I have been building a Skygate Hawk for a customer, a commission via Ali Machinchy.
Early on in the discussion around this build Ali suggested the possible development of a fully ducted set up for this Jet, he felt it would improve the already good flying characteristics and take it to the next level, so thats where we have gone.

The current status (some of which has also been posted on the build thread for this jet) is that we have had made a 6.5L fuel tank, a set of formers and mounting equipment to locate this custom tank, new full ducts which feed the new carbon bypass mounted to new main turbine formers and rails.

The same tank and a new appropriately sized set of formers is also under way for the Tomahawk Hawk, small quantities of these 'upgrades' will all be available via Ali. The Skygate Hawk package is just about ready to go (see pics) the T Hawk is a still a few weeks off as we are waiting for drawing s for formers and scaling info.

Any interested parties please liase with Ali.

I want to say at this point a big thanks to Richard Chant for his tireless work in helping me develop the moulded parts, and more recently Roger Moffatt from Sequoia System who has worked with me on all the CNC work to get formers made and cut, a first class service and incredible accuracy of work.

marcs

More pictures of the 'one off' smoke tank, the carbon bypass and ducts (mounted to the intakes but supplied un-mouted)

marcs

Very nice Marc,

Did you find a proper shape for the bypass ?
I am sorry , I didn't help you much on that one...

Oli we used the shape of the one supplied as a template and worked the shape out from there....

marcs

Beautiful work! Thank you very much for taking on this project.
I will contact Ali ASAP!
Scott

Scott cheers for the comments, its amazing just how much work is required to get a few items like this done, steep learning curve but got there in the end.
I am re-cutting the tank support formers in 3mm ply/liteply rather than 6mm liteply (as in picture) as they will be plenty strong and 6mm I think is an overkill, will also add a few lightening holes in the front former tabs just for good measure

marcs

Hey Marc,

I've already talked with Ali via email about the tank/ducting/formers and he's convinced me to get in line for the entire setup ;-)

Question about the one off smoke tank.....which picture is it in, as I can't make it out?

Thx,

Bill

Ops sorry, missed adding the smoke tank, here you go... it holds around 2.5L

marcs

Marc,

Any chance of getting a "one off" smoke tank for my SG T-45?


Bill

Bill, if only I had the time, chocked up to the gunnals I'm afraid.

Assembled the new system for the Skygate I'm building and got the new formers sanded for a nice fit and glued in for an overnight cure.

The initial order for 6 tanks is already starting to deplete, 3 gone so far already so talk to Ali if you are interested.

marcs

Fitted results...

Marc Scully...... You are a genius!
Its been three, maybe even four years since I flew my first Skygate Hawk. In all that time I kept wishing that it would be fully ducted, by-passed and carry more fuel. I loved the way the stock plane flew, but couldn't help thinking that cleaning up the airflow through that massive fuselage would help smooth it out even more and help speed retention.
It took a long time to find the "Right" person to make this conversion and I am delighted that Marc, with the help of Rich have made this dream a reality. A massive thankyou guys.
Next will be the Tomahawk I guess......

For those of you interested in the conversion we are starting to wrap up the very first production batch. I hope later today I can include a list of all of the items included in the complete package.
Those wanting to order, please feel free to email me on [email protected] and I can get you on the list.
Regards Al

I agree with Al, Marc is the man for this job!!

Good news is he has my Tomahawk fuselage and having spoken to him last night has started making progress on this setup too [sm=thumbup.gif]

Ali and schroedm.. do you guys reckon my hawk can get this upgrade?

Anurag,

The ducts would take a fair bit of work as, back then, they were moulded as part of the inlet piece (see picture) and you obviously can't remove them easily now they are glued on and painted.

Other than that, you'd probably only have to rearrange the position of installed items for the new tank/bypass etc.

Rgds,
Mark

that answers my Q Mark.. thanks.. Not touching the plane as long as its in one piece...

Looks to me like this install is only good for kero or ceramic plugged turbines, as access to the turbine, to change a glow plug for example, seems extremely restricted. The top fuel tank, at minimum, would have to be removed to gain access to the turbine. Correct?

David S

David,

That is something that has crossed my mind and is a reason why I am warming to Scott's top hatch approach. If done properly, the top hatch won't reduce strength and can be made invisible after painting. General access will then be a doddle!

Cheers,
Mark

David, naturally adding these items is going to reduce access, but I have tried to make sure the systems are removable in the simplest possible way.
The ducts on this build are removable by removing 4 x M3 bolts per side, the whole unit slides out from the bypass which has a recessed slot to retain the ducts when in position. The tank 'frame' is fitted by 4 x M3 bolts into blind nuts or nuts depending in preference, so provided the fuel pipes are made to detach this is also not difficult to remove quickly and easily.
I have also added cut slots on each of the two tank formers which will allow people should they wish to remove the x-brace from them to further increase access into the fuselage for maintenance, they do not really get in the way as they are, but the choice is there, naturally these are cut after the formers are fitted to ensure proper alignment.

Hope this helps.

marcs

If you dont cut a hatch after seeing all this beautiful work you guys do I will be greatly dissapointed!!
I couldnt imagine it without it!!
Scott

Mark,

Outstanding work, as always! I've put a full set on order with Ali already.

Does the full kit include these formers etc as well?

David S

David, those are the prototypes, a carbon faced liteply. Yes formers are supplied and are identical in shape but made from a high grade 6mm liteply, the extended forward section is cut out to allow the user to insert a plate of their own choice to mount equipmpent to if they so wish, or to leave it as is.
Picture attached of the actual items..

marcs

For those interested here are a few shots of most of the items included in the kit:

Moulded glass fibre tank with face strengthening 'ribs'
2 x white resin glassfibre inlet ducts (these require carbon tows to be fitted by the user)
2 x 3.4mm ply turbine formers (replaces original items)
2 x 6mm liteply turbine rails, with extended front sections to increase lateral strength and provide optional equipment mounting areas.
1 x Carbon bypass, size suitable for turbines up to P200 (retains SG supplied thrust tube bell mouth diameter for direct fit)
Former pack for tank mounting comprising 10 x 3.4mm ply components (only 6 in picture as additional 4 x blind nut ply washers will be included in the supplied kits) & 18 x FR4 components (4 x tank mounting straps and 14 x spacers)
Instruction leaflet

That about covers it, I will get some shots over to Ali shortly so he can provide more in depth details.

marcs

Marc,

OUTSTANDING! Smoke tank is extra?

Will you offer parts for some of the mods you did on the build?



David S

David I'll PM you on the 'other' items.

marcs