Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 19 of 19 known posts recovered
Forgot to ask - - How are the stabilators "hinged"? Tubing in plywood?
Ralph Wenzel
It actually has 120 sq. in. wing area (16" span, 7 1/2" avg. chord). It maneuvers OK, loops and eights, a little big but I'm still trimming it; gonna try the CG a little further back. You guessed it on the stabilators; plywood doublers on both sides of the rudders, and a 3/8" long brass eyelet epoxied in, slip fit with .07 wire. A little overkill, I think; much stronger than it looks. I can make it lighter, I think.
--Ray
Visit my photo page http://community.webshots.com/user/inferalanding
The 2:1 aspect ratio might make a difference!
Brett
So if you fly it in profile scale, can you do the "DT thing" for one of your maneuvers?
Dave
LA_Flyer
You know, I thought about that...just couldn't figure a way to do it, or a purpose for it!
JUst for discussion's sake, here's a shot of the controls:
Hmmmm, I keep getting an error message...guess I'll have to try again later.
--Ray
I used to like painting with dope but now I can't remember why. Steve Fauble
Just where is this "Scaled" website?
--Ray
I used to like painting with dope but now I can't remember why. Steve Fauble
Type at you later
That's a pretty impressive plane - some nice ideas. What length lines are you using? Please update us on handling changes with new c.g. It should have an ample useable c.g. range. It's a pleasure to see your clever realization of Spaceship One in 1/2-A.
SK
Serge Krauss
Serge:
So far, I've used only 35' lines. After I get it trimmed out to my satisfaction, I'll probably try it on 42'. Looks like I'll be able to get it out today, so perhaps I'll have a report on the more-aft CG tonight.
--Ray
Why not fire a copy of the picture to Frank Fanelli at Flying Models. I expect he would be delighted to publish the design.
Good luck!
Larry Renger
think S.M.A.L.L.
I second that. This is really a *lovely* concept/design. I would love to build one, and Flying Models has a long history of publishing this type of design. Thanks for the pictures!
Andy
"Real Engines Have Black Cylinder Fins and Red Heads"
Larry and Andy,
Thanks for the enocuraging words...this is the *first* version; I have several mods ready to try, for better strength, a more accurate scale-like appearance, flyability, etc. So I may hold off on the Flying Models thing until I've built and flown an "improved edition" (at this point probably next Spring). But it is an interesting suggestion.
I must confess, I smushed the model last time out. I was doing outsides, got a little low (it turns bigger than I like, that'll be fixed on the next one) and pancaked it in inverted on some pretty hard ground. Upon cursory inspection, I found only a longitudinal crack in the upper part of the fuselage that seemed pretty superficial. So in my eagerness to take advantage of perhaps the last good flying weather up here, I broke one of my cardinal rules and put it back up again rather than taking it back home for a thorough checkover (don't tell me you've never done that). Well, I paid the price...about halfway through the next flight, the fuselage suddenly folded at the LE and swung into the outboard wing...I won't describe the carnage in detail but you can imagine the resulting mess. To use you guys' expression, it sort of "re-kitted" itself in midair. I"ve about got it together again--the repairs have gone smoother than its sad appearance would indicate. But it's probably through flying till the Spring, and maybe forever if I get the next one built soon. Such is the life of prototypes; I've got my walls full of 'em!
--Ray
Being also a graduate of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, I can imagine Bert Rutan experimenting at the little 2000' runway at Cal Poly. I used to use the runway to fly R/C models.
Floyd