E-Flite F-16 Thunderbirds 80mm EDF BNF Basic with AS3X and SAFE Select - Model AV8R Review

In Model AV8R Episode 76, we feature the newest version of E-Flite's extra scale 80mm F-16. This version boasts a USAF Thunderbirds paint scheme and a more capable 8 channel receiver that has flaperons pre-programmed. In this full review we cover the assembly, set-up, model features, and we put it through its paces in a scale airshow demo. This F-16 is on another level...check it out!
Get the F-16 here-
Model AV8R Horizon Hobby Affiliate Link: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Chapters:
00:00 Intro/What's In The Episode
00:50 Part Count, Parts Condition
01:12 Model Assembly
03:25 Fit and Finish, Tip On Keeping Models Looking Great
05:19 Model Specs and Features
10:57 Model Set - Up/Set - Up Page
12:57 Flight Footage: Scale Airshow Demo
20:14 Flying Impressions/Our Final Thoughts
#rc #aviation #eflite

[@Gdesign959]

It's a great time to be in the RC hobby. It's crazy that you can buy something like this and have it in the air in an hour (less). When you come in at high alpha this thing just looks like the real deal. So awesome. This thing is above my flying skill and field size right now but I could watch someone else fly this all day. Great review as well.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Brad! I agree, we have some cool choices!

[@tlrcamp8009]

That landing was smooth

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks!

[@JeffinLowerAlabama]

This is a great 80mm Thunderbird, great video Adam. Zoom zoom zoom Jeff in LA USA

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thank you Jeff!

[@hechtspeed]

Damn dude you got me wanting one of these! Excellent landing...and that runway..boy id love that place! Keep up the excellent reviews!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks brother! Really appreciate it! Yes...Georgia Jets is a great club!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Slick review Adam and what a ship 👍

[@jonoedwards4195]

Ahoy there Mate!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Cliff! It is impressive!

[@DadsRCHangar]

Superb built F-16, love all the details. A pro scale flight from you Adam, always a pleasure to see. Really love the reverse function. 🫡

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Chris, it is awesome!

[@JustwingitRC]

Absolute magic, great review Adam! Even though I'm not much of an EDF kinda guy, I really enjoyed this. That GEAR!!! WOW! E-flite did a super job on that landing gear, looks very cool indeed. Look like you had fun with this one, thanks for sharing!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks brother John! I had a blast with it! That gear is fire!

[@purcellrcaviationchannel]

Another scale flying master class from Model AV8R! And what a classy F-16 that is. E-flite really are one of the best RC manufacturers out there (IMHO) and seeing how this was engineered just supports that. But then I'm a total E-flite/HH fangirl and don't mind admitting it. Top Model. Top review. Top RC Gun...

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Hey Gina! Thanks! I get it. They really do make some cool stuff. This is my favorite jet they've made so far. I'm a big F-16 fan anyway, they just look so good!

[@bluecamaross]

Great video Adam! Loving these reviews! So awesome to see the channel growing! Hope to see ya at the field soon bud!...

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

D-Rail! Hey bro! Thanks man, hope we can go fly soon as well!

[@CR5rc]

Another nice video with some great flying Adam. Nicely done, you've pushed me closer to buying one.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks brother! Dude it is an awesome jet. I do love F-16's. Best looking 4th gen jet IMO.

[@CR5rc]

@@ModelAV8RChannel I've flown the 80mm on RF Evolution and it's a really sweet EDF, not sure how it compares to real life but I really enjoyed it on the sim.

[@odwatchguy]

Great review Adam of this really beautiful plane. My skill level doesn't extend to this F-16 Thunderbird but I love seeing it flown in the scale manor that you do so well, Solo 5 was showing what it can do.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Tony thanks so much! I really enjoy flying it!

[@jcb6713]

nice ! enjoyed your review and flight...slick landing !!! 😎

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man!

[@SunriseRCAviator]

Fantastic scale flying Adam!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man!

[@payitfwdrcl6171]

Adam, just amazing how HH made this version so scale. Not far off from the real deal. Superb review my friend. Love to come and check out your flying field someday. 👍👍😊

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Brad! I know the Viper is near and dear to your heart.

[@payitfwdrcl6171]

@@ModelAV8RChannel ❤

[@GearUpRc]

Nice scale flying!! I also fly the same way. It looks and sounds great in the air!!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! It really does...adding a KM afterburner to it!

