Turbine powered WETJET
#1
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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.
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.
Last edited by Vettster; 02-28-2015 at 07:14 AM.
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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.
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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
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
#5
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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.
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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
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
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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
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
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.
#8
My Feedback: (1)
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.
#10
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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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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.
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.
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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.
Last edited by Vettster; 03-07-2015 at 02:40 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..
So... Here ya go Laddie
Before and After..
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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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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.
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.