OWL F-18 Super Hornet 64mm EDF
( Semi Scale Model )
~ LW-PLA Digital Balsa & Foam +
PLA Series ~

OWL F-18 Super Hornet

The OWL F-18 Super Hornet (64mm EDF) is a special edition jet designed for high-performance flight and material flexibility. This package includes two complete sets of STL and G-code files, each specifically engineered to optimize the structural differences between LW-PLA and standard PLA.

(Looking for the larger version? Please see our 70mm EDF Super Hornet.)

Advanced Material Engineering

To ensure maximum durability and flight performance, we have designed the internal architecture differently for each filament type:

LW-PLA Version: Uses our signature “Digital Balsa and Foam” approach, providing extreme rigidity at the lowest possible weight.
Standard PLA Version: This version features a reinforced internal structure designed for printing without infill. While the PLA build is approximately 200g heavier than the LW-PLA version, it remains an excellent flyer.
Impact Resistance: Our latest PLA slicing profiles introduce extra solid top and bottom layers. This significantly strengthens the airframe against vertical impacts during belly landings.

Pro Tip: To prevent scratches on the fuselage during landings, we recommend applying fiber tape to the underside.

Power Systems & Compatibility

This model is optimized for a 64mm EDF and a 4S LiPo battery (1500mAh – 2200mAh).

Critical EDF Note: To fit the 64mm unit into the dual-exhaust fuselage, you must remove the intake lip before installation. This model is incompatible with fixed-intake-lip EDFs. Please note: We cannot provide support or entertain requests regarding fixed-intake-lip units.
Experimental 50mm Setup: We have included a 50mm EDF bracket for those who wish to experiment. For this setup, we recommend printing in LW-PLA and using a 1500mAh 4S battery to save an additional 100g. Note: This configuration is currently untested by OWLplane.

Launching & Flight Success

We want your maiden flight to be as smooth as possible:

OWLplane Catapult Launcher: If you are new to EDF jets, we highly recommend using our catapult system. It eliminates “human error” during the launch, allowing you to keep your hands on the transmitter at all times.
The Maiden Strategy: Use the catapult for your initial flights until you have finalized your aileron and elevator trims. Once the model is properly trimmed, hand-launching becomes much simpler and more predictable.

Directory for PLA : OWL F-18 Super Hornet 64mm – STL, 3MF and G-code ver 1.0\PLA Set

Directory for LW-PLA : OWL F-18 Super Hornet 64mm – STL, 3MF and G-code ver 1.0\LW-PLA Set

It is not with landing gear model (it is a hand launch or catapult launch type of model).

Videos and Pictures

Flying Play List

4 Videos

OWL F-18 Super Hornet - PLA+ 64mm EDF 4s 2200mAh - Final Test Part 1/3 - Coming Soon !

2:05

OWL F-18 Super Hornet - PLA+ - 64mm EDF 4s 2200mAh - Final Test Part 2/3 - Coming Soon !

2:21

OWL F-18 Super Hornet - LW-PLA - 64mm EDF 4s 2200mAh - Final Test Part 3/3 - Coming Soon !

2:08

OWL F-18 Super Hornet - LW-PLA - 64mm EDF - 4s 2200mAh Outrunner - Coming Soon !

1:30

LW-PLA Digital Balsa and Foam Series

This is a special edition model where supporting for both LW-PLA and PLA filaments. Infill will be used when using LW-PLA but 0% infill for PLA. Both have their own characteristics and depending on your preferences, you can chose either one to print. Two sets of gcode and STL files are provided since they are designed and sliced according to the type of filaments. To make things simpler and easy to slice, the 3MF PrusaSlicer files are provided. In this edition, other PLA slicer profiles are not provided but if you are familiar with other slicers feel free to slice the PLA STL files with your preferred slicers.

Below is brief explanation about “LW-PLA Digital Balsa and Foam” design approach.

Printing Profiles with Gyroid Infill :

As you can see from the pictures below, they illustrate a 3D printed part when using gyroid infill and ribs. You can pick infill percentage to you preferences where the higher you set it will be stronger. To get optimal result, we also still use ribs so that we will achieve parts using optimal gyroid infill percentage. With having gyroid infill, we have tried to use top and bottom layers. The good news is that the AUW is still acceptable for the jet and allow it to use like lego style blocks to assemble.

We run some research and experiment with some number of setting values for infill percentage. Final values will be used in our OWLplane slicer profiles. Feel free to increase or decrease the values including playing with other settings if you feel better than ours (we are happy listening / getting your input/feedback, so keep us posted about your build in our facebook group).

To learn slicing with OWLplane profile files and project files (3MF files) for “Digital Balsa and Foam” series, please click me to get to the PrusaSlicer user guide for slicing OWLplane model (or click the picture below).

*) Below is from F16 part for illustration.

Like Playing Lego :

As explained above, click the right side youtube video showing how to assembly the fuselage like playing “lego” blocks.