[@dutchloveRC]

GR8 review guys!!! Out of SlowJo's league... dut I can still dream! ; )

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Joel! You could fly it.

[@ironmover5800]

Beautiful plane , I love my 70 , Iv waited on the 80 due to a guy at the field saying he thought it flew like a tank ….. Good flying !

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Lol...that's about the worst description I've heard of it. Needless to say I disagree with that fella. It's more powerful than the 70, but its also bigger and heavier. There are differences in the feel of a light, largely out of scale sport jet (the 70), and a scale jet with closer to accurate lines and a lot more details (weight). The scale jets like that will always take a bit more skill to fly well. They do fly well, but it is a different feel.

[@payitfwdrcl6171]

@@ModelAV8RChannel You think this one flys well-the full scale will blow your mind....haha... Just kiddin around. Both 70mm and 80mm got their small differences but are really nice models for sure.

[@Noncenx]

Perfect timing on this review. I got one a couple of weeks ago and planning to maiden it this weekend. It's a beautiful plane but I had to put gloss polyurethane on it to get that Thunderbird shine on it. The 70mm T-Bird looks sharp in the sun with it. Good to know about the flight time, no 7000 but have a few 6000 batteries so that should put me in the 4:30 range.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Awesome Kent...you'll love it! Your 6000's will do fine, just put them all the way back.

[@SteffenRC]

Adam, Outstanding model review. So complete and detailed. The quality of the video content is so well done (great job Heidi).. Really enjoyed watching this video. I few comments.. One: Great shirt Adam, who doesn't love Bruce Lee... Two: "Jam up and Jelly tight". that a first for me, and I'm old.... Love that term, I'm going to use that someday... - Will

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Will! Heidi is great! Bruce was the man. Your comment is Jam up and jelly tight...Lol. I've heard that a long time. My brother got that from flying in the Marine Corps.

[@keithrinehart809]

Another excellent review Adam! That's a really nice model. Derik has the 70mm one and really likes it too. Loved the flight demo, even got the 9g turn in there!😎👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Keith! It really is something special, and the 70mm is a blast too!

[@danterhune1357]

As usual, your "scale" flights show just how good your flying skills really are, and the camera work is amazing! Most people don't realize just how hard it is to film an RC plane in flight, especially to track it so well and so close. I have been flying for about 15 years, but just recently got into EDF flying, with a Viper 90mm from E-Flite. I am now hooked, and I think this 80mm Thunderbird is going to be my next one. Thanks for all the great info, keep doing these great videos!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Hey Dan thank you very much man! Heidi is great on the camera, wouldn't do this without her. You'll love the F-16. Don't be afraid to get the CG back a bit...it flies best then. I have 2oz in the tailpipe now. It will fly fine without it, but better with it.

[@danterhune1357]

Thank for the tip! Living in Indy we don't get as long a flying season as some, but I still hope to get it later this year. Definitely going to copy your set up tips. @@ModelAV8RChannel

[@insurancemann1]

Great review as always Adam. I own this model and it is a blast to fly for sure. It's nothing like the Eflite 70mm F-16 that I love to fly as well. I've never met an F-16 I didn't like. Thanks for all you do!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thank you David! I own both as well, and love them both, but you're right...very different planes.

[@mikessi]

Very well flown. Smooth and graceful on the sticks. The camera work was excellent too.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thank you Mike!

[@noelboyd4827]

I don't know if anyone knew this, but, you CAN set up your SAFE switch on your retracts. I did it on mine and also did it on my Eflite P-51. When the gears are down, SAFE is active, when the gears are up, SAFE is off and it's just AS3X. I did this because it helps with take offs and landings with SAFE being active on the gear switch

