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Well, I’ve jumped into the electric duration flying arena! Attached is my first attempt at it. It’s an E-36 class plane. It is my own design taking some of the Mini Pearl designs, Geodetic Galaxy, and some other stuff. It is pwr’d by a GWS LPS motor with 4:1 gearing swing’g an 8×4 APC electric prop, with 400Ma Nimh batteries, and BMJR timer. Have not flown it as yet but standing in the wind it feels like it really wants to FLY!!! A folding prop is in the near feature. It looks like the Nats will have a pretty good smattering of E-36 flyers.
Scott
Portland, TN
Scott, good looking model, where are the batteries located? E36 was a hot topic this time last year, not much conversation about it so far, I wonder if the honeymoon is over? Looks like a Maverick plan in the background, have you built one of those also. I have a Cyclone powered Maverick that I am trying to get the nerve up to fly.
EdIt is a nice model. Scott is a good craftsman. He jumped into electric after sufficient arm twisting 8) .
Ed, thanks for the positive comments. The battery is on the other side of the pylon. I put in on the right side to keep the right/right climb/glide going that direction (weight). I’ve added a folding prop since the pics and I really like it!! This part of TN is supposed to get 2-4″ of snow today and tomorrow so it might be a little iffy flying this weekend. If you haven’t already figured it out can you see a little influence from Jim Jennings Jr. in the design? I’ll be posting the right side of the plane pics as soon as I can get them below 100kb.
Scott
Portland, TNHello Scott,
Looks good! What is it covered with, mylar? What was your covering technique? Mine was covered with Jap in 1989 — it was an A job then.
What does your wing weigh?A class with a maximum span and minimum weight needs a compromise between low drag (high AR) and light wing loading (low AR). Your wide rectangular wing is strong and easy and draws from proven designs (Pearl?). Mine has a wide wing with tapered tips because I already had the wing. Do you think tip shape has any effect? Ron StJean tells me he has abandoned tip plates in his sequels to his famous Ramrod. Would a Horner tip help? Turbulators? A round tip like the Maverick?
I take it your battery is a 4xKAN400. It would be nice if the rules would permit the two-motor GWS package.
Thermals,
ChuckChuck, thanks for the positive comments. The wing weighs 49 grams. Covering for the wing is Microlite i.e. iron on, the stab is 1/4 mil mylar.
When I bult the wing I didn’t consider that the pwr of this class,it is not what an classic 1/2A requires! So the wing is over built for this class. Next wing will be built with 1/20 thk ribs and 1/32 geodetic ribs. Stab is already built with 1/32 ribs and geodetics, can’t get much lighter on the stab without down sizing. Yes the battery pack is the Kan 400’s. I expect the plane to have a decent climb and a great glide. Jim Jennings Jr. and I are experimenting with different approachs to the E36 class. Chuck, any comments you have are greatly appreciated.Thanks,
Scott
Chuck, It’s not as tuff as your standard plastic covering but it’s quite a bit tougher than Tissue. I have other planes covered with Tissue and dope and in my estimation it’s about 4 times tougher on puncture resistance. Jim Jennings is now covering with Microlite and he really likes it so far. If winds stay down this afternoon I’m going to try and fly the E36 for the first time. If I go I’ll let everyone know how things went.
Scott
Portland, tnIf you were a performer going to an audition, I’d say “Break a leg!’ but I won’t here because if your field is like mine, you might really do it. The gophers at Bong need mining permits. Light the fuse!
Well went flying last night! Inital pwr. runs with 5 second runs where flat! 😕 Added 1/32″ Positve incidence to the wing and things started to improve! Added at additional 1/32″ and while walking back to launch site test glided the plane and a small gust of wind turned it into the ground and the pylon popped off! 😡 Oh well! Put it up and brought out the new Mini/Galaxy 1/2A! It flew great! 😀 Anyway back to electric. Re-attached the pylon with epoxy instead of CA last night. Will try flying again this evening if weather allows (wind).
Scott
Portland, TNFlying/trimming update! Flew again last night and achieved and pretty good climb for an under pwr’d heavy plane. It has a good right turn pwr. pattern and with about a 15 second motor run achieved about 70-80 ft height. Working on glide now. Will keep everyone informed as to progress.
Scott
Portland, TNWell after a no. of trim flight sessions I’ve decided that the amount of wing area on my first E36 is to great for the available pwr. As long as there is no wind at all it seems to fly ok! But if there is any breeze at all it tends to blow the plane over and into the ground,(bent prop shafts) 😡 So I’m going to stay with the Galaxy style wing but reduce it 73% this will reduce wing area by reducing wing cord and lighten up the entire air frame thus acheiving the 150gr. min weight rule. Will keep forum informed of my progress.
Scott
Portland, TNHi Scott,
When I get home (I e-mail at the library) I’ll measure my E36, which flies well in the wind, and tell you the wing area. I think it’s about 210 sq in but I’m not sure. The stab is about 31% and the plane balances at 75% of the cord. Airfoil is Sokolov birdlike nordic section. Motor is Ron StJean’s “E38”, named because it weighs 38 grams, which is of the same frame size as the MM1 from Penn Valley — the MM1 would probably work just as well. The E38 is a little more efficient than the MM1 but the MM1 has a slightly hotter wind which favors the low voltage of E-36. It’s geared way down to turn an 11 inch balsa folding propeller of rubber power style. This “mechanical impedance match” gives it a fast climb for an E-36. Construction is well selected balsa in a geodetic structure covered with Jap. tissue. Very light but with the heavy motor it comes out a little over the minimum weight.
Sincerely,
ChuckThanks Chuck for your assistance. Another avenue I was thinking about was up sizing the P30 majestyk wing. I have one of them and its a great flying P30. It has undercambered wing air foil and is very light. I’ll be looking forward to your measurements, in the meantime I’ll check out Penn Valley’s MM1.
Thanks,
Scott
Well, I’m back with a new E36. Attached are pics of the new attempt. I’ve taken some older wings and tail from a rubber ship and made the new version. The only problem I have now is that is 22 grams under weight!@#$%^& 🙁 Haven’t had an opportunity to fly under power yet but if the glide means anything it’ll be very interesting. I’ll let everyone know when I get a chance to fly it! The wing loading is 1.4 grams/inch.
Scott
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