Expected Some Stringing but Easy to Clean :

Since active foaming filaments such as LW-PLA is not affected by retraction, some stringings are expected. The good news is that they are easy to clean compared to printing with standard PLA/PLA+.

Note : sample parts from F16 model.

Sandpaper Cleaning the Excessive Materials Surrounding Plug-In Blocks :

Sanding parts would make assembling much easier and clean. Excessive materials can be found on the top surfaces. For example, the circle in the picture need to sand so that there is no need to push the part later to fit into the next part.

Note : sample parts from F16 model.

Sand The Surfaces to Get Smooth Ones :

Comparing surfaces before and after sending it. LW-PLA material let you smoothing surfaces where it would not be applicable with standard PLA or PLA+.

Specification and Some Details

Click here if you would like to know about WCL (comparing how easy to fly the plane best described by utilizing WCL instead of Wing Loading. The plane with the same Wing Loading is easier to fly with higher Wing Area than smaller one). It can be best described by WCL value.

Spar Requirements :

1 x 6mm OD and with 380mm long fiber carbon tube as front fuselage and wing spar.
1 x 6mm OD and with 630mm long fiber carbon tube as back fuselage and wing spar.
2 x 5mm OD and with 180mm long for horizontal stabilizer spar.

Locking Belt for Attaching Wings to Fuselage :

Aileron/Wing Control Surfaces Rods:

Elevator/Horizontal Stabilizer Control Surfaces Rods:

Canopy Assembly Support Rod and Pins :

See below figures to assembly the Canopy by using 1.5-2mm support rod and provided 3D printed pins.

Electronic Positions :

Feel free to locate the electronics for getting the correct CoG.

50mm/64mm EDF Bracket and Installation :

Two type of EDF brackets are provided (please note : suggest to use 64mm EDF for this model), they are for 50mm type of EDF and 64mm type of EDF. Please note for 64mm EDF that only removable intake lip EDF can use the bracket. STEP file is provided if you want to modify for brands not in the list. It means that fixed intake lip would not be supported only for 64mm EDF. Make sure your EDF are supported by the requirement above since we will not entertain if your EDF can not be installed. Please check if your current EDF can use the provided brackets by printing them. It is free to download by clicking the button below.

In summary *** requirements to use the brackets *** :

1. 50mm EDF – need to keep/to use intake lip. Please hot glue the EDF into the bracket. Since it uses hot glue, it should be easy to remove the EDF later from the bracket using hot water to loose the glue if you would like to reuse the EDF.

2. 64mm EDF – need to remove/take out intake lip. Since it uses hot glue, it should be easy to remove the EDF later from the bracket using hot water to loose the glue if you would like to reuse the EDF.

Please go to “OWL F-18 Super Hornet 64mm – SUPPORT ver 1.0\EDF BRACKETS” directory to get EDF brackets for 50mm EDF or 64mm EDF motor.

Below are 50mm and 64mm EDF bracket pictures from the CAD :

Below some QX-Motor 64mm EDF pictures installed into the fuselage :

*) Pictures above borrows from OWL ViperJet 50/64mm EDF for illustration only.

Descriptions for pictures below :

Left side : using hot glue for 50mm EDF motors.

Right side : using hot glue for 64mm EDF motors.

Special note when gluing 50mm EDF bracket :

Make sure that the 3 cables from EDF about perpendicular with EDF bracket arms as shown by the picture below.

EDF Hatch Support Rods :

Please insert steel support rods 1.0 – 1.5mm OD into the provided holes to make parts stronger as shown by the pictures below :

*) Left side picture is for the front side of EDF hatch and right side picture is for the back side of EDF hatch.

*) Pictures above are from OWL ViperJet 50/64mm EDF for illustration only.

Elevator Servos Installation :

Please follow step by step below to install the elevator servos into the fuselage. For the brackets, please find them under “OWL F-18 Super Hornet 64mm – SUPPORT ver 1.0\SERVOS\12gr ELEVATOR SERVO BRACKET”.

Note : hot glues is preferred to use instead of CA so that it can be easily replaced whenever necessary (use hot water to remove the servo from its bracket whenever the need to replace with another servo).

Keeping Vase Mode Printing for The Outer Perimeter :

Please cut areas shown on the right side picture for FUSELAGE-5 # B2T2_GR1 printed with LW-PLA filament.

Center of Gravity (CoG) :

How to Launch OWL F-18 Super Hornet 64mm EDF Model :

Recommend to launch the model using catapult launcher. If you wish to launch with our 3D printed catapult launcher, please visit OWLplane Catapult Launcher product page menu under “SHOP & PRODUCT LIST” tab after hovering the mouse over (you can use your own Catapult Launcher so that you just need to print the hook adapter).

Watch the following videos how easy it is to launch the rc model with OWLplane Catapult Launcher and human free errors.

