Some of the things possible with these jet powered remote contol planes is incredible. This one, specially built for aerobatics has a variable nozel on the engine allowing it to be pointed in different directions and the small wings at the front of the plane are used to control where the front points and to make the plane do it’s unique wheel stands down the runway at low speed.
Have a look at the video at the 2007 Jet Action at the Adelaide Model Aerosport field in Monarto about 45 minutes east of Adelaide, South Australia.
Category: Model aircraft
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Aerobatics with a remote control jet
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Jet Action 2007, AMA Field, Monarto, South Australia
Jet Action 2007
26 May 2007 at the Adelaide Model Aerosport Field, Monarto, South Australia
My first visit to Jet Action was no disappointment. With great weather, clear skies, slight wind from the north and a top temp of about 21 Celsius the day was of to a great start. A few friends also turned out along with my brother and my son.
The action started very soon after we got there at 10AM with the first and only crash of the day. F-18 Hornet suffered a problem with the radio gear resulting in the engine shutting down just over the field leaving the pilot struggling to wipe of speed and get the plane down as quickly as possible. Anyway, you can see the video here:
It wasn’t to long after that we had Peter Agnew’s Navy Panther jet on the runway and doing some circuits of the field. These things are expensive. At some $20,000 plus 300 hours of labour, it’s not something that you crash. Anyway, for your enjoyment you can see it in action.
This pilot/plane was probably the highlight of the day. A jet doing things that I have never imagined a jet can do, like stand on end still in mid air and hold it there. I’ve seen this done with other aircraft but as soon as they stall at the top of the climb, they fall over and head back to earth. You just need to take a look. I think you will be amazed.
This next video is a very well built aircraft. It’s an F16 that looks so much like the real thing you won’t notice it’s not until something puts it’s size into perspective. Have a look.
Don’t forget to check out the pics in the Gallery.
It’s also worth having a look at the Adelaide Model Aerosport site and their Jet Action 2007 section in their picture gallery
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Changing the Rotor Blades on a Twister CP V2 Hellicopter
Over a period, especially when learning to fly, you find you need to change
the rotor blades on your Twister CP V2 Helicopter. This article describes the process of
removing the current ones and installing the new ones.- Clear work environment of at least 80cm wide by 60cm deep.
- 1.5mm Alan Key
Step 1 – Removal of blades.
Using the Alan Key, unscrew the screw (036) holding the Main Blade (042) to the Main Blade Clamp (037) ensuring you keep your finger over the nut (xxx) on the underside of the Main Blade (042) to prevent it dropping out and getting lost. Once you have unscrewed the screw (036), remove it and carefully slide the Main Blade (042) out of the Main Blade Clamp (037). With the Main Blade (042) out, you can concentrate on getting the nut (xxx) and storing it safely.
Make sure you don’t loose the nut under the bracket – click to see larger Unscrew the screw ensuring you don’t loose the nut on the bottom of the blade clamp. (click on image for full size) Repeat this for the other blade if required
Step 2 – Inspect
Check the new Main Blades (042) don’t have cracks or scratches especially on the leading edge and around the mounting area.
Check the Main Blade Clamp (037) to make sure it moves freely and does not show any signs of cracking or un-due wear and tear.
(Remember: The blades on you Twister CP V2 Helicopter have considerable stresses applied to them and they have the potential of doing considerable harm and damage.)
Step 3 – Install new blades
Fit the Main Blade (042) with the leading edge of the blade on the clockwise side when looking from the top into the Main Blade Clamp (042) lining up the hole for the screw (036).
Install new blade with leading edge lead when rotating clockwise Insert the screw (036) into the hole and using the Alan key give it a half turn to get the thread bitting. Then insert the nut (xxx) into the cavity on the bottom of the Main Blade Clamp (037). Now continue to tighten the screw (036) with the Alan Key until firm.
Use the screw and nut removed in step 1 to secure the Main Blade to the Main Blade Clamp. (click on image for full size) Line the Main Blades (042) up straight and at right angles to the Fly Bar (003). Tighten the screws (037) and nuts (xxx) firmly so the Main Blades (042) will just move.
With the first flight following fitting, bring the throttle up slowly monitoring the blades.
The following is the assembly schematic out of the Twister CP V2 Bell/Hiller Carbon Rotor version. Click on the thumbnail to see full size.
