Radio Control Jets-2011/08

Author: Jim Hiller

Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 119,120

New products at Florida Jets

By Jim Hiller ([email protected])

I'll continue this month with the rollout of products seen at Florida Jets. This event is a great place to see the new jets from throughout the world, and in my last column I barely touched on what was there.

Bob Violett Models (BVM)

You can bet BVM has something to do with electric-powered ducted fans. BVM is introducing the EVF 3-12S, an incremental improvement to the famous Electric VioFan series of power systems. It now has additional stators behind the fan to further straighten the air off the fan, gaining another 5% in performance. The system is a workhorse, providing power for many of the models in the BVM line.

The next item—and a nice addition—is the infamous MiG-15, now available as an ARF. It's offered in a variety of color schemes for either turbine or electric power. Bob Violett demonstrated a MiG-15 ARF powered with the new EVF 3-12S, putting in 4- and 5-minute flights with no compromise in aerobatics and keeping up with the jets in the pattern. The electric-powered jet's performance is for real when done right. BVM is out there leading the pack.

The new MiG is the same size as the original built-up version, so it should retain the excellent flight qualities. With the same original rugged landing gear, the MiG-15 will continue to be a wonderful model. Powered with a 7,700 mAh 12C pack, the MiG-15 weighs roughly 20 pounds. This is a big, powerful, electric-powered airplane.

When you walk around the packed BVM tents, you can't help but be amazed at the variety—especially with the addition of the second tent holding Skymaster models. The quantity of jet models and products available from just one company—all of such high quality and performance—is amazing.

Skymaster Jets

I have always loved the T-33, and the Skymaster T-33 and P-80 are now in modelers' hands. Last year only some unpainted, incomplete airframes were on display to tease us. Both aircraft flew each day. They're a great sight in the sky; the big impressive models present well.

Jet Central Turbines / Der Jet Models — de Havilland D.H.100 Vampire

Jet Central Turbines and Der Jet Models introduced the de Havilland D.H.100 Vampire. The 93-inch wingspan Vampire is quite large and has substantial wing area. These old straight-wing jets are made to fly on the wing. This is a complete ARF model, delivered detailed and painted, and even includes much of the miscellaneous nomenclature already in place. The landing gear system is sturdy; with the ease of flying this big jet, it will probably not be tested very often.

This Vampire is powered by the Jet Central Rabbit turbine I had converted to kerosene start while it was at Jet Central for its 25-hour inspection. It has slightly more than five hours on the clock since the conversion and I can't say enough good things about the ease of kerosene start and its reliability. It hasn't failed to light off on kerosene yet. The Rabbit is now up one more pound of thrust to a full 20 pounds. It has made just the right package for the Vampire for scale operations. This Der Jet Models Vampire weighs in at 32 pounds; it's no lightweight for a 20-pound turbine.

A scale straight-wing jet of this vintage isn't meant to go vertically ballistic. The Rabbit pushes this model along just right. It's surprisingly fast in level flight, which results in the ability to perform large looping maneuvers as the momentum carries the Vampire vertically.

I was concerned about grass-field operations because the power-to-weight ratio, especially when fully fueled with 4 liters (roughly a gallon) of fuel, resulted in a takeoff weight of more than 38 pounds. But that big wing lifted the Vampire off the grass with no problems. That rugged landing gear soaked up the bumps and rolls of Paradise Field with no issues.

I'm looking forward to flying this model all summer; the more I fly it, the more I like it.

Shulman Aviation

At the Shulman Aviation tent you can find some high-end, top-quality RTF jets. David had some nice turnkey jets for sale, complete and ready-to-fly, including his award-winning Der Jet Cougar, a tricked-out Futura, and a sweet Composite-ARF Lightning—big jets for big boys.

The company also carries many items to support jet modeling, and of course, David's personal Tuono jet was there. It's a nice-flying, large sport jet.

For the balsa builders, Shulman Aviation carries the Ziroli Turbinator, a true sport jet with an incredible speed range, plenty of wing area for slow landings, yet still capable of hauling the mail when pushed hard. The Turbinator has a 72-inch wingspan and 1,130 sq. in. of wing area so the wing loading doesn't get out of hand. When you watch the Shulmans fly this well-made jet, they don't baby it. They push their Turbinator hard.

Boomerang Jets — Torus

Most know and love the Boomerang jets. Many have flown a Boomerang in one of its many derivatives—the original Boomerang, the Boomerang XL, the Elan, and the Sprint—but now there's the Torus. This big, twin-boom, straight-wing jet is for 30- to 48-pound-thrust turbines.

The ARF Torus has an impressive 83-inch wingspan—90 inches with tip tanks—and quite a wing chord. The prototypes weighed in at nearly 30 pounds dry, so the Torus isn't heavy for its size. It has plenty of wing area to keep slow-speed flight under control. After all, it has Boomerang heritage.

People flew the Torus often at Florida Jets. This looks like another winner. Boomerangs are great jets with excellent handling qualities. Many pilots have gotten their jet waivers flying Boomerangs, and they just don't seem to get into trouble. Torus makes a good, tough, sport jet that can handle grass-field operations well.

JetCat P100

I'll finish the tour with a look at the new JetCat P100. Finally, a smaller-case powerhouse with 22 pounds of thrust from JetCat. The P100 is a 97 mm diameter turbine, which allows it to fit in many airframes that the larger-diameter P80 couldn't, but with the same power. The weight of this turbine comes in at 1,080 grams, or approximately 2 pounds, 6 ounces—a nice weight reduction.

The P100 comes with all the quality one expects from JetCat, including its latest electronic control unit (ECU) and quality fuel pump. A new innovation with the P100 is the improved packaging of the accessories, including the connections to the turbine. There is a minimum of electrical connections: only one on the side of the front cover and one kerosene connection on the front case.

No more separate valves for fuel and kerosene. It is built right into the turbine, which will make installation in your favorite jet model that much cleaner and simpler. There will be fewer opportunities for those dreaded kerosene leaks. This is a nice innovation.

I'm looking forward to the new P100 turbine. It's definitely a welcome addition to the famous JetCat line. The P100 shown at Florida Jets was an early version with final delivery dates to be determined.

Kudos to Frank Tiano for bringing jet modelers and suppliers throughout the world together at another successful Florida Jets gathering. I wish him luck as he continues to develop Paradise Field.