Maverick, Aggressor III / Turbine Conversion
 
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The BVM Aggressor III / Maverick turbine conversion was designed largely by Steve Jaworski with help from John Banner.  Initially developed for the RAM 500, several of the currently produced line of smaller turbines will work well.  This is a fairly simple and straight forward process, which converts a standard ducted fan model to a fully capable turbine powered model.  New inlets to facilitate the BVM style bypass and tailpipe, along with custom fuel tanks make this a very clean conversion.  Many examples of this process are flying today, giving new life to many of those older DF models.
 

Shown here are a few of steps for the turbine conversion. Please do not try to convert your plane without a complete set of instructions.  If interested in a complete set of parts, and instructions please contact:
Gary Mueller.
http://www.angelfire.com/wi/jettech/

715.536.3227

Thanks to John Banner for putting together most of this page.

Click on a selected picture to see a larger image.

  
First cut out DF inlets 3/4'' inside the inlets. Plane pictured is a Aggressor III all steps would be the same for Maverick, Maverick Pro, and Viper. Align new inlets 1and 5/8'' from bottom, and center from left to right. Inlets should flush with back of cockpit deck. Fit and mark new inlets for amount to cut off. Step not needed with Gary Mueller's inlets

 

Marked inlets showing about how much to cut. This step is not needed with Gary Mueller's inlets Cut off excess and discard. Using 1'' wide and 1/8'' thick balsa with grain running with inlets sheet the flat part of inlets. This step is not needed with Gary Mueller's inlets.

 

g thin ca tack one inch fiberglass tape to inlets. Do both inlets at this time. Step not needed with Gary Mueller's inlets Wrap 1'' tape four times around inlet. flow finishing resin into each wrap making sure it is good and wet but not to wet. Allow to totally dry overnight Note step not needed with Gary Mueller's inlets Inlets finished Step not needed with Gary Mueller's inlets.

 

Insert inlets again. Align as before 1 and  5/8'' from bottom of fuselage and center left and right. Now check the alignment of the inlet liners to the opening center vertically. The flat side of the inlet liners should contact the fuselage. Fill open areas with aeropoxy, or thick mixture of epoxy and micro balloons. Build up lip of inlets with bondo or similar product. Re-radius lips as needed. Sand , fill, and prime. Use bondo to build up the flat side. this should be smooth and blend into the fues. so it looks like one piece.

 

Picture shows conformal tanks from Gary Mueller installed Tanks, bypass, and extension ring installed. Bypass and extension ring purchased from BVM. Tail pipe is centered with 4 hardwood plugs in the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. Gary Mueller has tail pipes for ram 500 applications

 

Solenoid placement ECU and UAT Placement Finished maverick flown at JOD in January 2002