Desert Fox 1

Cheers!
Desert Fox 1

Desert Fox 1

Cheers!
Desert Fox 1

Rich_Hull

Appreciate it's been a couple of years on the last post on this thread but can I just openly thank all the previous contributors to this thread for the absolute invaluable information.

I've just acquired one of these and in the process of restoring it. It's an early one with fixed tips although I've now made these removable. Repainted in a new scheme and with a new xicoy 120 turbine although I'll turn this down to 100N certainly initially.

I'm pretty much ready to start the installation and hopefully be ready to maiden towards the end of May 2024

Rich

Rich_Hull

I did try!

jvaliensi

My Feedback: (1)

Before

After
I got a used Viper a couple months ago. I had to gut it and rewire it to be happy. The fuel system was plumbed incorrectly with the header tank draining into the tow saddle tanks in parallel. I redid that and went with a smaller header tank, as the X90 doesn't need 3.5L of fuel.
It came with a K120G2 and smoke. I stripped them out and reduced the weight by more than 2lbs, and it still weighs 20+ lbs dry.
It is a pretty cool airplane. I've never had anything like it.

Rich_Hull

Wow that looks awesome!! Fantastic job!!

I did something similar and went for the JL saddle tanks in parallel and a single 1L tank where the originals where. A 125ml UAT should give me enough for the xicoy 120.

I repainted it in the EA scheme, neon green and black over grey/blue with light grey and red underside. Looks awesome and really pops.
Can't wait to maiden it!!!

Rich

jvaliensi

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Here are newer photos.

500ml header tank

Two Elite batteries are slim and fit well in the nose.

I like this color scheme.

Rich_Hull

Very, very nice! I do like that scheme. Nice neat install as well.
Have you flown it yet?

Rich

jvaliensi

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I have not got it to the field yet.
I was reading thru this thread and found folks went with 140N turbines and takeoff weights 30+lbs. That seems crazy.

Rich_Hull

Oh totally! I think a 120 is starting to become too much turbine for it lol, particularly a new generation small can turbine! So light by comparison to turbines of only a few years ago!!

Rich

jvaliensi

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My X90 was something like 700g lighter than the K120G2!
I am concerned 90N isn't enough, I may swap to an X120. It will not add much weight and has low residual thrusts and good fuel efficiency.

Rich_Hull

I think you'll be ok but then depends on your style of flying and the strip you fly off. If it's grass it might be a struggle. A mate of mine that's got one struggles to get the model to rotate as the front nose leg compresses and it goes negative incidence so something to watch for.

Rich

Rich_Hull

I think you'll be ok but then depends on your style of flying and the strip you fly off. If it's grass it might be a struggle. A mate of mine that's got one struggles to get the model to rotate as the front nose leg compresses and it goes negative incidence so something to watch for.

Rich

Rich_Hull

It's moved on a bit from this but you get the idea

Jason R.

Hi Guys,
I have been flying my Viper for 8 or 9 years with a Kingtech 100, mainly from a grass runway with no problems power wise. If grass is a little wet it notices the extra drag, but other than that it flies great. It is great to see some are still being upgraded to newer fit outs. I will leave mine with original twin 1500 ml tanks. I also have a Dubro 20 oz in the smoke tank area which is my taxi tank. I fly for 8.5 mins with 2 mins reserve in case runway busy.
Jason

jvaliensi

My Feedback: (1)

I've acquired a new X120 - so I'm putting in my Viper and putting the X90 back in my Rebel Hot.

Rich_Hull

Wow that's awesome! You'll love the x120 it's a truly awesome piece of engineering.
I did notice the rebel hot in your earlier photos, never flown one but I've heard good things about it