Topic: My Boomerang is being built! At last. The story so far

A webby update
 
Some of you will remember I purchased a Jet off Ali last year – I was very excited at the time and then, I took ill again and ‘things’ were delayed. The Jet didn’t get built.

I’m still not great health wise and thought I might struggle with the Jets size and the build currently….so it was shelved for now…

Until…..

Step in  mate – last week – he offered to put the Baby Boomer and P80 together and get me flying so earlier this week I purchased 6 x 645 MG’s and  1 x 5645 or 5455 or something…with a 12Kg torque for the elevator from a well known servo shop ( lol) all Hitecs and I called Pete Tyndal Planes today to order a ‘Blue’ control linkage set. Hopefully that will arrive tomorrow. I also had to order a larger tank from RS components (2ltr).

I also called Als hobbies and purchased an Airtrap and FOD Screen as the engine didn’t come with a screen. My mates been in the SWM shop today getting extension leads, so it’s all go. The model is taking shape.

My mate hit a small problem and I tried emailing Alan Cardash direct, I also sent a copy to Ali as we have a broken ‘Wheel Well’ in the kit.

No big problem and the kits been here for over a year, but it would be a shame to fit a broken part before I fly it*, so I offered to buy one. I suspect it’s been packed with a slight crack in it, but it could have been damaged in transit. The e mail bounced back from Alans site, so I’ll probably give Ali a call tomorrow. I just wasn’t sure who handled the spares or if Alan did them direct. I have FW’d the email to the USA email address in the hope they can FW to Alan.

I’m like any other modeler, now my kit is being made – I can’t wait. My patience is none existant and yet I had the kit for ages! Seems silly really!

I have been rushing around as my dad Fred Ribstock Webb has been rather poorly and it’s been an ‘odd’ day, but I’m pleased to report the start of the Boomerang and post some pics of the first part of the build yesterday. I hope that I get to fly it and my dads better and he gets to see it fly. I’m sure he’d love to think we did eventually get a jet going. It was the early 90’s when I first spoke to Ali (senior) about one and I said ‘one day I’m going to have one of them off you’. It’s took nearly 20 years! I think he was with HobbyStores at the time.

I’ll keep you posted on the progress of my Intro.

I also own a Wren 54 and a 44 I got second hand and Mk2 Wren Manual Start – that I hope to do ‘things’ with eventually. Went with the P 80 for this one as it’s what my mate likes and knows and he’s doing the build.







The story so far!

Steve
 

That's what mates are for..

Power to your elbow Steve, good luck with the Intro, be watching your thread with interest as I have just finished refurbishing an Intro that I got secondhand, completely gutted it, put a new floor in it, recovered it, reinstalled the turbine etc. with new plumbing, rewired it, and put it on 2.4, my mate Hangarman test flew it on Spring Bank Sunday and it flew well, so now I am looking forward to leaning to get to grips with it.

Well done Steve, 

That's what mates are for..

Yes indeed!

Post script to the broken wheel well, the email landed with Alan Cardash of Boomerang Jets and by return I got a  reply and he's sending a wheel well over - thats super service! You can't beat that. I logged on at home this morning and he'd replied imeadiatley despite my email problems contacting him!

I think it must have been a problem at my end as his email address is correct.

I'm the first one to say emails are never 100% reliable.

Steve

Power to your elbow Steve, good luck with the Intro, be watching your thread with interest as I have just finished refurbishing an Intro that I got secondhand, completely gutted it, put a new floor in it, recovered it, reinstalled the turbine etc. with new plumbing, rewired it, and put it on 2.4, my mate Hangarman test flew it on Spring Bank Sunday and it flew well, so now I am looking forward to leaning to get to grips with it.

Well done Steve, 

I read somewhere about your Boomer ( on here I think). Great that you have it flying. I also have a 25nd hand one here that needs attacking with an Iron, checking over and the nose leg fixing. I purchased it via this site or the BMFA site, I cant remember, it was a young chap who flew for Wren/ Bommerang - it has a 44 ( an early manual start one) and its a lightweight model.

I hope to get it flying one day. My health has caused many hold ups!

Hopefully parts with arrive in the post today and Pete will continue with my Intro Build.

