RC JETS
SUMMER EVENTS AND NEW PRODUCTS
By Jim Hiller | jetmodeler@earthlink.net
IT’S BEEN A GOOD couple of months of flying, with some new products that continue to advance the jet modeling hobby. Two jet events of interest were Jets Over the Heartland, in Winamac, Indiana, on June 23-28, and Jets Over Kentucky, held July 12-19 in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
David Payne brought the newly released Hangar 9 Hawk for some fun-flying at Jets Over the Heartland. This is a great event that allows for plenty of open flying time in a non-crowded sky. David enjoyed flying the Hawk in his precise flying style, with low, slow rolls, point rolls, and smooth aerobatics.
The Hangar 9 Hawk construction is based on the technique that was utilized in the Hangar 9 Aermacchi MB-339: wood layered with composite material, along with a printed Mylar covering. It’s a bit different from many other composite models that are available, but it does offer its own advantages. This is a large, sharp-looking jet with many nice features. The 97-inch wingspan, 103-inch-long model is designed around 140- to 160-newton turbines. The empty weight of the Hawk falls in approximately the 40-pound range, so it’s definitely up there in the big model market.
Features that caught my eye on the Hangar 9 Hawk include the ability to easily break it down for transport. This is always an important consideration for a model of this size. The landing gear appears well made and of a sufficient size to handle normal flying, including grass field operations. The Hawk seems to be a well-designed airplane with proper aerodynamic considerations to make it a good, everyday jet.
Horizon Hobby has also put together some interesting combo price packages to help you, from the basic airframe all the way up to a package with the turbine engine and Spektrum servos.
What can be said about the sights and sounds of Jets Over Kentucky? Just about anybody who’s anybody in the jet modeling business was there. This year had a record attendance of companies, and more than 200 pilots registered for a week of lots of jet flying.
One very cool model this year was Paul Applebaum’s B-58 Hustler. It took him many years to produce this large and well-made jet. Paul reproduced the Hustler landing gear, including its rather complex folding
sequence, to fit into small wheel wells. He designed, machined, and built the landing gear first, built a plug and molds, and then, finally, the airframe.
The B-58 is a large, heavy model that approaches the 50-pound weight limit at takeoff, but the performance matches the prototype. The look and sound of this turbine-powered model in the air was impressive. Paul was still new to flying this model while he was at Jets Over Kentucky, but that did not stop him from flying it multiple times every day. He enjoyed his new Hustler, and everyone enjoyed watching him fly the unique and complex Scale model. Great job, Paul!
On to new product vendors at Jets Over Kentucky. ENJET Turbine rolled out its introduction to the US market with distribution through Global Jet Club. Jackie Wang, the great representative from ENJET, was on-site to answer any questions that pilots might have and to offer information about the company. ENJET is a Chinese
manufacturer that has been in business since 2014, with sales in Europe for approximately seven years. With marketing arrangements made, the company is now moving forward into the US.
The intention is for Global Jet Club to train and provide turbine service in California. Global Jet Club’s Mike Lin is committed to doing this introduction right and has begun to procure the equipment to set up a proper repair shop. ENJET products are already up and for sale on the Global Jet Club website, so check it out for additional information and to purchase one of these turbine engines.
ENJET turbines are available from an 86-newton size up to 170 newtons. The company has a larger 250-newton turbine under development. This line of turbines is made with a clean and convenient
electronics package to make installation and operations easy. I look forward to this competitively priced turbine line.
I could go on about all of the products that were rolled out and shown at Jets Over Kentucky, but it is best just to attend this combination trade show and flying event.
You can come see the products in action—the flying takes place all day long. Believe me when I say that the vendors really enjoy the opportunity to show and fly the wonderful products that they have available.
For those who haven’t attended, check out the Jets Over Kentucky Facebook page for the sponsors’ list. These generous sponsors represent the leading products in the jet modeling community.
SOURCES:
Jet Pilots Organization (JPO)
www.jetpilots.org
Jets Over Kentucky
www.facebook.com/JetsOverKY
www.jokjets.com
ENJET Turbine
info@enjetpower.com
www.enjetpower.com
Global Jet Club
888-573-3883
www.globaljet.club
Elite Aerosports
(954) 444-8808
www.eliteaerosports.com
Horizon Hobby
www.horizonhobby.com
