What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
#27
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
John,
Before you invest in a turbine you should think about not only this plane, but what other planes you could use it in the future. If this plane gets wrecked or you sell it what would you do with the turbine? A 13-14 lbs. thrust engine is more versatile because there are a lot more airframes you can use it in.
I just took delivery of an Artes Bee and am very impressed with it. The JF-50 Super Bee is slightly bigger than the Wren 44 and slightly smaller than the P-60, and it puts out 14# of thrust. In the A-4 you could dial the thrust down to 8# if you wish and its fuel consumption will be the same as the Wren 44. Later on you could use the Artes in a larger airframe.
All three are good engines and the companies all have good reputations for service. The Jetcat can be serviced in the USA, Artes either in Florida or Mexico City, and the Wren needs to be sent to the UK for service. For the same money I'd go with the Artes. Here's a comparison from the respective manufacture's websites:
MW44 8# thrust 2.95" diameter 1.7 lbs. with starter $2,495 (full autostart)
P-60 13# thrust 3.25" diameter 1.9 lbs. with starter $2,495
JF-50 14# thrust 3.15" diameter 1.9 lbs. with starter $2,495
Joe
Before you invest in a turbine you should think about not only this plane, but what other planes you could use it in the future. If this plane gets wrecked or you sell it what would you do with the turbine? A 13-14 lbs. thrust engine is more versatile because there are a lot more airframes you can use it in.
I just took delivery of an Artes Bee and am very impressed with it. The JF-50 Super Bee is slightly bigger than the Wren 44 and slightly smaller than the P-60, and it puts out 14# of thrust. In the A-4 you could dial the thrust down to 8# if you wish and its fuel consumption will be the same as the Wren 44. Later on you could use the Artes in a larger airframe.
All three are good engines and the companies all have good reputations for service. The Jetcat can be serviced in the USA, Artes either in Florida or Mexico City, and the Wren needs to be sent to the UK for service. For the same money I'd go with the Artes. Here's a comparison from the respective manufacture's websites:
MW44 8# thrust 2.95" diameter 1.7 lbs. with starter $2,495 (full autostart)
P-60 13# thrust 3.25" diameter 1.9 lbs. with starter $2,495
JF-50 14# thrust 3.15" diameter 1.9 lbs. with starter $2,495
Joe
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
I have a JHH version of the A-4. I fly it with the standard Wren 44 using the divergent wren pipe. It has the sport wing and weighs 9.4 lbs dry. I have two 12 oz. saddle tanks { from yellow aircraft} mount on either side of turbine on C/G. Installed thrust shows 7# even, with digital fish scale.Takeoff roll is about 70 '. I get about 7 minutes flight time with only occasional full throttle. The plane is rock steady and the Wren is a nice fit. Mine is onboard start not full auto, so that saves some weight. If you have the scale wing you might want to keep that in mind. I like to keep things small so they fit in my 4-Runner. The other turbines mentioned are well proven and do at this time have more airframes available to them. You"ll have to make the choice. I know the Wren is a little jewel and the gold version just got better. Doug
#30
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
You Guys are awesome!! I'm learning so much .. Thanks a million. from all that I'm gathering it looks like the ARTES SUPERBEE is probably the way to go. U.S. maitenance, quality, 14lbs thrust, and more versitile for other planes. What does everyone think? I'm gonna buy in the next 4 days!!
-John
-John
#31
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
MW44 8# thrust 2.95" diameter 1.7 lbs. with starter $2,495 (full autostart)
P-60 13# thrust 3.25" diameter 1.9 lbs. with starter $2,495 ?????Full autostart?????
JF-50 14# thrust 3.15" diameter 1.9 lbs. with starter $2,495 ?????Full autostart?????
P-60 13# thrust 3.25" diameter 1.9 lbs. with starter $2,495 ?????Full autostart?????
JF-50 14# thrust 3.15" diameter 1.9 lbs. with starter $2,495 ?????Full autostart?????
