baldwinc

I'm trying to find the best F-15 for an MW54- are there any out there that will fly with that motor? It seems like all the F-15's are for bigger turbines.

Tony abw60

Hi
I have seen a MW-54 fly an Avonds F15, quite well too.
just keep it light and not worry about gear doors and all that.
Hope thats a help.

JET FX

Likely your best (lightest) option for a single MW-54 type turbine would be the Avonds kit. If you build it light and set it up to fly on tailerons alone (no flaps, no ailerons, no speed brake) that is... The all composite Chinese ARF F-15 options in my opinion will likely be much to heavy for a 54 size engine.

Re- MW-54 suggestions- A Wren Super Sport (18 lb thrust) would be the preferred option of the MW-54 size turbines. The Avonds F-15 if kept light overall will still fly ok with the Wren Mk3- approx of 15 lb thrust however. The Avonds "kit" version of the F-15 design did originally fly successfully with an IC 90 D/F so if your keen, and keep it light and watch the AUW a decent smaller thrust turbine 15-18 lb thrust should fly it just fine. Its been done before flying from a decent length sealed runway. Although it wont be a speed demon, keep that in mind... To give you an example of the Super Sports capability, I have been flying a 27 lb Fiber Classics (Comp ARF) Mig-15 with my SS and its a fine performer.

One of the nicest looking and flying F-15's with all the optional bells and whistles that I have ever seen fly was at the "Bay of Quinte" jet rally back in 2000, it was a Yellow F-15 with an AMT Mercury installed and its thrust was only approx 20 lb.

If you want to scale it out! the 20 lb thrust options minimum would then be preferred in my opinion.

Hope this helps....


Cheers- Marty

joeflyer

My Feedback: (48)

If you just have to have an F-15 for that MW54 your best bet would be to see if you can find a old Top Gun F-15 kit and reinforce it for your turbine. The "Pro" version is more scalt like than the original Byron version. I built my F-15 Pro DF planning to convert it to turbine later. Unfortunately it went in due to a radio problem before I had the chance.

A friend converted his. It flew well but was quite heavy with a P-80 in it

Joe.

Jim Cattanach

I saw an Avonds F15 fly with a Simjet 12lb turbine off grass a few years ago. Once airborne, it flew quite well, at least as good as the ducted fan versions..
Skymaster displayed a small F15 at jetpower Germany about three years ago. It looked ideal for a 44 or 54. It never went into production for some unknown reason. I think a small version F15 would sell very well.

baldwinc

Thanks guys- looks like I'll have to build if I want to go F-15, huh?

I've got a Euromach (Jetmach variant) to finish up, the motor is going in that first. I was just looking for something cool and easy to fly to transfer the motor to after that.

ron Sweeney

Hi, I fly an Avonds F15 with a supersport. I elected to install a single straight through thrust tube which is hidden between and beneath the scale twin outlet pipes. I did this to conserve as much thrust as possible. I fly from a relatively small grass strip and the performance is everything I need. I currently have the SS in a comp' flash and have odered the Wren 70 to fit in the F15. The single pipe installation is almost invisible and done in such a way that I could easily revert to a bi-furcated thrust tube if I thought the £250 outlay was worth the bother. I will post some pictures. The model weighs 18 pounds dry and carries 3 liters of fuel installed on the c of g. Ron.

fire.42

Heres the vid of Rons F-15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BikQG...e=channel_page

Dave

sidgates

My Feedback: (2)

I am converting my Top Gun F-15 from DF to turbine. See pictures at: http://www.gates-sid.com/HOBBIES/F-15%20TG/F-15-TG.htm
My conversion is single dual wall tail pipe.

This model flew very well with a Byron ducted fan and I expect it to fly better with a 12lb turbine.

ron Sweeney

Same choice as me. you won't regret it. Maximum thrust for minimum expense and effort. I await somebody conducting some definitive and scientific measuremennts of the losses from a bi-furcated thrust tube. I am not against these thrust tubes but I came to the conclusion that whilst I love scale jets I seldom compete in competions so I can relax my scale fidelity requirements where I can gain an improvement in performance. I fly my jets mosst weekends and require a no fuss approach to my flying. Ron

siddus74

Ron,

Love the video of your F15 - your flying site looks similar to mine. Ive been flying an intro with a good mk3 mw54 for some time and am looking for my first scale jet, after some research I have come to the conclusion the Avonds F15 withe tailerons is about the best particulary on grass . . . any advice would be great.

Anybody else with advice please post.

