The A7 Tornado

Advertising image of the A7 Tornado by Megatech Int’l. Note the diagram of ducted fan propulsion.

A7 Tornado with a sheared-off left wing. Note the additional air intake.

The A7 is modelled after an actual US Navy jet. Its wingspan is about 23.5″. Included with the kit is a 2-channel transmitter for throttle and rudder control. Also included are two spare wings. Each wing is attached by strips of double-sided adhesive tape and a small screw. The A7 is powered by an electric ducted fan inside the fuselage, which is hollow like a tube. There is a duct under the nose like the prototype plane, but also a rectangular opening cut into the underside for additional air intake. This one was purchased at RadioShack for 69.99USD.

A7 Tornado battery pack, car-charger, and radio transmitter.

Detail of rudder mechanism.

Without elevators or ailerons, the A7 is simple to control, but not very maneuverable. Altitude is controlled with the throttle, and the rudder is sufficient for turning.

There is a 10-minute car charger and a 7.2V 200mAH rechargable battery pack. The batteries are said to last for less than five minutes, but this was unconfirmed since test flights were halted after the sheared wing was lost in the field.

Detail of wing mount damage.

A7 Tornado before and after wing replacement (canopy has been removed).

Wing Damage and Repair

The initial collision on the first test flight sheared off the left wing and caused moderate damage to the nose. The wing mounting screw was still intact, as was a small portion of the adhesive strip. The remains of the missing wing were carefully removed with a screwdriver and the new wing installed. This procedure was quick and easy.

Detail of damage to the nose and battery housing.

Detail of repair to nose damage and tools used.

Nose Damage and Repair

The sheared wing was reattached for a second and third test flight. The subsequent collisions further damaged the nose and battery housing, and the ground crew lost visual contact with the detached wing. Other than the left wing, no pieces were missing and the breaks on the nose were fairly clean.

Repairs were made with clear packing tape and careful trimming. Only a compaction of the left side of the nose was not addressed. It is expected that the deformation will not noticably affect the flight characteristics.