On Apr 14, 7:40*pm, airshowbob wrote:
Caproni only built a few gliders with the jet engine (I believe only
4). *At least a couple are still flying. *I heard the Australian Air
Force bought the production rights, but I haven't heard any more.
Some German guys have parts to build several. *They are also looking
at the TJ-100 engine.

I believe the Caproni/TRS-18 wasn't the best combination. *The
airframe was very heavy, and the engine was too small. *Jets aren't
known for their short field performance. *Pushing the extra weight to
liftoff speed took a lot of runway. *The mechanical fuel control made
the engine overly complicated and finicky (after all, that was 30
years ago). *Basically, it was too much, too soon. *But, at least they
tried...

Others have tried as well. *The earliest attempt at a jet sailplane I
can find is the Hanle/Hutter H-13 (predecessor to the Libelle &
Salto) . *It had a huge BMW turbine stuffed behind the wing spar. *The
engine probably weighed as much as the airframe, with maybe 60 lbs
thrust.

Bob

On Apr 14, 4:21*pm, brian whatcott wrote:

Which reminds me...

Whatever happened to the Caproni jet?

Brian W

airshowbob wrote:
The TST-14 BonusJet is nearing completion. We ran the TJ-100 engine on
the airframe for the first time last Sunday. *Everything is working
perfectly, and the tail temperatures were well below limits.

All that remains is some tidying up of the wiring, and installation of
the wing fuel bladders. *I'll be in airshow mode for the next couple
of weeks, so these tasks will have to wait a bit. *We're expecting the
first flight in May.

*I have posted a progress page to show the development of the BonusJet
over the last year. *Click on the dates to see photos and videos of
the project.

http://www.desertaerospace.com/bonusjet_progress.html

If you want to jump straight to the engine test video (April 12,
2010), it is located he

http://www.desertaerospace.com/bonusjet_2010_04_12.html

If you're interested in a jet glider checkout, give me a call or e-
mail...

Bob Carlton
Desert Aerospace, LLC
Albuquerque, NM USA
505-239-5967


I had an old colleague with a standard (non-jet) Caproni. I think the
wings contained plutonium or some other very heavy metal. The ship is
VERY heavy. The take-off run behind the club's strongest towplane was
notably excruciating - I didn't know that our runways were that long!
In the air, it handled well, and I actually liked the side-by-side
seating, but, gosh, it was a heavy brute.

Mike