My buddy asked me what sort of low budget EDF jet he could get for this summer.
Depends on whether a PNF/RTF/ATF he is look for (a low budget jet doesn't mean low quality or a bad flyer),
here are my EPO jets recommendation;
Freewing F9F Panther 64mm EDF jet PNF (decent power and fly on rail) US$98+shipping
http://www.motionrc.com/freewing-f9f-panther-64mm-edf-jet-pnp/
https://youtu.be/oyjaj2mvj9o
My favor Hobby King DH vampire 70mm EDF jet PNF or ARF (ok power and fly on rail, what a floater) US$115 or US$55 (for ARF) + shipping
https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=20580
https://youtu.be/TPdbbX2Xj98
Hobby King F-15 Fighter70mm jet PNF (under power on 3 cells, low cost) US$71 +shipping
https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=10420
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ueax92hhxI8
For that low cost, I will overdrive the motor with 4 cells to get speed until it quit and replace the motor.
If you want to customize the power train, below two are kits only
Hobby King F-16 Fighter Jet Grey 70mm ARF (lowest cost) US$37 + shipping
https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=14877
Hobby King BAE 70mm jet ARF (another favor jet-excellent flyer and durable) US$46+shipping
https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=14878
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1867824
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1903583
If I am correct all above jets are on the market for couple years and still available that say something about it. I say it is very flyable.
Well despite the weak Canadian dollar, the prices of most RC planes have not changes (raise) in US$ in the last 12 months. Perhaps get one before CAD$ goes down below 64 cents. Some say below 60 cents!
My BAE and vampire are flying well in 2015 and will be back in 2016. :)
If you like these wallet friendly jets, get one for this season.
Whoever remain interested in this Durafly Vampire, it is on sale for US$99.99 at Hobby King international warehouse for a week already. Shipping is 3Kg, around another US$43~
Make sure you flip to international warehouse, the prices goes down from $119.99.
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/duraflytm-d-h-100-vampire-mk6-edf-jet-w-retracts-1100mm-pnf.html (https://hobbyking.com/en_us/duraflytm-d-h-100-vampire-mk6-edf-jet-w-retracts-1100mm-pnf.html)
This Vampire is on sales again at HobbyKing, this round sells for US$95, plus $43 ship to Ontario.
My Vampire flew for three years and last season I mistakenly cut the throttle too quick at the top of a loop end up 45 degree kiss the ground. Fixed it but never flying good again. Well money worth for almost three seasons.
This month I start salvage all electronic and move it to another Vampire kit, put in a new EDF/ESC with 6 cells aiming for vertical. The original ARF EDF power by 4 cells give 600W. There were couple times I over drive it on 5 cells for speed, only couple seconds of full throttle otherwise it will over heat (current) the ESC and motor. I remember it goes up to more than 800W. The ARF jet weight 1150g with 4 cells, expected to be 1200g-1250g on 6 cells. I will need over 1200w EDF to produce more than 1250g of thrust if go vertical.
If someone looking for a easy to fly EDF jet, this one will not go wrong and it is one of the few best bargain EDF jet still available. It fly very good, sound good and look cool too. For US$95 buy two!
After 6 years from first introduction in 2011, this be loving DH 100 Vampire from HobbyKing remains alive and a version 2 is just available with strengthen tails booms and horizon, 60A ESC with build-in BEC and faster 3300K motor, should sound even better. Plus Canadian touch (like it or not).
If you are interested, still have time for this season. ;D ;D
https://youtu.be/ERZHFOOHkqo (https://youtu.be/ERZHFOOHkqo)
Got it! :D
That was a killer low pass. Enjoy if you like it.
Do you see those RC guys on the ground? :)
https://youtu.be/zmXe3Rssz_g (https://youtu.be/zmXe3Rssz_g)
Here's my 6 cells D.H. Vampire MK6 at TEMAC couple days ago.
https://youtu.be/vg5TkM3Evf4 (https://youtu.be/vg5TkM3Evf4)
Thanks for Jeff shooting the video, a very stable hand.
