Posts: 5291
Joined: 3/21/2002 From: Ramona,
CA, USA Status: offline
I love prop-jets but I would like to have a place with all the info. I need about these new kits/ARF's instead of digging over here and searching over there... The MFG recommends a 25LA but with a TT Pro-46 it BARELY flies. or I had to add 6 oz. of tail weight to a 3 1/2 lb plane for balance. We wanna know the good, the bad, and the ugly!
There are quite a few new prop-jets out these days and MANY threads about this one or that one, some informative some dead-ends...
I would like to start a thread about Prop-Jets specifically where we can find pics, reviews, details and mods from real builders instead of just Manufacturers specs.
Crazy4flight built an F-20 right? He is dialed in right? Let's get the info. Crazy!
Bob27 has a protech F-15 and Jett-30 on the board yes? (I know you are busy Bob but when you get a chance-) lets get GOOD info. from our Prop-Jet Sensei's
Is it worth the price?
Is it a bunch of plastic?
How is the customer support, if any?
What is the real CG?
Real flying weight?
What kind of performance can we ACTUALLY expect?
How about PICS from people actually building or flying these prop-jets.
Here are a few to start with, do any of you own or fly these? Want to write a short review explaining your set-up? Just a short post with info. it does not matter if you used an OS-40FP and std. servos all around, or a Jett-60LX Retracts and digital servos- we want to hear from you!
We need info. from a beginners first impression of a prop-jet to the guys who strip the covering, glass it and put in BVM wheels and brakes!
Some relatively new kits/arf's:
Cermark F-16 Angel's Rifle ** Weston Magnum R Phoenix F-20 Any other F-20? VMAR Mig-21 VMAR F-4 VMAR F-5 VMAR A-4 Protech F-15 Protech "Alpha Jet"
Old School like:
GP patriot (40 size) GP patriot XL
SIG Kobra Cougar King Kobra
Remember that F-15 from years ago?
DC F-20 CBM F-16 or F-16N Lanier F-4 or F-86 I am sure there are more...
Heck if you have a Curare or Tipo with a YS-60RE turning a 12x11 that qualifies to!
Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
james
< Message edited by Razor-RCU -- 5/30/2006 6:50:47 AM >
Posts: 5291
Joined: 3/21/2002 From: Ramona,
CA, USA Status: offline
The Great Planes Patriot (40) has been a favorite of mine for several years and I have had more than one in both kit and ARF form. They are discontinued AGAIN so if you find a kit/ARF or RTF version on fleabay or something- buy it!
This propjet is obviously best when fitted with a high performance engine like a Jett-50, YS-45 or the new Jett-60LX, and retracts. But if you don't want to drop the cash on one of those, or if you are not sure if you will enjoy this type of airplane just start with an OS-50SX or similar. I have flown the combo and it has PLENTY of power... Down the road you can sell your car and get a Jett
Do not even bother using a 60 sized sport engine, you will end up nose heavy and an average 60 cannot get you enough RPM's anyway--- more stump-pullers in the 60 class than speed- Same can be said for the weaker 40-46 sized engines- I love my OS-46FX and TT Pro-46's as much as the next guy but if you are going to build or buy a patriot, get a decent engine (see below). Some folks start with a stock 46 until they are used to the speed then they upgrade engines- good idea I suppose...
Also, I have always used standard servos like Futaba 148's or 3003's etc. Many people will tell you to get higher grade servos, I am usually poor and I have never had a servo problem so I just get a 6V pack (Ups the torque from say 45 oz. to about 60 oz.) and I am ready to rock- (even at 4.8V I never had any issues) just do not YANK it 90 degrees at full throttle and stuff-
I do recommend glassing the center section of the wing to add strength, if you are using anything stronger than a standard 46 (just in case-) if you have any questions (as I did years ago) about glassing, do a search or email me, it is WAY easier than most think--- takes about 15 minutes!
Other sport engines that will provide better than average performance are:
YS-45 (macs 7.5CC pipe or UT) 10x8 APC Webra-50GT 9x8 APC OS-50SX 9x8 APC (Tower or UT) Rossi-45/53 (mini-tuned silencer) MVVS-49 (Moussecan or other) K&B-48 (Jettstream or UT muffler)
Even the Irvine-53/Tower muffler was a pretty decent combo. on the Patriot (10x7 I think I ran, it was a few years ago)
For folks who are hard core I would recommend powerplants like:
Jett-90 OPS- anything Picco anything Ducted fan engines like the OS-46VRDF/VF or OS-77VRDF
These would require some retrofitting but would be hair-on-fire fast!