Scott.

ron Sweeney

Hi Scott, Avonds F15 is ideal. Mine weighs about 18 pounds dry. I use only tailerons. I flew a d/f version for many years with Futaba 9202s but uprated a little to Futaba 9303s for the Turbine version. They have never been a problem. I made the fins detatchable for storage and transport. It takes 5 miutes to rig it up for flight. Can't say how the MW 54 would perform with a bi-furcated duct, expect some losses. Mine has a single pipe hidden underneath and between the engine thrust tubes. I have flown mine on both the Wren 70 and the Wren Supersport. Not a lot of difference between the two other than the verticals, Ron.

powerjets

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Ron, how have you been ..
I also fly the Avonds F-15. Mine has a SuperBee in it (if you can find it in there) but with a bifurcated pipe. No problem
great flyer, and .... I can actually hear the power setting while flying !
Hans

Eaglepilot2

Absolutely no question, Avonds is the way to go. I have a Ram 750 (17-18# thrust) with a bifurcated thrust tube and I converted mine to an E-model (two Seater), 21# dry and flies great, plenty of power. The old DF versions have been built as light as 13 pounds. Build it light and you won't have any problems at all.

ron Sweeney

My df version was only 13 pounds. My current f15 is also a 2 seater in the NASA scheme. I think this is the B model, RON

siddus74

Boys,

Thanks for the heads up . . . I have managed to save about £2000 - do you think this potentially enough for a good 2nd hand airframe and turbine or am I dreaming? Ron, you video has really inspired me and again thanks for posting you all about you experiences with the MW54. The one in my intro has been tested at wren and puts out 17lbs but am looking to keep it in the intro and get an F15 kitted out.

Is it hard to fly on just tailerons? are there any weak points on this aircraft that I should look out for when purchasing one 2nd hand?

Best regards,

Scott.

ron Sweeney

Hi Scott, If you buy second hand you will already have a finished model so be careful of a heavy paint scheme. Some of these two pack super finishes can really pile on the kilos. Taileron control is no problem what so ever and are just as effective as ailerons. and save the weight of the servos and cables etc. The only flying problem I have ever experienced was when the engine hatch collapsed inwards causing a violent pitch down on a low fast pass. I have since stiffened this up and have not experienced a similar problem since. I have no gear doors or by pass system so there is a lot going on inside the fuselage at high speed. Ron.

siddus74

Hi boys,

I have a potential sale going through this weekend for an Avonds F15 with and AMT Mercury installed.

I have quized him on the weight so willlet you know when I know. What is an exceptable weight?

Do I need to be concerned about the age of the thrust tube etc? I only have a Ford Mondeo hatch will it fit Ron?

Here are a couple of pictures, god Im excited!

Scott.

Eaglepilot2

Scott,

I'm excited for you. There is nothing like flying an Avonds F-15. Mine is apparently just like Ron's, I have no gear doors and no bypass so there is a lot of air running through the fuse, does make for a much cooler fuselage. I have experienced no problems at all. This airplane can carry a lot of detailing and armament. If it has a Mercury in it, it will fly fine up to about 21-22#, but it won't be a rocket. If it weighs much more than that, you may prefer a larger engine for better performance.

Good luck and let us know what you do!

Mike

siddus74

Mike,

The guys doesnt know, he did however suggest his first one was 24lb and it to was powered by an AMT mercury - he said it flew spot on and then AMT purchased the model . . . I am very excited I can tell you . . .

Whats the bypass? I may be tempted to remove the gear doors also if this helps cooling weight?

I hope I can fly it on my DX7 other wise ill be looking at purchasing a Spektrum Module for my PCM10X :-(

Scott.

powerjets

My Feedback: (1)

A basic Avonds F-15 only need 5 channels if retracts and brakes/switch is combined

Eaglepilot2

Scott,

The bypass is just full ducting for the air to pass through. The engine would be totally enclosed in the airstream. When you open the hatch on mine or any other one without the ducting, you can actually see the engine. Therefore creating airflow through the entire fuselage. Most guys would probably rather have a full bypass system, but because my engine is the old air start its easier to access.

Give us more details as you get them. Good luck!

Mike

siddus74

Thanks for the heads up guys, ill post more details and pictures as I get them . . . So for those of you that know the Mondeo hatch, will this bird fit in?!

How would the mixing between the retracts and brakes work? are we talking a 3 position jobbie?

The taileron mixing thats the same as elevon mixing right?

Scott

ron Sweeney

Scott if the model has gear doors etc. it is going to be over 20 pound. No problem unless you plan to fly off grass. The heavier it is the more punishment the gear will be subjected to, particularly the nose gear. It will also need a lot of runway for take off and landings will be faster. Still not a problem but you may need to practice. Ron.

siddus74

Ron, your from the UK . . . do you think it will fit in the back of a Mondeo Hatch?

Scott.