RADIO CONTROL JETS
Delmar Ellis 8877 Meadowview Drive, West Chester OH 45069
Toledo show
The show gets bigger and better every year. Congratulations to the Weak Signals for a great national event.
Jet participation seemed exceptionally strong this year, and turbine activity was very noticeable. Nearly every jet-model manufacturer expressed plans for turbine conversions; several are developing turbine shroud/tailpipe installations. All five AMA-approved turbine engine manufacturers were present with displays, and ground-run demonstrations were conducted several times a day at the outer grass mall. It was impossible to take it all in at once.
Public credit to Kent Landefeld for the first-class look of the overhauled Jet Pilot's Organization booth.
Static show and competition
The static show remains one of the best spectator attractions. A cross-section of top models was gathered in one spot: sport jets, scale warbirds, antiques, Reno racers, and the latest in Giant Scale and Pattern.
- Jet Scale
- First place: Joe Grice (Eagan, Minnesota) — highly detailed F-4 Phantom (BVM)
- Second place: Terry Nitsch — metal-finished P-80 (includes JPX T-260 turbine)
- Sport Jets
- First place: Maynard Jupert (Plattsburgh, New York) — D&L Cyclone (outstanding paint work)
- Second place: Dave Valdez — Maverick Pro
- Third place: Jim Hiller — Golden West turbine-powered X-Terminator (updated detailing; aircraft previously used in AMA turbine evaluation testing)
(After returning home and developing film, I realized about half my photos weren't even jets — a good indication of the variety on display.)
Turbomin USA
Rei Gonzalez led the Turbomin booth and ran frequent ground-demonstration runs. Engines shown included:
- T60 — about 16 pounds of thrust (AMA-approved)
- T100 — about 22 pounds of thrust (AMA-approved)
These engines look large and heavy but are competitively weighted for the thrust produced. They run relatively cool externally and therefore do not necessitate full shrouds except for tailpipes in tight installations. Full shroud/tailpipe assemblies are available from several airframe manufacturers.
The start package is very user-friendly: controls, readouts, starting fuel (Jet A), and lines with quick-disconnects — all in a briefcase-size hard case. The automated control sequence is simple and reliable. Internally, the start differs from turbines that use propane or gasoline: fuel (Jet A) is introduced and lit in one burner segment to light a pilot-like flame, then the rotor spools up as main fuel is introduced.
Turbomin announced two new engines developed in England:
- Genesis PT35 — 7.8 pounds thrust, ~2.0 lb weight
- Genesis PT50 — 12 pounds thrust, ~2.2 lb weight
Both run on Jet A or kerosene, will be priced competitively with Golden West, and are being tested for AMA approval.
Century Jet Models
Century, led by Bruce Sanders, had a large display featuring their rugged retract gear line and jet models. Highlights:
- Twin-engine F-4 on display, with a new F-4E nose option reported to be accurately scaled
- F-105 kit available with one- or two-seat cockpit variants — a good candidate for turbine installation
- Century is working closely with Turbomin as a dealer. Conversion kits are offered for T60 Turbomin installations in the F-4 and the He 162, including shrouds and ducts. Several of these aircraft will be displayed and flown at Turbine America.
Turbine Connection (and Yellow Aircraft)
Turbine Connection and Yellow Aircraft are closely tied and run by Don Kanak. Turbine Connection is a dealer for Sophia, Turbomin, and Golden West turbines. They offer engine advice and installation kits (shrouds, ducts, etc.) for various airframes. Their industry-wide support and teamwork are valuable to Midwest modelers.
Bob Violett Models (BVM)
The BVM booth was extensive and impressive. Scale jets included F-4, T-33, P-80, and F-86; sport jets included multiple Bandits as well as Mavericks, Vipers, and Aggressors. The Bandits included both ducted-fan and turbine versions. One striking red-and-white turbine Bandit is reportedly heading to the JR group at Horizon.
Notes and observations:
- The Bandit offers enough size to enclose a turbine system while maintaining a streamlined, high-speed profile. Fully molded airfoils are crisp and sharp; the kit is expensive but a thoroughly engineered system with great value.
- Mike McConville, now with JR, will be entering jets with this aircraft. (Mike and his dad Jim helped introduce my sons and me to RC modeling years ago; we will finally participate together at Turbine America.)
BVM provides high-performance fans and engines as well as JPX turbines. Kit accessories are extensive, including wheel brakes, hush kits, and more. There is a full range of accessories for JPX turbines: engineered duct/tailpipe systems and fuel tanks per aircraft, plus throttle-servo controllers, temperature-limit, and engine-failure sensor/control systems.
JPX engines have become highly reliable and are now widely accepted and AMA-approved. In combination with BVM aircraft, their field performance is spectacular.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
