Oracle Turbo Raven

 

An aerobatic airplane with a positive thrust-to-weight ratio was a dream come true for airshow performer Wayne Handley. In 1998, he turned that dream into a goal and succeeded in producing a one-of-a-kind show plane. The Turbo Raven was based on a highly modified G-202 airframe powered by a 750 hp Pratt and Whitney PT-6 engine. This provides an unheard of power to weight ratio of less than 2.7 pounds/hp at airshow weights. With a 750 HP turboprop engine producing 2,800 pounds of thrust, the Oracle Turbo Raven was able to go straight up, stop, and go straight up again. The Turbo Raven was truly state of the art. Its airframe was made entirely of composite material. The optimization of performance was the design goal in every construction decision while making the Turbo Raven as strong and as light as possible. One result of this goal was a single seat.

The engine was a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C which is used in some military training aircraft that require the use of an inverted oil system. The Turbo Raven had a roll rate of 450 degrees per second and a top speed of 260 knots (300 MPH) at sea level.The Oracle Turbo Raven established itself as the fastest climbing propeller driven airplane in the world. Wayne took with Oracle Turbo rave several world records. The pilot's ability to select reverse propeller pitch in flight was another unique feature of the Turbo Raven. Reversing pitch turned the propeller into a big speed brake, enabling the pilot to make extremely steep approaches. Of course, this feature also allowed Wayne to back in and out of his parking spot - the envy of every other airshow performer. Wayne flew the Oracle Turbo Raven in its first airshow on Oct. 3, 1998 and its last show on Oct. 3, 1999. During a steep approach to landing, the engine flamed out as Wayne was bringing the propeller out of reverse and he was unable to attain the speed necessary to flare for landing.

 

Mibojets Turbo Raven

With new turboprop systems there is a growing need of a turboprop-powered scale model. For this reason we developed Wayne Handley's Turbo Raven in 1 : 3rd scale model in two versions – Fully molded version and conventional kit (Styro/Balsa wings and elevator). Our Turbo Raven is one of the most sophisticated aerobatic aircrafts on the market. The standard of prefabrication and the flying characteristics are just unbelievable.

Our Turbo Raven was completely CAD designed with strong computer support by most modern
Pro/ENGINEER software.

See here what makes this Turbo Raven so unique:
· Lightweight hollow-core wing technology utilizing epoxy glass & carbon fiber with skin hinging on the wing and stabilizer.
· Removable wing and stab already mounted.
· Carbon fiber gear strut and mount in place.
· Durable gel-coat surfacing in red or white.
· Horizontally split engine cowl increases realism and serviceability without removing the prop and spinner.
· Complete hardware pack including Carbon fiber spinner
· Everything prepared to install JetCat SPT 5 Turboprop
· Hardvare pack to install gasoline engine 80 to 100 ccm

The model's test phase just ended and currently the first line of kits will be released to the market. Since the assembly manual is still under construction, this page will be updated shortly with more kit information. Kit will be available over Mibojets in the end of July 2004.