EDF to Turbine Conversions

[Elbee]

Scale Master, Probably an optical illusion from my vantage point, sitting at the table in the nook. I would like to make the jump to turbine one day, we'll see. Your work is outstanding. I thank you for your service, Sir. Best, LB

[Scale Master]

Some hero shots back in my air force days with my F-16

[Scale Master]

That's just way cool, Sir. When you were throttled back was the flight control mushy as in 'near stall'? Looked to have some 'yaw' complaints, LOL or is that just my eye sight failing me? Love the sound and the fact that it's turbine-powered. Bravo Zulu. Best, LB

No, no mushy characteristics in the bird. She's very predictable. Not sure what you mean by yaw issues but they're none. My buddy was flying the F-22 so I could film (because he sucks at filming lol). I just completed 4 flights on my freewing turbine conversions. They fly great!!

[Elbee]

Short clip of my Freewing F-22 in action with X-45 Power

That's just way cool, Sir. When you were throttled back was the flight control mushy as in 'near stall'? Looked to have some 'yaw' complaints, LOL or is that just my eye sight failing me? Love the sound and the fact that it's turbine-powered. Bravo Zulu. Best, LB

[Scale Master]

Short clip of my Freewing F-22 in action with X-45 Power

[Aussie1]

Recently, I fitted my K30 to my very old Skysword, removing the P20 in the process. I wanted more power and needed the P20 for another project, but found that I needed a bigger diameter pipe for the 7lb thrust K30. Just by chance, McDonalds are selling a aluminium cup for $3 and it looked perfect for a bellmouth! I bought a couple, rolled up a single wall pipe and fitted everthing and had a chance to have a couple of flights. The result was spectacular, way more power, much quieter in the air and unlimited vertical. Also, if you want a simple front pipe mount, flatten a bit of aluminium or brass tube at 90 degrees to each other and you have a very strong metal mount.

[Helijet]

Nice to see some posts here. I am surprised that there are not more as the Freewing airframes lend themselves really well to conversions. I have done the Avanti 80mm, F22 and the L39 so far.
I am not knocking your T33 conversion but those tanks are quite a bit forward of the CG. You will have your hands full with that set up. Here is a pic of a 24 oz Dubro right over the CG with just a little hollowing out of foam.
dw

[ms200a]

Used 1/64 plywood with aluminum tape then rolled to line the tunnel. Made single wall pipe From 316 .008 stainless and using 48mm carburetor velocity stacks on both ends to keep pipe true while spot welding. Then trimmed to final length. After removing some foam a 16oz Sulivan v boat tank will be the main. A 12oz is placed in font of to and will feed into the 16oz. Will post more as project moves forward

[ms200a]

Time to put some fire in the Freewing T-33 hoping to maiden soon

[ms200a]

Got a little more done on the F-4 heat sheil d

[ms200a]

So now that the F-18 is up and running it’s time to convert the F-4.
Step 1 was to remove the turkey feathers and then hollow out the center of the fuse to allow for a heat shield and pipe.
Using 1/64 ply to make the heat shield, I rolled up a 90mm tube, then used aluminum tape on the inside and outside seams. The tube will be glued with foam-tac in the front and back.
Next will be installing turbine pipe anchor points, and fabrication of the heat shield for tail section.

[ms200a]

F-18 last weekend video by Tony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWn3...hOx4b78XX5-Igc

[ticketec]

Has anyone done a conversion of the FW 90mm F-15??

A lot of room in there!

[ms200a]

Updating F-18 fuel system from 24oz to 32oz . Stacking 2 16oz dubro tanks. should give solid 5min flights with 3min reserve. maybe more.

[Scale Master]

Go for it imo. Seeing other people's builds is always interesting and valuable.

Okay I will do it!

