Like many DIYers, I have way to many projects going on at once. Not sure how or why this is so but it always happens. This being Saturday I figure that I can dedicate most of the day to finishing my airframe.List of things to do:1. trim wing foam, use lightweight spackle to fill the defects.2. go thru my collection of heat shrink covering to see if I have enough yellow to cover the wings, with red for a wing tip.3. Cover the said wings in yellow on top and red on bottom, two colors really help with the visuals at a distance. (is the plane banking towards you or away from you?) The right wingtip will be red also for the same reason.4. Rough out a new Pod fuse, just got a Sony Webbie HD cam which will go in the nose. Need to figure out where to put the ardupilot and gear. With the twin boom set up the servos are in the wing so plenty of room in fuse with no constraints on how far forward or rearward equip. can go. The pods are carved EPP and can be built to suit each payload.5. weigh everything! I really need a better all up weight estimate, I am afraid my outrunner motor will not be up to the task. I would like to fly next week end so have to order a larger one if it is not.6. Document todays build, I always forget to photograph the builds so will try and be better with this project!My airframe is based on the Polly Pusher, which is based in part on the E-Cat. I think these designs have a lot to offer for UAV use. The Polly Pusher is constructed out of a $5 Walmart Glider and coroplast. Inexpensive, simple and anyone can build it. I use EPP for the Pods, more crash protection than EPS but I have a flying wing made out of the walmart glider (EPS) and it has withstood much abuse, five years and it is still flying! Check out acesims.com for more info and directions on how to build.
This as far as I got today, Ran out of Foam safe CA glue! Think I might just use reinforcing tape and mylar tape on the wings, which makes them much more robust but at the expense of looks. Did not like the idea of putting my camera in the nose, that is what so great about foamies, that nose takes all the abuse and leaves your gear fine. Leaning towards a detachable pod(s) under the wings.
Chris,
That photo was taken at the Stables just south of Fort Funston, I fly there or just south of the Stables at a place called horse shoe road or the dumps. It is where John Daly blvd. hits the PCH. It is a bit of a trek down to the cliffs so not many people around and it is beautiful! From the location You can tell I'm into slope soaring but have electrics on several plans for those no wind days.
Thanks for the heads up on RC experience, so many newbees want a full house predator style drone first thing. They should listen to Chris and everyone else and go with the easystar, cheap and robust! then move on to their dream platform. I would have gone with the easystar myself but had already started the polly for another project. I've been flying since the 1980 as a wee lad! I have a nice flying wing (2m) which I would love to convert to an UAV but even being experienced I decided that I could learn more and do it safer on a high wing polyhedral platform. on the time issue, I believe in quick and dirty to prove the concept and then go all out for beauty and finesse! I am a perfectionist and it pains me when things are not perfect (Just the thought of having to fill voids with spackle raises hairs! but I did it and it is now ready for covering), I have to tell myself constantly that it is good enough for a prototype and the next build will be perfect! The pic is of my smaller flying wing.
Comments
Sorry Hooks, I couldn't resist! just playing around with foam parts and I stuck this together and thought "hmm.. looks familiar"
That photo was taken at the Stables just south of Fort Funston, I fly there or just south of the Stables at a place called horse shoe road or the dumps. It is where John Daly blvd. hits the PCH. It is a bit of a trek down to the cliffs so not many people around and it is beautiful! From the location You can tell I'm into slope soaring but have electrics on several plans for those no wind days.
Since you are putting a substantial amount of work into your new aircraft, I assume you already know how to fly an RC airplane?
Just a thought.
Regards,
TCIII