Having flown fast prop planes for some years, I would like to try my hand at building & flying a turbine jet. I fly off a good grass strip about 100 metres long.
I had thought about an Avonds F15. I hear it is reasonably easy to fly, lands slowly, & looks the part. I would appreciate views on how easy the kit is to build, + a rough timescale to build an average example.
Any advice on this & other reasonably priced alternatives would be welcome.
Regards from Scotland
Jim.

Jim,

If the F-15 doesn't turn out to be what you want, have a look at the IAD (?) Serpent - a guy at Long Marston had a fixed U/C version that he built to fly off a short length grass strip...seemed to fly well (I think the serpent's a Scottish product, too?). Other models that come to mind are the Eurosport (is the dog's nuts) and Jim Fox's Foxjet - cheap, easy to build and a very good flier.

Cheers,

Dick
England

Hi Jim
Avonds F15 is a nice semi scale starter but if you want crisp performance look to put at least a 27lb thrust turbine into it,
mine has an AMT Mercury hp in it and it takes a good chunk of a very well mown 150 yd strip to get off, in the air it does everything but sustained vertical.
My friend has a eurofighter sport with a 35 lb thrust turbine and that is quite spectacular and lands very slowly expensive but highly prefabricated can be airborne very quickly the Avonds comes as a two piece fus all formers have to be installed and
wings,elevons and rudders have to be glassed having said that it is a very good value for money kit.
for short fields i think i would go for a Bobcat lookalike inexpensive
and with a fixed undecarriage relatively maintenance free

Brian

Would that be another endorsement of the Serpent, Brian?!

Cheers,

Dick

Serpent gets my vote Dick

Brian

Thanks guys. I will think over all you have said.
After going over some other threads, I see the Super Reaper is a popular choice.
There sure is a wealth of good info on this site.
regards
Jim.

Might want to take a look at the Facet at greatnorthernmodels.com

Jim- I would check out the JMP Husler at their web site (Jetmodelproducts.com). Lands slow and stable.
With big wheels, thick airfoil section and monster flaps it would behave well off of grass. Also the best prefab and glass work in the business.
Check it out.
Marty O