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Yep. You can assign multiple things to one switch. When it comes to SAFE I think it is important to remember pilots misuse it often. Now, when I say that I realize there are caveats and exceptions to everything. Firstly, if it is your plane you can do whatever you want, but what you do may hold you back in developing as a pilot. Second, there are some with medical conditions like bad eyesight, severe arthritis, etc. that may need to use SAFE far more often than others. That accounted for, SAFE is intended to be a teaching tool that you learn past the need for, and that should happen with your trainer. Once you master (truly, master) a trainer, each step up should be merely an adjustment of some sort. I say "truly master" because all too often pilots go to the next step way to fast. They barely get to where they are surviving their trainer, and then get a P-51, and barely survive that, etc. At the point of flying F-16's and Mustangs we need to have developed our landing skills to be able to do it on our own. If you haven't, using SAFE, you won't. You won't learn the nuances and subtle corrections that need to be made by you, the pilot. I'm not saying this to pick at you Noel, just trying to help. I have no issues landing F-16's and Mustangs...or anything else without SAFE. In most cases I don't even activate it. Engaging in truly useful practice without using it, is why I can do this. Certainly you don't have to develop confidence with an expensive 80mm F-16, but in my humble opinion you need to develop it with something. With my students, I tell them to get everything they can out of their trainer first before they go to a step up in airplane. An Apprentice (off SAFE) will do an inverted pass, a 4 point roll, a hammerhead stall, and it can be greased in for a landing 20 times in a row in the center of the runway fairly easily on a calm day...again, off SAFE. When a pilot can do those things on their own with a trainer...now they have mastered it. Now the next step up is not so intimidating. It is just an adjustment of skills they have already learned with their trainer. SAFE is great technology, and when used properly it can save you some money learning to fly. Used improperly, it can hold your development as a pilot back tremendously. All this said, if becoming a really good RC pilot isn't something you're interested in, it's your journey, and you can do it however you want. If you do, this process is how I've helped many students become great pilots.

[@noelboyd4827]

When I had the SAFE set on my gear switch was probably close to 3 1/2 years ago. I've been flying for 4 years and now I have everything from 50cc gas 3D style planes to gliders, to EDF jets. I used SAFE for about 4 months when I first got soloed and I absolutely HATED SAFE. Now...I haven't used ANY type of gyros in any of my planes in 3 1/2 years. I said that about putting SAFE on a gear switch because that's what a few of the guys at our club do that are just getting into planes with retracts and still use SAFE. They also know that if they need help in the air, they can flip the gear switch just to recover from the situation and put the gears right back up. And....when I did have SAFE on my gear switch, it was on my Mustang and my F-16 over 3 years ago and, they were both flown on a Spektrum DX6 transmitter. Now I have NX10.

[@davehrcfpv]

Another great review of an iconic warbird Adam. Looks amazing on the ground and in the air. But. Those scale wheels are so damn dinky! For those of us stuck with flying off grass strips I doubt that this plane would be successful. I am sure that if you had flown off grass you would have included a clip and a comment.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Dave. This one isn't suited for, or intended for grass. The scale wheels and low hanging gear doors make grass a no go unless its golf fairway short, flat, and smooth. That is scale though, full scale F-16's need paved runways too.

[@gazzabyerun9048]

Beautiful Jet, lots of detail to it! Sounds nice, you should put one of those after burner light kits to it! Nice flight! ☠Semper Fi God Speed

[@jonoedwards4195]

GAZZA!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man! That is the plan my friend!

[@gazzabyerun9048]

@@jonoedwards4195 Yes! How can i help you?

[@CVHvisuals]

Thanks for another great review. You should have an affiliated purchase👍 looking forward to getting this bird.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Christopher thanks very much! We appreciate you man. You'll love it. My favorite jet to fly at the moment.

[@IansRCExploits]

A great review Adam and Heidi, I've always been a big fan of E-flite planes and that's one very nice big EDF Jet!! They really are making their planes very easy to put together and set up 😀👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thank you Ian! They really do make some wonderful jets!

[@73cdi]

Great Video!! Nice Flight...

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thank you very much!

[@jayaustin3096]

You have a uncanny ability to review a rc plane like no other. I want to buy every plane you review. Now stop that. My wife is pissed. I have no more room. Lol. Love your scale looking videos. Great presentation of every plane.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Ha! Sorry to get you in trouble with the boss! Thank you Jay!

[@Bellairvideo]

Goodness, what a great jet Adam. She looks beautiful & so well engineered . I wonder how it would come up against the 90mm Viper. Many thanks Adam👍👍🇺🇸🇦🇺

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Noel! Different animals all together. The Viper is better suited for rough runways and a bit easier to fly. With it's low hanging gear doors and low cheater intake vents (that the fan can suck debris into) the F-16 is better suited for a smooth runway.

[@Bellairvideo]

Great explanation from an expert. Thanks mate. If i ever decide to get a larger jet, i think it would be the Viper for my conditions. Strange though that it is available as an AFR as well ( Viper 80mm) Looks like great spring weather there. Keep safe & well… hi Heidi!

