Not going to due a build thread, just some pictures of my Turbinator. Michele got me this for Christmas.  :D

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It's a 100 inch wing and takes a 30lb of thrust size turbine.

First I did was build a crutch and frame up the fuse.

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Once the formers are in place it was time to add the sides.

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The original design is nice but I decided to mod mine out a little. So a different style top is what I went for.
I also lengthen the fuse by about 8 inches.

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Vertical fin is build and installed.

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Kewel kit,
And I see you're watching a classic too :aviater
Marc

love the smell of kerosene - morning, afternoon, evening... [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

some light reading
vintage 2000
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-jets-120/10793168-enlarged-zirioli-turbinator-125-size.html

Hatch has been released and the turtle deck is installed and planked up.

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Geez Al, you could almost jump in😁

Al
you seem to be using medium cynoacrylate and kicker for a lot of the assembly
we have been having trouble with mercury adhesives

what brands are you using
and what strength are you getting?
thanks
Brian

Brian
There  is some CA in there but most of the construction is done with ProBond.  The formers are Hysol in place.


Tail is built now. I stuck it in there for a little look.

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brian - what trouble are you having with Mercury? Like to know since it has become the LHS only product!!

Nice, Al!!  [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif] [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif] [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

Here's a few pictures of the struts I've been working in for this plane. The mains are just about done. The nose need to be in the airframe to finalize it's length.

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hot damn  [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

That's some mighty fine looking aluminum  ;D

Fingers wrote on Jan 11^th, 2016 at 7:34pm:

brian - what trouble are you having with Mercury? Like to know since it has become the LHS only product!!

we have been haing problems with the Mercury epoxy(s)
so much so that we have stopped using them

1.  epoxy not curing propery  30 minute taking days to even harden
2. strength not what would be expected

the mercury zaps especially the thin are not giving a satisfactory strength joint.  sometimes even with kicker the thin and medium do not set up a good cyno -strength jopint

i have had some 30 minute epoxies for 10 years and they still work well
I am searching for a better replacement that is available

I used some bob smith from GH but that too was not curing properly

MIXING i s very important - I know that1

Al
your undercarriage design and machining command respect/
great work

how about oleo pnematics for you next?

thanks Brian.....maybe all glues are getting cheap? I've had BSI thin ca joint come apart with little effort..

Here's a few shots of the wing construction. The wing tubes were a &%#* to install. Had to enlarge the holes on some of the ribs. If you look closely you can see the ply rings glued to the ribs to make up for the change. All this had  to be done with the wing still fastened to the build board or the think would surly be warped. Hard part over! :P :)

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Had to remove it from the table without sheeting. Waiting for wood. Couldn't resist having a look at the  wing put together.

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Managed to get a little wood. Outer wings sheeted on top side.

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This is what I have so far. Everything you see weighs 15 lb. That's not too bad. So this thing should be light for a jet. Time will tell.

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Does anyone need a16 inch scroll saw? I have two and one has to go. Free to the first guy who wants it.

where were you three years ago.....so many slots to cut  >:(

I'll take it off your hands Al

Me, Me, me.... ;D

A sorta build thread; with real balsa.  Excellent!

MkIX wrote on Jan 16^th, 2016 at 3:01pm:

A sorta build thread; with real balsa.  Excellent!

Who is this old fashioned old fart?   Haha

al wrote on Jan 16^th, 2016 at 3:13pm:

MkIX wrote on Jan 16th, 2016 at 3:01pm: A sorta build thread; with real balsa.  Excellent! Who is this old fashioned old fart?   Haha

Seems there are few of us out here..With Amber gone I'm starting to find some build time, which I've been using to play with the indoor stuff. Have the stab for the big hurricane built well under way, so building will be back on the site for even more of us.....C'mon MikeP, chip in a start a project!!

Well, I have a real wood project but, unlike Mr Coolen, I am going the cost-effective route and growing my own basla and plywood trees. Should be done in about another 40 years at the rate I am going. >:( >:( >:(

Al, The Turbinator looks awesome and BIG. Great workmanship as expected! Really impressed with making your own retracts. Can't wait to see it up close.

