Hall OF Fame Customer Letters
Hall OF Fame Customer Letters
JETT-FIRE .50 Powered
Diamond Dust
Gene Greatti writes...
Dub and Dennis,
Here's some photos of my Jett FIRE 50 powered Diamond Dust. I am using the high torque tuned version with MACS Quiet pipe that Dennis set up for me.
I did a mod when building it where I filled in the aft bay between the fins with balsa and widened the gap between the elevons so I can grip it with my left hand and launch it myself.
The engine turns an APC 9X10 at 16,300 on the ground, I richen it to about 15,500 for flight. According to Andy Lennon's
pitch/rpm/speed nomograph, if it unloads to 17,000 in the air it is going 200 mph in level flight! It looks like it is going at least that fast to me or anyone who has seen it, and everyone sees it because no one else flies when it's in the air! It's fun to see all the shaking heads and hear all the hootin' and hollerin' after I land, especially after asking who wants to fly it next. Guys always volunteer their buddies who promptly throw up their hands and answer something like "fly it, hell I'm still lookin' for it!"
The sound of the prop and pipe combo is incredibly cool, more of a howl than a high pitched scream.
The airframe also makes an awesome roar as it cuts through the air. I usually do a four-point roll on my passes and the there is a certain cool sounding whine that comes from the engine/pipe as well. It only seems to occur with the 9X10. The sound of the airplane is half the fun of flying it. I love this airplane and engine!
The engine has been tremendous. Throttle response is instantaneous and I never had to touch the low speed needle. For break-in I did a half-dozen five minute runs where I alternated about 10 seconds lean and a minute rich two-stroking, never allowing the engine to four-stroke which seemed to work out well. I use 20% synthetic/castor mix and 15% nitro with excellent results. I haven't kept a log but the KB1L seems to be lasting at least 20 flights, so I must be running nice and rich.
Yes, you could say I am more than satisfied. Actually I am thrilled with the engine. In combination with the Diamond Dust it is sensational!
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Sincerely,
Gene Greatti