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Which Jet to Start With?

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Old 04-25-2010 | 10:16 PM
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Default Which Jet to Start With?

Hey Guys,

I would love feedback from our members on which jet I should start with to begin my journey into larger scale jets. Here's some background:

1. I currently fly turbine and electric scale helis but do have a GP Stearman 1.20 for relaxation.

2. I've flown many different types of foam EDF's (like the kind you can get from Banana Hobby and others).

3. I've been flying for 30+ years and can take off, fly and land but prefer slower, more controlled landings because I'm not QUITE comfortable with high speed; it's just not fun for me.

I was considering the BVM ElectraJet but have recently seen some smaller turbines (e.g. TamJets F-16 1/12 scale) and electrics. My experience with the F-16 airframe, however, was not as forgiving as an F-18, for example, which displayed much better slow speed characteristics.

Considering these things, I'd love to hear the full-out pro/con on which jet might be best for me!!

Michael Kranitz
Old 04-25-2010 | 10:28 PM
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Default RE: Which Jet to Start With?

I am not a turbine guy just EDF's like you. But I have heard really good things about this plane and there is a guy you can e-mail him is e-mail is on the page. This company is the best too. I am sure you will hear from other people but I thought I would throw my two cents in. Hope this helps. Eric http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/TBMSHOKJET.html
Old 04-25-2010 | 10:36 PM
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Default RE: Which Jet to Start With?

Scale: F15, MB339, L39
Non-Scale: Boomerang series, Viperjet, Reaction 54.
Nothing wrong with BVM Electra, but not really "larger scale" if larger is what you are looking for.

Stay away from an F18. Foamie and Turbine fly different.
Shaz
Old 04-25-2010 | 10:39 PM
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ORIGINAL: sskianpour

Scale: F15, MB339, L39
Non-Scale: Boomerang series, Viperjet, Reaction 54.
Nothing wrong with BVM Electra, but not really ''larger scale'' if larger is what you are looking for.

Stay away from an F18. Foamie and Turbine fly different.
Shaz

Thanks for the heads up on the F18. I'm not looking for huge. I just meant larger than the foamies I've been flying and better quality (e.g. fiberglass, etc.).

I've heard that the L39 is stable. You like that one, eh? And the F-15?
Old 04-25-2010 | 10:41 PM
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ORIGINAL: giddyuperic

I am not a turbine guy just EDF's like you. But I have heard really good things about this plane and there is a guy you can e-mail him is e-mail is on the page. This company is the best too. I am sure you will hear from other people but I thought I would throw my two cents in. Hope this helps. Eric http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/TBMSHOKJET.html

Thanks. I only want a scale or semi-scale looking jet. The ShockJet looks like a Carl Goldberg trainer with a jet engine. I'm a docile flier and will only perform basic aerobatics. I just like the way they look streaking past me!
Old 04-25-2010 | 10:46 PM
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Default RE: Which Jet to Start With?

Both F15 and L39 very stable. F15s dont snap when they get too slow, they just mush. L39 nice and slow lander too. I am sure some F16 guys will chime in sooner or later. F16s actually have nice flight characteristics. Sometimes they are just a little harder to see due to their profile. Good luck.
Old 04-25-2010 | 11:00 PM
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Default RE: Which Jet to Start With?

Mike:

I agree with Shaz, a foamy or EDF F-18 will never be the same as a turbine f-18, I was shocked about your comment between the 18' and the 16' but then I realized you where speaking about EDF/Foamy models. The F-16 is problably the easiest airframe to fly (except for the Fly Eagle Jet F-16) the 18' on the other hand, is a handful. If you are OK with Semi-scale try to find a Cermark Turbine F-16, so easy to fly it's unbelievable, very slow landings, and no it is not ridiculously fast on the recommended set-ups, but can be with a big enough turbine...

Other F-16 airframe options are the Tamjets F-16, the Skymaster 1/8 F-16 and the Jetlegend 1/8 F-16, the Tamjets and the Jetlegend come from basically the same mould as the Cermark and they share the same flying characteristics, the Skymaster, I do not know about how it flies.

You mentioned the F-15, I understand it's also very easy to fly and land, but will be heavier and require a larger engine.
Old 04-25-2010 | 11:17 PM
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ORIGINAL: Ruizmilton

Mike:

I agree with Shaz, a foamy or EDF F-18 will never be the same as a turbine f-18, I was shocked about your comment between the 18' and the 16' but then I realized you where speaking about EDF/Foamy models. The F-16 is problably the easiest airframe to fly (except for the Fly Eagle Jet F-16) the 18' on the other hand, is a handful. If you are OK with Semi-scale try to find a Cermark Turbine F-16, so easy to fly it's unbelievable, very slow landings, and no it is not ridiculously fast on the recommended set-ups, but can be with a big enough turbine...

Other F-16 airframe options are the Tamjets F-16, the Skymaster 1/8 F-16 and the Jetlegend 1/8 F-16, the Tamjets and the Jetlegend come from basically the same mould as the Cermark and they share the same flying characteristics, the Skymaster, I do not know about how it flies.

