Jet Provost Another Late Starter Build

[Mark Kettle 1]

Always loved the simple shape of the jet provost, and remember as a lad seeing the RAF display teams using them at local air displays in the 70’s, so with the help of this plan by Andy Blackburn I have to build one, own and fly one! The plan did arrive mid April 2014, with canopy, however only been able to look at it the last few weeks because overtime and a holiday taken in April, so will be starting this build maybe a bit late to make the Mass Build flying event up great Orme this year around the end of May to the 1st of June 2014, I’m going to give it my best shot, however you know what happens, other stuff gets in the way, unexpected stuff like work and family events etc.

I’ve not built from a plan with balsa for about 9 years, and then it was a Dave Hughes Sorcerer. Now looking at my beleaguered balsa and ply stock stored in a lid of a old kit box, I’d better get on and order more from Slec to supplement what I’ve got -just looks like ‘offcuts’ to me. Was hoping to start on the torque rods and elevator arm today however I also need some bar and tube to make them etc, etc.

I've studied the plan and its shapes and its layout, and chosen some nice metal geared servos and found a nice -‘aaa’ 800 mah eneloop battery, theres plenty of space at the front to take a bigger heavier battery if I need it, I even put the battery on charge and my over half said "your hopeful aren't you?", after she said this I feel I’m well behind the other builds so I better get a move on.

 

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 26/04/2014 10:30:35

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 26/04/2014 10:31:55

[Mark Kettle 1]

The JP build will have to wait........doh! You know I said stuff gets in the way, well this is a good distraction, my partners son Marcus Partridge does fly, here's a picture of him up at the National at Holme Moss 2007 with his FastBak, (6th from the left) well he's into road racing now and competing professional in the Cicle Classic,

So I'm standing near 'Hugh Porter' tomorrow to hear the commentary. See video Marcus supporting a blind rider Joe Widdowaon on a tandem at the Manchester Velodrome with Hugh comparing at that event as well.

The pair got a British record that night, lets hope Marcus gets a result tomorrow on his local patch.

See link - Cicle Classic http://cicleclassic.co.uk/competitors-2012/

Holme Moss Nationals  - to follow 

 

 

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 26/04/2014 21:10:04

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 26/04/2014 21:12:05

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 26/04/2014 21:13:24

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 26/04/2014 21:24:30

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 26/04/2014 21:26:20

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 26/04/2014 21:37:21

[Mark Kettle 1]

Trying to add a photo - I can't do it - will find a help blog and try again

Edited By Pete B - Moderator on 26/04/2014 23:40:17

[Mark Kettle 1]

I think there's some of link - not sure........carry on with JP build on Monday .....hope I can load photos ?

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 26/04/2014 22:02:43

[Mark Kettle 1]

We fly locally at Burrough Hill and the race curcuit uses the climb three times - not as steep as Holme Moss but if you get the climb its called 'King of the Bergs'. I believe Holme Moss is being used on the Tour de France.

[Mark Kettle 1]

Back from the race, started tracing around the plan using carbon paper. Marcus in the race, well he got 85 miles in and got pulled of the back, his sponsors are pleased any way with his effort.

 

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 28/04/2014 09:13:32

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 28/04/2014 09:16:34

[Andy Meade]

Hi Mark,

Started mine not too long ago now as well, though I am cheating and using the CNC kit - comes together very fast. I found a set of long flair aileron torque rods that does the job with no messing around cutting and shutting, might be worth a look when you get to that point. I got mine online from Blackburn models.

[Mark Kettle 1]

Cheers Andy for the info I'll check those torque rods out, not made much progress been doing extra overtime at work so will have to wait until the weekend to start again . Hows you JP coming on?

[Andy Meade]

Hi Mark. My wings are just about ready for their top skin, and the fuselage sides have been assembled onto the battery box and the nose has just been pulled in. It's getting there! Hope to see you in May / June!

[Mark Kettle 1]

Great I'll get started for real at the weekend.

[Mark Kettle 1]

Some of the heads and shoulders look a bit big inside the canopy, comparing to a picture I have, what do others think?

[Mark Kettle 1]

Been busy the last few weeks, been building the Jet Provost out of Epp Foam, to save me purchasing more wood. Before I do any more I had the get the gear in, balance it and test fly it, just to make sure what I was doing out of foam would work and fly.