[@jonoedwards4195]

Hot stuff already! Beauty Adam, Yumm Mate, gimme some.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Hey Thanks Jono!

[@andyschiffer6682]

Nice review. I have the 70mm and the 80mm and I definitely agree with you on the high alpha. Even a Cuban-8 is easy on the 70mm, not so much on the 80mm. I found that on both models increasing the elevator travel by 20% gave me more options to better suit my flying style.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Andy! I thought about a bit more elevator to hold the nose up and ride the mains landing.

[@collinmccallum]

awesome video!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks!

[@user-rz7ex6eo6s]

Great job you do well I'm sold

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks!

[@RcCanberra]

Like #131 Great review and awesome flight. Thank you for posting.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much!

[@JustEnoughRC]

Great video guys👍👊👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Jude! Hope all is well with you, Em, and family.

[@JustEnoughRC]

@Model AV8R we are all doing much better. Thank you Adam. Not much time for flying. Gotta focus on recouping my finances for a while. Was living on savings for months. Emily and I both have great new jobs and are on the mend. Things are looking up 😁👍👊

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

@@JustEnoughRC Outstanding Jude! Great to hear!

[@heyjackfpv5469]

another great review . I fly my f-16 80mm today for its maiden and I was a bit disappointed with the top speed and acceleration. I'm not sure I have an issue with mine or is just not powerful enough

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! It should be able to perform the way ours did. If it can't it could be a number of factors... Battery, temperature, altitude, esc calibration, etc.

[@SlowFlyer85]

Good job on review and flight real nice looking edf jet be nice future investment I need alot more flight time 🙃

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man!

[@gooniac33]

2mm driver…. Thats all that is needed!! Need to get another one….

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

They are worth having two!

[@davidgerlach1132]

Very nice, and once I'm proficient with my little E-flight Viper 70mm, this 80mm or the E-flight F-16 Thunderbird 70mm will be next. Although, I strangely enough, I have a feeling that the 70mm Thunderbird is more "fun" to fly is scale isn't 100% of your objective. The high alpha I see guys accomplish with the 70mm is impressive. As for the reverse thrust at 19:47, there's no concern of the internal blast from the EDF harming any of the wiring or electronics inside the fuselage?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks David! Yes the 70mm F-16 is easier to high alpha and mess around with if scale isn't your huckleberry. No issues with reverse thrust, all other components are sealed off. Gear bays are separate, and all the internal wiring is contained within the fuse. The only place the thrust goes is out the cheater vents and the front intake.

[@davidgerlach1132]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Very good, this is very good information. So, for now the Viper 70mm is going to be my jelly and jam tight.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Outstanding!

[@johnkelley4874]

I have flown yellow aircraft's f16c with scale landing gear and ducted fan os91 and dynamax tuned pipe with no problems except for the unreliable engine and fan unit. Haven't flown in 10 years and now getting back into the hobby. Would this be a good starting place where I left off or would you recommend another EDF thanks!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Man if you could fly the YA F-16 you can fly this one. 10 years off has to be considered though. If you get tuned up with something else fast and pretty responsive this will be no problem.

[@johnkelley4874]

@@ModelAV8RChannel thanks much!

[@notbadgerbutrich]

Hi do you know anything about the new updated wheels for this ?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

I don't Rich, what have you heard about that?

[@notbadgerbutrich]

@@ModelAV8RChannel I have no idea, apparently the plastic ones split?? Here’s the part number of the updated ones EFL87906

[@gwrrolan]

👊👊👍👍😊😊

[@davidansalvish894]

Did you ever add the afterburner ring to your plane? I went to setup the mix in the manual and it doesn't work. Hoping you might be able give me some insight or point me to a video. All the videos online are for the old grey version not this new T-Bird and they don't translate over to this configuration.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Hey David. Sorry man I haven't. I actually have a V2 KM RC Models afterburner I plan to use. It is adjustable (Color, blue and orange or combinations as you throttle up) and a bit brighter so I'm going with that. I would go to the RC Groups thread on the TB F-16 and ask there. There is a good chance somebody has used the ring on the new TB version.

