EDF to Turbine Conversions

[Aussie1]

This conversion was done some time ago, but as the X45 is smaller and lighter than a P20, it opens up alot more options. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRR_22-5CUo

[ms200a]

I removed the wood plate, then flattened out the floor in the back, an 8oz nail polish remover bottle is a nice fit in the well, on top of that is a 16oz tank, the top tank feeds the bottom. So far 4min mixed throttle only uses the 16oz, i like the extra reserve in case I have to loiter, out of fuel is no good.

[ms200a]

Oops i missed these pics, using the cut out foam pieces i trimmed them to fit as best i could and foam tac'd them back in place

[ms200a]

Getting close, I used the foil tape to line the engine compartment. My UAT is a small gas filter that i Areopoxy (hysol) glued brass tube to reduce nipple size for fuel tubing, I also very carefully drilled and glued a brass fill tube into the filter body DON'T poke the filter Element, they work great just make sure ALL of the air is out of the down stream side.

[ms200a]

So that's about it Flight performance is very good. C G of 88mm is a good start because everybody is different. I'm using a 3000 NiMH 7 cell truck pack for ECU and a voltage regulator for the receiver. I have 4 of these truck packs ($16.00) each (take that lipo/ life) and use them in my thurbinator as well. The 8.4v pack and 4 each lead .45cal slugs in the nose to balance mine at 88mm. The plane dry is 8.8 lbs add 20oz to that for ready to fly weight. No flaps on take off, and take off flap on landing, Pitch is easy 5% expo, the roll is sensitive 30%expo JR 10x radio. Will post more pics as i get the back of plane cleaned up,. Remember it's a toy not a scale master entry.

[Scale Master]

So that's about it Flight performance is very good. C G of 88mm is a good start because everybody is different. I'm using a 3000 NiMi 7 cell truck pack for ECU and a voltage regulator for the receiver. I have 4 of these truck packs ($16.00) each (take that lipo/ life) and use them in my thurbinator as well. The 8.4v pack and 4 each lead .45cal slugs in the nose to balance mine at 88mm. The plane dry is 8.8 lbs add 20oz to that for ready to fly weight. No flaps on take off, and take off flap on landing, Pitch is easy 5% expo roll is sensitive 30%expo JR 10x radio. Will post more pics as i get the back of plane cleaned up,. Remember it's a toy not a scale master entry.

Well done and thanks for the detail pics on your bird. I was thinking on ding the FW F-4 and the F-14 with two turbines

[Scale Master]

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.

[janmb]

ms200a, great work, looking forward to hear how it performs. I assume you have gone through all the upgrades/fixes this model needs (thinking about the tailerons primarily)?


As for conversions, I'm sure most are familiar with it by now, but link to my A-10 conversion is in my signature. Tons of pictures, videos etc to be found there. The model is still going strong, but not flying her as often these days. After 165 electric flights, and another 80 on kero, I needed a break and fly something different for a while.

Maiden flight from about 3:30 in.

[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.

[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.

[fredmdbud]

[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.

[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

[Scale Master]

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

Okay I will do it!

[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.

[ticketec]

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

A lot of room in there!

[ms200a]

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

[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]

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

[ms200a]

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