Big feet

Hi all,
I have an Elan, a twin boom jet, and a new JetCat P120SE kero start turbine. I have seen some wet starts and have spoken to a guy who lost his tail on a Boomerang Intro due to a wet start.
So, I intend to protect my tail during the startup phase with some form of deflector.
Question, do any of you guys have such a deflector and if so can you please post pics or a sketch as inspiration?
So far I have thought of several options, from a sheet steel deflector, to a fire blanket.

Come on you creative lot, I need help

digitech

My Feedback: (10)

use a old thrust tube or rain pipe..

or other piece of metal sheet.
if it burns you can use that tshirt your wearing

sweetpea01

My Feedback: (10)

Here is some ideas from the Falcon 120 thread.

We have a tailpipe method and a alum heat shield for the boom itself (I like that one)

DocYates

My Feedback: (102)

I went to Lowes and found a stovepipe, looks just like a tailpipe but heavier. I mounted it to a 2x4 and use it for starting on my old Bommerang. It worked great and only costs a few dollars.

Synthetic

My Feedback: (18)

[if it burns you can use that tshirt your wearing] Sandor. wow that was bad!!!

dbarrym

My Feedback: (47)

Piece of cake...here's my setup made from DIY store HVAC ducting and a drawer pull handle (using two lengths of 1/2" wooden dowel to act as a heat insulator). The results of a hot start on my Boomerang, when I did not use it, is also shown....

Barry

DocYates

My Feedback: (102)

Hey, I like that one, looks cool. BTW the tail of your Boomer looks just like mine did....LOL Gotta love the smell of burinng covering during a startup.....

dbarrym

My Feedback: (47)

Gotta love the hanging, drippy, molten remains of melted covering...note how the jet exhaust blew molten bits onto the verticals and booms.....

Barry

frothingslosh

My Feedback: (6)

Here are a couple of pics of the protector I made for my Boomerang Intro. It's made from 5" ducting, the legs from 1" metal strapping, and the skids from 3/4" x 1-1/2" wood . . . all obtained from my local Ace Hardware Store.

Harley Condra

My Feedback: (4)

Problems like this are best solved with very simple, practical solutions...looks like Barry and I have used the same ideas, caused by the same problem. Great minds think alike.......right Barry?

As you can see, the solution is not very elegant, but very inexpensive and very practical.
Mine is made from 14 x 6 x 8" HVAC parts from the Home Depot for about $10.00 total.

It is low enough to fit under the stab of a BobCat and KingCat, so it probably would fit your Boomer as well.

After start-up, simply taxi forward and fly! You don't need to touch it until it has cooled down, or you can use the wood for a handle.

causeitflies

I keep it simple. One piece of old heating pipe, one piece of 4X4, and one screw.

Synthetic

My Feedback: (18)

[Great minds think alike.......right Barry?]

I was thinking "warped" minds but close!

Don

AndyAndrews

I just coated the bottom of my Boomerang XL II with aluminum muffler tape that you can buy at any auto parts store. Works great and you don't have to drag that metal pipe contraption around.

Andy

dbarrym

My Feedback: (47)

HEY NOW.... "We" resent that remark!!!!!

Barry

Synthetic

My Feedback: (18)

Heheheheheheh.......

Barry,
Did you mean to say, "Resent" or "Represent" that remark! hah!
Hope you're doing well..
Don

Jerry K

My Feedback: (1)

I have probably 700 starts on twin boom aircraft and have never found the need for such a contraption!!!

Jerry

dbarrym

My Feedback: (47)

I could say the same, except it clearly CAN happen...

I had a propane valve stick open, when my older P120 shut down (after a normal flight) there was enough gas pressure left to blow a 3' long flame out the back, just when you'd least expect it.

Stuff happens.

Barry

PS - Don, doing great, thanks...hoping to come out again for Waco in September

berthoud

My Feedback: (35)

Use a metal mailbox

Big feet

I like these solutions, I also like the idea of just taxing forward after the startup. My thoughts were heading more in the direction of something I would need to lift out. I definately prefer the type of ideas you guys are coming up with better.

Sandor, as if I would do a thing like that.

Synthetic

My Feedback: (18)

BF,
I don't think he likes your shirt!
Don

Mach1

My Feedback: (5)

I used this simple piece on my Reaction and it worked great. I'm sure something like this could be adapted for boom types.

It simply slips on and off the stab. The fuel tubing makes a great friction fit.

SpiderJets

Here's the stuff I use. It's real alu foil, and self adhesive. It's cheap, from the local DIY store, works really well and stands the heat much better than the standard coverings of course.
This could be perhaps also painted with BVM Heatshield ?

Nicolas.

cjshaker

Bruce Tharpe did a particularly neat tail pipe for starting. Photographed it at Jets Over Whidby. Note the hinges, which let the front support lower for use with his balsa Reaction 54.

Chris Shaker

rcpete347

My Feedback: (251)

HI , here is what I use for my Bobcat, a 10''x10''x24'' square pipe, fits nicely, under the stab, and does not get blown away.
Rcpete

flyinfool1

My Feedback: (2)

Just make sure that you use a steel pipe, box, or whatever. I watched a baby boomer still get its tail toasted when the hot start burned through the aluminum pipe that he had.
I prefer to keep the weight of my exhaust defector on the ground while I fly, so I use a 24" section of stove pipe, a 10 inch piece of 2x4 and a screw.