Twister CP V2 Helicopter assembly schematic (click image to see full size) -
Want to know more about those RC Jet Powered model aircraft?
F16 Model plane kit With either a JetCat or a Wren turbine which operate on Jet A1 fuel exactly the same as the real jet turbine engines found in that Qantas jet that lands at Adelaide airport, these model aircraft are an incredible piece of engineering. When you hear them before seeing them, you’ll swear your hearing a real jet engine.
Jet turbine driven model helicopters How fast?
I don’t really know yet. The US FAA has placed a speed limit on these models of 377kmh (234mph) however these pilots report faster speeds than that. To put a little perspective around this, a Cessna 174 (typical single engine 4 seater) has a top speed of 320kph (200mph) at sea level.
The helicopters seem to get speeds up to about 140km/h, a little slower than their real life counterparts but not much.
Fuel
These engines use the same fuel as their the full size versions, Jet A1, 1-K kerosene. So when you are around these planes, you’d swear your at the airport. Fuel consumption varies but as an example, the JetCat P160 uses 454 grams (16 oz) per min at full power.How the engine works
They really work the same as the full size engines with the main difference being the size of the parts used. They have a compressor, combustion chamber, turbine and exhaust nozzle. Air enters the engine and is compressed by the compressor. The compressed air is moved through the combustion chamber where the air is heated, making it expand (and compress even more). This air moves through the turbines at very high speed which makes them spin. A shaft is connected to the turbines and back through the front of the engine which connects to the compressor blades turning them. The air from the turbine stage exits the engine through the exhaust nozzle at very high speed (about 2,000km/h or 1,300mph) which pushes the engine and plane through the air.With the helicopter, there is a second shaft connected to the turbines which goes through a gearbox to drive the helicopters rotor. In this version the air coming out of the turbines is exhausted and not used for thrust.
Two good articles that explain this with illustrations is:
Some of the engines and power plants
JetCat P160 Jet Turbine engine Helicopter powerplant using a JetCat Turbine engine. Alternative helicopter power plant using a JetCat Turbine engine How much?
If your anything like me, I have to know what would a hobby like this cost me? Well here’s what I found out so far. Please note, I don’t sell these and the prices here are what I found the things for on the Internet at the time of writing.
Engines:
Prices range from AU$3,400 for a JetCat P80 to AU$7,600 for the JetCat P200. For helicopters, you would spend about AU$7,300 for a SPH5 Helicopter Power Unit.Plane:
I’ve found kits start at about AU$1,200 for a Boomerang Intro ARF Jet Kit and work up from there. The sky really is the limit as some of the planes are really impressive with enormous amounts of time going into their construction.Controllers, computers etc:
You need to be able to control these models and they don’t come with a controller. Most hobbyists have a tendency to like a particular controller so its left up to the individual. Priced that I found started from about AU$199 for a simple 4 channel radio kit to AU$3,350 for a Futaba 14CH Radio Control System.So for a full kit, one should expect to start at about AU$6,000 when you get the other bits that are not included, with most hobbyists spending much more.
A tip:
If you don’t have experience in flying these models, start small and cheap. When they crash, there is usually nothing left.
The next two pictures are of a B52 Remote Control model aircraft which was flown by someone with experience. You can see the results anyway.
Remote control B-52 aircraft before takeoff Remote control B-52 aircraft crash site Comment from a YouTube viewer explains a little what happened:
pete2778 (6 March 2007) I was there and saw this happen, RAF Barkston Heath, Lincolnshire, England, August Bank Holiday Weekend in 2005. It was the BMFA national championships. It was blustery but many other models were being succesfully flown. The problem was that the roll spoilers on the B52 become very ineffective past a certain angle of roll, a gust pushed it beyond that angle and the rest was history. Sure looked realistic, most realistic model crash I’ve ever seen!Where can you buy (in Australia)?
This is not exhaustive, it’s what I found in a short time of looking. If your a dealer, and want to be listed here, feel free to drop me an emailÂDealer City/State Web Address ModelFlight Forestville, South Australia http://www.modelflight.com.au/ Intairco Hurstbridge Victoria http://www.intairco.net/ Clubs in Australia that fly jet powered aircraft:
Club City/State
Web Address