You mentioned the F-15, I understand it's also very easy to fly and land, but will be heavier and require a larger engine.

Thanks for the detail! Have you heard anything about the 1/12th scale Tamjets F-16? That looks very easy to transport, etc. and if the flight envelope is wide I might give that a whirl.

mk
Old 04-25-2010 | 11:28 PM
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Default RE: Which Jet to Start With?

I know about it but have no first hand experience with it, if you ask me, I just find it too small for turbine, while you can fit a 44mm turbine or a P-60 on it and power it decently, It still feel it would be on the heavy side, totally opposite of what you would need...again, I could be wrong...
Old 04-25-2010 | 11:59 PM
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Default RE: Which Jet to Start With?

Mike,
If you want a scale like airplane I would have to second the suggestion that you try the F-15. I have a Top Gun F-15 which I flew as a ducted fan at Cherry Creek and at Chatfield and have now converted it to 12 lb turbine which I hope to test fly this week.

I wouldn't suggest the conversion unless you have a lot of time to devote to it. There are others that would be a good choice but require a bigger engine.

If I can be of help let me know.
Old 04-26-2010 | 10:48 AM
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ORIGINAL: sidgates

Mike,
If you want a scale like airplane I would have to second the suggestion that you try the F-15. I have a Top Gun F-15 which I flew as a ducted fan at Cherry Creek and at Chatfield and have now converted it to 12 lb turbine which I hope to test fly this week.

I wouldn't suggest the conversion unless you have a lot of time to devote to it. There are others that would be a good choice but require a bigger engine.

If I can be of help let me know.
Thanks Sid. I do like the F-15 and can't wait to hear what kind of flight results you will get. Actually, would you mind calling me when you are headed out? I've got lots of time on my hands this week and next and would love to watch and help out if I can. Just send me a PM and I'll get you my number.
Old 04-26-2010 | 10:55 AM
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ORIGINAL: Ruizmilton

I know about it but have no first hand experience with it, if you ask me, I just find it too small for turbine, while you can fit a 44mm turbine or a P-60 on it and power it decently, It still feel it would be on the heavy side, totally opposite of what you would need...again, I could be wrong...

I just found this video and based on what I'm seeing, I don't think it's too heavy!

http://www.rcuvideos.com/video/F-16-P-60SE-small-wmv
Old 04-26-2010 | 06:35 PM
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Default RE: Which Jet to Start With?


ORIGINAL: mkranitz

Hey Guys,

I would love feedback from our members on which jet I should start with to begin my journey into larger scale jets. Here's some background:

1. I currently fly turbine and electric scale helis but do have a GP Stearman 1.20 for relaxation.

2. I've flown many different types of foam EDF's (like the kind you can get from Banana Hobby and others).

3. I've been flying for 30+ years and can take off, fly and land but prefer slower, more controlled landings because I'm not QUITE comfortable with high speed; it's just not fun for me.

I was considering the BVM ElectraJet but have recently seen some smaller turbines (e.g. TamJets F-16 1/12 scale) and electrics. My experience with the F-16 airframe, however, was not as forgiving as an F-18, for example, which displayed much better slow speed characteristics.

Considering these things, I'd love to hear the full-out pro/con on which jet might be best for me!!

Michael Kranitz

Michael, If you have been flying for 30 years and are a confident flyer and prefer scale I would suggest going for a scale jet first up. The F-86, Mig-15, MB-339, T-33 and F-15 could all be likely candidates for you. No need to go to a sport jet first up unless you prefer them? Sounds to me that scale jets are where your desire lies and these types are no problem for the experienced R/C flyer as their first jets. Scale jets ideally with trailing link struts such as the Mig-15 and MB-339 are generally better suited for grass field flying and receive less strain long term on the gear units. The F-15 is really another to be seriously considered and is widely recognized as one of the better overall handling "first" jet subjects if you prefer the modern types.... Hope this helps[8D]

Brg- Marty
Old 04-26-2010 | 09:20 PM
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Default RE: Which Jet to Start With?

Mike,
Given that you fly in the lower altitudes (I'm at 7,000 in Falcon), and that I have had several F15's, two of Tam's excellent F-16's and others, go the F15 route.
The idea is to have fun, be safe and grow your skills. Going from a foamy to a heavy jet is like going from a '68 Olds station wagon to a Porsche....still a car, but not an immediate shift of skills.
The very best jet trainer is still an F15....regardless of power plant/size and you can go with a wide variety of price points from the excellent Avonds and Yellow to the lesser "others", or an older license built Avonds kit from Jet Hangar or Aeroloft.
Tam's F16 is great, but can get you in a bind, flight envelope-experience wise at our altitudes.
Good Luck!
Greg
Old 04-30-2010 | 06:52 AM
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Default RE: Which Jet to Start With?

dont forget the 2m viper. its civilian scale but I hear its a superb relaxing flyer. the extreme flights jet. it can be flown on darn near any motor.

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