Greg

A great result all round on your maiden flight and a good recovery on the high alpha after RoG. This first flight indicated a stable envolope and few flights should have you settled in flying wise. Worth all your efforts and you have the summer flying season to look forward to.

Paul

Greg,

Great job!!!! Congradulations on the great maiden!!! Looks like the JJ1400 did very well.

Dean

Rcdriver22 & Dsiems,

Thank you both for your encouraging comments. I am looking forward to getting comfortable with this jet and enjoying "stress free" flying.

The F-16 flew like it was on rails and the turbine provided solid thrust for this airframe.

Greg Hames

actually it was not that bad..if you stop the video right after the jet rotates, it is only about 20 degrees nose up...it will climb out at that angle... just lucky you didn't stuff it in the dirt on that recovery . Groovy little jet, isn't it????

Wayne22,

It is a great flying jet that really grooves and is extremely stable (tracks right where you put it).

I too stopped the video just after rotation and then advanced it little by little and when it was about 2-3 feet off the ground it was around 45 degrees angle of attack (exactly 16 seconds into the video). Believe me I have viewed and reviewed this video probably 100 times

I just didn't know what to expect, and the checklist labeled RECOMMENDATION from Tamjets says, "on take off use a generous amount of elevator."

It just took me by surprise and I simply wanted to regain control of a level flight attitude after rotation.

Hope to fly it a couple more times Saturday morning!

Greg Hames

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I have flown the f16 in an EDF form but very powerfull (~2kw) and i know that it is fast but difficult to fly unless you have enough speed.
During the landing phase i remembered how difficult was to land my own, stall speed was very high.
I sold it because it made me very nervous while flying it. I prefer more forgiving planes now as i dont want to return home looking like a wreck.
Also i dont want to have a heart attack in the middle of the flight....
In your movie i also noticed that the weather and clouds (lighting) must made orientation very difficult.
Chris

Greg,

Congrats on the test flight !!

Can you please post pictures of your turbine and electronics installation under the hood ?

Im flying my pal's "old" Tamjets \ Cermark F-16 (wood wings and tails) and that thing is an absolute blast to fly, can fly slow and predictable, i enjoy every second of it ! we're flying it with a RAM 500. i liked it so much i got me one as well (wood version from Cermark) and will be putting my new JJ1400 in it, cant wait to fly it ! this should be a very nice performer indeed.

From the replies of some of the guys, i believe the composite version must be harder to fly, since this one is a real piece of cake, very stable and predictable. [8D]

BTW - regarding take off, i use a length take off run and let her build speed up, then apply elevator (low rates) and hold the elevator up until she starts lifting the nose up on herself, then DO NOT let go of the elevator (keep pulling) because it needs it to keep climbing. if you follow this, you should be getting the most beatiful scale take off ever, she will first lift the nose gear up and then will start climbing in a nice, shallow climb but with power - its a sight to see.

The landing is a whole different smile maker.

I3dm,

I flew my jet another 3 times today and held a small amount of back pressure on my take off roll and it lifted and climbed out beautifully!

I also applied what I learned from my maiden to the landings. I used 3/4 throttle before entering pattern, reduced to 1/2 throttle on final approach, and then to idle just a few feet off the ground (all the while holding consistent up elevator for gentle touch down).

Also, if you look at post #854 on this thread, you will see the pictures you requested.

Greg Hames

6 logged flights and counting...

Greg Hames

Greg, Have you had any trouble upon start up of the 1400 JJ turbine with a flame coming out of the turbine after the first and second attempt to ramp...Mine usually starts on the third try...Didn't know if this is common or something is wrong....Also I got my new Tamjets f-16 tuesday..I've installed the rod that holds the duct work in place and installed the rudder servo in the tail..Getting ready to work on gear doors...did you make the doors removable with the music wire or leave them the way they were with the screws in them..I'll send some pic's of my progress..Thanks for your help!!! Rick

Mowery1,

I had a similiar thing happen with my JJ1400 until I had it repaired by JetJoe. I attributed it to too much 'primer' fule being dumped into the engine during the start sequence. Just as it begins the start sequence, the fuel pump comes on to lube the bearings. If if dumps too much fuel, it pools in the bottum of the engine. Then, when it fires, this extra fuel blows out the back. That's why on the third try it starts without problem. The excess fuel has cleaned out of the engine. I tried closing the manual valve to the engine during this priming so fuel wouldn't be dumped into the engine. This seemed to clear the problem. But, I only did this if I knew that the bearings had be previously primed.

My Hawk 14 ECU has a neat feature for this point. It has a manual prime. On of the bottum on the GSU activates the pump before the start sequence begins. So, you just, touch the button a couple of time briefly to lube the bearings, then begin the auto sequence start. A neat feature of this engine.

dw_crash

Hi Mowery1,
Use the piano wire! you will be removing and test fitting the doors a few times. I am glad I used them on my Tams F-16.

Thanks Max, I'll try the local hobby store to see if he has some wire the correct size...

Rick

Good pointers given by Dave/ DW Crash. I alway stop the prime as soon as I see fuel reach the diffuser cover. No need for fuel to go into the manifold or lube line. As on any full auto and FADEC when on cool down the turbine is spun for several thousand rpms with no lubrication at all. Even a thimble full of fuel dumped into the can will produce flames.

