Hi all, its wonderful to see wonderful creations... I've been envious (not jealous :) ) of many a post now, and decided to get even! Unfortunately here (Nairobi, Kenya) the electronics are limiting, no access to good airframes save from importing, leaving us enthusiasts disappointed, so I have decided to start with an airframe, then build the logic to fly it using a small enough PC motherboard, details on this later....
The challenge: Can one build a UAV with materials available in one's backyard?
Below is the preliminary airframe structure. Here I am using PVC tubing (Yes, I said PVC, my payload is no more than a kilo :) ) and cut out PVC sheet to brace the wing and form an aerofoil shape. Notice the top-most tubing has wider diameter than the one to the lower part of the image...
I used PVC glue and used bottles to hold it in place to dry... very sophisticated :D
To keep it light enough, I have decided to fill the gaps between the PVC sheet with a nylon bag, glued and stuck in place with PVC glue and duct tape :D ... below see it balanced...
The tail section is screwed to the rest of the plane so that it can fit in the van for , below....
Notice my methodology, the "Close enough (CE)" methodology... and all my coding employs "Code Like Hell (CLH)" methodology, I do get things done though :)....
Here are a few photos of the "thing" thus far...
I will use something for the nose to be more workable ( I believe the term is aerodynamic but this goes against my methodology :) )
some landing gear....
... yes from my daughter's baby stroller....
Tomorrow, I will test the "thing" to see if it can attain lift with some rigged control surfaces before I continue and report back here at, say, 0800! Good night one and all....
Comments
Hi Moses,
Just sent you a message with my brother's contact details. He lives in Nairobi and may be able to help you.
Well done Moses, looks good. Congrats on using what's available, hope it's not too heavy :) What power source will you be using?
regards
Graham
Keep it up
All the best
Hi everyone,
thanks for the great comments, much appreciated!
The fuselage's made of a large PVC pipe used for dirty drainage water.
We definitely need to start accepting technologies here in Africa, for instance to monitor game parks and check for poachers, monitor our roads for terrible traffic, search and rescue, and the list goes on ....yes, I'm in trouble as it is for building this with the Mrs, eats up her space in the spare bedroom... compound that with "borrowing" the stroller's wheels :) ...
Great idea on using soda bottle ....
The landing gear struts are made of PVC conduit tubing used for electrical installations (the stiff kind though, not flexible), and can swivel for easier transportation... More photos coming...
On account of bad weather, I've suspended testing, Its raining heavily!! I hope it lets up and I test. I will take a video if possible and post it here....
Thanks for your great support!
Moses,
When people talk about building hi-tech UAV systems, I don't usually think about Nairobi, Kenya as a likely hub of activity. But after looking at your progress, I now look forward to seeing your report about how you are doing. You have built a UAV out of various components most people would not think of using.
Keep up the great work!
(If I took parts from my grand-childrens stroller, I would be in trouble!!! ;>)
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