I recently watched this model fly with a Jetcat P-20 and was quite impressed, so had to get one. Overall I'm quite please with what you get for the money; it's not perfect but it's not too bad at all.

The model is pretty well packed and appeared to arrive with no damage. The first surprise when I opened the box was the colour as I thought they were sending me the red/white version (as per the box art) but they actually sent the red, white and blue. I'm quite happy with that though as this was the scheme that I saw fly and it shows up nicely in the air.

The fuselage has plenty of glue but there are a couple of areas where it hasn't stuck perfectly. These are non-structural areas so a bit of cyano will sort that out. The wings look pretty good and are wrinkle free at the moment. It should be a very quick build but I'm pretty busy with other things at the moment so will update this thread with my progress when I can.

The first job I looked at was the boom servos; each boom has 1 elevator and 1 rudder servo. The cut-outs didn't perfectly suit any of the servos that I had so I tried a few different ones out to see what I wanted to use. In the end I have decided on Hitec HS-85MG for the rudders (as I had some spare) and will use Hitec HS-5085MG for the elevators. These seem quite small but previous experience flying a Wren 44 powered Savex L39 with Hitec minis on aileron and flaps makes me think that these will be fine.

The HS-85s fit pretty well into the rudder cut-outs; I have just added a strip of 1/8th ply at the bottom for neatness. The elevator servos were a little more tricky as there is not much depth for them. Also, one of the pieces of wood that the elevator servos should screw to was a little loose. I ran some cyano around the loose part and then made some 1/8th ply mounts which I glued over the top. This creates just enough stand-off for the HS-5085s to fit without sticking out of the other side of the boom.

Any flight results or other info on build?????
Just now ordered one from China for my p20 as my Scimitar may not last too long as its foam but flys great.
Any info appreciated.
Dave

Hi,

Unfortunately I became sidetracked with other projects but I'm back on it now. Have a good look at the canopy when it arrives as they are very easily damaged in transit and the damage isn't always that obvious at first glance. I have all the tail servos in mine now but that's about as far as I've got so far.

In my view this is the best airframe for the P20 just a Shame they are difficult to get hold of

Really like my Scimitar for the P20 but parts are hard to get if at all. As its mainly foam it won't last long. Has about 32 flights so far between me and previous owner. Had one flame out several weeks ago, great glide and a *****-cat to land. Had problems with static in desert heat and low humidity. But in mid-west of USA now and hope issue is over until next year. Looking fore- ward to arrival of Vortex for next jet.

Where are you people finding to buy the Vortex 32 from

China. ALIexpress. Google it. Just ordered last week. About $180 with shipping. Will report on results if/when I get it.

Just got my Vortex. Cracked canopy and chip on aft body but o/w looks great. Use-able/repairable. Have not checked alignment of parts yet. Will be putting a JetCat P20 currently in Scimitar later this year. Seems to be set up for electric but includes a second set of bulk-heads for beam mounts for gas or turbine.Fixed gear.
Dave

I have the vortex32 with the p20 and retracts. If you need any info let me know and I will be happy to help. I have been flying mine for about 2 years and I love it . I also have a boomerang Elan and the fly about the same for a small jet it is very stable. and great for short runways. I fly it mostly on grass and it does great you just need the grass cut short.
Here is a video of me flying mine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmxUV30sCsA

I have not started mine yet as I have my P20 in my e-flite Scimitar. Great flier but foam so life is limited. Did you make any mods???
Did you add brakes??? If so what did you use?? Thinking of using electric brakes.
I also fly a Boomerang intro, and have 2 Nanos. Great fliers too.

Made 2 mod's Turbine mount and retracts. I did not add brakes because jets 6lbs and under does not require brakes. (Mine is 5.25 Lbs wet) And most of the time I fly off grass. I have flaparons but never have used or needed them. The retracts I custom made But you don't have to do that use eflite 15 - 25 Tricycle Electric Retracts. Here is a video of me starting the jet, it will be a good video to use for parts placement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipZ0mfQl4FE Here is another video of my retracts ( those are not the gear that I made). The ones in video sucked https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BEVkZMBnCg

A few pictures of my progress showing the turbine and fuel tank installation. Only minor jobs left to do now

Looks great, I put my battery behind the fuel tank.I am using 1 battery with a voltage regulator.

