Avonds Rafale
 

What turbine would you use on an avonds RALFALE-BUILT LIGHT?

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

Depends on how you intend to fly it. If built to their web site stated weight of 16lbs and you just want to fly it around, then something smaller in the 12lb thrust range would be OK. On the other hand, if you want to do some of the high-alpha and other cool maneuvers this jet is capable of, I would go with something in the 16lb+ range.

I have almost 1 to 1 thrust on my BV Rafale and really like the way it performs, including the high-alpha stuff.

Craig

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

o.k thanks for yor advice-I want it to sit bang on in the high alph

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

I flew one with a Ram 500. Flew fast but had no vertical...for the same weight you can go with a Rabbit and have 19#s of thrust.....and a rocket!

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

I have a rafale with a P60 in it, flys very well but hi alpha you may struggle, if you won't lots of power for low weight then the best bet is a merlin 90. If you are using the avonds bifucated tailpipe you can also expect a 1-2lb loss in thrust (avonds told me this ) so the merlin with 20 lbs thrust should be perfect.

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

I flew a very light one some years ago with an Artes JF50 and it had a decent performance, but it had no gear doors , no cockpit kit , no inlets, no heavy kevlar tank( a cola bottle) and a straight pipe to prevent any loss. It looked the part in the air and was a real ***** cat to land. The Rabbit/Merlin 90 seems a good choice though

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

Adam, I fly a Grumania Eurofighter which is similar ish, with a Wren 70. It has good thrust for the weight, around 1:1 depending on fuel state, but it is the drag rise of the delta wing when pulling hard that really counts. When I pull the stick into the corner to do a skidding barrel roll the plane almost stops. I can do max rate turns at full up elevator, full throttle and it won't accelerate above a modest speed. It is that drag, rather than the weight, that you really need the thrust for.

Harry

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

I have hundreds of flight on my Avonds rafale with the Wren supersport, great combo. The new Wren 100 will be even better or the jet central rabbit now with 20 pounds of thrust.

Chatty.

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

As this is a new build is it worth chopping the inner part of the front black air-intake,to save weight and would it be best to use a straight tail pipe with one rear exhurst.
Put in the centre.

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

Keep your jet scale and use the bifurcated pipe and the right sized motor.

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

anyone got any pics

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

pic from my old flyeagle rafale (almost identical size i believe to the Avonds), using Merlin 90 and a single wren tube. Single wren tube was a vast improvement on thrust and reduced the noise quite a bit too. This raf wasn't light by any standards, but was off the deck in around 30m on grass patch.

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

J.F.,

What is the diameter of that pipe? Did it run hot?

I bought Wren's Supersport pipe, which is about 62 mm id at the bellmouth and 69 mm at the exit. I though it might be a bit small for the Merlin 90.

Joe

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

I used the super sport pipe. Worked perfectly

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

any good colour schemes out there apart from great and white demo?

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

very happy with the performance of this little gem.
powered with p-60 and a 32oz in the middle of the front in takes and 2 x 120z at the rear.
It does do a good Harrier and pull up at 45 degree's

RE: Avonds Rafale
 

Another 3 flights today-from wheels up- 6minutes .20 timed and still a good 3/8th left in the front tank.
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