TOPIC: Profile Kits from TSP

Moving next to the MiG19 which is sized for the L2 motor.
Coming similarly equipped with paint, glue etc this is also pre-printed in red, black and blue/grey.

Again for the steeply swept wings the tips are shown in the instructions and the plan as being 6-8mm higher than the roots. In this case, as the wings are very highly swept, I've taken an executive decision and assembled them without any diehdral. We shall see, on the flying field, if I made the right choice.

Although this is a simple model some care must be taken. It's neccessary to push each wing through half the thickness of the fuselage. It would be nice to see a short 'tongue' on each wing root to ensure that one cannot push the wing too far into the fuselage. The same technique could be applled to the horizontal tailplanes. The vertical tail doesn't quite conform to the line of the fuselage and needs a little careful trimming. One should also first mark the fuselage where the rear of the vertical fin is to be glued then do some trimming and dry fitting until it conforms nicely and fits without any gaps.

The motor mount is again, a nice little pre-made pod which glues in place.

The Vintage Model Company are now advertising Piotr's Alpha Jet and Skyray:





I can attest to the splendid flying characteristics of both these models: Modesty prvents me from saying who designed the Alpha Jet. Piotr said my original livery was too complex to reproduce in a kit, but the actual decoration he has given it is I think, excellent.

The Skyray is of course Howard Metcalfe's clever 'flatray' adaptation of Bill Dean's original design. Howard is also responsible for the livery which I modified for the Jetex.org kit. Piotr's version really looks the part and desrves to sell well.

Well, you might all be excused for imagining I'd given up rocket modelling but I have finally been able to put together the third of the six profile kits that Piotr very kindly sent me. This is the ISKRA.

Once again I'm dumbfounded by the completness of these kits and the quality. Ready coloured parts, great decals and pots of paint with matching colors for touch up and repairs. Amazing.

This ISKRA is, of course a straight winged aircraft so here I followed the suggested diahdreal, 10mm per side. The kit went together smoothly with just a little work with (the supplied!) glasspaper to ease the slot for the flat section main wing.

The horizontal tail and it's corresponding slot is not quite a perfect match, the slot is a little long but just follow the plan and set the horizontal tail at the front of the slot.

The plan gives a suggested CG and a mounting point for the supplied motor mount. I think I'll try a few test glides first before sticking the motor in place. One could also try a Bill Dean, Vulture style, side motor mount as the wing is set high enough. When I've had time to do some test glides I'll decide about that.

Hi Terry, good to have you back!

My prototype MiG 19 had no dihedral at all and was (it still is!) very stable in flight.

As to where to put the motor, the 'conventional wisdom' is that side mounted 'one shot' motors are not advisable. Balsa fuselages were easily protected from the comparatively cool exhaust from a side mounted Jetex motor. But Rapier and TSP motor exhausts are a lot hotter and dirtier; at best, the fuselage will only be scorched and warped, at worst the model will be set on fire.

Good morning,
my first post Thank you for having me here. My names Chris and I am mostly into RC modeling building some micro models in the past. I stumbled over the new TSP motors as they are available in germany too now. I just found out about the TSP profile planes and ordered myself a Skyray with some motors.

Long term goal is to fly radiocontrolled microjets with rocket motors. Ill just start to get used to that with the free flight planes.
I just wonder whether there are some flying videos showing the TSP models?

Hi Chris,

welcome and it's good to have you on board. It is perfectly possible to fly our rocket-propelled models with R/C and there are videos out there of guys doing just that. Most videos (have a look on the 'Flying' thread' are of free flight models). Do have a look at them!
TSP motors are available in larger sizes than the popular L-1 and L-2 varieties. The L-3 and L-4 types are more powerful (and can be put in larger models where R/C equipment will be less of a burden) and have longer burn times. So these may be more suitable for your purpose.

I note you live in Germany, as does Terry Kidd. Terry may well have motors for you to try out and, being something of an electronics guru, can advise you much better than I can on guided rocketry. You could email him directly, or perhaps we need a new discussion thread on the topic of radio control and rocket planes (I will allow it, heretical as it is!).

Meanwhile, have a look at:

TSP L-2 powered Skyray

and:

R/C TSP Delta

Roger