Cheers

Steve

Yup, see you there Dunc, 

Don't know about wringing the boomer out, what with the weather, I haven't had a chance to have a go yet, 

No more excuses Vince, just enjoy, weather will be fine trust me.

Sunday night my mate contacted me regard the extra parts I would need. I needed a FOD guard and a Air Trap. I phoned Als Jet Centre 1st thing in the morning and spoke to Ali regard the parts and gave my credit card and whoosh - Tuesday the parts arrived. Excellent speed of service. I got a bit of a shock at the price of the air trap - £44.99 full SRP, the Guard seemed good value at £14.99.

Pete Tyndal Aeroplanes was my second phone call ( on Monday) for 'Blue'linkage set! £26.00 Plus Post looked very good value to me.

Welcome to Pete Tindal Airplanes

I spoke to Tom ( I think). Very good, super service, credit card given and the parts arrived Tuesday.

The Tank showed up from RS Components - with the larger P80 in the Boomer, I wanted a 2 ltr tank.

I now have a few spares as they are purchased in fives!

The Wheel Well hasnt arrived from Alan yet, but there's chance it could come tommorow? Fingers crossed as my mate emailed tonight and the Boomer is almost ready. The engine is almost fully installed. The Turbine with pump/ecu/valves/UAT - is 95% finished and installed.

I'm not going with retracts to start with, I did enquire with Ali regard the retracts, but at £450 plus, I thought I'd give that a miss for now, until I'm proven the airframe and flown the model a few times. I'm not sure what retract alternatives there are, does anyone know if any Spring Air or Robarts fit?

My builder mate has promised more photos soon, so when he does, I'll pop them up in the thread.

The first flight is getting nearer - after over a year of the model box sitting in the spare room as yet another cat scratch pole, it seems like a dream its finally getting put together.

Steve

Ouch, regards the tank Steve, I fitted a 2ltr white spirit bottle, which my mate recommended, and I must say it fits nice and snugly into the compartment, couple of big zippos and Bob's .......

Yes I must agree that the UAT's are quite expensive for a small plastic bottle but having a name like BVM and coming from USA,  :(  could be a nice little cottage job for someone in this country to produce, but is there enough call for them?

My Intro came with the fixed undercart, but I thought it just as well, one less thing to think about when you are learning to fly this new black art, can always move onto retracts later. 

Anyway, glad to hear it's all coming together Steve, and here's hoping you have a good day to get flying with it. 

Vince.

I fitted spring air retracts to my intro which use a wire undercarriage rather than the oleos and X flights later off grass/tarmac they are still fine - best bit is that they are only ~£140 iirc.

I second that the UATs are expensive but not had a flameout yet d/t air bubbles so it must be doing something good.

Hi Steve

Have you had a look at Als Own Retracts?  Not sure if they'll fit, but they work well on my Hawk, which weighs 30lbs fully fuelled.  Only £140, and you may be able to get some trade discount  .  I see he has some oleos too - no pic, but might work?  And no, I am not paid by Ali for advertising, just a happy customer!  Enjoy the jet - but please fit the retracts soon!  Jets with wheels dangling look wrong to me!   

Cheers - Pat

good luck with the build steve 

Vince i hope you'll be wringing your boomer out this weekend at Bickley. I have Henry's and your shirts here about to be printed 

Thanks Slam, sorry I havent been back, it's been a family weekend with Grandson over etc.

I met up with my mate on Friday night to watch him fly his Elan, what an excellent machine. He has a Jet Cat 120 in it and it went very well. He said it was a bit slower than usual, with the wheels stuck down, but too me it looked amazing!

Steve

Yup, see you there Dunc, 

Don't know about wringing the boomer out, what with the weather, I haven't had a chance to have a go yet, 

Buckerboy, I expect I am feeling similar to how you are/did. I met my mate today, handed over my Spektrum Tranny - he already has my RX and he's setting up my Jet tonight. he says he's amking sure I fly it by leaving NOTHING for me to get ready, and he's bringing it to me - sometimes this week at the field, that way it never see's the shelves in the house, a bit like several other models are doing right at this moment in time! Including my finsihed Long EZ with
new OS 81 in the back!

