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I'm revisiting this. I attempted to get an R/C X-37B rocket glider working back in 2011 with some help from someone who had built an X-40 pure gliding model. Scott used a combo of V tail controls for pitch/rudder and flaps/aileron.
To simplify, I tried using just differential V tail on my design which works on many of my other models, but I had issues with adequate pitch/roll control after boost transitioning to glide. Boost appeard to be fine, but I think the wing was blanking the V tail in glide with some aoa.
I eventually re-purposed the fuse into a buran that I flew a lot.
This time I'm using fixed tail and trying a pure elevon model and will see how that works. I used a 6" width, 36" length and 22" wingspan as the base. I made a really simple fuse and left off the rear fuse flare for now just to see if it will work and to save some tail weight.
It's built from 6mm depron bottom/wing, tail and formers, and 3mm formed depron skin. I did some indoor glide tests as I usually do prior to rc install when it is really light and think the CG is good.
9.75 oz rtf unfinished, 10.75 oz after trim vinyl application, with motor ready to fly. Almost no CG change after vinyl was applied.
It's got 2 sq feet of flat surface area so may not be as bad of a brick as I'm expecting.
To simplify, I tried using just differential V tail on my design which works on many of my other models, but I had issues with adequate pitch/roll control after boost transitioning to glide. Boost appeard to be fine, but I think the wing was blanking the V tail in glide with some aoa.
I eventually re-purposed the fuse into a buran that I flew a lot.
This time I'm using fixed tail and trying a pure elevon model and will see how that works. I used a 6" width, 36" length and 22" wingspan as the base. I made a really simple fuse and left off the rear fuse flare for now just to see if it will work and to save some tail weight.
It's built from 6mm depron bottom/wing, tail and formers, and 3mm formed depron skin. I did some indoor glide tests as I usually do prior to rc install when it is really light and think the CG is good.
9.75 oz rtf unfinished, 10.75 oz after trim vinyl application, with motor ready to fly. Almost no CG change after vinyl was applied.
It's got 2 sq feet of flat surface area so may not be as bad of a brick as I'm expecting.
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