mightypeesh Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Not sure where to stick this. I was looking for a bit of inspiration for a home brew design and found this old jetex plan on jetex.org **LINK**. I am playing with the idea of increasing the sizeof the wings and sticking on a pusher prop to make a flying version, but the plan looked so cute i thought i would build it as per plan first. It is only about 12" long, so is a nice little project, and i have got a jetex unit on its way via fleabay. I have carved out the body and wings so far. the original. A couple of quids worth of balsa and some scraps looking good so far. I need the jetex motor and tube next so i can hollow out the body, and i have turned up a wheel to the correct size which i will cast up. Oh, the plan is here **LINK** misc.html#cars . It is a great site and has free plans for aircraft and boats too, as well as an interesting read on these great little jet units. Cheers, Simon Edited By mightypeesh on 19/01/2013 14:22:08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 The Firebird 1 was a real car. When very young, circa 10, I built a model of a Model maker plan of Flying Cauceus. Not very fast though, it was not rocket like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightypeesh Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 Yes the pic at the top is of the real one, thanks for the link. Still looks like it would fly to me with a bit of tweeking and bigger wings. I am thinking about 50 inch wingspan, eflight power 25 as a pusher. That Cauceus is a beast - i love the design - very Flash Gordon (do sparks come out of the back?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Hers me thinking what a superb job he has made, looks really good, it could be full size Have you got a Jetex or one of those Rapier units, that seem to work so well? Edited By Erfolg on 19/01/2013 16:50:56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightypeesh Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 I am waiting on delivery of a jetex 50 with an augmentor tube for it. Mind you with this snow I am thinking I had better get on with another project as I cannot see it coming any time soon. I will keep it posted though when the unit turns up. Cheers Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I found that the biggest issue was finding a surface flat enough to get it to go. Ordinary pavement type surfaces stopped it rolling for a long time, then it just pottered along. Not the 100mph that I was looking for and expecting. The best surface was a rolled smooth macadam surface, on which it reached possibly a walking speed. I later fastened the Jetex B onto a Airfix Bently Le mans. I did try a number of things which I read about, which was all about getting more thrust for a shorter period. This entailed filing grooved in the pellets and from memory, a particular way of arranging the fuse wire. I have wondered if those Rapier rocket motors that FF use are any better, in more thrust for longer. But I do not know, never seeing one. How long is your Firebird? Edited By Erfolg on 20/01/2013 16:00:23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightypeesh Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 I would love to have seen the Airfix Bently with the Jetex attached. I remember seeing the kit in the shop at Beaulieu and falling in love with it when I was small - I recall the breath-taking price ticket the most! The Firebird is just under 12" long, so is a nice size for a small project. It is a first for me this jetex thing so I will see where it goes. I have had a look at the Estes rocket motors, but I think thay may have tooooooo much power I got the wheels cast today out of resin - the plan calls for '1 3/8 celluloid wheels' and for some reason the model shop was right out!! I turned one up on a lathe out of chemiwood, and made a silicone mold. I also added black pigment to the resin for casting. I will paint the centres silver and add 'fins' with a draughting pen as per plan text. very pleased so far. Next is to make up a buck to vac form a canopy. Cheers, Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Kearney Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Cool project, mightypeesh. That page on jetex.org has taken me back! I built the Bill Dean profile version version of the firebird for Jetex power when I was a kid. In fact being given the Eagle Book of Balsa models, which I think were all designed by Mr. Dean, was my first introduction to flying models. r. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I am impressed, what is chemi wood? I have seen the occasional reference, although I do not think I have seen it. Your wheels will be far better than crummy celluloid wheels. Which incidentally the Flying Cauceus used also. I do not think that the Rapier rockets are the same as Estes motors, the ones I am referring to are marketed by Jetex. If a L3 is used you get twice the thrust (ballpark) and with a longer burn with a usable thrust, so free flighters claim. The L2 is much the same as Jetex 50 according to the Jetex chart. I am tempted to revisit my youth myself and build a Flying Cauceus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightypeesh Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Thanks gents, and Robin, I love the pics of your KK Phantom. I sketched up some ideas for an rc version a while ago, so it looks like I have another project to join the waiting list! chemiwood is this stuff here **LINK** and is a resin based material that is great for making up componants for casting, vac forming and just making stuff in general Cheers, Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 My Dad and I used Jetex from about 1950, various sized units from the 50 up to good big 'uns. the 50 had miniscule thrust, so don't expect excitement from speed. I look forward to the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daithi O Buitigh Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I've a feeling that Rapier motors disappeared a couple of years ago due to 'safety regulations' (some civil servant decided they were 'fireworks' with all the safety regulations on explosives kicking in). Some may still be around (at the usual over-inflated prices. However it can only be legally purchased over the counter (if you can find one behind a counter) and not transported by mail anywhere within the EU There is a thread on it here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I think you are correct Daithi, I tried looking them up. As you have written they do not seem to be available. Given that the EU is supposed to be a free trade area, working towards commonality in regulations, with