Air Magic T-38
 

Anyone flying one or have ANY experience at all with this aircraft? I did a search and came up with nothing. Any inputs will be appreciated.

George

T-38 experience
 

Hi,
I know for a fact Buck Garza has a turbine powered T-38. It flew pretty well but it was very difficult to see. The landing speeds are high.
Bags

The Great White Mouse
 

George,

I had great success with the Viojet .91 powered T-38. It flies like it's on rails. I would not hesitate to build another DF version or recommend it to someone who likes this bird despite it's small size. Craniums up (Air Force PC) It hauls the mail both in flight and in the landing pattern.

I also converted one to turbine power (JDE 54) last year. In a rush to prove it's air worthiness, I dorked away the bird on the first flight. I'm still not pleased with my decision to fly that day but live and learn.

good luck

buck

Air Magic T-38
 

Buck, what happened on the first flight. I am wanting to make it
T-powered. I was pretty sure it was going to "hot" on landing but was just wanting some input, Thanks.

Bags, was it hard to see b/c of size, speed, color, or ?

Thanks,
George

T-38
 

George,

I built one of these kits also, for DF. It is a great kit. You will like it.

Unfortunately I never flew it as the turbine bug bit heavy at the time...still nursing the wounds from it :)

Kevin

first flights
 

George,

Quite simply, I overestimated my ability to fly this particular plane. I hadn't flown for over 7 months but bet on my previous experience with this airplane and my total R/C experience to get me through the initial test flights. Well....on that day all my previous experience and the quarter in my pocket couldn't buy me a cup of coffee or save my plane. Setting sun, some trim issues and rusty thumbs all added up to trouble that I couldn't overcome. Live and learn.

I wouldn't hesitate to build another one ( if I was able to get a kit at a very low price ) but I don't think I would do another turbine conversion. The wing loading is (my opinon) too high to enjoy on a regular flying basis. Perhaps if I hadn't screwed up the first flight I would be singing a different tune but ultimately I would advise someone to stick with the DF version. The DF version is a great flyer. It flies and lands with some serious knots.

Ultimately, it's a small airframe that can get away from you in a hurry but if you're glutten for punishment, then go for it. It is (my opinion) a high reward / high risk turbine project. It has the sweetest take off roll I've ever seen.

wish you good luck.

regards,

Buck

Perfect response!
 

Buck, I truely appreciate your reply. That's exactly the kind of info. I was looking for. I like you stating your experience and opinions. I have an idea of what to expect. i think it will be a great project and you don't see them often at events (another plus). BTW, do you have any pics of your conversion?

Thanks again,
George

P.S. Anyone else?

happy to help
 

George,

same reason why I built mine. definite head turner. I was just informed that the disk the conversion pix were on have been deleted.

good luck with the project.

Buck

Other T-38 kits
 

George,
There are larger kits of the T-38 you may want to consider and would lend themselves to a turbine conversion. Bob Fiorenze has one, also the old George Miller kit/Iron Bay are about the same size.
check out:
http://www.rcaviation.com/fiorenze/

Jack

T-38
 

George
I beleive Paul Hopkins is or recently has been flying the Fiorenze T-38. I seen Kevin's Air Magic T-38 a few years back (df version) hard to match the prefabrication of that kit.
Scott

T-38
 

Scott, I have seen Paul's, but have never seen it fly. I already got the Air Magic coming, so that's what it's gonna have to be. I have never seen any of their kits, so I was hoping someone would tell me they were indeed nice. Thanks for reassuring me on the pre-fab aspect. I should see it in a couple of days.:)

George

Air Magic T-38
 

Hey George,
That high speed landing you did with "Whippy", was just what you needed to get the feel of landing the T-38:D.

Sorry Geo, I just can't help myself, have you fixed the holes yet?

Joey
TFJG member.:p

Air Magic T-38
 

a long time ago a friend ( ray blair) told me............the mark of a good flying aircraft is measured by the number of them you see on the flightline.............that being said i see roos..........hotspots.......euro fighters...........f-18s...........bobcats......f-4s ( for the better pilots)..........f-86s...bandits


but i sure cant remember seeing t-38s................wonder why



please no cheap-shots from a diehard ( or two ) t-38 nuts

just think about it

hornet driver

Point taken
 

Hornet, you may have a very valid point, but hopefully the reason you don't see many or any is b/c of a "perceived" notion that it may not fly well. Look at the F-104, (small wing, long fuse like the 38), but people that have flown it and the 38, say they fly extremely well. People who see them fly, are surprised how well they fly and comment on that very fact that they didn't think it would. I'm hoping this will be my case. Besides, I'm for something different. Like Buck said earlier, in his opinion, this is a "high risk/HIGH REWARD" project:D

Joey, you just didn't know at the time, but that's exactly what I was doing, (practicing 38 approaches:spinnyeye

'TFJG'= LOL:rolleyes:

George

Shack
 

Right on the target with the small wing syndrome. I currently fly an Avonds 104 (no wing). The airplane flies great but is extremely difficult to see. Being a former T-38 instructor pilot I would love to have one but am not willing to go through another one of the "do you see it" days.

Air Magic T-38
 

i have seen the two f-104s in our area ( dal/hou/sa/austin/waco ) and tom`s is one of them ..........he is a very good pilot....in fact he is a great pilot and very very experienced...........and thats what it takes to fly the f-104...........but i have never seen a f-104 pilot who wasnt "fighting it all the time" and that includes tom.........personally i think its a missile with flight fins aka wings.......

just my 2 cents

hornet driver

Air Magic T-38
 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Hornet, you may have a very valid point, but hopefully the reason you don't see many or any is b/c of a "perceived" notion that it may not fly well>>>>>>>>>>>>

one more thing.............to answer the above read my auto salutation below..............they fly fine but they are a handfull to land

im out

hornet driver

T-38
 

I have no experience with the Air Magic kit. Having flown the George Miller T-38, I can say that it is the best flying and easiest to land ducted fan that I have ever flown. I believe the wing loading on the Miller may be a little lower than the Air Magic, due to it (Miller) being larger and finished weight being similar.
I have seen several of the Air Magic T-38s flown in the Houston area a few years ago and all seemed to fly well.

Air Magic T-38
 

opps i stand corrected.............sorry gary

Air Magic T-38
 

George,

I had that kit, but never flew it. I think one of the reasons you don't see them around so much is that it was rather price-prohibitive for a DF kit of that size. I had a tough time with the gear doors, but Tommy Woods helped me out. That jet seems to be able to knife-edge all day, and yes, it's very fast. I hope you got the tip tanks to go with it because it really enhances the look as well as the visibility. After I saw one fly in person, I thought that its bad reputation, like that of the F-104's was unearned. Good luck!

High Risk/High Reward
 

Hornet Driver - thanks for the compliment. George - you are right about the High Risk - High Reward. My 104 is one of the most gratifying models I have ever flown. Every flight is a knee knocking action packed adventure but I LOVE IT! I think the 104 will be one airplane I will always have around. I'm sure the T-38 will be the same way. When you have a good flight on an airplane such as the 104 or T-38 you have something to be proud of - GO FOR IT! Personally, I would go for the Bob F... big version. It looks good and is much bigger and thus will be easier to see and fly.