Good luck with the Jets

Steve

I have spring air products retracts in my intro, there are a bit basic, but do the job. Cheap and cheerful, but yea no where new as nice as the pro lynx

Dunc

Spring Airs sound a good idea as SWM stocks them or can get them! I can get some discount on a set. Buying from another shop with no discount can hurt when I'm in the trade so to speak! I guess I've always been known for being a bit tight. Its took me 15 years to get a Jet! 

Do you know which set of Spring Airs you used?

Cheers

Steve

No more excuses Vince, just enjoy, weather will be fine trust me.

You could be talking to me there...LOL   

I've been full of excuses!

Steve

Ouch, regards the tank Steve, I fitted a 2ltr white spirit bottle, which my mate recommended, and I must say it fits nice and snugly into the compartment, couple of big zippos and Bob's .......

Sounds good

Yes I must agree that the UAT's are quite expensive for a small plastic bottle but having a name like BVM and coming from USA,  :(  could be a nice little cottage job for someone in this country to produce, but is there enough call for them?

I expect your right there, a small market I guess. I suppose a cottage industry would need at least a few hundred per year, then again maybe world wide....there might be demand...made in China and sold worldwide might make them economic, but I do doubt there would be demand for such a move! I've been in the trade years and its the first one I ever purchased. 

My Intro came with the fixed undercart, but I thought it just as well, one less thing to think about when you are learning to fly this new black art, can always move onto retracts later. 

Anyway, glad to hear it's all coming together Steve, and here's hoping you have a good day to get flying with it. 

Vince.

This has been my own theory. A grass strip, a Jet ( never flown jets before) and landings mostly from the right - as too the left there is a field no fly Zone and the clear path for landing is usually striaght down the strip with a back on one side ( with Lagoon over the other side) and no fly Zone on the other - landings are mostly cross wind. The Lagoon already claimed a Jet a few weeks ago complete with Wren. Very little wreckage was left on the surface of the Lagoon!

I must admit...I have first flight nerves for the first time since I flew my Practical Scale Tiger moth the 1st time - back in the 80's!

Steve

I fitted spring air retracts to my intro which use a wire undercarriage rather than the oleos and X flights later off grass/tarmac they are still fine - best bit is that they are only ~£140 iirc.

I second that the UATs are expensive but not had a flameout yet d/t air bubbles so it must be doing something good.

Do you know which Spring Airs you fitted? That sounds a plan to me!

UATS, yes essential I realise that. I didnt ask the price when I ordered it with Als, probably for the best really...LOL... BUT like you say no flameouts and thats going to pay dividends in the long run

Steve

Do you know which set of Spring Airs you used?

Cheers

Steve

Springair 101 HDF Steve. 

Hi Steve

Have you had a look at Als Own Retracts?  Not sure if they'll fit, but they work well on my Hawk, which weighs 30lbs fully fuelled.  Only £140, and you may be able to get some trade discount  . 

Hi Pat, when I called Als to order the FOD guard and the UAT, I asked about the retracts he had available, he said the only ones he had were the trailing arm types - I think he said £459? maybe £429? I know it was over £400. he didnt offer trade terms on them or the bits I purchased. I think he just retails them. The UAT was expensive retail, but I expect Als has little margin in them for discount. The model trade is like that.

I see he has some oleos too - no pic, but might work?  And no, I am not paid by Ali for advertising, just a happy customer!  Enjoy the jet - but please fit the retracts soon!  Jets with wheels dangling look wrong to me!   

Cheers - Pat

I think he'd have mentioned if his 'own' retracts fit the Baby Boomerang , but he did say Als only stocked the trailing arm type.

Ali is the guy regard Jets, it goes without saying. Its an area we hadnt strayed into until recently. You probably have read on here or our web site, we started stocking Wren. This was after I'd already purchased a Jet Cat P80 from Als. I also own a couple of 2nd hand Wrens now and a new one we built on a Wren open day. I recommend that to anyone into model Jets. Its a worthwhile 'do' - the Wren open day.

I'm going with the fixed UC for reasons explained, but once I have a few flights in, I plan to get retracts. Who knows I might get the expensive trailing arm types yet off Ali. I suppose at the end of the day - they would be the best available. I kind of like that!

I'm a fairly happy Als customer myself.   The UAT and FOD guard were ordered one day and delivered the next, thats very much like our own mail order!

