Tamjets F-16 User manual
Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Instruction Manual
Weight: 17-18 lbs
Length: 72”
Wingspan: 51”
Radio: 8-10 Channels
Power: 13-17 lbs thrust turbine
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Dear Tamjets F-16 owner,
Thank you for your recent purchase of the Tamjets Composite F-16. With every Tamjets
product we run each project through many months of flight tests and durability tests. We
not only test with our own reps but with our customers too. This particular F-16 went
through a prototype test phase and a pre-production test phase. As a result, by the time
you receive your kit, we have already logged approximately 30+ hours of flight time on 3
pre-production aircraft trying everything from high-speed dives, dead stick landings to
purposely trying to rip out the landing gear and repairing it. Not only have we tested it
but made 3 rounds of design refinements prior to the production kit. I hope that you enjoy
building this model as much as you will fly it. This is the most pre-fabrication we have
engineered in the history of Tamjets RC jet production. This allows us to give the builder
precision fit parts and installation making for an enjoyable and quick build. We have
provided the consumer with the best of semi-scale looks, performance, ease of use, as
well as reliability at an economical price point. Designed for the folks that really want
something simple, durable and looks good. These translate to a gas and go flying
experience bringing back the simplicity of operation most of the jet community misses.
The F-16’s compact size easily fits in the back of a Suburban or Yukon XL (3rd row seat
removed) with wing on and gear down. You will enjoy the ease of flying and presence in
the air. This F-16 will take off in as little as 250ft. and can land in about the same. I hope
you will enjoy this aircraft as much as we have.
If you have any questions while building your Tamjets F-16 please call us at 408-224-
Best Regards,
Tam Nguyen
Owner, Tamjets RC Models
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Standard Kit Contents
1- 1 Fuselage with tail cone
2- 1 Canopy and frame
3- 1 Rudder base (where the rudder servo installed)
4- 2 Wings, 2 Horizontal stabs, 1 Vertical stab with rudder
5- 3 gear doors, 2 ventral fins and 2 wing missile rails
6- Fiberglass cockpit deck
7- Hardware Accessory Package
a. 2 Carbon push rods, 4 4-40 end cabs, 2 Sullivan gold-clevises
b. 2 Elevator control arms` and 4 plastic washer (for elevators stab)
c. 8 Offset gear door hinges with micro screws
d. 8 Servo bracket with servo screws
e. 1 Pull-Pull cable and hardware
f. 12 4-40 x5/8” screws and tee nuts (for retracts)
g. 8 5-40 x 5/8” and 1 aluminum washer (for vertical fin)
h. 1 M3 x 25mm screw for rudder pin
i. Nose reinforcement support former and hardware
j. Pipe support former and 2 1/8” plywood mounting blocks
k. Nose accessories wood tray with support formers
Landing gear package
1. Complete retracts with struts and wheels/brakes
2. 3 different colors of heavy duty airline
3. 12 Metal Tees
4. 2 Air fill valves
5. 1 Retract valve with hardware
6. 1 Brake valve
7. 2 300 cc air bottles
8. 4 Brake clips
Turbine install kit
1. Tamjets pipe, 3 fuel cells, UAT, fuel line and hardware
Gear door package
1. 3 Air cylinders and gear door closing valve
Cockpit kit
1. Thunder Bird or Military version available
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Task List (IN ORDER)
9Before starting assembly, sand all formers with 80 grit sand paper
9Drill 1/16” hole to wings, stabs, and vertical fin
9Install nose reinforcement support former
9Install nose accessories wood tray
9Glue smoke pump mounting bracket (optional)
9Insert M3 x 25mm screw to rudder (for rudder pin shaft)
9Glue in rudder
9Install rudder servo
9Install gear doors
9Mount retracts, struts and wheels
9Install nose steering servo and hook up Pull-Pull steering cable
9Mount air tanks
9Run air lines for retracts, doors air cylinders, wheels/brakes and door closing
valve
9Install ventral fins
9Install elevator servos, push rods and horizontals stabs
9Run and secure servo wires from elevator and rudder forward to canopy area
9Install stainless steel heat shield and mount the pipe
9Reinstall air intake ducting
9Install fuel cells (Fill fuel first to check for pinhole leaks)
9Install smoke tanks (optional)
9Install engine and accessories
9Set up radio equipment
9Install cockpit kit (optional)
9Balance (C.G location 5” back from inner root leading edge)
9Preflight check
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
WARNING
This model is designed to safely operate with model turbine engines into the 13-17 lbs
thrust range. Early pre-production aircraft are powered with a Jetcat P-60. We find that is
plenty of power.
