Converting and scaling a Mimi

Hey all -

I was a fairly avid rocketeer in my youth. Fairly new to RC, although I have built a few gliders and one gas powered. The flying attempts did not go well, as I didn't have an instructor.

What I am thinking of doing, is taking the Mimi plans that I have, and scaling them down by 50%. I'm looking at some of the Futaba feather servos, with a 2 or 3 channel receiver. I'd like to make a park flyer, as there are quite a few parks near me that allow rocket flying. Some of the questions I have:

- Will scaling it down still work? Or do I have to think about reshaping the wing?
- The wing is a shallow V shape, can I make it a dihedral with a flat panel over the fuselage for easier handling?
- What do people do for tail booms?
- Can I do a semi built wing + monocote? Or will that not be enough to withstand the launch stress?
- Looking at an A or a B engine to limit height, I think 3-400 feet should be enough to get some decent flight time.

What am I not thinking of? Any tips/ideas/advice? Or even existing plans for a micro boost RC glider? My boys are 5 and 3, very interested in space/astronomy, and I would like to get them started thinking about rocketry in general. The rockets (Starting with Nova ARF) will be for them, this is for both of us.

Thanks!

JP

What is a "Mimi", and what is it's wingspan? Delta, or conventional wing layout?

Really you should not start learning RC with a rocket glider that you cannot turn off the power if you get confused. Smaller gliders are harder to see as well. I'd suggest get a month or two of flight time with an inexpensive motor glider type rc airplane, like an eflite radian or micro radian, one that you can take up, turn off the power and practice your left right and deadstick approaches..you can also get a radio that will last for many models and has model memories, a one time purchase, once that is under control, if you like smaller gliders, check out JH aerospace that makes several boost gliders and rocket gliders for smaller motors or the north coast hawk, they are well designed and you don't need to figure anything out, then try making your Mimi conversion once you are comfortable flying, then comfortable boosting and controling under boost if needed....

burkefj said:

Really you should not start learning RC with a rocket glider that you cannot turn off the power if you get confused. Smaller gliders are harder to see as well. I'd suggest get a month or two of flight time with an inexpensive motor glider type rc airplane, like an eflite radian or micro radian, one that you can take up, turn off the power and practice your left right and deadstick approaches..you can also get a radio that will last for many models and has model memories, a one time purchase, once that is under control, if you like smaller gliders, check out JH aerospace that makes several boost gliders and rocket gliders for smaller motors or the north coast hawk, they are well designed and you don't need to figure anything out, then try making your Mimi conversion once you are comfortable flying, then comfortable boosting and controling under boost if needed....

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And then after you get the hang of the ones burkefj recommends....check out Dynasoar Rocketry's offerings, you will be hooked!

Crawf56 said:

What is a "Mimi", and what is it's wingspan? Delta, or conventional wing layout?

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Since you asked . . .

Dave F.

More . . .

The rest . . .

@Ez2cDave -

Just as an FYI, Frans prefers that the plans be requested from him rather than uploaded to various sites:

You can use the drawings that Dorsal "found" but there old en somewhat simple.
If you have problems getting an E-mail to [email protected] send your request to

[email protected]

(We won't make the plans direct downloadable, we like to keep some track of where the plans are going, just out of interest)

Regards

Frans

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