PHOTOGRAPHY: IMAGES FROM THE WEB
Downloaded from the web, the BD-10 (at left) possessed nice lines and the “cool-factor” of being a homebuilt. Unfortunately the full scale was not a very safe airframe. Fortunately for us, multiple examples have functioned nicely as R/C models. A challenger for the Very Light Jet market. The Chichester-Miles Leopard(above) faded from the scene after two prototypes were built and flown when financing evaporated, but Greg thinks it would make a unique and very cool scale edf model.
For those of us who like to either build from plans, or design our own, this maga- zine can help with the BD-10, which was a feature article many years ago designed by Col. Bob Thacker in ¼ scale to be powered by a single Byron fan. While the plans are more “sport-scale” than “scale”, they are still a good starting point.
Additionally, while a 96-inch long air- frame won’t fit into most of our cars or work- shops, Kinko’s (and other reproduction shops) can resize the plans to the desired size (I keep thinking 78 inches long to fit into my Honda Odyssey).
Not only that, but a quick perusal of Bob Banka’s scale documentation site (
www.bobs
airdoc.com/) shows three-views for this air- plane as well as a “Foto-Paak”. Sure would be something different on the flight line and I am sitting here thinking about all the dif- ferent sizes I could make one to accommo- date anything from a 70mm edf up to a 30- pound thrust turbine—hmmm! Strictly for us scratchbuilders, the Leopard
begs to be done as a twin edf (I’m thinking twin 90mm fan units would be optimal for size and “scaleness”). I absolutely love the flat-panel windscreen, and the simple strut covers on the mains for simplicity and light- ness. Additionally, the full scale had simple wings—neither flaps nor ailerons—with only elevons (tailerons, stabilators) for control with a full flying fin. Just think, none/zero/ zilch dreaded hinging to do! (Blast! Why do I start thinking about another project when I need a GPS unit to find my cobweb enhanced work closet as it is… and Bob Banka has three views of it too!). Lots more information, photos and video can be found on the web at:
www.machdiamonds.com/leopard.html. The ATG (Aviation Technology Group) Javelin has always had a soft spot in my heart, since it was designed, built, videoed and flown just up the road at Centennial Air- port near Denver, CO. If financing had gone through for its certification testing, it was re- ported that it would have moved down to Colorado Springs for production (and I could
have seen the takeoffs from my back door). Well, about the time things fell through for the company, Aviation Design brought out their Scorpion, designed for 120-160 N tur- bine engines. All I can say is they sure look a lot alike (though the model is a single en- gined airplane and the full scale was a twin). Finally, the Textron Scorpionjet is to- day’s version of a light jet being proposed for counter-insurgency, border patrol (also what UAVs are being proposed for) as well as a bunch of other uses in an attempt to gain funding, but that long straight wing and lifting fuselage sure look inviting to me! Power and size could, once again, be anything we want, so life is good! Much information as well as artist’s renderings can be found on the company website at:
www.scorpionjet.com. That’s it for this time around and since it
is the December issue, I’d like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy, pros- perous New Year! So until next time: fly safe, and trust in thrust!
The ATG Javelin is one of Greg’s favorite planes (above) given its looks, videoed performance and refreshing “difference-ness”. A similar planform has been available from Aviation Design for many years, and it flies very well, so modifying an existing arf is also a possibility. A jet looking for a contract describes some of the headlines for Textron’s Scorpionjet (at right), but in Greg’s eyes, the lines just beg to be modeled.
Florida Jets Tucson Jet Rally Fortbend Jet Rally FLYING MODELS March 6–8 March 13–15 March 27–29
Upcoming Events Paradise Field, Lakeland, FL
TIMPA Field, Tucson, AZ Fortbend RC Club, Rosenberg, TX
CD: Frank Tiano, 863-607-6611
www.franktiano.com
www.tucsonwarbirds.com (registration)
www.timpa.org (map)
lb.bernal@
earthlink.net 51
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