I have taken over the build on an original Bobcat. I want to know the fuel cell size: this one does not have the provision for the 24 oz additional cell in the fuz that the XL does. I will be using either a P60 or P70. I have not yet made up my mind which. Answers comments welcome.

Ivan

The standard BobCat uses the same main fuel cells as the XL version. Each main tank holds 1 liter, or 33.8 oz. You can install the 24 oz hopper from the XL if desired. BVM has them for $99.00 ea., including the hardware.
Go to www.bvmjets.com/accessories/kevlar fuel cells for the outline drawing of them including envelope dimensions and capacity.

Harley Condra
BVM REP
JetCat REP

As usual, Harley is correct ... the XL centre tank fits just fine in the original Bobcat, and in fact that's how I have mine set up.

IIRC, all that I had to do was make a very slight modification to the plywood former that is at the rear of the canopy ; the standard Bobcat had a strip across the bottom of this former to help the canopy keep its shape, and that strip would hit the centre fuel tank. 10 seconds with a Zona saw and a dremel sanding drum will take care of that.

Mine flew with only the 2L main tanks when I was using a small (RAM 500) turbine ; I added the centre tank only when I went up to the P120. So, you could even fly with your original tanks to begin with, then only add the extra tank if you feel that your flight time is too short.

Gordon

Thanks, Gordon....I appreciate it.

The list of differences between the BobCat standard and the XL is the tail boom length...the XL is longer, and the lower fuselage to wing root fairing is non-existant on the standard. The header tank was omitted on the standard, as it was designed for the smaller less thirsty engines of the day, such as the RAM 500 or equivalent.
As Gordon has suggested, it isn't any work at all to re-configure the fuel system to include the header tank. I consider it a necessity for the larger engines such as the P-120.


Harley Condra
BVM REP
JetCat REP

The stretched booms also neccesitated the need for a longer nose for a more pleasing eye symetry, Per Dustin B back in the day.

Thanks for all of that everyone that clariifies everything for me. I think I will put in the 24 oz header for the P70: it is quite thirsty if you use full throttle a lot as I am inclined to! I only get just over 6 min out of it with a small reserve in my Baby Boomerang with the 2 litre+ Dreamworks kevlar lank.

Ivan

C/F is correct. I want to say the XL main fuselage was close to 4 inches longer overall from the standard Bobcat.

Using either the P-60 or P-70, you should see flight times in excess of 6 1/2 minutes from brake release without the header tank. I ran the header tank in my COmposite Bobcat with a P-60 and set the timer for 8 1/2 mintues from brae release, never had any issues with fuel.