BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
#52

Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: philadelphia, PA
Posts: 95
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checking in after i saw this thread.
I have a brand new fully assembled rafale that I havent flown since i bot it almost 10 years ago. too afraid to fly it.
I bot it without ever flying a jet and dont plan on it until i have flown others, whenever I get to it.
here it is.
I have a brand new fully assembled rafale that I havent flown since i bot it almost 10 years ago. too afraid to fly it.
I bot it without ever flying a jet and dont plan on it until i have flown others, whenever I get to it.
here it is.
#53


Hi guys, need some help from those of you who have built the single version.
The tail pipe is fixed from the front end to the bypass with screws, but the rear end of the pipe i guess is supported with a wooded ring which glues into the rear tailcone, the problem is the rear tailcone wooden ring is too large, for support.

unfortunately i only have the twin setup plans for which the tailpipe mounting is different.
Thanks Chatty.
The tail pipe is fixed from the front end to the bypass with screws, but the rear end of the pipe i guess is supported with a wooded ring which glues into the rear tailcone, the problem is the rear tailcone wooden ring is too large, for support.
unfortunately i only have the twin setup plans for which the tailpipe mounting is different.
Thanks Chatty.
#55


Thanks Jim, I guess these are the same rings in my pics, which glue around half way in the nozzles,
just realised the rings do not contact the pipe at all 3 points, I guess contact at 2 points should be good enough. Unfortunately I do not have the single turbine plans which show the rings orientation.
a pic showing the wooden rings would be helpful for sure.
Thanks anyways.
Chatty.
just realised the rings do not contact the pipe at all 3 points, I guess contact at 2 points should be good enough. Unfortunately I do not have the single turbine plans which show the rings orientation.
a pic showing the wooden rings would be helpful for sure.
Thanks anyways.
Chatty.
#58


Thanks Craig, thats exactly what i though of doing, just extending 1 tab with a piece of ply.
One more question guys, the L/G area has carbon plates reinforcement, not sure if BVM modified the design later, or if i still do need to install these plates as i see two formers in the fuse compare to the plans which show only 1. Bvm has no hole predrilled in the former, unless they expect the modeller to drill it.
Thanks Chatty.

One more question guys, the L/G area has carbon plates reinforcement, not sure if BVM modified the design later, or if i still do need to install these plates as i see two formers in the fuse compare to the plans which show only 1. Bvm has no hole predrilled in the former, unless they expect the modeller to drill it.
Thanks Chatty.
#63

I've acquired one of these classic BVM jets....I don't know which pipe is in it, other than it seems to be in decent condition. I'm considering a K260 or a K210...Somewhat concerned about the strength of the pipe with 57Lbs thrust. There's the additional weight factor as well, although when you compare the weight of the old school turbines guys were running, it doesn't seem too critical..
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
#64

My Feedback: (4)

If you have a bypass and there are two straps on the pipe at 10 and 2 o’clock, it’s very likely a BVM pipe.
I have a K210 in my Rafale which is more than enough power. It cruises around with authority at half throttle. At full throttle, it climbs straight up like a homesick angel.
Have fun,
Jim
I have a K210 in my Rafale which is more than enough power. It cruises around with authority at half throttle. At full throttle, it climbs straight up like a homesick angel.
Have fun,
Jim
#65

My Feedback: (21)

I've acquired one of these classic BVM jets....I don't know which pipe is in it, other than it seems to be in decent condition. I'm considering a K260 or a K210...Somewhat concerned about the strength of the pipe with 57Lbs thrust. There's the additional weight factor as well, although when you compare the weight of the old school turbines guys were running, it doesn't seem too critical..
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
#67

Thanks for the info guys....I’ll decide 210 or 260 when I order the turbine. Now onto sourcing some cockpits for this bird, LED lights and afterburners....I’ve commissioned an AWESOME builder/painter here in Canada....he can’t get to it till the spring, gives me lots of time to choose a cool scheme
#68

My Feedback: (4)

Thanks for the info guys....I’ll decide 210 or 260 when I order the turbine. Now onto sourcing some cockpits for this bird, LED lights and afterburners....I’ve commissioned an AWESOME builder/painter here in Canada....he can’t get to it till the spring, gives me lots of time to choose a cool scheme
The rafale will hit 250mph if you are not careful, so use power wisely. It is super fun to fly, and going from high alpha to vertical is a rush on this plane.
Also, be aware that it is and old school plane (kit came out 21 years ago) in the sense that it is a high wing loading, fast, power on type of plane, not the floaty style of airplane we are used to nowadays that you can just chop the power and glide it to the runway. It will keep you on your toes for sure. The BVM Rafale and BVM F100 are the two planes that after 30 years doing this, still get my heart pumping before take off

Enjoy!
#71

Before you fly the airplane, please measure the wall thickness of your wingtubes and post them here (or pm them to me). Wingtubes were upgraded a while ago and wings will fail with the old tubes and a 210/260. I'll measure mine and post it here too for people to have as reference.
The rafale will hit 250mph if you are not careful, so use power wisely. It is super fun to fly, and going from high alpha to vertical is a rush on this plane.
Also, be aware that it is and old school plane (kit came out 21 years ago) in the sense that it is a high wing loading, fast, power on type of plane, not the floaty style of airplane we are used to nowadays that you can just chop the power and glide it to the runway. It will keep you on your toes for sure. The BVM Rafale and BVM F100 are the two planes that after 30 years doing this, still get my heart pumping before take off
Enjoy!
The rafale will hit 250mph if you are not careful, so use power wisely. It is super fun to fly, and going from high alpha to vertical is a rush on this plane.
Also, be aware that it is and old school plane (kit came out 21 years ago) in the sense that it is a high wing loading, fast, power on type of plane, not the floaty style of airplane we are used to nowadays that you can just chop the power and glide it to the runway. It will keep you on your toes for sure. The BVM Rafale and BVM F100 are the two planes that after 30 years doing this, still get my heart pumping before take off

Enjoy!
#72

My Feedback: (21)

i dont know but but a quick call to bvm will confirm, I don’t recall the Rafael ever having Carbon wing tubes. The 2 I have experience
with are aluminum. Also the main formers in the engine bay should have a bolt with thick wall plastic cylinder and carbon plate that joins them together.
#73

My Feedback: (4)

i dont know but but a quick call to bvm will confirm, I don’t recall the Rafael ever having Carbon wing tubes. The 2 I have experience
with are aluminum. Also the main formers in the engine bay should have a bolt with thick wall plastic cylinder and carbon plate that joins them together.
I’ll post the correct thickness in a bit, but they are aluminum, not carbon. I would not experiment
#75