Steve

Glen wrote on Jan 15^th, 2016 at 6:04pm:

I'll take it off your hands Al

Its yours Glen. It's in perfect working order. 

Thanks for the positive feedback guys. [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

Al:  Your plane looks great...as usual.  And; your build is progressing so fast!


Sandy: As it turns out I too am building a model.  A 60 sized Ultra Sport that I am modifying to include flaps and electric retracts.  I plan on applying a cool paint scheme.  It won't look like a 'regular' Ultra Sport.  Hint: It will have guns.

Just about finished glassing the fuse.  I'll soon post a few pics to a separate thread.

:) :) :)

Way to mikeP - another 10 pound camo job?

It will be sweet, as all your planes are.

Now, back to Cool's thread... >:(

:popcorn

I think I should be glueing something... 8-)

My wood came in yesterday. So today I hope to get more more sheeting on this today.

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Everything looks like it's going to fit good.

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This is how the tanks will sit in the plane. There are two 50 oz tanks on the bottom and a third 50 oz on top. It can be for smoke or enough fuel to fly for around 10 minutes.

I'm thinking smoke! :D

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screw an .049 on the nose and fly around all week.....

What sort of actuators will you use for the retracts?

Yak Man wrote on Jan 19^th, 2016 at 6:07am:

Everything looks like it's going to fit good.

Al
I would really like to see the rear spar continue all the way to the wingtip
why?  Torsion stiffness
brian

MkIX wrote on Jan 19^th, 2016 at 5:08pm:

What sort of actuators will you use for the retracts?

I'm not sure yet. More then likely Robart ones.

waverider wrote on Jan 19^th, 2016 at 5:25pm:

Yak Man wrote on Jan 19th, 2016 at 6:07am: Everything looks like it's going to fit good. Al I would really like to see the rear spar continue all the way to the wingtip why?  Torsion stiffness brian

That's the outer panel that removes and it doesn't show as needed on the plans so I'm thinking the trailing edge stock will do the job. It's to late now anyway.  It's very stiff.  Time will tell.

The wing.
The nose planked up with a big access hatch.

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Here's the thing that bugs me about this plane. You can see the turbine mount, no problem there. Lots of strength.
Farther up you see the two wing mounts. There just glued to the sides of the fuse and to a couple of small formers underneath. Given the size and weight of this plane I'm not comfortable with just that. I'm going to do more there. I just do know what yet. :-?

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Al, remember all positive maneuvers will have the load spread all over the entire saddle area, it's the negatives that will only load the bolt area.
That being said, a couple of pieces of balsa tri stock and some glass matting wouldn't add much weight, but would strengthen the crap out of the whole area.

I agree Glen. The problem with that is the turbine inlets are above the mounts. There isn't anything to glue  triangle stock to. I think what I'm going to do is bolt and glue some angle aluminum on the ends of the mounts.

More on that later. Some pic of the flaps being cut out and worked on. They fought me every inch of the way! :boxing
Hope to finish the wing today so I can get back to the fuse and start the inlets. :D

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The hinges for the flaps are amazing!  I gotta learn more about them.  I'm also interested in seeing how you plan on activating the flaps.  Post lots of pics  :D.

Mike.  There from the great Hobby King.  I hope there not a mistake. There heavy enough and they unbolt so you can remove the flap if needed. Here's  the address but you'll have to copy and paste.


http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8400__Heavy_Duty_Arms_L43_22_H1_H2_5pc.html

Well I guess you won't have to copy and paste?  :-?

Thanks Al.  Looks like I should spend some time familiarizing myself with the Hobby King web site.  And perhaps the Thunderbolt site as well.

The flaps are super Al.....love the hinges.  Inside push rods I presume?

Mike, H and TB are the modellers' friends. Some truly fine stuff there fur shure Unca Bob  >:(

Sandy... the push rods are on the outside but I may change that.

