Jetex Free Flight Beginners Project
July 1961 American Modeler

July 1961 American Modeler Table of Contents These pages from vintage modeling magazines like Flying Aces, Air Trails, American Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, Young Men, Flying Models, Model Airplane News, R/C Modeler, captured the era. All copyrights acknowledged.

Jetex engines enjoyed wide popularity in the 1950s and 60s, even into the 1970s. Unlike using a model rocket engine for propulsion which produces a short duration of high thrust, Jetex engines were a relatively long burning, low thrust propulsion source. Rather than launching a model vertically at great initial velocity, the Jetex engine allowed a mode to be launched my hand in a slightly nose high attitude and the model would gradually build speed for climbing - like a jet-powered aircraft. Various size Jetex engines were made over the three or so decades they were manufactured, ranging from the diminutive Jetex Atom 35 to the powerful Jetex Scorpion 600. All I ever flew was a Jetex 50B. I always had trouble getting the wick to ignite the fuel pellets - probably something I was doing wrong. It was always cool to hear the hiss from the engine once the fuel finally lit. This particular model uses the Jetex 150 PAA-Loader.

Jetex Free Flight Beginners Project

By Brent Hawkins

Looking for a simple-to-build Jetex powered F/F? Try this contest proved design (took a Nats' 3rd, with a time of 6:18.4). Making working plans of this model is a cinch - all curved part patterns are provided full size. Begin by drawing fuselage side-view "base-line" and trace or pin-prick the nose pattern on left end of this line. Measure distance (as noted) between rear of former 2 and 1/16" x 1/2" x 11/16" ends-joiner, add the end pattern (at right). Cut two 5/8" wide strips of 1/16" sheet for top and bottom - tapering towards tail as indicated. Draw up wings and stab rectangular outlines, add ribs at regular intervals, followed by spar locations. Best flight pattern is to the left on both power and glide. Remember to light that D/T fuse ... this ship is a real floater!

Jetex Free Flight Beginner Plans (sheet 1)

Jetex Free Flight Beginner Plans (sheet 2)

Posted July 23, 2016