I have just received my Jetco from Germany one week after ordering. It is my intention to build it for my Wren 44 as I have been looking for a sport model for this engine for some time.

The model spans 64" and is suitable for turbines of 7-12lb thrust ,design weight 12/14 lbs depending on turbine / gear etc.. It is a semi kit, no hardware or woodwork other than the wings which have the wing tube already done.

You get three sheets of A4 sketches with critical dimensions and former outlines. The wings have the LE fitted and shaped just need ailerons cut out and faced, servo wells are cut.

The glasswork is first class. I estimate about a weeks work to be ready for gear install. The model costs £300/ $580 delivered to the UK.

I will run a build thread on this model if there is any interest.


John Agnew

John,
Looks fast just sitting there! Have fun and post pictures!

Made some additional progress on my sport 44 design. MAY have to wait for the Intro to be completed!

"too many toys!"...NAW!

Dave Rigotti

John you dont have that excuse

By the way, I like the new model you have there. Would like to see a build thread on it. [sm=thumbup.gif]

Right Guys

For the two of you who have expressed an interest here we go!

Firstly If any of you are lusting after a composite bandit but don't have $2,000 lying around for an unpainted airframe this ,

I think, is avery attractive alternative.

You will have to get your hands dirty and use your brains / buy some wood & hardware, but I am sure you will be able to produce a finished airframe ready for gear install for about $650 / $700 or £350.

It is a semi - kit with a moulded fuselage / inner wing, moulded booms, obechi sheeted wings / tailplane, canopy and canopy frame. You also get three A4 sheets of dimensioned sketches and former profiles.

The first task is to design your landing gear mounts, draw them up and cut them out, I have used a combination of 6mm 7 ply and 6mm liteply.
(photo 1) Then make your cut outs in the underside of the fuz at the gear positions, glue in the gear mounts with aeropoxy / hysol or equal and leave to dry overnight.( photo 2 )

Next cut out the ailerons / elevator ( Most of this is done for you ) and face them up with 6mm / 3mm balsa. The leading edge / trailing edges are glued on and shaped for you, there is a layer of glass cloth at the TE to stiffen it.

Next cut the rudders out of the tail booms, you will have to use your own judgement to determine sizes and face up the cut edges with hard 6mm balsa let into the openings in the hollow fin / rudder. Glue a piece of 3mm balsa to the face of the rudders and bevel for hinging.

That is where I am after 1 1/2 days work. All the woodwork is done apart from gear mounting trays / tank mount etc.

Landing gear install tomorrow and start designing radio / turbine installation.

John

OK, looks great!. Do you have a link to the manufacturer?

Thanks!

http://www.paf-flugmodelle.de/Jetco/jetco.htm

TonyF

The web site is www.paf-flugmodelle.de not agreat deal of information on the site as its German but there is a translation

Post me if you want any more details.

John

To continue

Anti rotation dowells installed on outer wing panels, holes for dowells in booms adjusted to fit etc. landing gear installed, canopy cut out and screwed to canopy frame, incidences and alignments checked, some small adjustments required, tailplane fixings installed , picked up all the hardware to finish model, ordered tank and orbit clunk etc. 18 hours on build so far. Weight as photographed with all woodwork and landing gear 7Lbs 4oz estimated dry finished weight 12 - 12.5 lbs.

lookin good [8D]

How on earth do you build so quickly? In eighteen hours I would have probably cut one piece of wood, screwed something in and had about thirty cups of tea.

And it still wouldn't look as good as yours!!

Hey John, not anyone needs to post in your thread to express interest in your project. You can
go ahead posting your pics and certainly you will be helping other´s people projects and yourself too.


Now that I am already posting, the plane is looking good. please keep the pics coming!

Slick33

This is an easy model to build, although it's a semi kit all the important things are done for you. I have been away for the weekend so the build will re-commence tomorrow.

Enrique, thanks for your encouragement, this is a very good model and I hope more people are prompted to get one by this thread.

John

To continue further

The outer wing panels as supplied ans also the tailplane have pre -milled circular holes which I assume are to accept a particular type of servo mounting box.(photo 1)

As I don't have any I have made up boxes from balsa / spruce for the servo mounts, the gaps to the sides will be infilled with expanding foam and the whole sanded smooth. You also need to let in a 6mm x25mm x50mm ply plate centred on the wing tube to accept the wing retaining screw which will be drilled and tapped into the wing tube (aluminium).(photo 2)

Other work today was installing the steering servo mount.

Hey John, those holes are probably cut for the molded plastic servo mounts made by Multiplex and Graupner, among others, commonly used in scale and f3B/E sailplane wings.

It's much simpler/faster to use a large Forstner bit to cut clean servo holes rather than routing square holes (been there done that). You can make quick fillers for the holes by using the appropriate sized hole cutting saw and 3-4mm balsa sheet.

I've been eying this kit for a while as I am considering an MW44 sometime in the future...thanks for the thread.

Barry

Barry

I am sure you are correct about the multiplex / graupner servo boxes.

I am trying to build the model as economically as possible without cutting any corners, that's why I didn't buy the boxes I am hoping to show that you can have a good looking Bobcat type of model without spending thousands of dollars.

My target cost for the finished airframe exclusive of radio / turbine , but including retracts / wheels is around £500 / $950.

John

More continuations

Photo 1 shows main tank installation, Graupner 1000cc, Photo 2 is Wren 44 on mounts cut from aluminium angle, Photo 3 shows gear tray in progress, plenty of room below tray for pump, pump battery and air tank, 6oz Graupner hopper immediately in front of tray with orbit clunk tank is angled at 45 degrees, whip antenna fitted, slot cut for canopy latch.

Weight so far is 10lbs 8oz including complete airframe, turbine , tanks, landing gear, batteries still to add servos / leads / linkages / finish.

Still on target for 12 / 12.5 lbs dry CG looks good at present with NO noseweight.

One more days work and model will be ready for paint / film. That will be about 40 hours plus finishing.

John

Guys

Got a little paint on the fuz The white gelcoat is so good there is no point in painting it.

John

Guys

Final assembly before gear installation. A few more decals to place and we will be ready for air test next week.

Costs so far are:

Kit:£300 inc. shipping.
Landing gear / wheels: £160
Wood: £10
Clevises/horns /rods: £25
Paint / film:£25
Tanks / clunks : £27
Bit and pieces from the scrap box.

Total £550 or $1,050 just add radio and turbine!

John

Looks smashing John!

That looks really good. More photos please

Hi John,

That looks a pretty little machine you have. I just bought my first turbine last week (Wren 54) and I'm in the process of getting a Boomerang Intro for it after reading the thread on here.

Cheers
Scott

John, did you glass the wings, or cover them with film ?

Sonnich

The outer wings are profilmed. The main fuz just has the canopy surround and nose painted with protrim on the fins. The white gelcoat is vey well finished and I decided not to paint it to keep the weight and building time down.

John

Hi Scott

I think the Intro is a great model, mine has a 54mk3. You are welcome to come to Cumbernauld at any time. I fly mostly during the week.

John