The last thing to build is the inlets. Not sure where I'm going with this yet but you get the idea.

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The support partitions you see are suppose to pop out after the tunnel is built and supported with triangle stock.

I like the little black spring loaded clamps. They look very handy.  Hobby King?

MkIX wrote on Jan 27^th, 2016 at 9:38pm:

I like the little black spring loaded clamps. They look very handy.  Hobby King?

I don't know where they came from. Had them for a long time.

can you slow down abit Al... I cant keep up...
I might have my engine installed by the time of your first flight... ::)

JackDD wrote on Jan 28^th, 2016 at 9:45am:

can you slow down abit Al... I cant keep up... I might have my engine installed by the time of your first flight... ::)

Don't count on that Jack........

Fingers wrote on Jan 28^th, 2016 at 1:15pm:

JackDD wrote on Jan 28th, 2016 at 9:45am: can you slow down abit Al... I cant keep up... I might have my engine installed by the time of your first flight... ::) Don't count on that Jack........

LOL   I can't slow down Jack. If I do it may never get finished. I'm in the mood to do this and I'm having a lot of fun. I can't wait to start covering the thing.


So here's what I got done today. :)

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A few more!

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looking good McCool..

My understanding is that you plan on finishing it as a civilian aircraft.  Looking at the last pic I find that it could just as easily be done up 'military'.  A dual mode model; cool  :)

Thanks Mike but I'm going civilian. I want to be able to see it. My old eyes don't like the straining required for cameo.


The inlets are just about done. 

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Working on the retracks.

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Couldn't resisted a little look at her on her mains. Waiting on a part for the nose gear.
Man this thing is getting big!

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Yak Man wrote on Jan 31^st, 2016 at 7:47am:

Couldn't resisted a little look at her on her mains. Waiting on a part for the nose gear. Man this thing is getting big!

Don't hear that too often.... :'(

Geez, Al. Either that is going to be a huge plane or your building table is a whole lot smaller than I remember. The Trubinator makes it look like a TV table. ;)

I thought that I had posted a comment this morning; but no sign of it now  :Ahoops

Anyway; your new toy looks aggressive just sitting on its mains; and I really like how the retracts fit in flush with the sheeting.  Well designed; well built.

Steve Mosher wrote on Jan 31^st, 2016 at 1:23pm:

Geez, Al. Either that is going to be a huge plane or your building table is a whole lot smaller than I remember. The Trubinator makes it look like a TV table. ;)

Yep, I hear you! You could sleep on my building table.
And just to clarify this for you Sandy, not with the plane.  Well maybe not! ::)
Anyway I'm trying to get it finish for covering but there seem to be a lot of loose ends to tie up but I'm getting there.  The back end of the wing mount is coming together and the turbine placement is looking good.  Lot of lifting area on this plane! :)  Should be able to start work on the heat shield now.

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A little more work on the inlets. Going to paint them silver and glue them on after the covering is done.

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Yak Man wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2016 at 7:08am:

sleep on my building table...not with the plane.  Well maybe not! ::)  lot of loose ends to tie up ... back end is coming together and the turbine is good.  Lot of lifting ... the heat shield now.

Al, there seems to be some unresolved issues hidden within this build  :( Not judging mind you, just sayin'

It's coming along nicely Al.  I like the cool wheel well inserts.  You found lots of nifty accessories for your jet.

MkIX wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2016 at 9:25pm:

I like the cool wheel well inserts.  You found lots of nifty accessories for your jet.

Thanks Mike, those are the plastic end caps that are on the ends of water pipe. Once removed they usually go in the trash.

A few more things before  covering, but I'm getting there.
It's not quite finish but this is the heat shield.

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carbon is interesting
heat does not tranfer through it
so carbon fiber cloth between the heat shield and the fuse
should do the same thing
?

Yak Man wrote on Feb 5^th, 2016 at 6:48am:

Thanks Mike, those are the plastic end caps that are on the ends of water pipe. Once removed they usually go in the trash.

