Lundy rumors - Mass build

[chiloschista]

Hello gang,

rumors says that there could be a Lundy trip in 2025.

I thought then to propose a mass build, for a PSS plane to be build by anyone interested and flown in a (big) flock during next Lundy trip.

Plane should be:

• ~1/10, around 1m wingspan
• WWII fighter of interesting, unusual design (means avoiding Spitfire, Me109, P51 etc.)
• any other interesting originally powered plane
• cheap, around £50-100.- for a base kit
• kit proposal is a fiberglass moulded fuselage, wing foam cores (or already veneered), stabilizer
• maybe other extra parts (servo frames etc.)
• ...

I already have a couple in mind, but am open to proposals. Anyway I'm not doing a poll, I prefer to choose something not requiring too much effort in design and especially doable for everyone.

Plans are to design and build a prototype first and see how it goes.

Then I did think about several practical aspects, but before to dig into them let see if there is any interest.

Ric

[heli_bee]

The free plan for a 970mm Avro Lancaster in the October issue of RCM&E is a great little flyer if you are looking for something already built and flown.

[oipigface]

6 hours ago, heli_bee said:

The free plan for a 970mm Avro Lancaster in the October issue of RCM&E is a great little flyer if you are looking for something already built and flown.

Alternatively, there’s the short-lived Avro 707A designed and built by John Treble a bit ago. I adapted an Aeromodeller plan for an EDF version, replacing the built-up fuselage with a foam one. Wings were - one of them still is - mostly Depron with a chunky balsa LE as on the original plan. It had only one day out, which ended (ironically) with my sweet little plane being totalled by Mickey’s Vulcan. (That’s the Mickey after whom the slope is named.) I kept the bits because it flew well (much better than I thought it ever would) and I thought I might want to build another some day. 
I’ll look out the photos.

The Avro 707A was one of three 1/3 scale versions of the Avro 698 built to investigate the aerodynamic properties of delta wings. The Avro 698 eventually became the Vulcan. There is a photo on Wikipedia of two early Vulcans flying in formation with four 707’s at the Farnborough Air Show when I was six years old. I don’t remember the formation being quite so tight when I saw it over our house!

[oipigface]

Photos as promised. Here's the proof that it flew:

Most of the fus is cylindrical, so I made it from foam rings threaded onto a bit of broom handle:

The tapered parts at the ends were made with the help of smaller foam rings and a few 1/8th ply formers:

The whole thing was treated with Gorilla glue which was forced to expand into the foam with a load of masking tape. The cockpit is just foam glued on the top. There was a switch in the nose. Hence the nose is removable.

Depron elevons under construction. The wings are lifted almost directly from the original EDF plan, although I made my own LDS system for the elevons.

 

I covered the whole thing with fine glass cloth, rubbed it down and emptied a can or two of red spray paint over it. The spiky bits are carbon rod, and would cause serious damage if anything or anyone got in the way. They were removed for flight.

I built for a 2017 PSS meeting at the Bwlch. Here are the happy participants, photographed before any damage was caused. Mickey and his predatory Vulcan is on my right:

In sum: This was quick and simple to build, certainly not expensive. Fuselage was Baudis packaging foam. Wings Depron, mostly. I was very pleasantly surprised by the way it flew, and very upset when it was whacked out of the sky by a camouflaged Vulcan that I didn't see coming.

 

[Phil.Taylor]

The PSSA have done several "mass builds" - including F-86 sabre, Jet Provost, hurricane, A4 Skyhawk

https://www.pssaonline.co.uk/?s=mass+build

Phil

[Joe Cubitt]

Hi Ric

having studied Martin’s (heli bee)plan of the Lancaster in this months RCM&E, it got me thinking that we could follow similar build principles to produce a Heinkel 111 or an Armstrong Whittley bomber. Both of which form a strong connection with Lundy.

just a thought to throw in the mix

[Phil.Taylor]

Heinkel 111 would be very appropriate

Could have & crash & burn after the fly-in too 

Phil.

[oipigface]

12 hours ago, Joe Cubitt said:

Hi Ric

having studied Martin’s (heli bee)plan of the Lancaster in this months RCM&E, it got me thinking that we could follow similar build principles to produce a Heinkel 111 or an Armstrong Whittley bomber. Both of which form a strong connection with Lundy.

just a thought to throw in the mix

How about allocating half the contestants to the Whitley and the other half to.the Heinkel?

[oipigface]

On 21/09/2023 at 09:38, oipigface said:

How about allocating half the contestants to the Whitley and the other half to.the Heinkel?

At 1/24 scale, the Whitley comes out around 1.1m, Heinkel 95cm.

[chiloschista]

CAD session for a possible prototype 

[chiloschista]

Heinkel P1076

CAD session finally came to an end.

The plane is designed for fast flying. That is how I will build it, but it depends on settings, so it can be adapted for slower flying too (what?!?).

Specs are around 1200mm (depends how I decide to build the wing).

Airfoil RG14.

Longitudinal dihedral between 0° and 1°

To do are:

• decide final wingspan (around 1000-1200mm)
• decide how to mount wings and preview fuselage cuttings
• refine geometries and control surfaces dimensions
• CoG calculation
• creating the cut files to cut wing cores
• creating printing files to print a positive master
• build the mould
• finally build a prototype and chuck it from a snowy slope, in a freezing wind

 

[Joe Cubitt]

Hi Ric

I like it a lot.
After a bit of research I found that, had the luftwaffe continued its development, the result could have been a very formidable foe. very unique and forward thinking planform. Initially, I thought from your drawing it had anhedral. 
looking forward to this design evolving and developing the kit for the Lundy mass build.

[chiloschista]

Hi Joe,

yes, indeed: it is one of the most unconventional and interesting planform of WWII fighters.

In effect the picture could be confusing about dihedral, but apparently it stimulates people to search for more info 

I had a bit of difficulties designing it, because the only drawings around are flat views, without any section. So I had to figure it myself.

[oipigface]

 

[Joe Cubitt]

Great video clip John.

Once this project comes to fruition, I’m torn between a trad BF109/ FW190 type scheme or a fictional Reno Racer. Such a dilemma?!

[Joe Cubitt]

Do you know what!

It has all of the potential for a one make, man on man pylon series.  Just thought I’d throw that in the mix. 

[chiloschista]

33 minutes ago, Joe Cubitt said:

Do you know what!

It has all of the potential for a one make, man on man pylon series.  Just thought I’d throw that in the mix. 

For sure more amusing (and amazing) than F3f ...

, what did I dare say...

[oipigface]

9 hours ago, chiloschista said:

For sure more amusing (and amazing) than F3f ...

, what did I dare say...

Chacun à ses oignons!

De gustibus non est disputandum!

Each to his own!

 

[chiloschista]

Fuselage sliced, print files ready.

[chiloschista]

Pieces printed, aligned and glued.

Alignment seems good.

Now the nice work: putty, sand, 2k filler, sand, 2k final coat, polish, ...

(For those wondering yes, I got rid of some PLA I had around)