papajeff

NitroPlanes has recently introduced the FMSAlpha Jet in the stunning livery of the Portugese ‘ASAS’ flying team.
This 70mm ducted fan model, features accessory items for a scale finish, including two jet pilots, pre-painted
fuselage/wings, ordinance and more.

The Asas De Portugal (Wings of Portugal) is a flight demonstration team created in 1977 integrated with Esquadra
103 (103 Squadron) of the Portuguese Air Force. They are Portugal's national acrobatic flying team and fly two
ex-Luftwaffe Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet. Their colour scheme is very dramatic and colorful and displays
can often be compared to the synco pair from the Patrouille de France.

The ALPHA JET is offered in three versions; 1) RC Jet Kit w/out electronics 2) RC Jet ARF w/ Brushless Motor &
ESC 3)RC Jet RTF w/ Brushless Motor, LiPo RTF. This forum will feature theready-to-fly version whichcomes
complete with a 2.4ghz radio system. Just add batteries and you're ready to fly!

papajeff

Specification:

[*]Wingspan: 950mm (37.40 inch)[*]Length: 1280mm (50.39 inch)[*]Flying Weight: 1100g (38.80 oz)[*]Motor: Brushless[*]EDF Diameter: 70mm[*]Servo: 5 x 9g[*]ESC: 50A[*]Battery: 4S 14.8v 2200mAh LiPo[/list]

papajeff

Features:

[*]Vibrant paint schemes on top and bottom - very easy to tellthe top from the bottom[*]Scale paint scheme based on the Portuguese Air Force's Alpha jets[*]High wing monoplane - high wing gives great flight stability and is perfect for a new pilot[*]Big 70mm EDF unit and power system for easy flight[*]Steerable nose wheel for ground control[*]Separate aileron servos[*]Separate elevator servos[*]Scale under wing drop tanks[*]"Pop-out" main gear. Gear pops out when too much stress is applied, saving the foam from pulling out with the gear mount[*]Easy to access EDF hatch[*]Magnetic battery hatch[*]Scale cockpitwith pilot figures[/list]

papajeff

The packaging was very well done as the bottom of the carton is actually a custom styro
container which holds all the parts secure during shipping. All the pieces are protected in
individual plastic bags. I was pleased to see that there is now attention paid to quality
control as evidenced by the included QC form. Since this ALPHA is the RTF version,
everything needed to fly was included.

papajeff

As I removed all the parts from their individual plastic bags, I noticed thata great deal of thought has
been given to the design of this 70mm EDF. Notice the large battery bay,all servos with extensions
installed, EDF unit and ESC with BEC installed, 2.4 receiver installed and connected, the access
cover to the EDF unit and the speciallanding gear mounts that allow quick and easy removal if you
choose to hand toss your ALPHA.

papajeff

Also, notice the ailerons and the elevators, with each individual moving surface controlled by one servo,
are pre-hinged and the horns are installed.

papajeff

FMS has really accomplished a very important design feature for the ALPHA Jet, which is the
excellent, smooth and unobstructed ducting. Both intake openings perfectly direct incoming
airflow to the fan and the exhaust ducting is constructed to properly direct the thrust out to
maximize the power produced by the 70mm, outrunnerEDF.

papajeff

The assembly manual spends many pages with safety precautions, which is always good, but
only one page actually deals with the simple assembly with photos in 16 steps.

papajeff

ASSEMBLY

1. Glue on the nose cone
2. Glue the left and right wings to the center wing section
3. Attach the completed wing to the fuselage with the 2.6 x 40 wing screw
4. Attach the elevator to the fuselage with the two screws, 2.6 x 25 toward the tail
and the 2. 6 x 35 toward the nose.
5. Attach the rudder in the slots of the elevator and secure with the two 2.6 x 40 screws
6. Attach the main gear legs into the pre-installed plastic gear mounts
7. Attach the canopywhich is held to the fuselage with a pre-installed magnet
8. Attach the two wing tanks( I used a few dabs of hot melt glue so if I decided to
hand launch and belly land, they would come off cleanly if snagged upon landing)
9. Adjust the control rods on the ailerons and elevators manually, after centering the
servos. This will make trim adjustments on the maiden flight real easy.
10.ADJUSTTHEC.G. to the proper position. The manual suggests 178mm back from
the front edge of the intake ducts.

papajeff

Well, the NitroPlanes FMS Alpha Jet is a 70mm EDF and this is the RTF (ready to fly) version, so
all that's left is to go FLY! We had a beautiful Memorial Day weekend, here in UpState NY, and
yesterday we Maidened the Alpha. Lynn Bowerman was the pilot, Greg Covey did the video
shooting and the Alpha did not disappoint anyone at the Chief's Field as it took off and landed
beautifullyfrom the grass and was put thru it's paces. We did take video of the flight and will
post it as soon as the editing is accomplished. For now, take a look at some flying shots.

Stevey b

nice job

papajeff

Thank you Stevey b, were you thinking of getting the Alpha Jet from Nitro? If so, after our Maiden flight,
I am confident that you will be pleased with it. As if Greg did not have enough to do, he managed to
get the video edited and here are the results of his efforts. He does nice work! Ohhhhh........Yeahhhh!

You may notice some pulsing sound half way through the video and it was determined to be one of
the rotor blades seating itself inside the EDF housing as it disappeared before the landing.

(8.5meg)Video by Greg Covey
www.gregcovey.com/reviews/NitroAlphaJet.wmv

lowkeylaidback

Do you plan to fly it without the drop tanks?

papajeff

Lowkey,

I have not thought about removing the tanks as the Alpha seemed to fly very well with them attched.
For me, removing them to accomplishthe slight benefit of less drag and maybe a little more speed,
was not that important. The guys at the field all thought that the Alpha looked good and flew good
as it was and Iagree, but if someone wanted to remove them I can't see a problem. Hey, thanks
for your interest.

lowkeylaidback

Thanks for the quick reply from a guy yhat used to live on the corner of Harvard and Barrington streets in the frozen tundra that is Rochester

papajeff

All right, Lowkey, whatyoutalkinbout.....Willis?????? Harvard & Barrington Sts? Did we
hang out together, back in the old days at the "Y"????????????????

plane-addict

The ARTF version (where you only need to add your receiver) is out of stock. Hobbyking has a similar one in the same livery, and in blue.



Blue/Red: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=14440
Green/Black: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=14441

crvarvaro

You can check out the real Alpha Jet plus NitroPlanes and other rc scale models of the Alpha Jet at Aviation Trivia:

[link]http://www.aviationtrivia.info/RC-Alpha-Jet.php[/link]

papajeff

Thank's for the link to Aviation Trivia site! It's always good to know about sites like that to get some additional info
on the models we are interested in.

mgrande11

It's so docile it could almost be an rc jet trainer.

Opuske

Here is my video of the alpha dassault maiden flight.
Its onboard footage.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smXbtTWf82k[/youtube]

Opuske

Here is another video of this afternoon

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1J4QkUGXbo[/youtube]