I made the big mistake keeping the camera on auto focus. :(
Same flight, from another camera. (camera date not set)
https://youtu.be/PmBg3Rn-J6o (https://youtu.be/PmBg3Rn-J6o)
i like it very good sound
After a month away from my workshop (because we've had visitors in town) I've just finished my Vampire v2.1
It is the Durafly version 2, with a few modifications! ;D
It has my old Wemotec Evo 70mm fan with HET 2W27 motor, and a YEP 90A ESC for 6S (the exact power system from my old one.) Plus I've done a few other modifications, namely:
- More carbon on the bottom of the boom, to help reinforce the join to the wing
- Re-glued the nose gear mount in, a known weak spot
- Opened up the intake on the bottom, for more airflow with the wemotec fan
I'm excited about flying this again. Now on to the next project......
Those are high efficiency, high power fan and motor. It should sound amazing and fast.
Couldn't wait to see how it fly/sound. ;D
I have to start my third Vampire too... ;)
Intended color scheme.
I did manage to finished this Egyptian Vampire in 1954.
Here a recent video on my 6S Vampire at TEMAC.
https://youtu.be/X23oBxJULMc (https://youtu.be/X23oBxJULMc)
How about a video on Loi's D.H 100 Vampire on 4S at TEMAC.
Not bad. ;D
https://youtu.be/L9Qjh3F2B4s (https://youtu.be/L9Qjh3F2B4s)
Hey Phillip,
Great footage of yours and Loi's Vampires at ROGO Field. They sound and look quite real!
Also the Norwegian footage of the full size DH100 is great! Hard to imagine that DeHavilland were still using wood for the fuselage fo that little jet. Quite remarkable considering a 500 mph performance?
Thanks for sharing. Most enjoyable.
Hi Roger, thanks for the kind words. The Norwegian pilot was amazing, I estimated one of the low pass is 15-20 feets high.
Yes, a very low pass!!
Did you notice white vapour during the roll(s)? Don't know what that is?
If the white vapor is behind the wing tips, it should be the moisture caused by high pressure vortex. Usually it happens and visible on sharp turns like a roll.
It appeared to me to be coming from the engine tailpipe during the roll? It happened 3-4 times in the video. See attached captures.
BTW, I agree with you - 15-20 feet on the low pass!! Yikes!
Those are contails (condensation tails) from hot jet engines.
Carbon dioxides, unburned fuel, all sort of fuel components etc and hot humid vapor came out from jet exhausts around the cold surrounding causing quick condensation and forming cloud like white tails.
Similar to white smoke from car exhausts in winter.
For jets usually only be seen up high as temperature is cold there.
Philip,
Really enjoyed the videos of the full size and yours and Loi's Durafly Vampires! Thanks for posting!
I'm fascinated by the launch dolly. How do you ensure the model stays on long enough to pick up flying speed and then separates from the dolly?
All three runways at my local field are grass and the small wheels on my Durafly Vampire make take-offs cardiac events! Have set up the Vamp for bungee launch (yet to test) but your launch dolly is a really interesting alternative!
Bobcaygeon Bill
Hi Bill,
In fact I never thought about that. Since the jet is just sitting on the dolly and the front part is higher than the back by design, as long as the air speed get enough lift it will starts moving faster and separate from the dolly.
This dolly idea is from Loi, his initial design was four wheels, because of much play on wheels & shaft it never go straight on run way. I advised him to remove the two back wheels and add a third wheels as far as he could. That is how this tri-wheels dolly come up. The key is the third wheels has to be far enough to go straight.
If your field is all grass, suggest using 'BIG' wheels to get around. the dimension of the dolly is not critical, mine is 12"x11.5", Loi is smaller. My front support is 1" higher than the back support that the jet sit on. I just hand cut a curve as support surface, Loi use 4 support points.
If your aim is for Vampire, sure it will works on most designs as it needs little air speed to lift up.
By the way I used my bungee launch on the Vampire for others, IMO this dolly is easier.
If you are wondering how the BAE hawk flying, one mentioned here, here's my latest T-45 video at Rogo.
It is another floater like the Vampire, even more durable/repairable. If you see mine closely you'll see all the ugly repairs. ;D
https://youtu.be/Kk-gPh5kIkk (https://youtu.be/Kk-gPh5kIkk)
How come I missed this Vampire video in the pass!
https://youtu.be/BP7qVnjPfzs?t=134 (https://youtu.be/BP7qVnjPfzs?t=134)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP7qVnjPfzs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP7qVnjPfzs)