Topic: ATS Mayneline Spitfire online build.

if only i could remember what thread it was in, i think it's on rcu but your welcome to try and find anything on that monster.

I'm surprised on bearing life tho... i only got my Irvine 36 to two years before it needed a rebuild, but i did do a shed load of flying back in those days, a gallon a weekend wasn't unusual.
some of me engines just plod on and on with no sign of ever wearing out, the MVVS's for one.

until recently I've also been a very bad boy when it comes to looking after them when not running.
the last shut down would be that until the next run.
at least now they get vapour oil, really should run them dry too.
probably not doing that that ends their lives early.

won't it be good when electric gets really easy.

no more of this running in, castor % vs synths Carp.

just charge and go.

Thanks Peter....a bit of sense at last......

Have you heard about the lastest engines about to be launched in Japan. They have a patented process for the piston and cylinder, no liner is used, both components are manufactured in carbon fibre for strength and lightness. The cylinder has a high percentage of aluminuim powder added to the resin in the lay up to assist heat dissipation. Then PTFE is fused into the surfaces to produce a perfectly, sealed frictionless interface. Precision ceramic sealed roller bearings are used throughout, so these engines require no lubrication. The fuel is a mix of methanol and Nitro only. The 40 size engine performance can only be described as unbelievable 5.28 BHP at 47,500 RPM with 15% by volume Nitro fuel........
Some minor production problems have delayed the launch of these new engines but my source tells me they should be available in the UK later this year.......

I'll keep you informed of further progress.....  

Andy

Tiger,

that power is a bit more then impressive isnt it?

Might have to re think the '40 size trainer' as it seems they 'll be doing about 150 mph 

I wonder if we can fit one of those into a Mini-roo   

if you've not seen it yet heres another team Spitty.
Chris's version of G-FIRE the reno'd Mk XIV spitty.
A modified fun-fighter build with bubble canopy and clipped wings.

Thanks Peter....a bit of sense at last......

Have you heard about the lastest engines about to be launched in Japan. They have a patented process for the piston and cylinder, no liner is used, both components are manufactured in carbon fibre for strength and lightness. The cylinder has a high percentage of aluminuim powder added to the resin in the lay up to assist heat dissipation. Then PTFE is fused into the surfaces to produce a perfectly, sealed frictionless interface. Precision ceramic sealed roller bearings are used throughout, so these engines require no lubrication. The fuel is a mix of methanol and Nitro only. The 40 size engine performance can only be described as unbelievable 5.28 BHP at 47,500 RPM with 15% by volume Nitro fuel........
Some minor production problems have delayed the launch of these new engines but my source tells me they should be available in the UK later this year.......

I'll keep you informed of further progress.....  

I'd love to know what it's intended to be used for! An FAI pylon engine runs on straight fuel and isn't allowed to run without the oil (even assuming that FAI pylon doesn't get banned at the CIAM meeting later this month as currently looks likely). Also the exiting engines peak at around 28-29,000 revs (yes, - they run ABOVE the power peak in the air for reasons that are too involved to explain here), yet they will only turn a 7.5-8 inch prop. A motor that develops perhaps 25-30% more power at 50% more RPM would have to be running props of under 5" diameter, and that's too small for anything other than ducted fan use. The existing engines are pushing mach number limits on the prop tips as it is, so these would be even worse.

Personally I'd say this is a myth of similar provenance to the "10-hour life" comment, but I could be wrong (it does happen occaisionally) so we'll have to wait and see!

PDR

Personally I'd say this is a myth of similar provenance to the "10-hour life" comment, but I could be wrong (it does happen occaisionally) so we'll have to wait and see!

PDR

I assumed the engines were due to be launched on the first of next month.

Dave

I assumed the engines were due to be launched on the first of next month.

Yes, that was the original plan, but as I said production difficulties with the beryllium cobalt crankshafts have delayed the launch.........

The engines have been designed for ducted fan applications to rival the currently in vogue turbines.......but will be available at approximately 50% of the cost of a turbine despite the use of exotic metals.......

I also expect some bright spark will fit one of these engines into a fun-fighter and claim some astronomical top speed...............

We will have to wait for an announcement from the company Japan Engines Research Kakemomo San

Keep watching

Andy

 Mr Andrew.... last lines a naughty one

right, more test flights and after all the engine trouble, most of it seems to be an errant long reach glow plug of unknown origin causing over compression.

so with that sorted i got a couple of un interupted flights in today. 

pretty quick, all controls feel positive tho elevator needs to be tamed just a little before i get it too low and i may see if i can jimmy the CofG a little forwards just to help that.
the other cure would be to take off the counter balances which i was told it's wrong, they come out at 45 degrees not forwards, but i just checked on the full size and it's right, pah 
the Jens still pinching over TDC but once warmed up the squeaks die back a bit, power feels good and it's got a turn of speed. once it's ran in and tuned i can see about making it cut on cue too.