Was out at 7 am this morning up the local Rugby ground, it was lovely and sunny this morning with still air, put a hook underneath just in front of the wing with cross weave tape and bungee-ed it up so I could check it out.

Model materials and gear used :

- Main airframe Epp black foam - 10 mm square wood main spar & 6 mm square bamboo drag spar - 3 x 1.5 mm ply main dihedral brace & 2 x 1.5 mm for drag spar - Fin and tail plane epp foam supported with 6 mm square bamboo - Wing attachment one steel screw bearing via spar into body support - Torque rods 4 mm carbon rod 2 mm wire ends - lolly stick/tape clevis end all hidden in foam TE - Epp Ailerons & balsa elevator - Tip tank retention x 4 magnets per tank - AAA eneloop battery, Hitec receiver, one aileron 148 standard servo, elevator MG85

21 oz in weight un - decorated.

The 1/2 a dozen test flights when well. First launch at speed off the bungee it climbed at about 45 degrees as the speed dropped off it levelled out and the glide slope was OK for a large bodied model and straight in front which was great. -Relief .

Subsequent launches I had enough height to try a turn, I've set up the aileron differential manually with use of the holes in the servo disc at the back away from the centre and I get 12 mm up and 8 mm down deflection, with the height off launch was only able to try a turn either at 90 or 180 degrees before I run out of height, and it turns well so another -great.

This model has been a quick build test model to try and build from a plan in foam. I will build another one to show pictures on this build blog.

I have allowed within the fuselage to be able to move the gear around so if I wanted I could enclose a - LED light - in the nose at 70 grams in weight. I will show this within the blog, it involves the use of a 'sherbert dab' container don't ask, however having problems with trying to mould a clear cover the same as the nose shape.

Some pictures :

[Mark Kettle 1]

By the way the nose is the same shape of a rugby ball and the it does bounce like one when I tried it, so it should protect the gear in a bad arrival lol.

[Mark Kettle 1]

Wing sections and patterns including tip tank

Body patterns

Wing retainer screw

Cheers Mark

[Mark Kettle 1]

The canopy is cut separately.

[Mark Kettle 1]

Done at better list of material and gear used with bullet points

Model materials and gear used :

• Main airframe Epp black foam - 10 mm square wood main spar & 6 mm square bamboo drag spar
• 3 x 1.5 mm ply main dihedral brace & 2 x 1.5 mm for drag spar
• Fin and tail plane epp foam supported with 6 mm square bamboo
• Wing attachment one steel screw bearing via spar into body support
• Torque rods 4 mm carbon rod 2 mm wire ends - lolly stick/tape clevis end all hidden in foam TE
• Epp Ailerons & balsa elevator
• Tip tank retention x 4 magnets per tank
• AAA eneloop battery, Hitec receiver, one aileron 148 standard servo, correction of elevator HS 81 MG

21 oz in weight un - decorated.

[Mark Kettle 1]

Since last entry tried different radio gear installations which includes - 5 various elevator and 3 aileron set-ups, reason was to try and save any nose weight being used. Settled now on a set-up now that is a a lot more positive in use however is a comparmise in the weight of the model.

The build I have done from epp foam as allowed me the have a central core to the body which can be taken out and be used to mount and move the radio about.

Best if I show some pictures so you can get the idea.

Wing section

cutting new parts for assembly now I know where radio gear and set up

[Mark Kettle 1]

Patterns used to cut body shapes.

Parts made still lots to do

[Mark Kettle 1]

Body plan view drawing to illustrate parts

[Phil Cooke]

Hi Mark,

Hope these are retrospective shots of your latest build and that your model is actually fully finished ready for the weekend?? Look forward to meeting you and seeing your EPP JP in Llandudno soon!!

Phil

[Mark Kettle 1]

The first test model has been part thrice - however its getting fit and currently in the gym lifting weights and changing colour - Should be dry for a test flight even though its a rough as _ _ _ _ well it fly's and had its gear all over the place been at different weighs from 19 oz to 30 oz - its got new ailerons - and extra attachment at the back tailplane into body and totally comes apart via two screws.

Edited By Mark Kettle 1 on 29/05/2014 19:43:50

[Mark Kettle 1]

Should be ok Phil

[Mark Kettle 1]

Oh just to say - this is the next build to fill out the blog a bit - now where's my glue?

[Mark Kettle 1]

Tops and bottoms pieces needs a little kink in them.

[Mark Kettle 1]

Body coming together.