19 Jan 07 - Committed to
electric flight conversion.
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Windsock models |
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Revised model - post-repair & electric | ||||
N° of launches / Time | 11 | 1 hour 12 mins |
ï Launches and
Time include all variants Note: Not all flights recorded |
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Wingspan | 46.25 in. = 1.17 m | |||
Wing Area | 915 sq. in. = 59.1 dm² | |||
Flying Weight | To be determined lb. oz. | To be determined kg | ||
Wing Loading | To be determined oz / sq. ft | To be determined g/dm² | ||
Wing Cube Loading | To be calculated | |||
Motor | To be determined | |||
Gearbox | None | |||
Propeller | APC 11" x 8" | |||
Batteries | 4 cell 1100mAh NiCd flat pack | |||
Receiver | Micron Micro - 7 channel - 35 MHz | |||
Servos | Elevons - Hobby Stores SS-2500 | |||
Throttle - Ripmax Diamond SD-200 | ||||
Canard Elevator - JR NES-517 | ||||
Dolly Steering* - IC MS-626T |
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Static Performance | Not yet tested. | |||
Flight performance | Not yet flown |
19 Jan 07 - I have decided to convert this model to electric power.
24 Sep 00 - I have now completed the repairs and the aircraft weighs 5 oz. (140g) lighter than before (as predicted). In the end I had shortened the nose too much, and had to move the RX battery forward. The model now balances longitudinally and laterally without lead ballast. Because I shortened the nose so much, I had to shorten the dolly to match. The only task I have left to do is ground running to allow the Perry pump to be set-up.
Original model - pre-crash | ||
Wingspan | 46.25 in. = 1.17 m | |
Wing Area | 915 sq. in. = 59.1 dm² | |
Flying Weight | 6 lb. 11½ oz | 3.05 kg |
Wing Loading | 16.9 oz / sq. ft | 51.6 g/dm² |
Wing Cube Loading | 6.7 - Trainer (not untypical for deltas) | |
Motor / Muffler | HP 61 Gold Cup with Parc-Amber tuneable silencer | |
Propeller | APC 11" x 10" | |
Batteries | 4 cell 1200mAh for RX | |
Receiver | Micron Micro - 7 channel - 35 MHz | |
Servos | Elevons - Hobby Stores SS-2500 | |
Throttle - Ripmax Diamond SD-200 | ||
Canard Elevator - not fitted as surface fixed |
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Dolly Steering* - IC MS-626T |
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Static Performance | Never Tested |
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Flight performance | Sustained climb of about 45° and extremely fast in level flight. Roll rate flat out is about 720° / second. |
14 Sep 00 - I have started to undertake the repairs to get the model flying again. Whilst I'm at it, I intend to include a few changes to make the model better. Firstly, I am shortening the nose by about 4.7" (120mm). This is to allow the removal of the 6 oz. (170g) of lead fitted at the rear, fitting a shorter header pipe and the Perry pump. During the crash the canard was snapped in two, but otherwise undamaged (engine went through the middle of it). I have decided to convert the canard to be functional as I need to join it anyway. Even after fitting the additional items, the weight saving will be around 5oz. (140g), mainly due to the removal of the lead. Two of the lead weights were actually mounted on the port wing tip to balance out the pipe running on the other side of the fuselage. I will also be rotating the engine to allow the pipe to run along the top of the fuselage.
*I have built this model without undercarriage and it is launched from a dolly (as shown in the photo). When the model is in the dolly the rudder output of the RX is connected to a servo on the steerable noseleg. It may also be hand launched if I find someone good at javelin throwing. The elevons are electronically mixed. The main wing is veneered white foam with balsa edges. The canard is a liteply base with balsa above. Fuselage is built up construction of balsa with ply bulkheads. The tailfins are balsa.
I have made a small number of flights with this model now. It doesn't like sustained vertical climbs as the motor leans out. I believe this is due to the fuel tank being on the CofG which is about 24" (600mm) below the carburettor in the vertical position. I have bought a Varsane Perry pump (VP-30) in an attempt to cure this problem. I unfortunately hit the ground vertically nose down, due to losing the model in the sun. There is now nothing left in front of the leading edge of the main wing. I will, when time allows, be rebuilding the front of the fuselage and it will fly again. In case you are interested in buying a kit or further details the image on the right above is the Windsock Models business card.