Cool; very resourceful.

waverider wrote on Feb 5^th, 2016 at 8:45pm:

carbon is interesting heat does not tranfer through it so carbon fiber cloth between the heat shield and the fuse should do the same thing ?

Yap, I hear you and I though about doing the carbon thing but the alum is all it should need. It's try and true and isn't very complex.

It's ready for covering :D well almost.  There's a bit of a hold up waiting for parts so I can start the covering in some areas.

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Very nice Al.

It looks really good Al.

[smiley=thumbsup.gif] Looks great, Al!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Covering is slow work. When you think you have it ready more little issue pop up, but I`m getting there.

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The flaps turned out real good. They have zero bind and fit the wing very well. Unless they fall off in flight I think I`m going to use these offset hinges again. Nice product.

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love the colour scheme al, highly visible, going at the speed of light.... ::)

al
what material is the covering?

...and a narrow black speed strip between red and ?white? at the wing tips

great job al!

Looks real good Al.  I've never been able to master the art of covering a model.

The highlights in the pictures show that the surfaces were seriously well prepared.  You must have invested a lot of time getting it ready to cover.

I'm wondering if you were able to find any Balsarite to precondition the surfaces?

JackDD wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2016 at 8:40am:

love the colour scheme al, highly visible, going at the speed of light.... ::)

Thanks Jack. I'm trying to make it pop. Nothing worse then second guessing your plane in the sky.

waverider wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2016 at 11:06am:

al what material is the covering? ...and a narrow black speed strip between red and ?white? at the wing tips great job al!

Hey Brian
The covering is from HK. Best deal around and I find it works better then monocoat. Just saying.

That narrow strip will be clear and yes it will be on all the edges.
Don't need any of that HK stuff blowing off. Ha

al
that's very interesting
i had a long conversation with the ProRC owner out here in the wastelands
according to him.  kit prices vary beacuse of covering material
the cheaper kits from china use 1$/sq m covering.  the american supplied kits from the top brands sometimes approach 9$/ sq m

whether that is accurate, or not, i do not know
but i cannot cover an .airframe to save my life... i am genetically guided to ARFs.  My best covering was done using a white shirt, dope and dope talc mux.  the aircraft weighed a ib more looked great and flew slowly

keep going al
dont forget to cycle the gear many times upright and inverted
great winter read


bye from "have oil just dont have any money"

Brian - great way to cover sport planes is the "silk" and dope methond

buy some terylene (?) dress lining material - thinest your lady can find. Use it like silk span.

Cover air frame with clear dope; wet a piece of material and lay it over the frame (side at a time, just like any covering, starting from bottom) pull taut, and brush clear dope around the edges, soaking the dope through to the dope on the frame. Let it dry. When the piece is dry, use the heat gun carefully and it will tighten up pretty good. Once the frame is covered and tightened, start with the clear dope in the "old" method.

That's what I did with my first CG Ultimate - 21 coats of clear and white. Was still lighter than Don Menchions covered with plastic. Plane lasted 14 years till Carl Layden rolled it through a potato field.

waverider wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 12:31pm:

al that's very interesting i had a long conversation with the ProRC owner out here in the wastelands according to him.  kit prices vary beacuse of covering material the cheaper kits from china use 1$/sq m covering.  the american supplied kits from the top brands sometimes approach 9$/ sq m whether that is accurate, or not, i do not know but i cannot cover an .airframe to save my life... i am genetically guided to ARFs.  My best covering was done using a white shirt, dope and dope talc mux.  the aircraft weighed a ib more looked great and flew slowly keep going al dont forget to cycle the gear many times upright and inverted great winter read bye from "have oil just dont have any money"

I don't know if I would trust anything out the pro-rc owner's mouth. He is quite the talker.

Mike, you were asking about Balsarite a few posts back, all you have to do is smuggle a bunch back with you next time you go south, like I did.

Seriously though, I did grab a few can's when I was in Wisconsin this summer since I had the room, and it was being driven across the border rather than flying.
If you're looking for a source, I might be able to part with a can.