As for retracts, they ARE worth the weight, hassle and cost so at least consider them- I prefer Pneumatic units (Air actuated) to mechanicals (Servo actuated) because the air units are easier to set-up, and install. Also, if you have a leak, an air hose comes loose or you just forgot to pump them up between flights, they will lock DOWN automatically. (Not all brands are like this- Spring Air is what I recommend) Spring up and air down! In the old days the air would push the gear down so not enough air, no locked out gear!
having bragged about the air versions I must admit that my current patriot uses mechanical retracts and they work just fine, you just have to check them regularly for slop, and possible binding- if they bind up while flying and the servo stalls, your RX pack can go dead VERY fast, sometimes in just 2 or 3 minutes. So if you land hard, test them and listen for servo buzzing on the ground, before subsequent flights!
That is basically it, the patriot is only slightly more difficult to fly than say an Ultra Sport or fast ugly-stick, just make sure the control throws are fairly low (Dual rates if possible) use some expo. so the sticks are less sensitive around center, and get the CG spot on.
Thanks for reading and I hope I was of some service to you!
james #1 patriot fan
< Message edited by Razor-RCU -- 5/30/2006 7:21:06 AM >
Posts: 178
Joined: 10/26/2005 From: Beaumont,
TX, USA Status: offline
I second this idea. I love my Sportsman Aviation F-20 and I love speed. But I really love the look of a sleek prop jet. And I'd like to know about new designs coming out and about current ones.
Posts: 178
Joined: 10/26/2005 From: Beaumont,
TX, USA Status: offline
I probably said my setup a hundred times, but here's 101.
SA F-20 TT .46 Jett muffler Tru Turn spinner 10X6 apc Futaba 4ch radio w/ 4 servos
I loved this sport jet, and I think other prop jets arf's have a lot to live up to. It's built great, looks great, and is really aerodynamic...and fast! The only problem I've encountered is where the nose gear connects to the plane, it's weak. Next SA F-20 I get I will easily fix this. It' not a big deal.
132mph with a 8-10mph tail wind 143mph at a 45* angle toward the ground
Not bad for a simple TT .46 and $170 ARF.
I wish they made more prop jet out there. We need to start a petition for the manufactures!!!
< Message edited by setxws6 -- 5/18/2006 4:53:04 AM >
Posts: 6215
Joined: 12/8/2002 From: Valdese,
NC, USA Status: offline
OK Bro you asked. While the Patriot and GP F-15 kits are still in their cozy boxes. I have had two Kangke F-20s one with a .46FX the other with my trusty MVVS .45. Both are excellent flyers. Tho the land a little fast for my taste. They also needed a tad of the L word in the back and the battery under the rudder to get balanced. Also they don't fly slow! Keep the speed up for life. The SA F-20 flew once with the Czeck motor untill I screwd up trying to fly slow and turn at the same time, bad idea. The plans for the SA didn't give any location for radio or batt location and the cowel was a messy fit. Also the rudder linkage was a little hinky to get located right and had a tendancy to bind. The SA also needed way more L word in the tailcone to balance . Funny thing I went to take a few pics of the F-16 and the batteries in the camera were dead. So you will need to wait till the morning. The CBM needs around 7oz in the tail. I am casting it tonight.
Posts: 6215
Joined: 12/8/2002 From: Valdese,
NC, USA Status: offline
I like both motors fine. I think the MVVS is a little hotter than the OS. but can't really give hard core proof. Actually I have two Pats in the box . Kangke and the SA = no retracts. They aint worth the amount of surgury it would take. The SA is the DC lookalike. In the pics its the red one with a white stripe. I really liked that one too. The DC original will accept retracts. A clubmate has one that looks awsome. I should have bought the kit before he did. I think Juno RC has the same one available here in the USA now. I recomend getting one while he has them availble if you can.
Posts: 212
Joined: 2/5/2006 From: , TN, USA Status: offline
I have the vmar f4 phantom, and the f5 tiger, mig 21 and the a4 skyhawk,,the vmar f18 is on the way,,,so if you have any questions on them let me know and i will try and help... i think a prop jet forum would be great....
Posts: 7224
Joined: 5/7/2002 From: New Mexico, USA Status: offline
Yeh, I'm here. Both of those are in hanging from the ceiling right now but ready to go. Trying to get that rebuilt Dago in the air. Too windy today for it. Maybe Saturday
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Retired Army Aviator - Excuse Me! You sold me a hair with a cake around it!
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Extreme Speed Prop Planes >> Definitive Prop-Jet Thread 
Definitive Prop-Jet Thread - 
The SA F-20 flew once with the Czeck motor untill I screwd up trying to fly slow 
and turn at the same time, bad idea. The 
. Funny thing I went to take a few pics of the F-16 and the 
in the tail. I am casting it tonight.
. Kangke and the SA = no 
