Low-powered boost-gliders

[sj_h1]

I am a big fan of boost-gliders (low-powered). I am wondering how many more fans are out there. I am a BAR so I really don't have much of a fleet built up yet. What are your favorites? What are the best flying?

 

[gpoehlein]

Best flying? In my book it is this free plan from the NAR website:

https://www.nar.org/competition/plans/pdf/turnup.pdf

Turn the wing around and move it back about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch and it flies like crazy!

 

[jadebox]

I'm a big fan of Rob Edmonds's gliders - especially my favorite, the Deltie Thunder. I like how easy they are to assemble and how there's little or no trimming required to get them to fly right.

I'm on my third Deltie Thunder. They are big and look so cool on the way up and as they glide home.

I launched a Gemini Thunder once at the NEFAR site. The Gemini consists of two gliders that are boosted together and separate at apogee. My Gemini Thunder boosted beautifully. At ejection, the two gliders took off in opposite directions. One headed southwest, the other southeast. I don't know how far they glided. In fact, for all I know, they are still gliding.

-- Roger

 

[sj_h1]

Thanks I downloaded the link and I think I'll give it a try.

 

[sj_h1]

I'm a big fan of Rob Edmonds's gliders - especially my favorite, the Deltie Thunder. I like how easy they are to assemble and how there's little or no trimming required to get them to fly right.

I'm on my third Deltie Thunder. They are big and look so cool on the way up and as they glide home.

I launched a Gemini Thunder once at the NEFAR site. The Gemini consists of two gliders that are boosted together and separate at apogee. My Gemini Thunder boosted beautifully. At ejection, the two gliders took off in opposite directions. One headed southwest, the other southeast. I don't know how far they glided. In fact, for all I know, they are still gliding.

-- Roger

Is this a kit, or is ther plans available! What motor did you use in the video?

 

[Gillard]

edmonds kits are fantastic, my favourite is the Ecee Thunder, a monster of a glider and really performs on a E9. after that my most flown glider in edmonds tinee, which gives good glider on 13mm motors.
a really nice looking bird is orbitals engineering's VMX, i'm in the process of finishing the larger 24mm motor version. i think the company has folded, but their are a few kits left with vendors.

 

[sj_h1]

Well I just finished building a Flat Cat and it trimed out pretty easily. Too bad its windy and threatening rain. Anyone got a link to those edmound kits?

 

[jflis]

If you're into micro sized gliders check out the FlisKits Nanite (current NAR record holder for 1/8A RG)

 

[Pantherjon]

Well I just finished building a Flat Cat and it trimed out pretty easily. Too bad its windy and threatening rain. Anyone got a link to those edmound kits?

There are a few places who sell Edmonds' kits:

Hobbylinc

Jon Rocket

Commonwealth

And I am sure probably a couple others I may have missed..

 

[SecretSquirrel]

You might want to take a look at the X-RV, Red Baron, Mega Baron and Dogfight.

 

[sj_h1]

There are a few places who sell Edmonds' kits:

Hobbylinc

Jon Rocket

Commonwealth

And I am sure probably a couple others I may have missed..

Those edmound kits are "t" motors. I'm impressed that any boost glider can fly on anything so small, but I usually buy my motors in bulk and prefer to stay with standard a-c motors.

 

[sj_h1]

You might want to take a look at the X-RV, Red Baron, Mega Baron and Dogfight.

Most of those eject the engine casing. I have had problems with the ejected engine catching the the field afire in the past. It gets awful dry here in Texas.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Most of those eject the engine casing. I have had problems with the ejected engine catching the the field afire in the past. It gets awful dry here in Texas.

I haven't had that problem here in Texas.

 

[sj_h1]

I haven't had that problem here in Texas.

I have, 3 times! Always had an extingisher handy but sometimes has to run a 100 yards with it!

 

[CharlaineC]

For me I have to go with my up most fav. being the crusader swingwing from estes. then theirs the arv condor, sisserwing transport. and a few others.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

I have, 3 times! Always had an extingisher handy but sometimes has to run a 100 yards with it!

Have you been flying during the burn bans or something? That's about the only time I can see having a real issue.

You might want to attend a DARS launch, we fly in Frisco and we don't experience that problem.

 

[sj_h1]

I use to have several swing wings. I think they were a model of the F-14, sort of. Looked great but were very heavy even on a c6. I would like to try that estes sissor wing. How does that fly? Is it worth the effort?