The kit has been excellent and on starting the build, my mate found a wheel well to be cracked. An email to Als to keep him in the loop and also to Alan Cardash saw two Wheel Wells arrive within the week FOC. I did offer to pay as I'd had the kit a while, but Alan sent FOC, thats terrific service.

Alan was very helpful.

Earlier this week my mate sent me this...




Its getting very near! He has my TX tonight for setting up. Flight soon, hopefully later this week!

Phew....


Thanks for the post
Steve

Springair 101 HDF Steve. 

Many thanks, thats very helpful.

Saved me some research. Thanks



Cheers

Steve

Get the trailing arm type if you can Steve, you won't regret it 

Get the trailing arm type if you can Steve, you won't regret it 

I might do yet, going fixed at first and then retracts ( if it survives)..

Steve

Steve

just noticed you tank vent. If your canopy is the same as mine then the vertical tank vent fitting will foul on it. You need to either use a 90deg fitting or to vent the tank will ali tube coming out next to the fuel line like a normal sullivan tank 

Any kink in the vent line with the canopy could cause a flameout, not something you want on your first flights.

good luck for the maiden

Duncan

Cheers for that, I'll let my mate know. I havent heard from him today, so I guess its probably on for tommorow!

Oh heck.

My mate Lindsay wanted to get me in the mood, send me this video of an Elan flown by Andy Ellison.

YouTube - Andy Ellison Elan Jet

Very impressive.

Cheers

Steve

My mate Lindsay wanted to get me in the mood, send me this video of an Elan flown by Andy Ellison.

YouTube - Andy Ellison Elan Jet

I also got a video of my mates Elan maiden flight.      

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsGO_BUyLgI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsGO_BUyLgI</a>

I think Andy wins though. 

I also got a video of my mates Elan maiden flight.      

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsGO_BUyLgI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsGO_BUyLgI</a>

I think Andy wins though. 

Nice Slide show, look how similar the landings are. It's not the pilots at all - its the aeroplane, it knows how to fly...LOL...

Joking apart Andy's is a very good flight isnt it?

I think its a cracking aeroplane that!

Steve

Nice Slide show, look how similar the landings are. It's not the pilots at all - its the aeroplane, it knows how to fly...LOL...

Joking apart Andy's is a very good flight isnt it?

I think its a cracking aeroplane that!

Steve

It is

I haven't had the pleasure of flying the Elan yet but I know how my Intro handles(handled...) and I also have a few landings on the XL and you just might be on to something!  lol  

Hi Steve,

coming on great mate, I was at Bickley jets at the weekend, (my local club) and there were quite a few Intro's there, including my own.

I had a couple of flights on Saturday on an Elan, on buddy lead with John Mason from TJD's, then I had my first three flight on Sunday on my own Intro, also on a buddy lead, (I like to play it safe, they cost too much money to be cavalier with  )

I must say that I much prefered the flights on the Intro, seemed much smoother and relaxing to fly, bit like my old Wot4 on Viagra,  I suppose the Elan is more of a sports jet than a trainer type. I originally had my first jet experience last year when i had a go on Ali's XL on buddy, and that was gorgeous to fly, very smooth like the Intro's.

I always though my next move up would be to an Elan, now I have flown one, I think I'd prefer an XL.

On the UAT bit, I bought a UAT off Sandor Kruise at Bickley for £20! bought it as a spare really, couldn't go wrong at that price, and they weren't BVM's, so there is someone else making them somewhere.

Regards,

Vince.

Steve

just noticed you tank vent. If your canopy is the same as mine then the vertical tank vent fitting will foul on it. You need to either use a 90deg fitting or to vent the tank will ali tube coming out next to the fuel line like a normal sullivan tank 

Any kink in the vent line with the canopy could cause a flameout, not something you want on your first flights.

good luck for the maiden

Duncan

My mate had it figured, he blocked up the original vent, he hadnt fitted the canopy, but when he did he saw it was going to be a problem. Well spotted, its probably something that most people do when fitting a bigger tank. My mate said tonight, it wasnt the final installation, but tonight her turned up at the house  with the finaly installation. Yep my Boomer has run up for the first time and NOT FLOWN as it was windy, rainy and we werre grounded for a test flight. It went first go, out of the box and in the model! Amazing.

