Scott Todd

As stated above somewhere, electric gear and brakes. I have a K-45 on the way! I've wanted a new KingTech for a while and finally got around to it My good ole Ram 500 will be in the classifieds soon. If Scootergenie doesn't mind, I'll post up here on the retrofit and flight report since this is the only active thread for the 83% Turbinator.

scootergenie

By all means, anything turbinator is welcome here, and I look forward to it. Would like the retro fit to be detailed, as it would help me when I get my K45.

scootergenie

Made some progress to day. Got the top deck framed out and shaped. I drilled the two aft F6a's for 3/16 dowels to hold the access hatch in place. Not sure if I will use a machine screw for the forward edge, or just use magnets to hold the front of the hatch down. Next, I'll sheet the top and start on the fin.

scootergenie

Now have the fin framed out . A little more sanding, and I'll be ready to start sheeting....yayyyy.

Scott Todd

Sheeting that fin transition is a pain. Be patient. I helped my friend do it on his. You can see I didn't do it on the 83.

Here is a photo of the K-45 installed. Its in the center and so was the RAM 500. The apparent offset is the result of a homemade mount that came with the old RAM when I got it used. It wasn't a big deal so I just used it.

I re-weighed it before I took the RAM out. Don't know how but I made a mistake somewhere. Empty with a full header tank it was 16.8 pounds! Dang! The lighter Kingtech allowed me to take some ballast out but still ended up with about 8 oz in the nose. Overall its now 15 pounds.

It still flies great! I only had about 20 flights on it before but I really couldn't tell the difference in performance. Of course it accelerates faster and takes off a little earlier. It uses significantly less fuel. After 6 minutes, there was about 1/3 of the 50 oz tank left. The RAM was a good little engine and I'm glad I owned it. However, I usually like new stuff and I'm certainly pleased with the K-45.

scootergenie

Looks like you got the mount up against F10....good to know. do you use a stove pipe for the first starts in case you get a hot one ? I know what you mean about the transition on the fin sheeting from 3/32 to 1/8th inch. I'm just going to taper the last inch of 1/8th with a block and 150 grit to make the transition. here's what I have so far.

scootergenie

I was kicking around some ideas on the color scheme today. I have almost a full quart of bright aluminum Awlgrip left over from one of my scooter jobs, so I was going to use that as the base color, along with some digital camo accents in gun metal grey, and red

Scott Todd

If I was building it again for the K-45, I would adjust F-10 and move the engine as far forward as I could get it. It will go another inch. I didn't here because I didn't want to make a new longer heatshield.

I do use a pipe. Its a 3x24 stove pipe from Home Depot. I'm gonna switch to a 4" one so I can use it on the big Turbinator with the P-80. I (we) started the P-80 about 20 times and never had a hot start. The Kingtech has a pretty mild start sequence so I'm not sure I would ever get the hot start but its pretty easy to use the pipe. I may try without it in the future. Its only Monokote The hot start I had on the RAM pictured elsewhere in the forums was a series of mistakes including flipping the plane over to look at something with the manual fuel valve on with no fuel solenoid. I'm pretty good about not turning it on till I'm ready to hit the start button and turning it off as soon as I shut it down. The Jetcat and Kingtech both have solenoids which really reduces the likely hood also. Still, the pipe is easy insurance.

Scott Todd

I want to do a scratch Jet that is light and easy to build. It seems like all the scratch/wood Jets have things I'm not fond of so I'll just do something different. Not sure whether its going to resemble the Turbinator/Jetmach/Reaction or go the Stingray route. They are all so cool. So many models, so little time.....

I'll work on some drawings and start a thread when I'm ready.

Dr Honda

My Feedback: (4)

The 44 Turbinator looks cool... but way too much work. (with that top sheeting) I wish LDS would make a 44 Jetmach low wing. I think there is a good market with the K45, and the new M70 from Jets Munt. (I wish Gaspar would put out that little 35 he's been teasing us with for the last few years)

Scott Todd

Tony, I'm posting here because that exactly where I'm headed. I like the idea of standard servos, 60 size electric retracts and brakes, and fits in my car! The little Turbinator is cool but mine is a little heavy. I really want a 45N airplane at 12-13 pounds that's easy to build and looks cool. I agree the Jetmach scaled down would be nice which is why I'm kind of starting there. I want to use the best of that and the Turbinator.

Scott Todd

I got a PM about the canopy on my 83% Turbinator. I'll let him remain anonymous but thought I would share the answer for the record, as embarrassing as it may be...

Its from a Parkzone T-28. Tried several I had and even ordered some others but kept going back to that one. You don't see too many jets with two pilots (other than F-14's) so I thought what the heck.

Dr Honda

My Feedback: (4)

We are on the same page. Small... but still a turbine.

I'm not in the building mode... but if Limey Bob cuts a low wing 44 Jetmach... I'll buy a kit.

I'm hopping the FireBird I'm building will work well with a 44. If not... I'll be stuffing it into a Habu 32x.

scootergenie

More progress to report...I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with this Fuselage ! Just a little more sheeting to do, and I'm on to the wing...since I need the wing on to do the intakes. I'm beginning to enjoy this build now that I'm over the initial shock of laser cut pieces not fitting properly. The balsa ribs for the wing and stab are flawless. The plywood is what gave me so much trouble, and rework. But all is looking good now. I would like it to be ready for Florida jets in march. Hoping to earn my turbine waver at that event, but I need some stick time at least a month before. Here are the pics of the progress.

scootergenie

And here's the not so fun part guys. Making the transition from fin to deck. I had to wet the balsa with a 50/50 mixture of water and denatured alcohol, and work it like a rib.

Scott Todd

Keep up the good work My friend had a rough landing and I rebuilt it for him. Then I decided to change the tail on mine Here is what it looks like after you cartwheel it down the runway. It only took a few days to put it back together. Well this part anyways...

Dr Honda

My Feedback: (4)

Ouch. Did the engine survive?

Scott Todd

Yes, the engine was fine. Wood, Monokote, glue, and time put it back together. The elevator pushrods took a beating so I moved the servos to the tail.

DMehalko

My Feedback: (42)

Any Updates? Was looking forward to seeing how the k-45 would go in this thing

Dr Honda

My Feedback: (4)

Yep... Any updates?

scootergenie

Sorry guys, this build has been on hold for quite a while, But plan to get going on it again before the end of the year. It has been untouched since My last post. I just got so frustrated with the poor laser cutting job from LDS, that I had to walk away from it for a while.

scootergenie

I was able to find a nice canopy for it though...at tower hobbies. its from the 60 kaos arf. The size is perfect.

scootergenie

Ok, I'm back on it. Just installed the duct work, which consists of cut out pieces of manila folder. soaked them in canopy glue, and they conformed to the compound curves quite nicely.