I just purchassed my first e jet (the DoJet that is mentioned in an earlier post) and am looking for ideas - ready made or scratch buid - for launch systems. In particular, I'd like to know where I can buy the rubber hose which is used to propel the model. Any help would be appreciated.

BTW, I've been building and flying for the past 15 years and am thoroughly impressed with the quality of this model - very light yet strong, wonderful craftsmanship!!!

Regards,

Mike Westendorf

Mike,

Try Classic Flying Machines. I just got mine and will be building it this week. It includes everything but the length of board, long PVC sections and insulation.

Rob

http://www.classicflyingmachines.com/

Mike,

I had one heck of a time trying to squeeze info out of people when first wanting to build a launcher and sympathize with you! For this reason, I have a couple places to compliment the build that is shown at the “zagi” site. I use a modified version of the Bungee Launcher found at www.yourzagi.com/launcher and I would recommend this one as it is cheap and easy to build.

I built my launcher a bit different. Mine was shortened to 48” long and works just fine with the jets I launch, which means it can handle just about anything. It also makes it easier to transport in a car if needed. I also made three types of launch platforms, a Padded Rail, a Launch Ramp and a Low Friction Rail. The Ramp is a piece of 1x12x48” white shelving board I got from Lowes or Home Depot and it works great. The Padded Rail uses the stiff insulation; don’t use the soft rubber type insulation as the wings/fins tend to dig into it. The Low Friction Rail was made from 1” PVC bored to accept the ¾” PVC short tube and coupler. I glued a short piece of ¾” PVC to a coupler, then inserted and glued it into the hole I bored in the 1” Rail…that way there is no interference as the width of the coupler doesn’t exceed the width of the 1” PVC. You can drill a small hole into the ¾ PVC from inside the 1” and use a screw so it definitely won’t come apart when dismantling.

Here are some pics and tips:

My first launcher, a wood one from old plans-
http://www.rocketryforum.com/ctulank...=bungee%2Fwood

My PVC Bungee Parts and some assembly-
http://www.rocketryforum.com/ctulank...r=bungee%2Fpvc

The Bungee Assembled showing different setups and how it hooks up-
http://www.rocketryforum.com/ctulank...%2F&startpic=0

The Bungee in use showing new Low Friction Rail(see pics at end)-
http://www.rocketryforum.com/ctulank...f4dfirstlaunch

Here are some tips:

I used Surgical Tubing for my Bungee cord rather than Bungee

Use the ½” Surgical Tubing, ¼” diameter center with 1/8” walls

You can also use the 7/16” bungee sold by www.hobby-lobby.com

Length of the Bungee was 30-33 feet.

Use at least 12” long steel nails to secure your launcher

Get a fish scale at the store

Set tension using the fish scale to 5 times your aircrafts weight. My FA-18 weighed in at 43 oz and the bungee was stretched and tension was set to 19 lbs. My friend had a digital scale and it showed up 15 lbs, so the digital ones do make a difference.

Use Quick Links to hook up your system…it makes assembly and takedown easy

I lengthened my legs by 5 ½” all the way around on my bungee to get it up off the ground a bit.

Do not exceed a 10 degree angle

Make sure your launch rails/ramp are in a straight line with the bungee cord


I hope this helps and gets you started on your way to launching. I use mine a ton and keep in the the car at all times these days. Let us know what you come up with and how it worked out.

Cya,

Carl

Try

http://www.rcgroups.com/links/index.php?id=3995

and

http://www.aerofoam.com/hosemonster.html

for the bungee and some great tips.

hi try this
http://www.rbckits.com/
the price of the launch pedal is 29€

Thanks.
But you've still got to build the frame to support the model.