[janmb]

Fitting a tank was a challenge in the F104!! Basically, I made the front part of the fuselage removable, cut out lot's of foam and had two tanks on top of each other, right over the CG. This gave me 550mls, enough for 5-6 mins with a P20. These pics hopefully explain how I did it, but even though it flew really well, it is NOT a relaxing jet to fly, very un-forgiving. I eventually converted it back to EDF and sold it. The fuselage was probably a lot stronger than stock, as well.

Thanks!

Yes, I know the tank placement must have been a challenge, but your solution seems great.

As for the model itself, I'm very aware (have been flying one for a while). Will definitely consider converting it, using your tank solution.


I've been looking for a way to utilize the space behind the wheel well as well (since there's tons of available volume there), but that would require forward and aft tanks being drained in parallel, in a very controlled fashion, so that would a lot of sensors, and controlled valves. Essentially bound to go wrong and die miserably as soon as the attempt of controlling cg shift fails lol

[Aussie1]

May I ask how the heck you solved the tank challenge on the 104? Been wanting to convert one myself, but having a very hard time seeing how to get a decent size tank anywhere near the CG, since the wheel bay steals so much room right there.

Fitting a tank was a challenge in the F104!! Basically, I made the front part of the fuselage removable, cut out lot's of foam and had two tanks on top of each other, right over the CG. This gave me 550mls, enough for 5-6 mins with a P20. These pics hopefully explain how I did it, but even though it flew really well, it is NOT a relaxing jet to fly, very un-forgiving. I eventually converted it back to EDF and sold it. The fuselage was probably a lot stronger than stock, as well.

[fredmdbud]

[janmb]

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum and only just found this topic! I have now converted at least eight EDF jets to turbine and currently own two P20's, two K30's and one K45. I sold all of my large turbine jets to concentrate on small jets only and my latest will be a Freewing F14 with a K30 mounted underneath, it as shown in the video. I also have a tail mounted P20 in a Freewing F86 , and it flies great. My other P20 is in a Hobbyking Skysword using a small dual wall pipe that I make myself. I also make all my own tanks. The other K30 is in a Sebart mini Avanti, and this one is probably my favourite jet!. The K45 is in a Taft Viper, which also flies great. Other conversions have been the Freewing SU35, Yak130 Venum and the F104 Starfighter, and while all flew OK, I converted them back to EDF and sold them. Composite jets include the CMP Hawk and Couger, and while thet flew well, generally composite jets end up heavier than the foam equivalent. Generally speaking, a EDF converted to turbine will be about the same weight but will be around 600 grams lighter by the end of the flight. Both the P20 and the K30 weigh one kilogram with about 6-7 mins of fuel. The F14 will actually be lighter than the EDF version because you are removing to large batteries, two EDF's and two speed controllers. Some pilots are using 900 milliamp 3S LiFe batteries on the K30, and this good for at least two flights. I was told recently that Kingtech have sold over 350 K30's, so expect to see many more turbine powered EDF jets! I'm only guessing, but the P20 is about equivalent to a hot 8S setup, while the K30 is about a 12S power. There is also the Kolibri range but there is no backup here in Australia, or agent, whereas the K30/K45/K70 engines have great support and don't really cost that much. Here are links to videos, but same may require you to be on Facebook to view. There are many others out there, if you want to go down this path, and I for one, are absolutely hooked on this type of model jet modeling! I have many other pics of my jets and tanks, if any one is interested.

https://youtu.be/XzjWU5hbke8

https://www.facebook.com/tony.hong.5494/videos/2329069443772660/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqbYlE4L3Nc&feature=share

https://www.facebook.com/tony.hong.5...1203355225936/

May I ask how the heck you solved the tank challenge on the 104? Been wanting to convert one myself, but having a very hard time seeing how to get a decent size tank anywhere near the CG, since the wheel bay steals so much room right there.

[janmb]

Also If you guys want me to put pics up of my FW F-16 T-Bird or F-22 or HSD F-16 let me know. I have them up on other threads but this one probably is a better more focused category. Just let me know and I'll do it.

Go for it imo. Seeing other people's builds is always interesting and valuable.