The colour or the burn looking with a mirror into the rear of the turbine at idle and running should be blue and constant all round. If not, note and mark any hot spots yellow flames for later internal inspection.

Before stripping run some thick soapy liquid around the can next to can to diffuser cover. With the starter on run up on electric power and note any bubbles and air losses from poor sealing. This can be cured/sealed with thick soap or a silicon bead (not too much!)

On a future strip down, connect the fuel manifold to your gas bottle and light up the needles, checking for blockages and that all 12 flames flair are at the same constant height.

Paul

Hey Rick,

My JJ1400 starts the first time, every time (over 3 hrs of running). I did experience some flaming upon ignition of the turbine during my first couple of runs, but I simply reduced the gas shut off valve to around 75 degrees (somewhat open) instead of 90 degrees (fully open).

I did not install the music wire on my gear doors, but I did shim the hinges per the instructions and they work beautifully!

Nothing like seeing a nice dark blue "T-Bird" come over on the bottom of a F-16.

Talk to you soon,

Greg

Hey Greg, I gotta tell ya, I'm very impressed with the quality of the Tamjets F-16. I just hinged my gear doors and did use the music wire option..not sure it was necassary but I did it anyway.. I'm going to install the air cylinders tonight and hopefully work on the servos for the elevons or tailerons whatever the correct term is...I'm learning more everyday about these jets!!! My concern now is the brakes...totally new concept for me....I Truly appreciate all the help!! Rick

You'll absolutely love the brakes! I engage my brakes on final and when the jet touches down it comes to a stop in about 100 feet.

Tam does produce a high quality product that is thoroughly & rigorously tested. I would confidently recommend one of his jets to anyone.

Greg Hames

Hey Greg, I got the servos for the tailerons installed along with the carbon linkages tonight..Was getting ready to install the fins on the bottom of the fuse and I can't find the 4-40 all thread rod Tam talks about..Did yours come in the kit?? Tomorrow night, the retracts go in!! I'm getting closer everyday!! Hey, on the brakes, is yours on a switch so that they come on 100% when you flip the switch?? Thanks again for the help!! Rick

Rick,

You will have to purchase the 4/40 threaded rod.

Also, the brakes on mine are either on or off. I used the supplied air switch that came with the kit. The wheels do not lock up at all either (just keep the brake o-ring lubed with clear silicone). They bring the jet to a nice, controlled, smooth stop.

Greg Hames

For anyone confused the Tam F16 (great model) threads are

""Tam's F16, help please""
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_51...tm.htm#5146063

"Tamjets/Cermark F-16"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_56...tm.htm#5657652

This was the Jetjoe thread as I remember, though I could be mistaken

Hey Paul,

My JJ1400 has really been a pleasure to own and operate in my F-16 from Tam. Mowery1 has also purchased a Tam F-16 for his new JJ1400 as well. Just trying to help him out from my own personal experience with the exact same airframe and powerplant setup.

Anyway, I cannot say anything derogatory about my JJ1400. The plumbing under the front cover is well organized, the one piece tail cone looks and performs great, and it has never failed to start up on the first try, turn less that 160,000 rpms at full throttle, or cool down to 100 degrees celcius.

It has flown my Tamjets for 6 successful flights.

I hate to hear about your 3 fouled experiences with Jetjoe. Were your 3 turbines bought last year, the year before, or at different times over the past few years? It seems from what I've read about these turbines, that the first several production runs were not worth purchasing. The ones that I have seen on test stands and in aircraft earlier this year at Florida Jets performed as advertised (including the one a fellow club member purchased the same time I purchased mine).

Just curious,

Greg Hames

Hi Greg

I purchased my first of three JetJoes 1400's about two years ago in 2005 (Nr No 560) in the full knowledge if there were likely problems. Several items were initially changed, the Combustion chamber to a six stick, bearing outer 'O' ring removed as they were no let enough into the tunnel and caused fitting problems, increased the lube flow to the rear bearings etc, etc. At one stage I had some 'back up' from Joe as when bearings failed, due to lube flow, Joe sent GRW bearing replacements and changed the lube system.

However in running these turbines long term and emailing Joe feedback on QA/QC issues and laterly asking for a new inconel 12 combustion chamber, my emails got blanked, When Chris had his JJ1400 fail due to patent Combustion Chamber disintergration I emailed Joe at the time asking him to take it back and fully repair it, free of charge, due to him using non inconel parts, no answer. Chris then sent his to an ex JJ agent and it was I believe found beyond any repair. One of mine had over 200 minutes and there was clear long term wear due to engineering tollerances causing long term running issues.

In the USA you have an agent who is responsible that these turbines be 'fit for purpose' however, it is those of us customers who bought theirs direct that lack suppport from the factory. So from a 100% supporter here on the first early JJ pages, I am disenchanted financially and only online to assist those maybe 250 JetJoe buyers who have real problems on theirs running at all or indeed long term. I am really pleased that yours runs well and in such a great model by Tam.

What is your engine number on yours as this sets an engine production number when things start to work?

Paul

Get a WREN, get happy!

PREACHHAMES, how can i dowload the maiden vid somehow ?

Also, will you make new vids now that youre more used to the plane ?

And one last question - how much % of throttle were you using through the flight ? was it full throttle or less ?

Got an old upgraded MW44 by Mike to SILVER with 820 minutes running on it [8D]

Paul