a fellow club member gave me. I started it in 1999 and finished it this year. I modified the design a bit and built it with a bolt on wing (I'll do some pictures of the method I used if anyone is interested) I powered it with a Stalker 35 and it seems to fly well (better than I can fly it)
Here is a picture:-
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[photo not recovered: jdf4s.jpg]

Regards

Mike

http://www.mike-nelson.co.uk

Mike,
Nicely done. This is the Model Airplane Version that many of us built in the 60's.

The Blue Sky Models JD Falcon kit was coordinated with the designer, and my 2nd father, John D'Ottavio, using John's actual metal templates, and pieces of his airplane. Although by the act of publication the M.A.N. version is legal for Classic, it is quite different John's actual aitplanes. A look at the pictures in the M.A.N. article will show that the rudder on the airplanes is approx 30% bigger on the M.A.N. plans, and this is only the start.

We all wondered back then why our Falcons didn't look like John's,and looked like they needed a diet, but now we know why. The mistakes were more created by rush to publication and draftsman's assumptions, than any intentional deceptions.

The good news is that the M.A.N. version flew well.

John and I went to pains to make sure that the Blue Sky Models kit is 100% accurate. John has authenticated the kit plans with his signature. He cried when he saw the final plans and again when saw several again in competition by some very good flyers.

Again, I am happy that you built the M.A.N. version, and did such a fine job. Both versions should be seen again.

Tom Niebuhr

PS: I first started flying with John when I was about 15 years old. (I am now 60, but still a teen at heart) John has been my friend, mentor, coach, and 2nd father all these years. John is now 82 years old and still coaching, judging and competing!

Well , in due time (ca. 4 weeks) i will probably be happy too.
I have ordered one of these plus an RO-Jett 40RE with header muffler.
Norvald Olsvold

Posting a picture of the kit parts.

LAST EDITED ON Jan-10-05 AT 10:45 PM (CST)
 
OK, I'm sold. I want one too. Sending you mail Tom.

You will not regret it.
If you want to dig deep, also get either the RO-Jett .40 or the PA .40 Ultra Lite with rear exaust
Norvald Olsvold

Isn't it a bit loud running a header with no muffler?

Where can I get a web site, and more info on specs. for this Falcon. It seems that I can't find the site

Tom Niebuhr has not finished setting up his web site yet.
He is working on it.
He has ads in Stunt news.
His eMail is [email protected]

It is actually a 'Header muffler'.
Not the quietest, but acceptable.
Norvald Olsvold

LAST EDITED ON Feb-07-05 AT 03:58 PM (CST)
 
The Blue Sky Models web site is now up & running.

www.blueskymodels.net

I should have posted this two weeks ago, but....

I got my Falcon kit too! This is without a doubt the most beautiful kit I have ever purchased. I should save it and buy another to build ( just kidding, my pockets aren't that deep!).
Thanks Tom for producing such a fine product. I'm sure it will be a joy to build.

I flew my Falcon today and it's worth reviewing. It is now ready for at least a couple dozen flights before even thinking of any changes. So far I tryed 65', 60', and 62' lines. Right now I like 63' lines. 19 strand .018. I,m using a Ted Flancher handle. All Tom Morris controls. OS .46LA and a cut down APC 12 5 prop to a 11.5 5. I'm wondering is a Randy Smith Bolly 3 blade with his standard spinner would real make any difference. It's at 5 sec. laps. Fuel is Power Master 10% 22castor mix. Runs are at 6:45 seconds. I had a great time building this great kit from Bluesky models. Everything in the kit was perfect. I had one piece of wood I replaced, no big deal as every piece in this kit was hand picked by Tom Niebuhr. Tom was a big help in the entire process of building this model. He would call me now and then to see how I was doing and gave me lots of tips, and help in the construction. I am real please how this plane flys. And as a Intermediant with handle time I expect I might be on my way to a beginner Intermediate with the help of such a good plane as this JD Falcon. It was nice to see a Expert fly it(Scott Riese) today, it tracks outstanding.

First Trimming a PLANE takes lot of time. This Plane has about 20 GOOD Flights on it. Weight Box Issue was first. Then Engine run. Greg Spent about an hour talking to me about how and why Uniflow tube and spray bar possession is so critical. After changing things around the engine has been rock solid. Next we worked on lead out possession. We kept moving it forward until the plane was happy.
I’m still not convinced that the line length is correct yet BUT Greg’s a happy camper right now. I enjoyed flying the JD Falcon. I like the Power the engine is putting out. I like the tracking and the feel of the plane. Corner is soft but handles the wind. I score the plane…..7.95!!!

>First Trimming a PLANE takes lot of time. This Plane has
>about 20 GOOD Flights on it. Weight Box Issue was first.
>Then Engine run. Greg Spent about an hour talking to me
>about how and why Uniflow tube and spray bar possession is
>so critical. After changing things around the engine has
>been rock solid. Next we worked on lead out possession. We
>kept moving it forward until the plane was happy.
>I’m still not convinced that the line length is correct yet
>BUT Greg’s a happy camper right now. I enjoyed flying the JD
>Falcon. I like the Power the engine is putting out. I like
>the tracking and the feel of the plane. Corner is soft but
>handles the wind. I score the plane…..7.95!!!
>

7.95 out of 8.0

There is an excellent chance that the new 12x4 narrow will
help line tension of this piece of eqpt.
The only way to know for sure is to rtry one.
I am currently running one at 11.4 x 4.4 on a PA40,chip muffler,
650 Cavalier, 65 ft .015 19 strand lines.
It flys at 5.4 to 5.45 lap times with good authority.
Busby

I bought one of these JD Falcon kits over a year ago, but only recently built it. I agree with your assessments. The wood is terriffic, the best I've seen in a kit, and the parts were all very accurately cut. Mine is in the finishing process now, and I hope to fly it in a few weeks. It's very straight and will weigh only 41 oz when finished. Engine is RO Jett 40. Richard Oliver has been flying one of these for over a year and is a good source of trimming info, props etc.
Randy Cuberly:-)

Randy,

Looking forward to seeing some pictures on the forum pages.