FB Jets F16 Falcon Assembly Manual - page 3
FEI BAO F-16 1/6TH
Introduction
You have chosen a model that represents the pinnacle of ARF technology and factory testing.
While there is not a lot of building to do in comparison to traditional modelling techniques, there is
enough to keep you busy for a few evenings. Even if you have assembled maybe other ARF jets,
we highly recommend following our assembly sequence and procedures anyway. Chances are it
will save you a lot of time or having to redo sections given some specific sequences and will
prevent you from running down dead ends, and perhaps remind you of a few small things that
might end up saving your aircraft.
I have assembled this manual to try and keep things moving wile you are awaiting for glue to dry
before you can proceed to the next step. Just because the model is almost completely built does
not mean you can rush through the final assembly. This is still an airframe that required minor
assembly and general complete building techniques. You need to employ fine craftsmanship
every step of the way, turbine models are critical. Keep this in mind with everything you do, every
part you install...look at the work you just did, evaluate it critically, and ask yourself "is this going to
potentially crash my airplane? I continually ask myself during the building of any jet and if there is
any doubt about the work you have done, please back up, and re-do it properly. We have
included as many pictures as possible to give you an idea of the ultimate location of components
within the airframe you minimise any balance work for perfect CG.
Adhesives
The correct adhesive to use for all procedures is Loctite Hysol 9462. This is a very strong white epoxy
that is thixotropic. "Thixotropic" means it does not run at all, but stays only where you put it. It is
infinitely superior to regular epoxy, even slow-setting epoxy, for our purposes, because of this
characteristic. Regular epoxy will run downhill with gravity as it dries, taking it away from where it is
supposed to be. A good example is in the hinges...using regular epoxy, a good portion of the glue
will migrate down away from the hinge into the inside of the wing as it dries, and you won't even
know it is happening. Hysol stays where you put it. The downside of Hysol is it takes overnight to dry
properly, but we have tried to arrange things to keep you busy while waiting for glue to dry.
We also highly recommend that you only use a proper Hysol dispensing gun, and only the long-
type mixing nozzles. The short nozzles do not mix this glue enough, and only a thin nozzle and gun
will let you fill the hinge and control horn holes properly with glue, you can't do it mixing your Hysol
on a flat surface and trying to get the glue in the proper place by a brush or stick.
You can buy a complete Hysol setup with a gun, nozzles, and two cartridges of glue from your
dealer for approximately $60. Consider it a great investment, the glue is the best you can use to
finish you kits from FB Jets.
One cartridge should be plenty to assemble your F16, however depending on how you prefer your
setup, it is a good idea to have spare available.
Working with pneumatic systems F16 uses pneumatic brakes and retracts. If you follow a few tips,
you should have very reliable, leak-free operation. Neatness counts. All airlines should be secured
to the airframe to keep them from flopping around or getting kinked. Use tie wraps for this.
The other very important thing is to cut off the end of each airline dead square before installing it
on the nipple. This is VITAL. You can either purchase a professional tubing cutter from your dealer
(they are approximately $10), or you can make up a little jig to hold the airline and keep a sharp,
new razor blade perfectly upright as you cut. Either one works, just ensure that all ends of all airlines
are cut off dead square. Make sure all airlines are pushed ALL THE WAY onto their nipples. They
should not need to be secured otherwise, but you can add fine wire safety wraps if you like. Make
sure all left and right matching airlines are the same length, particularly the brake lines, or you will