SUNSPOT - Turbax-I powered Force-1


With everything going on with turbines these days, I wanted to get back to basics and design an ultra-low cost way of getting into ducted fan jets. It combines the Balsa USA Force-1 with the Jet Hangar Hobbies Turbax-I ducted fan unit. After seeing the Byron powered Enforcers, it seemed natural to join the two together. The engine power is a K&B 7.5cc with 8.5cc Macs tuned pipe running on %5 nitro (with %22 synth/castor oil mix). The 12oz. tank will give over 10 minutes of flight time. Handling qualities are excellent. Futaba 8U set-up for elevons with Hitec receiver and standard servos. The prototype was scratch built from RCM plans (less than 10 sheets balsa, some ply, misc spare parts and left over scraps of covering). Total weight is 6lbs dry. The name? Well, its an outcome from all of the delta type turbine trainers (Kangaroo, HotSpot, Firebird) and translucent yellow/red covering on the plane. I think that, based on the Sunspot, it would be very easy to build a Dynamax powered Enforcer (DynaForce?) A complete construction article with a description of the mods, construction photos and conversion plans has been submitted for publication.


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