Printing and Preparing OWL F-18 Super Hornet 64mm EDF Launcher Adapter :

If you plan to launch the model with your own catapult launcher, please print the parts shown on the right side from “OWL F-18 Super Hornet 64mm – SUPPORT ver 1.0\CATAPULT ADAPTER\GCODE & 3MF\PLA” for the puller and need to glue the hook bar “F-18 SUPER HORNET HOOK # GR4” from “1. FUSELAGE\GCODE & 3MF” directory.

Feel free to use your own catapult launcher or you can print OWLplane catapult launcher for free.

Optional : Fiber Tape Protecting The Model During Belly Landing

By using fiber tape attached to the belly skin, it will protect a model during landing from rough surfaces. Not only protecting, you may no need to clean the belly after sometime by replacing it to get back clean.

We have tested it and really happy with the result. The model is still in a good condition after landing it on rough surfaces.

*) Using F16 belly part as illustration only.

Some Note for Slicing STL Files for LW-PLA :

Note : please go directly to 3MF files for PLA filament.

Default Value are :

– Retraction : Set enabled only to make “extra restart length = 0.05mm” (PrusaSlicer), “extra restart amount = 0.05mm” (IdeaMaker) or “retraction extra prime amount = 0.5mm^3” (Cura) to compensate loosing materials due to stringing issues.

– Heatbed: 55 degree C.

– Hotend: 245 degree C (you may want to change it between 240 – 250 degree C).

– Extrusion Multiplier : 0.55% (feel free to update this value).

– Extrusion Width: 0.40mm (feel free to find your preference value, but it will be around that value).

– Extrusion Height: 0.25mm (greater is faster but less stronger bonding).

– Printing Speed: 35mm/sec.

– Retraction Speed : 50mm/sec.

Weight and Time Estimation for LW-PLA Only :

Following tables show the weight of printed parts, number of required filament rolls and time required to print for LW-PLA only. For PLA, please go directly to read from PrusaSlicer output information. But the number may vary from printer to printer due to:

– Stepper Jerk value.

– Stepper Acceleration value.

– Steps per unit (either calibrated or uncalibrated).

– Extruder quality/condition.

– Nozzle quality/condition.

– Filament quality/condition.

– Etc.

Here are the summary table (estimation with 64mm EDF setup) :

Klipper Firmware Does Not Accept “#” / Hash Character

Unfortunately the Klipper firmware does not accept the “#” / hash character when naming the file. More and more 3D printers nowadays and upcoming most likely will use the Klipper firmware where when using previous firmware such as Marlin, Prusa, etc. do not prevent it from processing.

Since our naming convention for our g-code files utilize the “#” character and already since we started the OWLplane, we still keep them until our new release models dated after July 2024 (after BD OWLjet 70mm 6s EDF).

No worry, to use our g-code files, just need to remove the “#” character, that is it !

Fore example :

“FUSELAGE-1 # P3_H15″ replace the file name with “FUSELAGE-1 P3_H15”

Note : no “#” character is used in the new file name.

How To Extract Our Zip Files

Somehow when the folder path is too long, files and directories can not be extracted directly to a destination directory. There is a workaround for this, just follow the guide below. What you need to follow is to double click zip file until you find the directory. From there, right click to invoke a “copy” command. After that, just copy and paste the directory into your destination directory. That is it !

Update History

None.

Recommended Setup

All 50mm and 64mm EDF above are supported to use with the model since their brackets are provided. If you would like to try the brackets, feel free to download by clicking free brackets button above.
Servo Options : 4 x 12gr servos for aileron (left and right) and elevator (left and right).
ESC Options : ESC ranges from 40A - 60A (40A ESC is for 50mm EDF where 60A ESC is for 64mm EDF), please consult to your EDF manual if safe enough to use that rated Ampere value.
Battery Size : LiPo 4s 1500mAh - 4s 2200mAh rated 70C with weight around 185gr - 270gr respectively. It is suggested to use 4s 2200mAh for 64mm EDF but whatever the battery you would like to use, make sure it will get the correct CoG location.

Tools and Materials

Printer, in general 180mm x 180mm x 180mm (W x L x H) for all 64mm EDF OWLplane Models.
Filament: LW-PLA from ColorFabb, ePLA-LW from eSUN and PolyLight 1.0 from 3DLabPrint.
CA glue with accelerator. Use thick glue to join surface to surface. Use thin CA glue for coating the joint surface areas.
Velcro sticker/polyester hook and loop peel-n-stick self-adhesive for locking the battery.
Fine sandpaper.
Sharp knife.
Screwdriver and/or allen wrench for chosen screws/bolts.
Pliers, needle-nose pliers, nippers.
Steel bolt cutter.
Dremel/rotary tool for cutting carbon fiber tubes and rod with more than 2.5mm.
Electric drill, its drill-bit size from 1.5mm - 5mm and step cone drill.
Propeller shaft reamer or hole puncher reamer.