Aurora Clipper R/C rocket glider flights

[burkefj]

I've gone through a few iterations of my Aurora Clipper R/C rocket glider, The stratodart was the first version that used a straight through the tube mid mounted wing, with a rtf weight of around 11-12 oz, Flew great and is very neutral which I like. I then switched to a low mounted wing with with some dihedral which was easier to build and a bit easier for people to fly in glide mode to to some self restorative tendency and used the same wing planform, initially using 2" PS-II tubing and cones and re-named it to the Aurora Clipper, and built a couple of versions with LED lights for dusk flying. I then switched to BT-80 tubing and PNC-80K cones which cut the rtf weight to around 10.5 oz rtf. I then redesigned it to use BT-60 tubing, and shortened the wing root chord somewhat and shortened the length to work with some cones I got through rocketarium which got the rtf weight down to 8.5 oz. I also moved the servos to the top of the wing to keep them off the ground on landing and moved the rail buttons to the top right of the model for the same reason.

I then did one version using BT-60 tubing, a lighter cone and 18mm D2.3T motors that weighed 6.5 oz rtf.

My final iterations now use BT-60 tubing. This version weighs between 7.6-8 oz rtf with the same wing and tail design.

Shown below in order of creation...Glide times consistently increased to now about 2 minutes with a nice straight boost and dead air which is not bad for a flat plate wing.

 

[burkefj]

Here are some flights from this morning on the latest versions, the Pan Am and TWA versions were straight off the building board using the exact same trim settings on my radio for boost and glide which were perfect. A constant 8-9mph headwind allowed them to just hover, since they are very light, around 6.7-7 oz in glide they don't penetrate very well so you have to push the nose down to keep them from going backwards or boost very straight and roll into the wind at the top and avoid getting too far downwind. I'm pretty happy with the design progression and how well they fly.

 

[James Owen]

Beautiful flights!

 

[Cape Byron]

Love that pic from below.

 

[sr205347d]

I have three of those:



Actually, the one in the middle is a Star Clipper.

 

[neil_w]

I've gone through a few iterations of my Aurora Clipper R/C rocket glider

As always, I am dumbfounded at the utter perfection of your paint and decal jobs. Gorgeous work.

 

[burkefj]

As always, I am dumbfounded at the utter perfection of your paint and decal jobs. Gorgeous work.

I appreciate that, in fact, the only paint is on the nose cone, stickershock gets credit for most of the decals, I do the fine line sharpie details and a few hand cut vinyl accents..

 

[burkefj]

I have three of those:

View attachment 564901

Actually, the one in the middle is a Star Clipper.

I do like the spacex markings

 

[burkefj]

I have three of those:

View attachment 564901

Actually, the one in the middle is a Star Clipper.

I worked with Stickershock to provide a SpaceX set for folks, I like what sr205347d did, but I included body stripes and windows on the fuselage..

 

[sr205347d]

Very cool!

 

[McTschegsn]

I think I have to build one of those After having fun with my Me-163 this might be the next valid step
Awesome work