Vaughn wrote:

One more reason why the twin Cri-cri version had it
right, with the two engines well ahead of the
CG, and with exhaust away from anything that might burn.

But introduces the possibility (certainty?) of asymmetric thrust! I
saw a Cri-cri (piston) lose power on TO one year at Oshkosh, it crashed
almost at the crowd line.

Vaughn

Probably because the Cri-cri is such a terrible glider...
A lot in common with the BD-5: rotation speed = Vne = Va =
Vmc = Vs... (or nearly so). ;( The Gruman Yankee also had
critical speeds close together, and the Speed Canard had a
real high stall speed too. One of the reasons I LOVE gliders
is the generally low stall speed.

Some full size regional jets, and the RC models that use the
little turbines, have placed the twin turbines very close
together and near the rear with no blast towards surfaces.
It would be great to put turbine(s) on the tail of the Sparrowhawk,
but the CG would never, ever work...

Alas, back to the drawing board...