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Turbine powered WETJET

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Turbine powered WETJET

Old 02-28-2015, 07:02 AM
  #1  
Vettster
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Default Turbine powered WETJET

Started Scratch building my WETJET a few months ago. Thought I'd share the progress here.

This plane will be all Epoxy and CF construction and powered by a K100G or a P-80se. I will also be making a second plane that will be powered by a 12s 3 blade setup.

Length is 7 feet. Sorry dont recall the WS just yet. Im expecting the flying weight to be between 15 and 20lbs on takeoff.

First thing to do was make the plug.
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Last edited by Vettster; 02-28-2015 at 07:14 AM.
Old 02-28-2015, 07:09 AM
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Im now working on the engine nacelle.
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Old 02-28-2015, 01:33 PM
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Looks great so far. The one thing you should do if you are planning to fly off the water is to make the edges on the bottom of the fuselage sharp, other vice the model will have hard time un-glue itself from the water surface.
Old 02-28-2015, 02:38 PM
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Thanks for the tip Laddie. I have every intention of flying it from water. Is this ok in the photo? I haven't primed it yet as the fairings to the wings need work, so now's the time to fix things.

I have a question about the engines thrust line. Is the engine supposed to be pointed down 3* as I read elsewhere? I will have enough room inside the engine pod to raise or lower the engine while the exhaust stays in the same place. In fact I was considering making the engine mount adjustable for the Prototype.

Trevor
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Old 02-28-2015, 03:25 PM
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Trevor, it looks like you have a very nice float plane in the works. I had a similar adventure a couple of years ago when I scratch built a 125% North Star. It had a Jet Cat P-70 on it's back. It was a bit touchy on the water but once it lifted off it took off like a rocket. Trouble is I had way to much aileron and It went in due to over control. It's been rebuilt but resting in my shop waiting for other projects to be completed. My caution to you is, be careful with to much aileron on that delta wing. I also ran into a lot of opposition from float fly host clubs not allowing me to fly at their events. They didn't know me or my plane. Just ignorance about turbines. The "Fox and the grapes" syndrome.
Old 02-28-2015, 03:32 PM
  #6  
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Thanks for the heads up John. I know all to well about the turbine haters. Thats why Im the President of our club, and have been for the past 4 years

But as I mentioned.. I will also be making an electric version of this model for those who prefer a more economic route Plus turbine or electric.. it will make a fantastic winter flyer too.

Cheers on the aileron tip
Old 02-28-2015, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Vettster
Thanks for the tip Laddie. I have every intention of flying it from water. Is this ok in the photo? I haven't primed it yet as the fairings to the wings need work, so now's the time to fix things.

I have a question about the engines thrust line. Is the engine supposed to be pointed down 3* as I read elsewhere? I will have enough room inside the engine pod to raise or lower the engine while the exhaust stays in the same place. In fact I was considering making the engine mount adjustable for the Prototype.

Trevor
Trevor.

No, it is not ok. You must make it sharper. Start where the leading edge of the wing that is part of the fuselage starts, all the way to the tail end of the fuselage.

As far as thrust angle goes. I think you can have between zero to minus 2 degrees.
Old 03-01-2015, 05:52 AM
  #8  
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Trevor, since you need to work the bottom to get the chines sharp I would suggest that you put a slight "V" in the bottom with a 1/8" deep keel to help hold the plane straight while maneuvering on the water, My big Turbine North Star, with a flat bottom, did a nice side slide when it got up on plane and one of the tip floats touched the water.
Old 03-01-2015, 06:52 AM
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Ok.. Gotcha Laddie. I'll sharpen them up today.

John, Its hard to see in the picture... but there is a V-hull there just like you mentioned
Old 03-01-2015, 12:25 PM
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Trevor, where will your turbine be mounted? I'm guessing that it will be somewhere on the vertical stab since you mentioned that it will be convertible to an electric prop. I've attached a few photos of my modified North Star so you can see how I dealt with the turbine on the fuselage. My intent was to fair the fuselage in around the turbine once the plane flew.

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Old 03-01-2015, 01:26 PM
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Hey John... That looks sweet! I researched your plane already and seen the videos too "Smoke on the Water" It flys real good.

Yes I will be mounting the engine on the vert stab. It going be a nightmare making everything structurally strong enough and still to be able to dismantle the plane.. but I'll figure it out. Im envisioning a lot of CF plate in the vert stab. lol

I got the fairings leading to the wings straightened out today(I believe there called Chines) I also glassed the engine pod. Wont be much work this evening to sharpen up the bottom of the fuse.
Old 03-07-2015, 02:22 PM
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Got the engine pod fitted to the Vert stab today. The pod will be lengthened by about 6" to bring the engine weight as far forward as possible. I was now able to tell that a 16" 3 blade prop will be the choice for electric.
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Last edited by Vettster; 03-07-2015 at 02:40 PM.
Old 03-08-2015, 02:44 PM
  #13  
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.............
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Old 03-08-2015, 06:05 PM
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Trevor, I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product. With all the Styrofoam, you must have little Styrofoam balls all over you and in your mouth, ears and pockets. I can only imagine what your shop looks like.
Old 03-08-2015, 06:17 PM
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LOL YUP! The shop vac is working overtime
Old 04-19-2015, 09:46 AM
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Been awhile since I last posted.. Here's where Im at
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Old 04-23-2015, 03:04 PM
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Great project!

We have to support & protect Trevor.

Scratch builders are on the endangered species list!

John.
Old 04-23-2015, 04:27 PM
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LOL you always crack me up John
Old 07-01-2015, 03:02 PM
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Well Laddie was very insistent on me getting the hull edges as sharp as possible, or it would simply never leave the water due to suction.

So... Here ya go Laddie

Before and After..
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Old 07-02-2015, 05:31 AM
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Laddie will be proud! He is absolutely correct about sharp edges. In my past life with racing model boats, you had sharp edges or you were eating lots of rooster tails.
Old 12-12-2015, 07:28 AM
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Winter is back and its time to slowly ease back into this build.

Working on the wing tips now.
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Old 12-27-2015, 07:29 PM
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Did some work on the tip sponsons.. Looks like Ill be making moulds for them first as they just ending being ready lol If the Composites store is open I hope to have my first set off moulds done tomorrow. Also started to bondo the Engine Nacelle
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Old 12-30-2015, 09:33 AM
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Yesterday I got the sponsons all shined up and mounted to the board. I wanted to try something I seen on youtube where the guy filled the gaps around the edges with wax.. I wont be trying that again, didnt go as easy as hoped. Ill be using modelling clay as I have in the past. The parts have been coated with Pure carnauba wax. 4 coats

Having a closer look at engine cowl... I HATE IT!! It looks like a dead cat fish. I knew it wasn't right in the first place.. so Ive decided to cut it off and do a more aerodynamic and pleasing to the eye cowl

So in the end.. I would have actually been making moulds now if it wernt for the Composite stores being closed over the holidays.. How inconsiderate of them

Oh yeah.. started on the rudder too.
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Old 01-02-2016, 04:46 PM
  #24  
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Got some work done over the past two days
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Old 01-04-2016, 07:31 AM
  #25  
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Trevor, what's with the prop and spinner? You wouldn't degrade your intentions and eliminate the turbine would you? Shame on you!

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