Tim,

Check out the assembly pics link I posted...you will see it is a single thrust tube exit. I have no means of measuring the thrust accurately, so I can't help you there. I do know that if you try to run a power plant, be it Mega 2T, 3T, Kontronik Fun400-36, Hacker BL40-9S or any other motor made for this sized bird, you will not fly it on a single 3S 2200 pack. A newer 10C 2200 would not be able to produce the current, 32 - 45 amps or more, needed to drive the motor and you would burn up the pack...note I said 10C, a newer generation pack...older ones would be toast just bench testing. You could use a higher winding motor and get your current rating down around 20 amps, but then you would have given up thousands of RPM, hence speed and performance.

You can make it fly on lower power packs, but the lack of performance would not make it enjoyable. As far as NiMH, the 1950 FAUP and 3300's can supply quite a bit of amperage, but do give it up in another way with shorter run times. I get about a 4 minute run on the 1950FAUP 10 cell packs. The big disadvantage is that they are heavier than a 3S2P pack by a couple ounces or more. However, the 1950's can supply 30-40 amps nominal with 45-50 amps peak and I have heard near 70 amps for the 3300's, depending on the setup.

It comes down to the fact that if you are looking for an FA-18 that can run on a single smaller Lipo, this wouldn't be the jet for you. Unfortunately, it's about the only good ARF out there, so you will have to settle for a kit or scratch build.

Carl