This week we adjusted the control surfaces on the Raptor to get it all balanced and flew it a few times to get more experience and test the airframe's performance. I've got to say, flying wings, and the Raptor specifically, have far exceeded my expectations... it flies great! 
 
Its very, very stable, has an excellent power to weight ratio that allows it to climb indefinitely, enough control surface and authority to allow a perfect balance of control and stability. I found myself flying it over and over until the battery died (about 20 minutes of flight) which is pretty rare, I usually get kinda board and quit.
 
Anyway, the Raptor is awesome. This could be the platform for the USA trip, we'll have to add an APM and see how it goes.
 
Next week we'll compare the Raptor to the Nova and see how they perform when compared to each other.
 
-Trent
 
Main Camera: Panasonic HDC-TM900K
Battery: 20C 2.2Ah Sky http://www.hobbypartz.com/77p-sl2200-3s1p-20c-3333.html
Servos: T-Pro 9G http://www.hobbypartz.com/topromisesg9.html 
Motor: Optima 450 2220-1800KV http://www.hobbypartz.com/75m55-optima450-2220-1800kv-2.html
ESC: Exceed RC Proton 30A http://www.hobbypartz.com/07e04-proton-30a.html

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Comments

  • @Gary,

    Hi,

    Some time ago, I asked you how and when to buy the wing (in the pictured you attached above

    You said:

    "http://www.flyingwings.co.uk if you want one of these ask for a prawncracker (its code)"

    I went to this website but was not able to find any info on the "prawncracker"...

    Do I need to send an email and ask for it ?

    Do you know it's price ?

    Best regards

    JC

  • Moderator

    @Gary, I ♥ wings too!

    For the special character tool:

    On windows: Start/Search. search for "Character Map" and select it.

    On a mac: command-option-T

  • Moderator

    Well some of my combat airframes are less than show finish Paul ;-) One thing I do is to shut the motor off when taking images, that slows the machine even further I guess. But I really have not had yaw problems, so perhaps some time with a real estate board is needed to rebuild your fins.

    Putting them slightly inboard can really help with discus launches as well.

    Here was the last one that I test flew with Rob and really really liked, more than he did in fact. I liked that I could pitch up into a deep stall at the end of an approach and almost stop at my feet. Also a very low wing loading with a Canon IXUS 105 onboard.

    3689364020?profile=original

    As I say he has a new wing built that is being tested.

    I HEART WINGS (Can you do a heart symbol from a keyboard)

    http://www.flyingwings.co.uk if you want one of these ask for a prawncracker (its code)

  • "Get out on the slope with a combat wing..."

    Funny you should mention that.  The small electric wing I flew my camera on is actually used for combat.  Now, it just could be that the beat-up fins had something to do with instability in the yaw axis...  Nah, those stubs had plenty of surface area left.  :)

  • Moderator

    Get out on the slope with a combat wing and a few friends and smack each other out the sky a bit. Then you will have no problem with wings.

    As I keep posting if there are houses for sale in your area, you can always find something to build one of these http://www.mugi.co.uk to practice with and play combat.

    Mugi - Tough, easy to build, affordable RC aircraft and free plans.
  • Moderator

    @Paul I have not had any yaw issues to date and I don't fly fast. The only snag I would say is mounting a camera for oblique shots. Vertical is simple. My mate rob has addressed that very issue on the latest version of his wings.

    Its still in flight testing so no pictures until it comes out of that!

  • @Paul   I found that the Zephyr II tracks straight and smooth. Probably the winglets help a great deal with yaw stability.

  • Nicely done.Cant wait for the plans and to see what kind of loading this can take.

  • @Gary -- I know that wings don't necessarily make the best camera platforms due to lack of yaw stability.  I think videos like we see from the Black Sheep team compensate for this simply through speed.  I shot some video from a small wing and the instability was evident in the shots.

    In practice, is this not really a problem in your experience?  Is anything done to compensate such as adding large fins?

    Thanks,
    Paul

  • Moderator

    Only two servos so less power draw

    Easily fits into a car assembled

    Can land in small spaces.

    Less things to knock off

    Can be made as strong as an ox and for cheap

    Shall I go on....

    You will see why some of us have only been using wings ;-)

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