I have a NIB JHH Mirage I'm about to start on.
Anyone built this for a turbine that can give any pointers on changes needed for a turbine install?

by the way, it's new in the box, but it's been that way since the late 80's, so it's not a newer version.

First off, I would recommend getting in touch with JHH and make sure that:

1) You have an updated plans and instruction set (the plans have been through several revisions and they released an updated instruction set with dwgs for the foam wing construction), and

2) You get the updated (area ruled) inlets.

The JHH has been successfully flown with the old Golden West FD turbine, so Larry should be able to help you out with any turbine related installation issues.

Good luck,

Peter
Fort Worth, TX

Would the new style inlets be all that important with a turbine instead of a ducted fan?

I Shok,

I've converted my old Kfir to Bee power.
The foam wing doesn't need to bee reinforced.
I have only reinforced the tail fin area with some carbon fiber and installed new larger tanks.
The bee is just right for this airframe, and is very light, so if you use a small turbine don't over enginer the installation to keep things light.
I don't think that the ruled inlet will increase the performance, it is not critical on a turbine set up, but it would be interesting to see if you have more space with them for the fuel tanks.
I'll post some pics tomorrow

Florent

thanks!

The JHH Mirage is actually pretty easy to convert to turbine with minimal reinforcement. My Friend (George Leu) and I took my old airframe that was flying with a .45 fan unit and recently converted to turbine using an old GWM FD3/67 engine. I am waiting for some better weather conditions to test fly this plane but am confident that it will be phenomenal. I mounted the turbine all the way in the tail and still balanced the plane without any nose weight while saving a lot of weight by excluding the bypass/tailpie etc. The wing is all builtup as per the instructions. The total weight of the airframe is around 9lbs dry with accomodations for 64 oz. of fuel. I believe this plane was the subject of the RCJI magazine a few issues back. The second part of this article is waiting for some flying experience and pictures. Here is what the plane looks like currently.

Thanks - Adil

Very nice.

How do you access the engine with it sitting so far back?

Wow, nice pics. I am working on a JHH f-4 and was considering making it a turbine. I hadnt decided if I should go with a bee or a wren 44. Good luck on your conversion and if any one has any suggestions about where to get a bifurcated pipe for my phantom it would be a great help. Larry hasnt converted this plane yet so I am working in the dark.

VF-84, I think the Phantom needs at least a MW-54 (12 lbs.) for power. I don't think 7 lb. of thrust would make for a happy F-4. It sure flies nice on a .91, I can't imagine less in it.

Good luck, it makes for a gorgeous plane.

Jim

Here are the pics,
I also have some video but someone has to explain me how to post it.

As you can see it is very simple, may be not as tidy as a bypass but it works very fine and the engine runs really cool.
The tank is a sullivan DF tank feeding a one liter bottle feeding a BVM UAT. I get 9 minutes flights at full throttle with this.
The aircraft weight is 5.6 kgs empty.
Last thing , this mirage is over ten years old and was being flow with a Dynamax fan before....[8D]

some more

Hello Rider-60,

Nice conversion !

I can host it for you, if you wish !

Adil and Rider-60,

Which wings are you using? JHH offers 3 options; scale 36 inch wing, 40 inch foam wing, and 45 inch sport wing. I have a JHH Kfir kit that I would like to build with the scale wing, powered by a GW FD-3/67. Larry at JHH recommends the foam wing, with it's increased area, for carrying the weight of a turbine installation. Do either of you have an opinion?

Thanks,

Tom

Tom,

I have flown the JHH mirage with all of the different wing options. Mine is the all built up wood one from his plans which I believe comes out to be about 42". I would definitely agree with Larry here as fas as the wing goes. The scale wings version will be a true handful as it is already with the DF set up. I would go with the foam sport or the built up version. I personally believe that the built-up version is stronger and much lighter than the foam version. It was also easier to work on while installing the gear etc.

Hope this helps.

Adil

Tom ,
I have the foam wing and no experience with the scale one.
Anyway the 40' wing doesn't look wrong a bit like on the Yellow A4.

Here is my first attempt at posting a video, thanks for the advices Strykaas!!
If there is interest I can try to post more , this is just the take off.
But with aol I'm limited to 1 meg files....
http://pageperso.aol.fr/FColombet/Kfir+take+off.WMV

just hope it works...

Florent

right clic and "save as" and it will work[8D]

Try this one, it works better for me :

http://pageperso.aol.fr/FColombet/Kfir%20take%20off.WMV

wow, man that thing looks like it's got plenty of power!

Hello Rider-60

How much thust does your FD3/67 produce at max throttle?

It certainly seems to generate plenty [8D]

Gordon

Hi Florent,

How about braving the weather and coming to fly at AB on 2nd April!! (Joking, really!) Better time to come across would be 8&9 May for Jason Fletcher's jet event at Long Marston....I think I sent you the details....if you can't find them I'll re-send, if you like.

Cheers,

Dick

Gordon,

It's powered by an Artesjet Bee, and it produces about 12lbs at 175000rpms

Dick,

I will cross the channel again this year but don't know when yet.
I have an airplane to finish then I'll decide!!! [&:]

Here are some more videos:
http://pageperso.aol.fr/FColombet/Kfirflyby.WMV
http://pageperso.aol.fr/FColombet/kfirgoaround.WMV
http://pageperso.aol.fr/FColombet/kfirlanding.WMV

Thanks for the figure and your correction Florent ... I got the posts mixed up

Gordon

Adil and Rider-60,

Thanks for the answers. Everything points to a minimum of the 40" wing.....but I HATE going non-scale! Your pictures do look great, and the larger wing IS hardly noticeable.

Adil, will you and George have the plane at this year's Liberty Bell?

Tom