Hi everyone,
I'm thinking of getting a 1/5 L-39 and not sure what engine to use. Checking the past threads, it seems they're flying with 25, 30 and 35# engines, so I'm not sure what to use. I fly off grass most of the time, so I think I'll need to be more towards the high end.
My SimJet 2300 has run like a clock for the last three years and I'm thinking of either the 3000 or the Nexus. I was wondering if anyone can post their experience with either of these two engines. The Eagle and Rhino look like good engines also and people seem to be happy with them and was wondering if anyone has used either one of these engines in an L-39.
BRG,
Jon

ill will be putting jetcat titan in mine currently under construction....no manuel though just a cd with photos...estimated const time 200 hrs...sinc kpc

Jon

I've flown one on both P120 and P160 (27/36lb) and to be honest 34-36lb allows more scale flying. It fly's fine on a P120 but it's sluggish with a full tank.

Dave Wilshere

yes get something like a Graupner Boozer , Rhino or merlin
anything is this class
you can fly it at half throtle , making it very quiet and have good flytime

Jon,
good luck with your new project. I am very fortunate to see this AWL39 fly often at my field. If I were to build one now I would fit the new Wren XL200 36lbs thrust, my 2nd choice would be the merlin.
Please show some photos of your build and progress. This is a wicked nice plane!~).

joe

For scale like flying put a 12 lber in it ! I had the chance to fly a full scale L-39 recently and we only had approx. 3500lbs thrust for a 10000 lb T/O weight . To do a loop we dove to 350 kts and pulled . I screwed one up and stalled inverted because the energy bled off too quickly ! Generally our models have a MUCH higher thrust to weight than most full scale jets . The B- 767 I fly has roughly 1:3 thrust to weight.

Marc

I flew mine for 4 years with a Jet Cap P-160 and AMT Pegasus HP( Full scale finish and weighing in at 18.6 kg dry and it went well. Even at 3000ft above sea level in the heat of south Africa.
I have flown another for a customer with a P-120 but it was a light weight one with no gear doors, No cockpit detail and a light paint finish. This was also good. In fact I thought it flew better ( lighter loading ) I also flew Sandor's with a Graupner booster which I thought was overpowered but fun. So I guess it depends on what sort of finish and detail you want to apply and how you want to fly it ( Sport / Scale).
Any questions feel free to email me direct on [email protected] . More than happy to help
Regards Al

Hi,
Mine has a TJT3000 in it, 28.5lbs with 1.2lbs lost in the tailpipe (static so may improve in the air), I fly off tarmac with around 100-120 yards take off run, in the air it's almost spot on as you have to fly it in a scale manner. If you're off grass then would recommend going up a step powerwise.

Thanks for all the replies, I guess I'll go with a 35#er.
How is the kit? At almost $6K, we're getting close to BVM territory! How are the parts fit and is there any problems building it I should be aware of.
Thanks again for the info.
BRG,
Jon

Marc, that is a very good reality check. Perhaps the new skymaster L39 with an SS would be the ticket?

Good luck with your project Jon, this is a 'builder kit' for sure. It and the other offering are way beyond my skills.

Joe

i took mine to a professional builder yesterday......it has great detail....but cannot be considered an arf.......a lot of enginerring......you have to place all internal formers...with very little guidance.....the scale gear is awesome....if this was only thing i was doing with free time....i would build it my self.....but realtys set in...i have 2 full scales up for annuel inspection this month......maybe when i retire............sinc kpc

Hi,
The kit itself is fine, good fit of all parts and well finished, the problem lies with the lack of build instructions unless you can read overlarge german text, lots of photos on CD but not much use when fitting the internal formers, if you go for then I can measure mine to give you a starter for ten, btw you're looking a fair amount of cash for the radio side alone, 7xJR 8511 etc....

Hi,
I guess the bottom line is, after spending $10K+, is the L-39 it worth it?
I always liked the L-39, and saw plenty of them flying at the WJM, they seem to fly fine. If you had to do it over again, would you have bought it? Like I said, I'm starting to get in BVM territory, but other than the F-86, he has nothing I'm interested in. The F-86 will probably be around $15K and I'm not sure it was designed for grass fields and day in day out sport flying.
I really want the Lightning, but that's a long way off, and, since I have no experience with large, heavy jets I thought the L-39 would be ideal to gain some "heavy jet" experience.
BRG,
Joj

The short answer is yes, bit of a s*d to build but when you fly it then it's all worth it, best jet I have flown.