As I type its in the family room on an old rug and its been sitting there all evening. For a good part of the evening I've been sitting there 'smiling and giggling to myself in a mad way' Thats a quote from the wife...

I have made the occasional jet noise too 

Steve

It is

I haven't had the pleasure of flying the Elan yet but I know how my Intro handles(handled...) and I also have a few landings on the XL and you just might be on to something!  lol  

oh dear, I bit of a soaking there!

There's an XL in the Club. I think that might suit my older vision and slower reations now a days than a Elan. The XL in the club looks a doddle to fly and lands so gracefully.

Steve

Hi Steve,

coming on great mate, I was at Bickley jets at the weekend, (my local club) and there were quite a few Intro's there, including my own.

I had a couple of flights on Saturday on an Elan, on buddy lead with John Mason from TJD's, then I had my first three flight on Sunday on my own Intro, also on a buddy lead, (I like to play it safe, they cost too much money to be cavalier with  )

I must say that I much prefered the flights on the Intro, seemed much smoother and relaxing to fly, bit like my old Wot4 on Viagra,  I suppose the Elan is more of a sports jet than a trainer type. I originally had my first jet experience last year when i had a go on Ali's XL on buddy, and that was gorgeous to fly, very smooth like the Intro's.

I think I'd be the same, I wont say for sure yet as I havent flown one at this stage, But I expect I'd prefer and Intro or an XL, the Elan looks too hot a ship for the 'older' me. LOL..

I always though my next move up would be to an Elan, now I have flown one, I think I'd prefer an XL. I have limited energy with my Adersons disease, so flights have to be calming and cool - no stress and I don't have adrenalin. LOL...I know Jets with no adrenalin. People think I'm just being super laid back now a days, but the truth is a dare not get stressed! so the easier to fly models are for me!

On the UAT bit, I bought a UAT off Sandor Kruise at Bickley for £20! bought it as a spare really, couldn't go wrong at that price, and they weren't BVM's, so there is someone else making them somewhere.

Regards,

Vince.

That sounds interesting and nearer the price  that I would have expected for a plastic tank. Still the one I have is a proven design and I'm sure will be worth it weight in gold if I dont get flame outs.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Looked on Sandor's web site, (Digitech Turbines) and he sells the one I bought over in Holland for just under £35, it looks similar to the BVM version, your just not paying for the name.

Cheers,

Vince.

Hi Steve,

Looked on Sandor's web site, (Digitech Turbines) and he sells the one I bought over in Holland for just under £35, it looks similar to the BVM version, your just not paying for the name.

Cheers,

Vince.

Thanks vince, thats interesting.



Nothing new in these pics for you guys, but I thought I’d share what I was looking at last night, laughing and smiling to myself in an insane kind of way….

Thanks to my mate – I have a Baby Boomer RTF.

It was to be last night, but weather prevented play. I think weather might prevent play tonight – not sure yet.







The original top vet was blocked up as it would fowl the canopy. My mate had figured this already when I contacted him regard that possibility.

Its all A O.K and RTF !

Excited – you bet I am!

Cheers


Steve

P.s Next on the agenda is to get the Lightweight Baby Boomer (I purchased 2nd hand last year about the time of the Nats) fettled – and flying! That one has a Wren 44 in it!

I also have a Wren 54 we built at Wrens Open day waiting for an airframe, maybe one of the YT Jets when they become available. SWM hopes to stock them.

Steve

Looks like your new Jet is not going to have its maiden tonight!! Too windy again, tomorow looks just as bad!

Isn,t it always the case when you have a new toy to play with. The weather turns bad!!

Regards

Peter

Always the way Pete, The weather has not been right since I purchased a Christian Eagle Minium to fly on calm evenings, we havent had a calm evening since!

Maybe next week. Fingers crossed

Cheers

Steve

Last year I purchased a 2nd hand Boomerang with a Wren 44 manual start in it. Tonight my mate ran up the Wren 44, he reports it was tricky to get the gas to the right constant and too much gas meant it would work well on 'ants nests' and similar, but once the engine was running, it ran well. Thats the report. Good throttle and smooth. Its a very early Prototype of the Wren 44, demo model.