Steve's got some pics, but I'll need to get them off him first.

more flights today.
first one was a bit fun, the elevator had down in, but i assumed this was correct as it had flown before.
once flying i knew it was wrong, full trim left me flying with some up stick but i can cope with that ok.
Chris snapped some shots for me.


the rest are here, http://www.hangarspace.co.uk/funfighters/thumbnails.php?album=11

adding those rads certainly makes the difference in flight, the pink stands out so well and it looks great in flight

flying along at quarter throttle the engine was burbling along nicely in it's still rich setting and it sounded almost real seeing as it's still a bit noisy as it turns over.


after that flight i redid the elevator and went up again.

again running ok, still got that noise but it's new and tight so thats ok.
it was more flat out flying this time, but theres a nice trail of smoke following me about and it sounds fine.
after i landed i noticed lots of black oil on the plane. ar damn, the mufflers loose.
only it's not.
the engine sounded horrible turning it over and the bearings feel gritty.
it's seems to bounce over with compression ok with a pinch at the top still, but theres so much slop and clacking at TCD.

I'm going to open it up later and have a look inside, but it didn't sound pretty.

Sorry about your Jen 37 Cactus. Mine is sweet as a baby's bum and smooth as a nut....

Must be a duff'n

dunno yet, been sounding great since i took out that long plug.

still not sure where that came from. i know it aint mine.

i found the problem...

first i whipped off the muffler, and i can see a little bobble of metal, looked a bit like a burnt bit of plug element.

got the head off, theres scores in it, small versions of what happened to that West of mine.




the scratches are just me seeing if the thing will move, it won't. thats the piston.
also note the colour, all brown, it must have got hot, but it continued to run fine. ( had it not been on "running in rich" i think it may have leaned enough to notice in the air )

what ever that bit was couldn't resist the edge of the piston as well.


so, i suspected the rear bearing cage before i even had it out of the plane, lets see....



can you see it?






clockwise 3rd and 4th balls from top, the cage has lifted.

so i don't hold out much hope, the engine was brought last July at Weston park. but as we all know it's hardly run at all 10 runs? anyone counted??. however the bearing warrentty will be 6 months, the bearings caused the damage.....
it was also ran on Prosynth it's first couple of runs ( rich which we were told would be ok ) and the long plug will probably make a showing in the exc reasons for failure.

right now my Magnums Magnum 36 is sitting up front and I'll have to call about the Jen before sending it back, or just replacing the bearing myself for much less.

Cactusman,

Perhaps, you should take up, something like......... bowls.................        

Dear, Oh dear..........     

Andy

i know, but bearing fails after 10 flights?!!

i used to be pretty good at bowls actually

Must of just topped that 10hr mark.

Gaspin 

this didn't even make it to 1 hour.

i'll have a look and see if JE are going to Bury.
given the fun and games going on and the history of this engine it'll be easier to have it out in person rather than back and forth over the phone or something.
it's pretty clear whats happened, it's the why that'll probably get drawn out.

 

Ha! Good luck old pal, saw Danny's new Mustang on Monday named "Bust Engines" - like it! We also maidened the Mclaren 190, see ya at Bury!

Chris

and whats in the nose?

you can go to Bury where your snow is, we're going to Bury St Edmunds :ww

maidened the 190, i wanted shots of that.
still yours of mine came out ok.

mailed JE on Monday ( yes i know Monday was a holiday ), no reply yet....

in other news. I've been reading RCMW and they have a plan feature for a Spitfire a bit bigger than a funfighter.

the news for us is that you can order a set of ABS rads that should be perfect for the ATS funfighters.

i know when I'm making low passes they just add that extra bit that gives the look as it's coming right at you and passing away.

engine update.

got the bearing out and the damage is even clearer. also bits missing from the cage


note the state of the ball, it is scratched to hell which you can't see.

lots of bits of swarf behind it after it came out.
mainly the ball, but have a look at this.



swarf all over the intake from machining


it's all been cleaned up as it should have been from the start, a new bearing has been fitted, the digs in the head and piston smoothed and with a bit of spit and polish ( cough cough  ) it's all back together.

Allo Allo's just finished and it's not raining much, so out for a quick spin up.

its a runner, very tight at the top, and the conrods now a bit more knocky
it does however run but got a bit hot.
all to be expected really.

needs more running when it's not gale force 10 and horizontal rain

i know, but bearing fails after 10 flights?!!

i used to be pretty good at bowls actually

My bearing just failed after 50 flights... 4.60 and it's repaierd ok now...