We also flew with a P-70. We recommend the use safe of throttle management and keep
the speed below 180mph.
Every airplane has its safety limit. We tested the model harder than the most average pilot
would normally fly.
Pilot operation of any R/C model jet should be done by following safety rules and all
manufacturer safety suggestions.
Here is few not to do lists.
1) A larger, more powerful engine than suggested could cause excessive speed and
possible control problems and/or structural fatigue and potential failure.
2) Pulling high G maneuvers at full throttle can cause structural fatigue and/or failure.
3) Caution-- when using the optional smoke system. Do not blind yourself and other
pilots at the flight line. This can cause loss of control of the model due to poor
visibility.
The privilege of operating a turbine powered model aircraft carries with it an increased
responsibility. Adherence to the manufacturer’s specifications and the AMA regulations
are included in the responsibility.
Please give serious thought before trying to modify or “improve” any facet of this power
and airframe package.
DISCLAIMER
Tamjets R/C Inc. assumes no liability for the operation and uses these products. The
owner and operator of these products should have the necessary experience and exercise
sense. Said owner and operator must have a valid Academy of Model Aeronautics license
and a turbine waiver for purpose of insurance.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Drill 1/16” holes to the elevator stabs, vertical fin and wings to release air trap inside the
composite parts. Drill these holes inside panel to hidden from eye view.
Nose reinforcement supported hardware.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Drill 5/32” hole and 2 1/16” holes to the L bracket. Install the Lbracket to the wood
former as shown.
Use thick CA to glue 4-40 cap to carbon fiber rod.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Glue plywood circle to the center. Cut the front in half and sand it to sharp lip.
Distance of the center hole to the inlet is 1.5”.
Mark this prior to gluing the bottom support former.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Glue bottom support former to center of bottom inlet fuse.
(Note: make sure to clear the nose retract)
Adjust the carbon fiber rod to correct length and lock the nuts. Do not glue the carbon
rod to the bottom of support former. This carbon rod must be able to remove for
installing inlet ducting.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Mark the location for the hole that the carbon rod goes through.
Mark the hole at 1.5” back from the inlet lip.
After marking the inlet holes locations. Remove the inlet ducting.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Drill the holes with 5/32” bit. Then put the carbon rod through the inlet ducting to check
for correct fitting.
Install inlet to check proper fitting.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Apply Hysol 9462 to the former. You can remove the inlet now.
Place the accessories plate in place and tack with thin CA.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
After placing the accessories plate in the correct location, remove the plate to secure the
formers in place with thin CA.
Apply Hysol 9462 epoxy to the formers after everything is in position.
Now go onto the next step.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Glue smoke pump mounting bracket at this location.
Skip this step if not using smoke pump.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
After assembling smoke pump mounting bracket, sand the bracket to match the fuse
surface before gluing.
Tack with few drops of thin CA to hold in place.
Go over with Hysol 9462 epoxy to finish.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Measure 1” back from the leading edge and mark location to drill.
Drill the hold with 3/32” bit.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Use M3 x 25mm screw supplied with the hardware to tap the hole. Put a few drops of
thin CA to harden the balsa inside the rudder after tapping the hole.
Place one drop of thin CA on the screw thread then tighten in the screw. Leave 3/8”of the
screw socket head sticking out. The 3/8” is measured from the rudder surface to the base
of the socket head screw.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Cut off the screw socket head.
Round off the sharp edge.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
Use JR heavy duty arm. Mark the line to cut the slot.
Cut out the slot with dremel tool. Do not over cut the slot. Later go over with the file for
firm fit.
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Tamjets F-16 Instruction Manual
File the slot a little bit at the time until you have a firm fit to the rudder pin.
Check the slot for firm fit. Slide up and down to find any tight spot and file it again.
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