I mentioned that my canopy was cracked in several places. CAed it. Seems to be ok but will try foam spray insulation to reinforce it from the inside and paint clear canopy silver to cover ugly foam. Any thoughts???
Appreciate photos, etc.
Have been having issues with static electricity/flame-outs last 6 flight attempts. Maybe brake rubber disks rubbing inside wheel rim. Scimitar is foam and may be prone to static. Used anti-static fluid in fuel, not effective. Anyone else have such problems????

I have not had any issues with static electricity. You might take a peace of small antenna wire, strip about 2" off of one end and let it drag on the ground and hook the other end to the turbine.I don't know if it will work but that is what I would try if I had that issues. As far as the foam yes it will generate a lot of static electricity. Do you fuel it on the ground? If not I here that fueling it on the ground will help prevent static electricity. On a canopy I use clear box tape to reinforce it from the inside. If you need any pic of any part of the plane let me know. I think that the video shows 90% of anything that you would need to see. You can pause it were you need to see. If not I can take pic. I hope that my input is helping.

U-Tube videos and comments were very help-full. Still trying to make up my mind on servos and order them. Have looked at AMA turbine regs and cannot find req,s on brakes for small turbines. I do not find exception for small turbine models except for hand-launched models as in gliders less than 7.5 lbs. I fly at 5-6 jet meets each year so I have to meet the safety standards. Any info on electric brakes????
Dave

I have had my Vortex for about 3 years so it has been that long since I have look at the regs. I will check and verify that and let you know. As far as servos I am using Hitec HS255MG on ailerons,HS82MG's on elevators and Tower pro MG90S's on rudder. I was not too concerned about rudder because there are 2 of them and that make them redundant also I don't need them to fly the plane. I have also had very good luck with small Tower Pro and Turnigy MG servos, As far as electric brakes I have never used them, but that will change because I am building a FBjet's Viper jet and I think I will go with the pro link electric retract and brake set from Dream works. Do you know anything about that set. Places to find small brakes that I know are Tam jet, Hobby King, Robart, Dream works, I know there are others but this is what came to mind.

I do not know anything about pro link retract,brake sets except prolink has a good history as far as I know and Dreamworks has great products. Will check-out servos as you are using. I usually go with Hitec but may try some of the Turnigy MG. I have been using Springair retracts in my Boomerang intros and Nanos. Have about 290 flights so far on Boomerang with springair over 7 Years with no failures, only bent legs.
Thanks for info on servos.

Great, I am using springair retract and prolink gear on my elan and they work great. I don't know anything about there electric retracts. I would only use the Turnigy MG on rudder and steering Use the Hitec on everything else. I never go cheap on main control surfaces. You are right about Dream works I like them so much I am having there Logo put on my new FBjets viper jet that will be here soon. Todd and Linda are good people.

Need info on tank size, having problems with cg
Where is cg w full tank? Cg w empty tank??
Tank is ahead of cg is my problem w full tank.
Dave

Hi Dave
I am using a 20 oz Dubro tank. I have the back of the tank butted against the wing spar. My CG is 105mm from LE. It fly's great with full tank. My Vertex 32 is still flying great today. I hope this help

Have had numerous tanks in it.
Main tank empty or full @ correct cg?
When my tank is empty and cg is correct when I fill tank it is extremely nose heavy.
Will it fly ok nose heavy? I don't want to run out of elevator and lawn dart it.
Current tank is 18 ounces and back to spar.
Thanks for help!!!
Dave
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It should CG with Main tank empty, UAT full. It will be nose heavy on a full tank. It will still fly great. You never want it tail heavy when there is no fuel in main tank. you want CG right when landing.