Jet safety and success from BVM

Model Airplane News, Mar 1999 by Chianelli, Chris

From what I've seen over the years, safety and success are two inseparable concepts at Bob Violett Models. Here are a couple of products that attest to this BVM philosophy. First is Bob's Heat Shield. In certain installations, hightemperature exhaust gases from turbine or piston engines can end up too close to airframe parts; sometimes, it's unavoidable. While tailpipes and mufflers do contain the flame, connective heat can still be too much for balsa, plastic and fiberglass structures in close proximity. Two or three coats of the water-based, ceramic Heat Shield will successfully protect internal structures that may possibly be at risk.

The outer surface areas that have been treated internally with Heat Shield, such as engine cowls and fuselage segments adjacent to turbine tailpipes, will remain cool. As for safety enhancement: according to BVM, "In the unusual case of a turbine tailpipe fire during startup, you will have several seconds longer to extinguish it before damage occurs."

Next, BVM's Kevlar Fuel Cells. No matter which brand of turbine you run, you need sufficient fuel on board for acceptable flight duration. This means successfully fitting enough fuel into oddly shaped areas within the model's airframe. BVM addresses this need with these custom-made fuel cells for its line of turbine-compatible models. And safety? For years, Formula 1 and Indy full-scale racecar designs have successfully protected drivers from explosive, crash-induced fires by incorporating Kevlar fuel cells within the car's frame. The stuff is exceedingly rupture-resistant.

While BVM Kevlar Fuel Cells are, understandably so, designed to maximize fuel capacity in BVM designs, they may well fit nicely into other manufacturers' airframes. Therefore, Bob offers full-size drawings so that modelers can investigate without having to purchase the cells.

BVM, 170 State Rd. 419, Winter Springs, FL 32708; (407) 327-6333; fax (407) 327-5020; website: bvmjets.com.