Hey guys I'm probably going to pick up a TGA F-15 this weekend. It's been flying a few years with a Dynamax.

I want to convert it to turbine.
Any pointers?
Does it need stiffening anywhere?

It had no retracts with it, what are the toughest ones that will fit in there? It will be flying off grass. I plan on beefing up the mounts.
Where can I get tanks for it and how much capacity can this airframe hold?

What about a pipe?

The guy who owned said it weighed 13lbs ready to fly with a fan.
I'm guessing 16lbs. after conversion, plan on using a simjet 1200sp


Anyone convert one of these on here?

Well I got the plane today.

The guy actually modified it to have a full flying stab using BVM F-16 parts.
Plane looks good.

Now just planning out the tank situation.
It looks like I have 5 locations for fuel.

2 areas beside the turbine, 2 bigger areas around the intake and alot of room between the intakes.
I guess I can start sanding some foam and make some custom tanks.
Wondering if there any made for another kit that might fit in here?

I went ahead and removed the fiberglass exhaust, lots of room to work now.
Does anyone make a bi-pipe for this kit?

here are a few pics.

Ronnie. I still have the Springairs from mine, just not sure if the would hold up. Still my f-15 was 18lbs, remember?

Use Springair 301's and get some struts from TGA (Robart) or try some of Robarts new direct replacement for springair. Try calling Steve at TGA for the thrust tube.

Terry, you sure 301's are enough?

They are rated for up to 15lbs. I imagine Im going to be close to 20lbs at take off weight plus on grass.

David, what model number were yours?

They may have been 301's, I'll check.

let me know David thanks.


I started making tanks last night.
I have a pair ready for glassing.
Anyone know how many layers and what weight I should use?

Fiberglass:
I'd try one layer of 1.4 oz plain weave with a layer of 4 oz

Kevlar:
one layer of 1.7 oz satin weave with a layer of 4.8 oz

Using two layers instead of 1 helps to minimize leakage and just make sure you wet out each layer.

JR Gauteaux

I have 301's in my F-15 and 701's in my topcat
same gear except the 701's are set up to accept 7/16" struts, sorry use the 701's for the turbine version f-15. U will have to get Robart to make you a set of F-15 struts to fit. The stock TGA/Robart struts are set up for "wire" at the top. Arrrrrrrrgh

I use 4 layers of glass in my conformal tanks 1 of 1.5 and 3 of 4oz . Bullit proof.
Terry

thanks JR

Terry I just called TGA and they say since Im on grass, don't go with spring air, they said go robart, he just didnt have the part number available at the time. He said they are the same mounting dimensions as the spring airs?

Also they are a no go on a pipe, said I need to call someone else, like Tam.

Here is a few pics of the tank foam cores I'm shaping to go on the cg on either side of the engine.

If I was to guestimate capacity Im gonna say close to 20 oz each.

Also here is a pic of the area next to the intake, I see alot of potential here. Maybe another 20 oz per side after I cut back the intake and install a reducer.

cut the intake back tonight and molded some foam for the reducer.
Now I have alot of glassing ahead.


Also I need some measurments for the bi-pipe.

Anyone know what the exhaust diameters should be for a simjet 1200?
The main pipe should be 3 inches so I'm thinking 1.5-2 inches per side of the exhaust, is that right? Seems small.

Coming together slowly now.
Decided to go with a straight pipe and a P-60 for power.

This plane has the full flying stab conversion.

Does anyone know what the throws should be for a full flying stab on this plane?

Also the aileron throws?


a few pics before I cut the tail.

Getting very close to being flyable now.

The cut for the straight pipe is made.
Now need to strengthen the rear fuse.

Looks acceptable for what it is. Estimate on which meet it will fly at?

The plan is to have it flying by next week and then off to Shreveport

Electronics mounted, engine and pipe mounted.


.

Ronnie,

The F-15 is looking good!

JR Gautreaux

The beast is complete, now just waiting for the maiden this weekend.

Total weight wet and ready is 19lbs.

Still need to figure the throws for the full flying stab.

What are the throws for the YA F-15 or the SM F-15?

Ronnie, because of the stall charachteristics of the F-15, just do a max mechanical on rate three, and a 80 on rate two and a 50 on rate three. Take off with the mid rate and you will be fine. Put 35% expo in on all three rates.

Do a good stall in the air to find out what flare rate you will need.

I expect that you will end up with 1 " deflection of trailing edge as the final rate you will want across the board with 35% expo. based on my experiance with the Yellow and two TGA's.

Wow, mine was 18lbs on an OS 91 and flew really god.

Just got back from my wedding, so I wil be doing a lot of turbine time starting this weekend.
Any activities in the area??

thanks Sean.

David congrats!!!

David, Shreveport a week from friday

Your last two pictures didn't come through. Care to post them again?

elevator throw with FF stabs All you can get on high rate and 3/8" up and down on low. If you have a 10X use 5/8 to 3/4 on the center rate. I recomend 25 to 30% expo on all

My TGA F-15 UE III weighs 13.75 lbs dry. Goes up at 45 degrees on take off with OS .91.