#34
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
Hello John:
As a note of interest, we have a very very good used (near new) SIMJET-1200 engine full auto start built in Dec. 2004 with less than 5 runs.
It is rated at 13>14 # and the thrust can be derated with the use of the Simjet- IRDT.
If your interested, please contact me at [email protected]. or 610-746-9444
Brg.
As a note of interest, we have a very very good used (near new) SIMJET-1200 engine full auto start built in Dec. 2004 with less than 5 runs.
It is rated at 13>14 # and the thrust can be derated with the use of the Simjet- IRDT.
If your interested, please contact me at [email protected]. or 610-746-9444
Brg.
#35
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
why spend 1000$ more if you can have a brandnew engine for 1375€ with 725grams at 16lbs and of course full autostart and transfer from min to max power in under 3 seconds ??? try [link=http://www.hobbydirekt.de/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=501]Funsonic[/link]. Outside europe you can reduce their price by 16% VAT
#36
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
Jet International published a test of a 54 with the thrust measurements and the pipe dimensions, I believe the thrust increase was 5%, no exhaust velocity measurements. I'll see if I can dig it out. Shok and I had a pipe built to the design for a Maverick, I forget the turbine, Shok?
Great article, you will learn a lot about exhaust to tailpipe dimensions.
Bob
Great article, you will learn a lot about exhaust to tailpipe dimensions.
Bob
#37
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
I've often wondered if Fun Sonic engines are any good. The price is certainly quite good. But I've never seen one at any jet meets. How can they be so much less expensive than most other comparable engines ? When service is required where is it performed at ? Are they readily available and in stock in the US for purchase ? I assume they have all the typical standard features we have all come to expect like : Full auto start, fail safe, automatic overtemp and over speed protection, modeler adjustable accerleration and deceleration parameters for engine fine tuning, LIPO batteries. How well do they run at higher elevation cities especailly on hot days like Denver or Salt Lake City or Reno where the density altitude can approach 9 or 10,000 feet on a 95 degree day. I can assure you my Ram 500's wont run satisfactorily under those conditions.
#38
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
If you want a Funsonic in North America you have to go through Robart, who is their exclusive NA distributor. If you look at Robart's website the prices for their small engine are $2350 - 2595 depending on which version you get.
I don't know if Robart is equipped to service them in the USA or not. For my money I'd stick with a known quantity that has a good reputation and presence in the USA.
Joe
I don't know if Robart is equipped to service them in the USA or not. For my money I'd stick with a known quantity that has a good reputation and presence in the USA.
Joe
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
I love my JF Bee and i have seen it in a yellow A4. That is the perfect choice. I have seen it get an A4 out of truble also on a bad approach. Its a plus to have that extra power when you need it.
#41
RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
Hi John,
like I said to you on the phone, go with either the P-60 or the Bee. I had the Bee in it and it flew great, and that was flying off grass. The A4 is setup with enough fuel for an 8 minute flight with reserve.
Chris
like I said to you on the phone, go with either the P-60 or the Bee. I had the Bee in it and it flew great, and that was flying off grass. The A4 is setup with enough fuel for an 8 minute flight with reserve.
Chris
#42
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
Thanks guys (Chris), the A-4 arrived today, I have not gone through and unpacked it yet but it lookes like Chris did a GREAT job packing it. So I'm gonna go with the bee with full auto start. Where can I bay this sucker, or does anyone know wuo has one that fairly new with no negative history willing to sell? AIf so let me know, I can paypal the cash right NOW!!
-John
-John
#43
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RE: What turbine to use for the Yellow A-4 Skyhawk??
Okay...UPDATE!! Ifter much deliberation I have chosen and already purchased the Wren 54 Mark-III with on board start. I provides 14lbs pf thrusr and has the best fuel burn in its class. Did not go with the full autostart...yook the advise from Doug and went with the on baord start. Also it's MX schedule is at the 200 hour mark compared to the other manufacture. I will be attaching the centerlin tank to the belly when it comes in! What to you guys think!