Gloster Meteor F.4, 50mm EDF, RC, -Release v1 (fixed gear) and v2 (Retracts)

Now included is the full set of print files for the 50mm EDF RC Gloster Meteor F.4 for 2 versions:
1- Fixed Landing Gear
2-Retractable Landing Gear

Design Specifications
EDF: 2 x 50 mm (Xfly Galaxy X5 recommended)
Wingspan: 1065 mm (rounded tips)
Length: 1030 mm
Scale: 1 : 12.5 (approx.)
Wing Area: 2.39 ft2 or 344 in2 (approx.)
Flight weight: 1.6 – 1.9 kg (2x 1500 mAh, 4S)
Wing Loading: ~26.6 oz/ft2

The Meteor was the only allied jet to go into service during the second world war in mid 1944. A classic early era jet design the type saw service in many iterations as a frontline fighter until 1961 with the type finally retired in 1977.
Early examples of the F.4 variant were used in late 1945 and again in 1946 to break the world speed record.

RCGroups thread:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4434827-Gloster-Meteor-f-4

Videos:
https://youtu.be/lOhIebORkfs
https://youtu.be/lPFDDRKiB8A
https://youtu.be/OdJSoEhV7C0
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4t0ePJ6lBLkPONDPnyJDBgU0p2a_JgNd&si=pZcIz1EsTqDWKmsh

Note: This model is considered a work in progress. Considerable effort has gone into the development so far; however, further work and upgrades are planned.
Some of these are to improve existing component designs such as the fixed gear legs and the canopy shape. Other planned updates are for the inclusion of retractable undercarriage.

DISCLAIMER
Flying model aircraft involves inherent risks that may result in injury (or even death). The builder/operator of such aircraft is solely responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and must comply with all local rules and regulations.
Anyone attempting to build and fly the current aircraft does so at their own risk.

---------------------- UPDATES ---------------------
** 18th Jan 2025 **
-Description
Two issues are addressed in this update. In both cases an existing build of the Meteor can be easily updated by simply unbolting the old relevant parts and installing the new ones.

1) The existing main landing gear legs were prone to twisting/castoring on the servoless retract pin if landing were not dead straight. This leads to the leg section needing regular replacement. To fix this problem a tab was added to the smaller section of the leg so that it overlaps the retract metal trunnion and resists twisting loads.
The new part is contained in the .3MF and .gcode files named below. (Files located in //Main-Gear/Legs)

Main-RnL-Leg_v5-6.3mf
Main-RnL-Leg_v5-6_1h16m_0.20mm_212C_PLA_ENDER3.gcode

2) The second issue addressed is the main wheels binding especially during landing. The wheels were slightly narrowed and the hub axel holes slightly enlarged to take a 4mm dia brass tube (.45 mm wall) to stop binding with the M3 threaded axel during landings. This setup has been working very well since being introduced on the prototype. Another option, which utilises small bearing, will be introduced in the near future. Both solutions are considered a successful.
The new wheels and hubs for the main gear (not the nose gear) are contained in the .3MF and .gcode files named below. Files located in (//Main-Gear/Wheels)

Mains:

Wheel-Main_Tyre_v8_0.2mm_FLEX_ENDER3V2_3h10m.gcode
Main-Wheel-Hub-outer_v4_0.3mm_LW-PLA_10m.gcode
Main-Wheel-Hub-inner_v4_0.3mm_LW-PLA_9m.gcode

---- Previous Updates ---
** 6th Dec 2024 **
-Description
Some cracking in fuselage section F3 was noted after binding in main wheels on landing (this caused the nose to hit quite hard). Reinforcement to the backbone (upper region)
of F3 has been added via several reinforcement stringers. In addition the sharp corners of the hatch opening have been chamfered to reduce stress concentrations in these regions.

If you have already glued the current F3 section into the fuselage then an internal reinforcing doubler or similar is fairly easy to apply.
Alternatively lightweight fibreglass can be applied in this region.

The main wheels will be updated to reduce the possibility of binding in a future release.

-Updated files in the "Fuselage" directory:
F3a-Hatch_v3.3mf
F3-Fuse_v4.3mf

F3a-Hatch_v3_0.3mm_LW-PLA_1h1m.gcode
F3-Fuse_v4_0.3mm_LW-PLA_5h3m.gcode

** 26th November 2024 **
-Description
Retractable Landing Gear Option
This is a major update of the Meteor F.4
While many parts are common with the first release there are some notable differences in the nose (F1 now 2 components) and inner wing to house the 3.5 kg retractable landing gear option.
Also extra holes in the F2 fuselage section for retract wiring have been included.
Some minor updates have been made to the outer wings so as to utilise carbon fibre rods in the aileron hinges. The older CA hinged outer wings will still work fine.

** 19th August 2024 **
-Description
It was noted that pinholes in the print surface was occurring in selected parts in specific locations with some printers.

The likely cause of this defect was excessive travel between layers which allowed the expanding LW-PLA to drain out of the nozzle before commencing the next layer.
Structurally the component was sound and the surface could be easily filled in these areas. However, a better solution
was found by altering the seam position in the PrusaSlicer print settings from "Aligned" to "Nearest".

An additional improvement in print quality (although less significant) was achieved by slowing the print speed from 40mm/second to 30mm/second.

The print settings in selected .3MF and subsequent Gcode files have been altered to reflect this change.

** 16th July 2024 **
-Description
A minor error was noted in the Fuselage section F3.
The error was the omission of the short cutout section for the split flaps on the left side (the right side cutout was there.
If already printed and glued in I recommend simply using the trimmed flap option without this short section added. This is the configuration the prototype flies with anyway.
The updated part has the extra cutout on the left side included.

-Updated files:
F3-Fuse_v3.3mf
F3-Fuse_v3_0.3mm_LW-PLA__4h43m.gcode

** 4th May 2024 **
-Description
A minor error was noted in the mid nacelle section N2 (L and R).
The error affected the cutout for fitting the landing gear block.
If already printed the component can be cut away to provide increased clearance for the landing gear block.
The updated part has the extra clearance included.

-Updated files:
N2-L_Nacelle-Mid_v6_0.3mm_LW-PLA_4h2m.gcode
N2-R_Nacelle-Mid_v6_0.3mm_LW-PLA_4h2m.gcode
N2-L_Nacelle-Mid_v6.3mf

N2-R_Nacelle-Mid_v6.3mf

This model has been designed in Fusion 360 and sliced in PrusaSlicer 2.7.1.

3MF Parts and associated G-code files are included for printing with an Ender 3 V2 (print size 220mm x220mm x250mm). Some tall parts have split height alternatives in updates as indicated.
The parts have not been tested in other slicers or printers.

The print settings are contained in the .3mf files when loaded as a project into the free Prusa slicer.

A printed parts document is also included in the with filenames and expected component print weights and times.

A full construction manual will be prepared and included in the next release. This will list all additional hardware necessary for the construction of this model.

-Recommended print setting alteration to avoid surface pinholes.
-Set seam position to "Nearest"
-Reduce print speed from 40mm/sec to 30mm/sec

This is most relevant to the wing sections however it can be applied most if not all parts.

Note: Print settings will likely be different for everyone due to the variations between each printer. Settings and Gcode are provided to assist, however, should not be considered as completely optimal.