Just wanted to say that I had a great time with a Lambert Kolibri turbine I just received...planning to put it in a K&A models L-39.

With help from the manual (in German) we got it running all the way to 237,000 rpm!!!

Some photos.

Regards,

Axel

Cool Axel !! Just waiting patiently ( impatiently!) for mine . I was aware of the engine but it wasn't until I saw them at Jetpower that I had to have one ! How long did it take to get your's ? I ordered mine just after Jetpower . Only 2 1/2 weeks ago . Martin said he would contact me when it's ready for shipping.

When I started looking , I was surprised how many EDF airframes might be suitable . What kind of gear are you using on the little L-39 ? Not long ago , my Savex L-39 with the Wren 44 was considered tiny !

I'll initially puy mine on a Twinjet but have also ordered a very obscure airplane kit from RBC. The Gloster G40 . First British jet . So ugly it's cute !

Marc

Hey Marc right now I don't remember the brand of the retracts but they work the same way as spring air...they're really small and seem strong.

I'll ask a friend of mine and let you know asap. I also got into this turbine after I saw it at Jetpower. I had talked before with Martin via email but after I saw their reliability and performance at JP got really interested.

Regards,

Axel

Guys

You will have to be patient, Martin is building these little jewels by hand, and it takes ....some... time for each to be made
As i recall, i waited 1½-2 month for mine.

Oh, in case you wonder, i fly mine in a multiplex twister, with undercarriage

...and a nice one it is

Hello Axel,

(I saw your jacket hanging for some embroidery at JP, sorry we didn't meet.)
I have three Kolibris right now, and a tremendous amount of fun with them (one on a TwinJet, on a Falcon25, and on a Colt V-Jet glider).
Also, Martin's service is second to none. My Kolibris run at 243.000 RPM (out of the box).
For the retracts : there is a special tiny Jet-1A set available from Digitech Turbines, ask Sandor. These are not on his website.
Superb stuff, I have'm on my Falcon/BobCat 25.

Cheers.
Nicolas.

Hey Nicolas it's been a long time my friend! Hope you're doing great...you're one of the responsible for me flying turbines when you sent me a crisp F-16 with my first JetCat....(before I had a RAM 500...long story). Martin was very helpful over at JP and got convinced when I saw their performance. I'm putting mine in a K&A Models L-39...

We're having a nice event in January and you're more than welcomed to come.

Regards,

Axel

Great, thanks for the invitation but I think I can't make it. Kerosene is getting expensive by January 2009...

A small correction on the details stated : I have checked in the evening (for other reasons) the ECU parameters of my three Kolibris, and they all have slightly different set parameters. Two motors are set at 240.000 and one at 241.000. In reality, they run at about 243.000 judging by the readouts of the GSU. My TwinJet is VERY fast (Martin said he hasn't seen such a fast one as mine, don't know why mine is, but it really is ballistic.)

Is this K&A L-39 the kit model he had on display in his stand ? He had a fully painted one and a grey one, both with superb finishing (and above all extremely light) ?

PS. The Falcon25 at JetPower with installed retracts in his stand, was mine.
Of course they ask you to join the demo flights when you did not expect it and did not bring your radio ! [:@]
If you still can, ask the Kolibri AutoStart version, and you can install a tiny on-board gas tank (available from Digitech), so you'll have a full autostart model. You must install a manual gas flow restrictor to set a smooth and controlled gas pressure (I used a brass one they supply in the shops for air retracts) of it will spit flames as long as the gas valve is still open in combination with the kerosene supply.

Success !
Nicolas.

Just saw on your pics that you have an Autostart version, and one of the latest type (with black covered electric starter motor).

Attached also a photo of the Jet 1A retracts from Digitech, which are available but not on his website.

Make yourself a FOD screen, you wouldn't believe how much dirt these little ones ingest ! (And according to my own subjective observations, such didn't affect the motors' performance)
Also, for the motors mounted in the airflow, I made myself a front engine cowling with the bottleneck of used 500 ml water bottles. Should definitely improve the aerodynamics...

Nicolas.

Cowl + FOD-screen...

..more..

..Did you know there is also vectoring thrust available for the Kolibris ?..

There are a few videos available on the internet with this on TwinJets (=not mine !), but I heard it makes the pitch trim very unstable and unreliable.

..the Digitech Jet1A retracts, perfect for the jets of the Kolibri size..
(The full metal ones below are from AirPower, these are too flimsy for jets but good for indoor foamies, I think.)

Nicolas,

Lots of good information ! I may have to ask a few qusetions when I start converting my Twinjet . Since they aren't made anymore , I had to search for someone who already had one unused . I found 3 !

Axel,

When did you order your's ? I'm wondering if Martin's 3 week estimate was realistic . I would love to satrt flying this year but the weather's starting to get cold !

Marc

Oh man, that L-39 was really really sweet - and light
Too bad i didn't bring any euros to JP

Hey Nicolas thanks a lot for all the info....I'm looking for the brands that I bought. The L-39 is very light and is well done, I don't think it's the same brand as the one at JP.

Too bad you can't come, maybe next time. Marc I had been in talk with Martin before but didn't confirm him the purchase. However he did get me the turbine as he said he would.

Best regards,

Axel

That's how I know Martin too, he keeps his word. Really a nice guy to do business with.

I just flew the maiden flight with my new Colt V-Jet glider with a Kolibri, full speed. It has been a long time ago my knees were really shaking ! Making square loops and flat vertical spins at 320 km/h really gave me enough thrills in a three and a half minute flight for the whole weekend...

Perhaps you have seen Peter Adolfs from PAF Models flying his at JetPower ?...

Nicolas.

Oh ya..... Peter's glider was amazing ! You must be having a ton of fun with your's ! At Jetpower , I saw just how versatile this little motor is . I love turbine engines , big and small , but have to admit that I always gravitate towards simplicity . If I can just run out of the house with an airplane under the arm , that's what I'll do . The bigger they are , the less they get flown . I'm looking forward to playing with this little jem. Maybe I'll send Martin an email and ask for an update.....

Marc

When I picked up my kit at JetPower from Peter, I asked him about the wing. This glider, called "Colt V" with electric or turbine motor, also exists in pure slope soaring version, (with a bit slimmer fuselage as there is less to carry inside), and then it is called the OPUS. This Opus exists in different (strength) versions, the strongest one being the OPUS DS (stands for Dynamic Soaring). Do a search on YouTube for Opus DS,... this glider holds a speed record of 420 km/h (!)... (=262 MPH)
Here's just one :
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=A64dTHIU-Y4

Peter showed me the wing of such a DS version. Extremely strong. He held one tip at one side and placed the other wing tip on the trunk of his car and invited me to sit on it and even swing up and down. Which I actually really did. Never seen such a strong structure.

The quality of the glider is unbelievable.

PAF Models just have put a new video on their website of the Opus V-Jet with Kolibri : (click on the photo !)

http://shop.strato.de/epages/6131678.../Videos%5B1%5D