Well, folks, I've been test flying my latest and possible first for that matter, jet project this week. Way back in 1977, my father and I started to design and build a Saab AJ-37 Viggen. We were going to use the soon to be released World Engines Jet Pump fan designed by Duane Johnson. The project languished in the basement through a couple career changes and marriages and finally the passing of my beloved dad. With the advent of the smaller turbines, I decided to revive the project and get it flying as a tribute to my father. I know this may sound a little sappy, but it has provided a great impetus to stick through this very difficult building process and I am having a blast! The airplane is quite small by todays standards at 58" long and 40" span. It is powered by my venerable Wren MW-54 with a Wren tailpipe. I use all 9 channels of my Futaba 9ZAP and Trim wheels and brakes. The struts are a combination of our design and Robart. I had commissioned more scale-like struts but the supplier doesn't choose to answer his phone anymore! This first flight was a great rendition of "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" since the CG was about 3/4" too far aft and I was very lucky to get it down in one piece. On the second flight, the PCM Rx went into hold on an extended base leg and it flailed around and almost flew out of site. The third flight has turned out to be a charm and it is finally getting "dialed-in". I'll tell the first two flights had me tapping all my abilities and I feel that my "Jet Huevos" have grown significantly! Sorry to get so long winded, but this experience has been what I consider the essence of modeling. Here are a few pictures:

Tailwinds, with a smile,


John