Stage 1 of the project is to build and test fly the airframe.
I downloaded a free plan from rcgroups.com - this one is the DS2 wing designed by the user forlack, here:
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1514483
This plan is for a 36" version but I scale it up to fill a whole A0 sheet when printed, giving me a wingspan of 46"
I bought EPP foam sheet from www.flying-dog.co.uk/shop/ - this plane uses 3 sheets of 7mm thickness EPP with 1.9# density (this is the dense, strong but heavier weight). It also has a sheet of 20mm thickness 1.3# density EPP sheet cut out to form the fuselage sections, which I will hollow out to fit the electronics as I fit more to it.
The plane is glued together with UHU Por (this is not normal UHU, it's a special one glue for foam) and I have used double-sided carpet tape as the main adhesive to laminate the sheets together, as it adds strength.
I opted to put balsa leading and trailing edges on the wing for stiffnes and strength but this is not strictly necessary.
I put a 7mm x 8mm square section carbon spar in the central sheet so it is very strong and stiff.
Elevons are balsa. The plane and elevons have strips of fibreglass - reinforced strapping tape for added strength.
The plane was painted and then covered in a layer of laminating film for added toughness.
I added electronics to get it flying as an RC plane. Initial setup is a Turnigy 2836 motor at 2350kv, powered by 2 x 2200 mah 4-cell Lipo batteires connected in parallel to act as a single 4400 mah 4-cell, and a 60 amp ESC (Electronic Speed Controller)
I have a cheapo Orange reveiver, wired to 2 carbon-geared mini servos, one for each elevon. you really want metal or carbon gears for these things, cheap resin gears will strip on the first hard landing.
Wing tips are made from Coroplast signs I found lying around and cut to shape.
The flight characteristics were very surprisingly good- I maidened it on a very windy day - too windy for a maiden flight really- and it completely ignored the wind. It flew straight and rock steady. I'm confident the wing will take the extra equipment I'm going to be adding to it with no problems.
It will definitely handle more power, so I am planning on uprating the motor at some point soonish.
Next stage will be to set up the wing for FPV- First Person View flying. This is something I have wanted to try for ages.
I am going to add a video camera and a video transmitter to the plane. I will then have a pair of video goggles receivng the video signal, so I can fly as if I was in the plane myself.
I will post an update once this has been given a go!
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crab_bloke), Thu 19 Apr 2012, 12:32,
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the goggles bit sounds especially amazing!
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tickle I was away, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 12:47,
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yeah i'm really looking forward to getting that going!
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crab_bloke), Thu 19 Apr 2012, 13:04,
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That made me cry, Keep up the good work....
....anyone taking steps towards the Bill Hicks "Stealth Banana" is all good in my book.
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The only Dave is pushing things forward, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 12:51,
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ooh i'm not familiar with the stealth banana
by the way did it make you cry with sadness or gladness?
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crab_bloke), Thu 19 Apr 2012, 13:04,
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stealth banana
Hicks suggested using the technologyu to fire death-dealing missiles with pinpoint accuracy could be used to feed the world. Smart fruit.
Excellent first stage plane BT. We ar eall waiting with bated breath for the next step.
(, Sat 21 Apr 2012, 10:25, Share, Reply)
Love the dead simple wing.
Some of the machine gun shoots I participated in would feature an r/c aircraft for some aerial target practice. The standard "tube and wing" stuff was far too fragile and would drop out of the sky from minor hits. About 8 years ago the builders began using a simple flying wing design made from that plastic material which looks like corrugated cardboard. They were incredibly robust and would keep flying with dozens of direct hits, only dropping when a round actually contacted a control rod, servo motor or - in the case of 2 very well placed shots from a Lewis - the engine itself. Those basic wings are tough.
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Felis Concolor, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 12:53,
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now THAT sounds AWESOME
I'd love to have a go at that. And the material you mean is coroplast- people make signs out of it so after the mayoral election there'll be loads of it sitting around. The wing tips on this wing are made from coroplast signs I found lying around.
It's very strong, but also much heavier than foam
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crab_bloke), Thu 19 Apr 2012, 13:06,
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this is amazing!
I hope you are going to use it for chasing vegetarians!
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skeltonator Needs some new daps., Thu 19 Apr 2012, 13:11,
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that would be an ideal use
a squadron of them whizzing down and bombarding vegans with bits of pork product
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crab_bloke), Thu 19 Apr 2012, 13:39,
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Dive bombing vegans with aerial sausage!
Years ago I explained to a slightly confused friend the difference between normal vegetarians and the vegan philosophy, which takes an absolute anti-protein stance, thus ensuring you couldn't even enjoy those wonderful Hellenic veggie platters served at a favorite local downtown restaurant.
His eloquent response, uttered in a thoroughly bewildered tone of voice: "militant vegetarians...?"
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Felis Concolor, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 14:08,
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