 

[sj_h1]

Have you been flying during the burn bans or something? That's about the only time I can see having a real issue.

You might want to attend a DARS launch, we fly in Frisco and we don't experience that problem.

I keep trying to get to the DARS field but it either gets cancelled or something comes up and I can't go. Maybe I will see you there on the next launch in 2 weeks isn't it. I was going to join up a few years ago and the club dues seemed reasonable but that NAR membership was pretty pricey. Do you guys still require it?

 

[SecretSquirrel]

I keep trying to get to the DARS field but it either gets cancelled or something comes up and I can't go.

Yes, we've had to cancel a couple of launches lately. The field has been under a burn ban and we like to be responsible, obey the law and not set the field on fire.

I was going to join up a few years ago and the club dues seemed reasonable but that NAR membership was pretty pricey. Do you guys still require it?

We've never required membership to come to the field and fly and we've never required you to be a NAR member to join DARS.

 

[JRThro]

Best flying? In my book it is this free plan from the NAR website:

https://www.nar.org/competition/plans/pdf/turnup.pdf

Turn the wing around and move it back about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch and it flies like crazy!

Greg, how did you get the idea of turning the wing around and moving it back?

Also, does that design need much trimming? Or generally how sensitive is it to the builder's technique? I guess I'm asking if it can be considered a good glider for glider beginners.

 

[texas-bill]

I am a big fan of boost-gliders (low-powered). (snip)

Those edmound kits are "t" motors. I'm impressed that any boost glider can fly on anything so small, but I usually buy my motors in bulk and prefer to stay with standard a-c motors. (snip)

Regarding X-RV, Red Baron, Mega Baron and Dogfight: Most of those eject the engine casing. I have had problems with the ejected engine catching the the field afire in the past.

Okay, if you don't like any of these, tell us which ones you favor. That is, if you're a "big fan", surely there must be some you DO like, right?

BTW, T motors include A motors, and they pack just as much woosh as 18mm A motors.

Bill

.

 

[Ironnerd88]

FIRE?
Hmm... I build X-24 clones fairly often. I use a 24mm motor mount tube and adapt it down to 18mm. I out a streamer on the 18mm adapter. That way when it spits out, it is safer (you can see it before it hits you in the head), and the motor casing is mostly insulated from the dry grass. Also, the streamer slows the motors's decent a little letting it cool another degree or so. ALSO, put wadding in the end of the motor, this helps prevent scorching the cool airframe wrapper.

Lastly, I have never managed to get one to glide with the fins on, so I just leave them off. Works fine, but does not look quite as cool.

 

[sj_h1]

FIRE?
Hmm... I build X-24 clones fairly often. I use a 24mm motor mount tube and adapt it down to 18mm. I out a streamer on the 18mm adapter. That way when it spits out, it is safer (you can see it before it hits you in the head), and the motor casing is mostly insulated from the dry grass. Also, the streamer slows the motors's decent a little letting it cool another degree or so. ALSO, put wadding in the end of the motor, this helps prevent scorching the cool airframe wrapper.

Lastly, I have never managed to get one to glide with the fins on, so I just leave them off. Works fine, but does not look quite as cool.

Now thats a good idea! I have done the pod thing several times but I never considered this.

 

[rocketgroupmike]

My all-time favorite is the Estes Nighthawk. (now available from Semroc)

 

[jadebox]

Is this a kit, or is ther plans available! What motor did you use in the video?

Edmonds's gliders are offered as kits by several vendors. I usually order from Discount Rocketry, but you can buy them from other places.

I think I used an Aerotech E15-4 motor for the launch in the video. The "thunder" series of gliders fly okay on Estes D12-3 motors, but I like the little extra altitude (and the nice flame) you get from the Aerotech motors.

-- Roger

 

[MysticalRockets]

Those edmound kits are "t" motors. I'm impressed that any boost glider can fly on anything so small, but I usually buy my motors in bulk and prefer to stay with standard a-c motors.

That is an incorrect assumption. Edmunds makes 4 models that take the A3-4T motor. This is an A motor, or commonly referred to around here as a 13mm motor.

All but one of them have upscale models taking a regular A-C, or 18mm motor, and some taking D or 24mm motors. One model had 3 separate gliders, and another uses a two stage setup.

And even with the 13mm motors, all of the Edmunds gliders fly great with no trim needed. They are excellent designs. I have flown a number of them, and have been very pleased with the results.