This design also features a simple flat sheet-foam wing, which performs very well in flight and eliminates the complexity of a built-up wing.Ĭonstruction Either Depron or BlueCor fan-fold foam can be used to build this model. If you’ve never build a sheet-foam model before, you’ll be amazed at how much quicker and easier they are relative to an all-balsa model. The simple sheet foam construction used on this model builds very quickly. Rudders are optional as well, but are handy to have for aerobatics and for improved slow flight control. Flaps and elevator-to-flap mixing can be incorporated for even better performance, but aren’t required. The control system on this design features full-flying stabilators and flaperons, which provide excellent control response at both high and low speeds. The F/A-22 Park Jet can accommodate up to a 7 inch diameter prop. This motor provides fantastic performance on the F/A-22 park jet, including unlimited vertical and a top speed of 70 mph. While there are many motors that can be used to power this model, the LittleScreamers Park Jet motor (available from Hobby Lobby) is highly recommended due to it’s very light weight (which makes balancing easier), high power (185 watts), and small 6-inch diameter prop (which reduces prop torque effects in flight and also reduces gyroscopic effects during thrust vectoring).
But for those that prefer to build a simpler model, the TV system can be deleted completely-this model flies well and is still very maneuverable without it. The TV system is electronically mixed to the stabilators using transmitter mixing, and can be turned on and off in flight with a switch. The TV system provides incredible maneuverability, enabling amazingly tight turns and loops, flips, tailslides, and greatly enhanced pitch control at low speeds. This design also features a functional thrust vectoring (TV) system in the pitch axis, just like the real F/A-22 Raptor.
Good small field performance was achieved through a combination of low wing loading (only 10.5 oz per sq ft), high power loading (160 watts per lb), and excellent control response (provided by the flaperon/stabilator control system). The design goal of this model was to capture the unmistakable look of the F/A-22 Raptor in an easy-to-build semi-scale model that could be flown in small fields. Video platform video management video solutions video player
Photos by Lawrence Dong and Steve Shumate
To download the 22-page PDF construction guide, Click Here.į/A-22 Raptor pusher jet– An easy-to-build pusher park jet with functional thrust vectoring From our November 2011 issue of MAN, Steve Shumate’s great F/A-22 Raptor Pusher Jet is an awesome looking park flyer you can build from foam sheet.