I got a toy in the mail from Germany last week. Virus, almost an ARF, comes with 2 x 1 litre tanks and elevon servos pre installed. I bought a "blem" or "2nd" - has a bunch of flaws in the surface, but 3-4 casual evenings of fill/sand cycles and it is smooth as a baby's bottom now. Engine test stand done, ready to test run and assault the ears. Not a lot left to do on the airframe:

- mount vertical fins, fair and blend them in
- install radio and fuel pump
- hatch rails (hatch is cut from forward top, I took this pic the day before cutting it out)
- prime, paint

The indentation in the rear center is for partially submerging a turbine.



I'll post video of the bench run(s), and a few more build pics as they come.

Dry weight I think will come in maybe 9 pounds. Engine is 90mm, thrust 13-15lb. Uses a standard 6v fuel pump with brushed 25A ESC, which provides mixture control and shutoff function, alas no throttling but that comes with the territory.

Should be reasonably quick. Here's YT video of one in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RmEtfQ81zA

Very nice.....

What brand is the pulse jet or who did it.


cheers

juan

By Hubert Leubner in Germany - he's the guy who organizes days of Speed and Thunder. He makes 90mm and 100mm engines.

I am still hoping head down this road soon.
All I need to do is to get the AMA to allow the bigger Pulse Jets.........
But I will follow this tread none the less.

Are you able to throttle the engine? I see the electric fuel pump and controler

No not really. You can vary the mixture, and get a bit of turndown but it will flameout at speed if the mixture gets too off kilter.

Well.They can be throttled.At least on a bench with 250kph ram air it works fine.My one has never flown 350 - 400kph but can say the most Ram air PSI it wll ever get is 1psi .Nothing really.How well it throttles depends on reeds,backing plate & Fuel spray.Overheating is why many just run them flat out to cool the reeds better.Standard thrust is 13-14LBS Static .With modified reed valves you can get 16lbs but as yet have not tested in flight.

Will be cool to find out how those reeds fare. I need those extra 2lb of thrust..

Email me.

Fast forward - Virus 100% complete, ready for maiden. I've been off the grid for a while due to neck surgery but declare myself ready to pilot this thing. Bungee launcher complete, 120lb pull at full stretch (twang!).

Later this week or this weekend, weather and ground crew schedules permitting.



Visited one of the LHS yesterday and took it for show 'n' tell: http://www.ajhobbies.net/product.asp?pid=845

With 10+ Gees at launch, it's a good thing it's got a fuel pump!

Awesome, good luck with the maiden.
Yes we need video.
I still have not even started on mine yet due to medical crap.

Yes,
Video please. Popcorn in the microwave

Good luck with the Maiden

Pete

who make the VIRUS kit and where can it be purchased?