Daniel Hice

I did a search before making this post but came up short. Can anyone lend me a hand on finding info on a Byron F-16? I may own an original kit soon but there will be no docs or anything with it. I am thinking of putting a 12lb turbine in it and just want to make sure that is the correct size and that I haven't lost my mind. I have never built a turbine model before but since it's free...why not aye

I brought the wings and such home with me tonight to use as templates, I just don't trust 10+ year old foam to take the forces so I am custom making new fiberglass ones

If anyone has pics or links, that would be great. I also have no gear at all with it so any accessories that are around that may fit it would be a great help. I am not going for super scale on my first ever build...ya imagine that...just anything that may work

grbaker

My Feedback: (29)

Iron Bay models owns all the old Byron stuff. He probably has any spare parts you need.

http://www.ironbaymodelcompany.com/index.html

SpiderJets

Dear Daniel,

Several years ago, we came up with a conversion kit for the Byron F-16 to turbine power. (As there was nothing else on the market if you wanted to have an F-16 with a turbine.)
Note this was a project which took us a very long time to complete, for the simple reason that the Byron kit ABSOLUTELY was not suited for turbines and had very limited room inside to do things right. Finally, we made our own larger and well designed kit (see our website), which is by all means superior to whatever you could do with the Byron... and it simply wasn't worth it to do all the expenses to convert it once several manufacturers came up with a properly designed kit for a turbine F-16.
We do not have anything anymore of these early conversion kits... not even the plans or parts...
Good advice.... don't start with it... waste of time, energy and $$$... for a few bucks more you get nowadays a far better F-16.

Best Regards,
Nicolas Goddeeris.

K Jorgensen

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Daniel

I say go for it. I had a Byron 16 that I flew with KJ66 for power. I think the trust was 15lbs. A the plane was around 19 lbs with fuel. It had a home made scale landing gear. It was a little on the heavy side. But it flew nice and you can slow it down to walking speed. And if you think that the take of run is a little to long. Well then just put a little flaps in. There is only one thing, when you are flying it. Keep the power up in turns.

I still have the F16. I can take some pictures if you will like. And I may have some drawings for the formers.

Best of luck

K Jorgensen

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Nicolas

Is SpiderJets still up and running. Dont see ore hear anything about SpiderJets Anymore.

SpiderJets

Dear Kim,

Yes we are, although it is no longer my main occupation.

Best regards,
Nicolas.

SpiderJets

This was mine... (Byron F16 w/ AMT Mercury ... also flown with a JPX T-260)

Duayne P

My Feedback: (15)

I have a byron F-16 that I am still working on. I had called Iron Bay to ask if anyone had a convertion for ther jet. They had told me that they are almost done with one and it should released in Aug sometime. Give them a call and find out your self. I have had 1 F-16 from them and that is why I got another one. The only thing wrong with byron kits is the elevator mecanisam. Dont use it. That is how I lost my first one. Use independent servos on the stabs. I am just waiting for hte convertion. Hope this helps.
Duayne

jetflyer

My Feedback: (5)

I've been hanging on to my Byron F-16 for that reason - Conversion Kit. Glad to see that my wait might be only 1 or 2 months away.

JR

SJN

Simjet 1200 powered

SJN

.

Daniel Hice

Awesome guys, thanks for all the feedback and I look forward to seeing more

I will contact Iron Bay. I am assusming that there are no issues with using the foam wings than? Do you coat them in Balsa or lay a thin layer of glass up on them for stiffness?

JET FX

Hi Daniel, My first jet was a Byron F16 back in the early eighties, mine was first flown on D/F O.S. 61 power. I think the stock foam wings with some minor modifications should be just fine if you stay with a 12-15 lb thrust turbine max. I also now have a new unstarted Byron F16 kit that I will be converting at some stage for 15 lb thrust turbine. The foam that Byron used is injection molded and very strong as is....to strengthen I will be adding large triangular carbon fiber cloth sections over spar area top and bottom over 2/3 of total wingspan, (same on vertical fin) and then cover entire wing/fin, stabs with 3/4 oz. glass cloth with epoxy resin to cover foam parts. The stock wing spar set up on the Byron F16 should be just fine once the CF and glass cloth are added. I will also be using just a taileron set up for directional control (similar to Aviation Design) using one high torque digital servo per side/stab. To increase wing strength/rigidity I will do away with the ailerons altogether as they are not necessary. I will use a modified Yellow F16 inlet duct, no bypass and a tailpipe custom made by Tamjets. Fuel cells for the Yellow F16 are available from Jettech so they should do the job as well....
There is indeed a fair bit of work to turbinize the Byron F16 for sure but that said it is primarily reinforcing and stiffening up the fuz glass work in selected areas eg. around tail fin, fuz mid section and wing roots....stab pivot supports and spar will need beefing up as well, maybe carbon fiber rods inserted into original aluminum tubes will do? also the vertical fin will need beefed up support spar. Yellow undercarriage should be adaptable also I hope.....
With that all said I am wondering what Iron Bay will be offering in their turbine conversion kit?[8D]

Shok

My Feedback: (28)

There was a guy at the DFW Jet Rodeo with a really nice Byron F-16 converted with a RAM 1000 for power. It looked great and he had scale landing gear and doors.
I think someone said he goes by Jeteffx or something like that here on RCU. He might could give you some good pointers.

Duayne P

My Feedback: (15)

Forgot to mention that the convertion kit will not have a top hatch. It uses the botom hatch and Iron bay is makeing the cheater hole the acc point. On the up side, they are making a cover for the hatch. It will consist og a center piece and both door. To sevice the engine just remove the doors as one piece. Also they are making all the ducting, intake, bypass and exaust pipe. Atleast thats what they told me.
Duayne

JAY-BEE

my modifications for 135N Turbine power Behotec 135

JAY-BEE

Just finished with all systems 9.5 kg

tank capacity is 2.5 Liter

Javier-RCU

My Feedback: (6)

Hello Byroguys,

A friend is offer me a NIB Byron F-16 fuse only. Fuse have formers already installed. How much should i pay for it?

Thanks in advance.

Javier

FalconWings

My Feedback: (57)

Hola Javier,

Probably not a lot. I fyou could get it for free even better. You will need a lot of effort to finish it. Just the wings will be a pain.
I would't pay more than $75, really.

David

jettset99

My Feedback: (7)

Hi I converted many Byrons, My F-20 I only put 2 servos in the Tail this is a must and a servo on each aileron and one on rudder Fly it with a Sim Jet 1700 Gaspar Fadec ECU just plain foam wings with light glass and paint! I have also converted a Byron T-33, and Have a Byron BD5J all Turbine. The Kit that Spiderjets made was awesome.... you do need to upgrade to the new elevator system that was in the Last Kits when Byron was still in Business. I have a Top secret one in the works will post here soon Thanks Paul

turn and burn

working on one at the moment what is the c-g

Javier-RCU

My Feedback: (6)

The CG is located in line with the glow plug position.

turn and burn

mine is in abit of a mess so can some one measure the c-g from the noise as i dont no where the glow plug position should have been.and what are you guys using to beef up where you have cut out the hatch any more pictures please thanks all