Alright, I've waffled over this for long enough...
Over the last couple years I've been slowly putting together a Crusader Swing Wing clone.
Originally designed by Estes in the late 1980's, and only in the catalog for a couple years.
My dad had one when I was a young lad that I was obsessed over. The power pod was broken and he said it didn't work that great. Every time it flew the power pod fin would break off. I've heard of people having really nice glide performance with the glider, and always liked the shape of the nosecone.
I set out to clone it using the resources on JimZ's site, CAD, 3d printing and my CNC router.
I ended up almost completely re-engineering the wing pivot to make it easier to build and more reliable, eliminating the wooden dowel for a small metal threaded standoff.
I created a multitude of jigs from body tube marking jigs, a balance jig as well as an alignment jig for all the components of the power pod.
Many of the parts slot together to aid in alignment as well.
Numerous other improvements were made from the original kit to now, including making the wing larger to help with glide performance and making the power pod fin one piece, with a reinforcing basswood member, since this was where my dad's had broken.
I even went as far as creating some waterslide decal sheets, which is not an exact replica of the original kit. I took a little creative liberty here.
Here's a video of it flying:
Swing Wing Glider Flight
I was planning on grabbing a few more videos, but the flying season quickly came to an end in MN.
I flew the model 6-8 times this summer, with great success and the crowd always enjoyed it!
I was getting anywhere between 30-60 seconds of flight, with some of the better flights being in a little bit of breeze to help keep it aloft.
I am kicking around the idea of putting together some kits if there is interest.
Kits would be a full bill of materials from power pod parachute and engine hook to all the 3d printed jigs required as well as plywood and balsa components CNC cut.
Decal sheets included as well, everything to build the rocket to the pic below. Balsa components would more than likely be papered already since I get the best cut on the router this way. It also improves the finish and hasn't affected flight performance that I can tell.
I've worked up a roughly 20 page document of instructions, a little snippet is shown below.
The kit would not be inexpensive. There are 5 3d prints, 3 CNC cut sheet stocks and a multitude of other items on the bill of material like hinge tape for the elevators.
I'm thinking in the neighborhood of $80.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Dave
Over the last couple years I've been slowly putting together a Crusader Swing Wing clone.
Originally designed by Estes in the late 1980's, and only in the catalog for a couple years.
My dad had one when I was a young lad that I was obsessed over. The power pod was broken and he said it didn't work that great. Every time it flew the power pod fin would break off. I've heard of people having really nice glide performance with the glider, and always liked the shape of the nosecone.
I set out to clone it using the resources on JimZ's site, CAD, 3d printing and my CNC router.
I ended up almost completely re-engineering the wing pivot to make it easier to build and more reliable, eliminating the wooden dowel for a small metal threaded standoff.
I created a multitude of jigs from body tube marking jigs, a balance jig as well as an alignment jig for all the components of the power pod.
Many of the parts slot together to aid in alignment as well.
Numerous other improvements were made from the original kit to now, including making the wing larger to help with glide performance and making the power pod fin one piece, with a reinforcing basswood member, since this was where my dad's had broken.
I even went as far as creating some waterslide decal sheets, which is not an exact replica of the original kit. I took a little creative liberty here.
Here's a video of it flying:
Swing Wing Glider Flight
I was planning on grabbing a few more videos, but the flying season quickly came to an end in MN.
I flew the model 6-8 times this summer, with great success and the crowd always enjoyed it!
I was getting anywhere between 30-60 seconds of flight, with some of the better flights being in a little bit of breeze to help keep it aloft.
I am kicking around the idea of putting together some kits if there is interest.
Kits would be a full bill of materials from power pod parachute and engine hook to all the 3d printed jigs required as well as plywood and balsa components CNC cut.
Decal sheets included as well, everything to build the rocket to the pic below. Balsa components would more than likely be papered already since I get the best cut on the router this way. It also improves the finish and hasn't affected flight performance that I can tell.
I've worked up a roughly 20 page document of instructions, a little snippet is shown below.
The kit would not be inexpensive. There are 5 3d prints, 3 CNC cut sheet stocks and a multitude of other items on the bill of material like hinge tape for the elevators.
I'm thinking in the neighborhood of $80.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Dave
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