JMP Firebird Kit Review
12-06-2005, 01:45 AM
#1
JMP Firebird Kit Review
I recently acquired a JMP Firebird. Its been a long time coming and I have actually been thinking of picking one of these up for quite some time. The plane arrived today. Now that I see what this plane is all about, I wish I had not wasted time for so long … I guess better late than never.
Based on what I had been told, I knew I would be impressed with the quality, but when I reviewed he kit contents in person, I was totally blown away ! WOW !! the amount of engineering, materials, prefabrication and thought that has gone into this plane is phenomenal ! Even with its lofty price tag, with this quality it has to be the best bang for your buck out there in the hobby. I’m surprised Tom Cook has not yet been given the credit he deserves for his planes ! there is nothing out there that even comes close to comparing in quality and engineering ( and I have been through some high priced / high end kits, so I’m not speaking from ignorance here)
Following few posts will contain photos of most of the kit contents, as I do not think many have seen pictures of this plane in kit form. In some pics I have included a 18” ruler for size reference …. This thing is BIG !! I am 6'5" and standing on its nose, it still towers significantly over my head ....
First thing you notice handling all of the parts is how solid they are. The glass work is near perfect, and all components fit almost as well as Lego blocks. There is not setting of incidences, dihedral, etc ... all the critical stuff is pre-set, including wing joints, and elevator pivot tube ...
Wojtek
Based on what I had been told, I knew I would be impressed with the quality, but when I reviewed he kit contents in person, I was totally blown away ! WOW !! the amount of engineering, materials, prefabrication and thought that has gone into this plane is phenomenal ! Even with its lofty price tag, with this quality it has to be the best bang for your buck out there in the hobby. I’m surprised Tom Cook has not yet been given the credit he deserves for his planes ! there is nothing out there that even comes close to comparing in quality and engineering ( and I have been through some high priced / high end kits, so I’m not speaking from ignorance here)
Following few posts will contain photos of most of the kit contents, as I do not think many have seen pictures of this plane in kit form. In some pics I have included a 18” ruler for size reference …. This thing is BIG !! I am 6'5" and standing on its nose, it still towers significantly over my head ....
First thing you notice handling all of the parts is how solid they are. The glass work is near perfect, and all components fit almost as well as Lego blocks. There is not setting of incidences, dihedral, etc ... all the critical stuff is pre-set, including wing joints, and elevator pivot tube ...
Wojtek
12-06-2005, 01:49 AM
#2
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
One of the first items I reviewed were the assembly instructions. Every step is picture illustrated, and thorough question-free descriptions/instructions are provided. Also I noticed there is no plans sheet… that’s because its not needed !!! everything in this kit is prefabricated where any alignment or referenced location would have been needed determining, including all bulkheads, wing joints, elevator position, etc ..
12-06-2005, 01:51 AM
#3
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
The fuel tanks come 100% assembled and painted !! NICE !!! all fittings are jumbo sized for plenty of fuel flow capacity. The vent fittings on the main tanks are set up with swiveling festo joints ..NICE !!! Even the pickup lines and clunks are preinstalled ! The tanks are made to perfectly conform to the inner wings, and also provide some further support/structure in the area .. wow, that’s one less set of tanks I have to worry about gluing together 
12-06-2005, 01:57 AM
#4
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
These are the outer wing panels. The wing tubes are permanently affixed to the wings, and are set to slide onto the inboard panels which are part of the fuselage. The fit is a smooth and precise as I have ever seen !!! when slid together, the wings feel like one solid piece, and that’s without the retaining plate even on !!! also notice the clearly marked servo hatch locations. These are to be cut out with a dremel tool, and the G-10 covers/plates can be affixed … notice the counterballance slots for the ailerons ...
12-06-2005, 01:59 AM
#5
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
Sorry if I skip around a bit, im just following the order of my photos in the camera so I don’t get mixed up …..
These are the upper and lower portions of the bypass. Notice the ALUMINUM STRIPS molded into the bypass lip !!! now that’s attention to detail and QUALITY !! Tom is the man !!
These are the upper and lower portions of the bypass. Notice the ALUMINUM STRIPS molded into the bypass lip !!! now that’s attention to detail and QUALITY !! Tom is the man !!
12-06-2005, 02:02 AM
#6
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
There are 2 vent holes on the fuselage, one on each side. There are scribe lines where the fuselage needs to be cut, and the kit comes with molded inserts which will fit nicely, and joints will be filled. notice even these little parts have carbon reinforcement ..... I think the vents are not only functional, but also look neat
12-06-2005, 02:07 AM
#7
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
These are the intake ducts. Pretty typical to many planes .. the outer fuselage is scribed where to cut the openings out and these are epoxied in place and then reinforced with some fiberglass tape around the inner seams.
12-06-2005, 02:12 AM
#9
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
The bottom of the fuselage is scribed for where the gear openings are to be cut. These are the molded gear doors which will be mounted in the place of the cutouts … quality is top notch on these, and by the looks of things, this will be a pretty easy hinging job on the doors … The entire nose gear door assembly is detachable ( if ever necessary ) with the outer frame for complete access to the gear.
12-06-2005, 02:17 AM
#10
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
Now for the best part !!! THE LANDING GEAR !!! WOW !!! these are the nicest , toughest set of gear I have ever seen !! these even rival the gear on my BVM Rafale which are super tough as well … ( http://www.voy-tech.net/rafale.htm )
I also noticed that the rubber compound on the tires is nice too … the tires seem like they will have a lot of grip, yet do not seem like the type that will wear easily. The gear assembly feels solid enough to transport an elephant on !!
If you rip this set of gear up, then that means there is not much left of the plane[X(]
I also noticed that the rubber compound on the tires is nice too … the tires seem like they will have a lot of grip, yet do not seem like the type that will wear easily. The gear assembly feels solid enough to transport an elephant on !!
If you rip this set of gear up, then that means there is not much left of the plane
[X(]
12-06-2005, 02:21 AM
#11
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
Here are some shots of the ailerons .. notice how holes for hinges are predrilled …. Note the counterbalances on the flight surfaces as well …The countersunk hole is already drilled and set to accept the bolt which will function as the control horn.
12-06-2005, 02:28 AM
#13
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
Here are the stabs. The pivot tube is already installed and aligned inside the vertical fin. The elevators have receptacles which rotate over the tube. Each elevator by this method has over 9” of distributed support on the joint !! sure beats thin rods, small bearings, etc .. and other methods with minimal support provided ..
Notice the elevator control arm locations scribed on the fuse, as well as the control rod receptacles on the elevators themselves. All is very well thought of, and built for perfect function.
Notice the elevator control arm locations scribed on the fuse, as well as the control rod receptacles on the elevators themselves. All is very well thought of, and built for perfect function.
12-06-2005, 02:31 AM
#14
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
This is where the rudder will mount . Yet again all hinge locations are predrilled, except for the lowest on the vertical stab itself ( rudder has all holes pre-done ) because of inaccessibility during manufacture … no big deal .. just a hole to drill, and its ready. By the way, all gaps in control surfaces are sealed by either carbon or G-10 seal strips .. as with the ailerons, the rudder has a pre drilled and countersunk hole for the controll horn rod on the surface.
) nice and strong !
12-06-2005, 02:36 AM
#16
RE: JMP Firebird Kit Review
This ( besides the intakes ) is probably the most involved area in the build. The fit between the aft and forward fuselage is absolutely perfect, and should be no problem at all … I might laminate some carbon cloth over the inside of the joint just to overdo things like I always tend to , but I don’t think that that is really necessary anyway however …