The Baby Boomer ( Yellow One) was ex an Als Hobbies flyer the engine appears to have about 5 hours on it. During the past 10 months ( it was collected at the Nationals last year) it has suffered hangar rash - the canopy is bust and for the moment is getting repaired, the nose leg needed attention, now done and fixed! and the tail plane needed some covering due to the last owner burning some 'ants nests' or 'wasps nests'...if you know what I mean? 


While it's been hanger'd in the spare bedroom and various other places around the house, the carbon wing joiner seems to have vanished. I thought maybe it didnt have one, but my other mate that collected it said it did ( a better memory than me). :(

Anyone got a spare joiner from a defunct airframe?

I expect its a standard size carbon, I'll check if my own shop can get it or has got it tommorow. They are shut now 21.42 pm, how dare they!  It looks like I'll have two Boomers going soon.

One slightly over powered with a P80 and one slightly under powered with a Wren 44 ...LOL...

They should both be interesting.

The story so far update...

Weston Weekend, anyone going have a nice day tommorow, the weather doesnt look brilliant, hope its better than they predict.

Cheers

Steve

Always the way Pete, The weather has not been right since I purchased a Christian Eagle Minium to fly on calm evenings, we havent had a calm evening since!

Get something to fly on stormy evenings... that should solve that problem.   

I expect its a standard size carbon, I'll check if my own shop can get it or has got it tommorow. They are shut now 21.42 pm, how dare they!  It looks like I'll have two Boomers going soon.

Mine is 26.3 mm, I got a new one from Al's when mine broke back in April.

Hi Steve, your missus probably thought it was one of her vacuum tubes, 

Get something to fly on stormy evenings... that should solve that problem.   

Mine is 26.3 mm, I got a new one from Al's when mine broke back in April.

I manged to get some thicker carbon at Weston park at the weekend.

It worked...see next posts..

Yes...get something for windy days. Thats a good idea!

Steve

Hi Steve, your missus probably thought it was one of her vacuum tubes, 

Thats possible or the builders threw it away! LOL

I had my tube from my new Boomerang - now RTF - with the P80, but wanted one for each, so they can both be rigged up if needs be.

Steve

Steve, for the boomer with the P80, have you extended the flap by an inch?

Volkan found that with the idle on the P80 it was coming in too fast as standard unless there was a decent headwind  I've done it to mine, but waiting to get the jetcat sorted to try it again

Dunc

I havent, its a good idea. I guess for the first tries - no crosswinds and a nice headwind is going to be the 'key'

I also had a 2nd hand Boomer that needed TLC...

I have not flown my Red P80 Boomerang, but tonight I did fly my first Jet ever, my Yellow Wren 44 powered Boomerang. My mate took this airframe last week and gave it a little TLC. Nose leg repair, heat shrink re shrunk, the tail recovered etc. I lost the wing joiner and picked up some carbon Tube at Weston at the weekend. My mate collected this today. It was slightly short, but not enough to worry about.

I had expected this week not to be a Jet flying week as I’m having some treatments from tomorrow and tonight 5.45pm – my mate calls –‘the yellow Boomer is going down the strip for 6.30pm’. Did I want a go! It would be rude not too. I was tired from Weston, the wind was cross wind, the no fly zone, meant flying in the Sun. my mate test flew the plane, it has flown as it was an ex Ali Sponsored Flyer airframe, but we’d not flown it.

The engine started for the first time in a while, it was throttled up and it cut. We got it going again and it never missed a note after that. No harm done, the test flight went very well and then it was my turn.

I’ll let the pics the wife took on my compact camera! Tell the story. Let’s just say it took off and landed back on the same strip with a nice flight in between. A historic occasion, my first ever Jet flight!

Now for more flying of this airframe, I want some new Graphics for it and then I have my P80 Red Boomer to have a go with – that’s a complete new build. Sorry my Yellow Boomer hijacked the thread!







Cross wind with a Wren 44 – what a cracking little engine! It flew the Baby Boomer very well.





There’s more RMA pics in this album

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

I am having treatments this week from tomorrow, so I didn’t expect to fly my jet or a jet this week. This is wonderful…It’s a cracking flyer. Every modeler should have one!


Its a very nice feelings.

As Marc Bolan used to say

Thanks to the 'cats' they know who they are!

Thanks Folks

Steve