Thanks for the Balsarite offer but my almost complete lack of covering skills makes it unlikely that I'll need any anytime soon  :-/

No problem, made sure I brought lots. 8-)

She's looking really nice, Al. Great job.  ;)Even my poor old eyes may be able to keep up with you.

Well I'm still working on it. Back to work so it's a bit slower.
The more I do this covering job the more I don't like it! Oh well!

The tail is finally installed.

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Going with tip tanks. There still a work in progress. You can see from the picture the angle isn't right yet.

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She's on her own legs and the center section of the wing still needs the black trim but it's coming.

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Tail section is also in need of the black trim.

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Now that is classy Al. Super up.

very very nice build Al, and a supoer covering job!  It'll be the hit at Margaree!

Thanks for the kind words guys.
I'm hoping this one will be a hit at all the fields around.
Build to fly slow and land very slow.

It's been a while since I've posted on this. Needed a break from working on it.
I still need to cover the outer wings but it will happen soon.
The black is still a work in progress, need more black vinyl.
Very close to installing the turbine. :)
It's getting there..

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pretty short wing span.....just sayin' - be a pretty snappy roll rate

Just went and looked at pictures of the stock Turbinator - awesome transformation, Al! You've really done a ton of work. Can't wait to see it in the air.

How slow is its landing speed Al, (stalling speed) have you figured out a procedure for testing...
I guess shearwater would be the obvious testing strip.

Is there a way of transmitting your airspeed to the ground for reference? :aviater
GPS Transponder with speed output to a packet radio would do it...
where's all the race Car enthusiasts ... 8-)

It looks awesome.  As Steve said; you've done a ton of work.

JackDD wrote on Mar 21^st, 2016 at 8:23am:

How slow is its landing speed Al, (stalling speed) have you figured out a procedure for testing... I guess shearwater would be the obvious testing strip. Is there a way of transmitting your airspeed to the ground for reference? :aviater GPS Transponder with speed output to a packet radio would do it... where's all the race Car enthusiasts ... 8-)

These are all good questions Jack.  I can only go by what others are saying in the different threads about the plane. All reports are that it's a keeper. Going to have to fly it to find out.

Just a little up date. I have the tip tanks together and a mounting system in place. They were quite difficult to do and I'm glad to be passed them.  Still need some sanding and paint but the worst is over.

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Now I finally get a look at the wings with tanks on. I think I like it :)

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Just to put it in perspective. that's a 16 foot door in the back ground. :)

After the days festivities die down I'll start the covering on the outer wings.

looking pretty good there Cool

Love the tanks Al; they give it a look of endurance.

Couldn't sit down with all that turkey so I worked on this instead. Got a lot done. Just need to do the ailerons and some black trim and I think it will be an ARF.

It may be ready to fly in a few weeks and it's looking like we may have an early spring. It would be nice to be ahead of the curb for the big CB trip for a change.

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very nice....

Remember to set fuel selection to both on Takeoff and Landing, as per checklist... ;)

Beautiful looking piece of art!  Can't want to see her at Margaree.  I am kind of jealous.  :)

And it fliies!!!!! Big, and not too fast, majestic is the word Chris used  [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

One time it went by and I said "it's not too noisy is it?" Chris replied "Can't hear it over Al's heart beating  :D

Minor problem with the worm gear on the front retract limited it to one flight, but no question it can handle a grass field..

Well done Al!!    :shots :Raa Raa

congrats al.  hope to see it at margaree.

Now that my blood pressure had gone back down, I'm pretty happy with the way it flys. If it hadn't been for the flameout on the maiden, it would have been a non-event. 

I hope to bring it to Margaree.
Hoping to bring it to Windsor on sunday. 

Had it out again on Sunday and again I'm having problems with the nose gear.  The Turbinator is a no pressure jet, very well behaved so far. As for the nose gear, well  it's out of there and an other one will replace it. 

Great to read that it flies as well as it looks.  Congrats Al.

I'll be very interested in learning the cause of the problem with the nose gear.  Retracts are so very cool....too bad they are also sometimes problematic.