[@davidansalvish894]

Thanks for the information. Will you plug in KM RC models afterburner into AUX3 and create a mix? Also, will you still have reverse thrust? As for Regroups I asked in the TB thread. All I got was follow the instructions. However, to me the instructions don't make sense and I can not figure how HH did what they state. Anyway, thanks for the replay. Keep up the good work.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

With the KM, it doesn't need a channel unto itself. You Y harness it to the throttle, and program it through its own board. It gets it's power from the battery balance lead. Reverse thrust is not affected. Very cool, light weight piece of kit. Sorry I can't help you with the ring. I actually have 2oz of weight back there were the ring would go.

[@davidansalvish894]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Thanks for the information. Can you send me a link to the KM afterburner? Have a good weekend. Keep'em flying.....

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Here ya go David! kmrcmodel.com/products/universal-afterburner-single-motor-version-3

[@kyqx]

How about the CG on this thing? Horizon calls for 95 mm back and it won't rotate at that figure. Many pilots use 105 mm and you're using 140 mm! Is this an avenue for more nose gear replacement sales after runway overruns?!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

You saw the landings and takeoffs. What do you think. Almost all manuals are conservative...some very. This is where I like the cg, get a good rotation, and smooth flares on landings. You put it wherever you want to.

[@kyqx]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Yes, great flying and great info! Thanks for the content. I'm frustrated that Horizon publishes a value that is inaccurate. I've noticed that the Thunderbirds edition has a different value in the manual and I don't know if the locations are the same as I'm not near my model. From my experience, and at least one reviewer on the Horizon website, the 95 mm CG location is pretty far off, even in conservative terms, of being nearly unflyable.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Ahh I see. Sorry, thought you were suspect of my CG, lol. So it will fly with the CG that far forward, but not well in my opinion. Also the farther forward it is, the more it leaps of the ground on takeoff...almost impossible to be smooth about it. Much more predictable with the CG back.

[@lancelink88]

High performance but what about the failure rate...and durability level. These are important factors that you omitted??? It's a very expensive model you might spend more wisely.

[@CR5rc]

This isn't a jet for you. Durability? They're not designed to be crashed, no RC is other than toys for beginners. Failure rate? Do some internet research of your own, how could Adam test what you're asking in a 25 minute video?

[@lancelink88]

@@CR5rc Grass ops?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Lance what CR5 is saying has merit. I'm a good pilot flying it off of a proper smooth runway. It will last a long time for me. For a pilot in over their head...any planes days are numbered. Horizon is up front about the skill level needed. This is not a jet for a novice EDF pilot. Skill level 3, experience required is printed right on the box. So yeah, if you're a skill level 2 pilot, then yes...there are easier skill level jets more suited to you. As far as failure rate is concerned component wise there is not really a way for me to test that on a new plane. I have about 15 flights on it, but only a lot of time and flying will tell. That said as usual HH has used good components and in my experience their stuff doesn't fail often unless it is put through undo abuse, but everybody's stuff fails under those circumstances. Nothing is meant to survive that...or designed to. As far as grass opps, the F-16 is best suited for a smooth runway. It has low hanging scale gear doors, and cheater intake vents on the bottom...so the fan could suck up a lot of debris through those holes. Of course long grass could catch the doors and tear them up as well. Maybe golf fairway short and smooth grass, but it is designed for a smooth runway. For what its worth Horizon makes no claim that it is intended for multiple surfaces, and they have pointed out it is intended for smooth runways in one of their videos as well. Also...full scale F-16's use smooth runways only so that is scale. Hope this answers your questions! Happy flying.

[@ricardopr54]

​@@CR5rc What can I say my friend! No matter what, Gravity always win!🤪

[@markhyde43]

140mm back from leading edge for CG? That's insane!! Even the most on the edge pilots with this plane fare only 120mm. The majority fly comfortably at around 110-115mm. 140mm should be bordering uncontrollable.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Well Mark clearly it isn't insane. That is where it is, and you saw the flight. It wasn't movie magic, Lol. Keep in mind we measured with the gear down, the CG moves forward when the gear is retracted.

[@boazbadihi4505]

wow Bruce lee

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Entire video on a super cool F-16 and you're into the T-shirt. Lol. Awesome.

[@wayneschriver638]

Another BUBBA tutorial! Excellent! How’s the lawsuit going from hitting the wife in the head last Christmas?🎄🎄🎄🤕🤒😂😂😂😂😂

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Ha! Thanks Wayne. Shes over it thankfully...lolol