F-104 "Tent Peg" Profile Model Kit

This is a big departure from our other models - this is an Electric Ducted Fan or EDF profile model jet. Its about 48 inches long and has a 24-inch wingspan.

Designed for a 55mm 5800KV EDF - but Rabid Models does not sell the EDF unit. The one we used is an 8-blade "Mystery" EDF system, part# HL5008 2427-5800KV.  This EDF provides the largest amount of thrust for this size, with a 3-cell battery.

The F104 is very special and we wanted to see what we could do to make our version without compromise - an EDF model with the exact scale outlines.  As a result this model is fairly complicated to build and difficult to handle - its not for inexperienced customers. We worked on it for 3 years before deciding to offer it as a kit. Its made "TO ORDER". Please contact us for information.

• - The construction manual is more than 100 pages, but its actually a "Build Log" - a humorous journey authored by our first F104 customer in Belgium. The Tiger paint scheme we gave the prototype is modeled after the Belgian Air Force's F104 "Tiger Meet" aircraft. (Markings to make the paper decals are included in the kit).  The blue version pictured is the model he built!
• - It has a full flying stabilizer (just like the real plane) with a custom-made 3D-printed mount. It has CF wing spars and a drooped LE - and we installed flaperons, but during development we found that flaps really weren't necessary.
• - It has some unique flight characteristics which are similar to the full-size plane, including a "deep stall" and a super-fast roll rate. It requires a working rudder (and you must use the rudder). It flies very well once properly set up!
• - It must be kept as light as possible. Use small servos and a 1300mah-1500mah "High C-rating" 3cell battery.
• -The wing-tips tanks are scratch built from parts supplied with the kit. They are optional but help the aerodynamics so they are recommended. They can be made removable with some craftsmanship.
• - The model is of the two-seat F104G but it can be easily converted into the single seat model, and cockpit decal files are provided for both types.
• -This is a hand-cut kit, made to order (not laser-cut). Limited availability.

We made a number of videos of this model during its long test-flight development. Here is a short video demonstrating its basic performance - including the "deep stall" and a nice landing. It is certainly capable of flying very well, but it takes some skill.

The kit includes the foam parts needed to build this model, carbon fiber spars for reinforcement, and some special parts including the custom-designed stabilizer mount for the full-flying stab. There are some accessories such as the pull-pull control system. The wingtip tanks need to be hand-crafted (carved) from foam pieces. The model is not assembled or painted, so the customer needs to supply glue, paint, and other hobby tools, servos, EDF, and electronics in order to put it together. The modeler also needs to supply a micro aileron pushrod system.

"Tent Peg" is a pejorative nickname German air force pilots called this plane due to its high accident rate. We can't call it by its American name due to copyright restrictions.