respect to manufacture and legal status. Should we not be able to import the motors as personal imports and the regs with respect to usage should have been harmonised? Then again probably not. It seems my experiences with 50 are not alone, as Flytilbroke seems to have had similar experience. Are any of the bigger Jetex units still available? One final thought, how is it the Estes a USA company seems to be able to sell rocket motors, in the UK, yet a EU member has issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daithi O Buitigh Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I think the problem Erfolg is the 'harmonisation' itself - as an EU member (the Czech Republic) has classed these as 'fireworks' and not 'smoke generators' the prohibition on posting explosives has kicked in. From what I've been reading on the issue, they are importing these personally (probably by sea in the final run) and avoiding both air freight and postal services. Now whjether or not he's doing a run in the car and using the ferry services (or taking the risk of carying them as 'hand luggage' on a flight) I can't say Apart from that, other sites have mentioned that Dr Zigmund just can't aford the facilities needed to produce 'explosives' under the legal requirements Edited By Daithi O Buitigh on 21/01/2013 20:59:09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Kearney Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I have heard that some rapier motors are making their way into the UK, one of our club members bought a few fairly recently. Might be worth having a chat with some of the Jetex flyers at an Old Warden day if you can get their easily? Mitypeesh, if you could see the phantom now you would probably suggest I stick to RC and not CL be sure to post some pics when you get round to starting a RC one. r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daithi O Buitigh Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 One problem with obtaining any Rapiers now is that they well all be a few years old and there is a possibility of a good proportion of duds (remember the production was shut down by the government when the designation changed). Also keep in mind that they are 'one-off' (and can't be 're-filled' - new flighjt = new engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightypeesh Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 Ok chaps, got quite a bit done today. The lovely postman put a parcel through the door which meant i could get on. But first the canopy. I made a buck from chemiwood. and after polishing up with a bit of wax found a water bottle which is a good source of free canopys. first jam the buck into the bottle (the post holds it tight) and then use a hot air gun to shrink it over the mold. It takes a bit of practice, but it works well. it gets hot so watch out! cut around line and bobs your auntie. a jetex kit ready to go. Next is hollowing out the body, so dig out the carving chisels. More soon, Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Kearney Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Looking good Simon, Carving the body out looks like an enjoyable job. r. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightypeesh Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 Thanks Robin. It was quite a pleasure carving it out. you cannot beat a nice sharp gouge that cuts cleanly through the wood leaving a pile of shavings. Just need to tidy it up a bit and line it with 'Gauze bandage. as per plan. which I guess is to re-inforce the body now I have cut most of it away? or was this bandage a heat protective thing? any suggestions gentleman? Cheers, Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightypeesh Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 Ok. the body is together after a bit more whittling to get the tube a nice snug fit at the two contact points, and the motor clip in place. after removing as much balsa as i dare I elected to line the body with the 24gm fibreglass cloth that I use to cover my airframes with a light coat of black before glueing together (or should that be a dark coat) also made a start on the wheel wells using a template with charcole to mark the area to be cut, and a combination of scaple and hole punch to cut them out Also carved out a couple of dummy intakes to be fitted later. more later, Cheers, Simon Edited By mightypeesh on 07/02/2013 14:08:42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightypeesh Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 bit more done. looking like a kit now. nice view of the Jetex50 and tube through access hatch. body sealed and primed. made up a set of decals using inkjet waterslide paper. pitot tube Finally balanced on some wheels. need to trim down canopy, make the wheel arches and other bits and pieces. looking good - but then I am biased Cheers, Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouncebounce crunch Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I will agree with you there Simon, she looks good. I have never really been into model cars or Jetex fliers, but i do recall seeing tethered cars running on Cox/Texaco .049 engines o long time ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 An excellent model. I am sure it will be fantastic to look at when finished. I am interested as to how it goes with the Jetex! It will look good on the window ledge or book case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightypeesh Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 Thanks gents. It will probably end up a display model as I am putting far too much into this, or I may sell when I have finished to fund the other projects that are queuing up in the wings. I found this plan online and it just spoke to me. Still it is a very enjoyable build, and I am still planning a flying version so watch this space. Right, back to the build. The plan calls for soldered on cup washers to hold the wheels on. Now I am sure they exist in some far off land but could I find any? of course not . So to make my own. I had some brass shim from another project, but I needed small circles. Mmmmmmm. A hole punch for paper - bingo! that and a scribe to make a tight fitting hole - sorted. A bit of soldering and before too long two axles are born. The bend in the top one is to go around the augmentor tube in the body. Also got the wheel arches on, the dummy intakes and the fin fitted. This would look great with bigger wings. Could not resist a quick balanced together shot My number one assistant. That's all for now Cheers, Simon Edited By mightypeesh on 08/02/2013 19:32:01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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