I have been to the Hiller museum in California several times and each time noticed the J-10 hung from the ceiling.Over time it grew on me and so I decided t take photos as no other information such as a 3-view diagram were available.

The museum became interested in what I was doing so they let me take more detailed photographs from which I could produce a 3-view diagram.

I started to plan how I would build the model – for example with no tail rotor I would have to design an exhaust thrust system which would be a challenge.Work started in early 2006 but was put on hold due to work commitments. At the beginning of 2008 it was suggested that it would be useful to put the completed model on display at the Vertical Challenge event held at the museum each year in May. 

Work on the model plug started in January with the finished model being completed by the end of April.Support was given by Peter Jakadofsky who developed the powerful Jakadofsky 5000 turbine to give around 20% more thrust.The model was flown at the museum event in May 2008.

I was hoping that the model I had built would be hung alongside the full-size version in the Hiller museum, but we could not agree an acceptable deal.So instead, I sold to Al Wert, proprietor of Starwood Models, who lives close to the museum.Since then, Al has repainted the model and fitted a set of mechanics that I had designed for the LM Odyssey.He also bought the molds and now offers kits of the J-10 from which mine was the original.

    

Left:  Tail boom with thrust cover.

Right: Complete body shell less wheel spats

I had already decided to use the bottom mounted mechanics with bow legs which I had designed for three 58D Kiowas and two Jet Rangers. I now use these in my new Red Bull BO-105.

 






I made a number of tail units to see which one would be the most effective in its roll as a 'tail rotor'.


On the right photo you can see the servo that operated the thrust vane at the rear of the tail unit.  A very hot place.!