Some history - this model (now owned by Neil M) was built by Charlie Loveday several years ago. From what I recall looking at the construction photos he shared, the wings are carbon-spar reinforced and carbon sheeted marine foam. The tubing is carbon wrapped (inside & out) PML phenolic, nose cone is a standard 6" PML 4:1 ogive. It appears very solidly built. Charlie made fiberglass servo covers & hatch (the latter I relieved for a look-ahead camera). It has an altimeter/electronics bay mid-body, which I opted not to use due to potential rf interference. Motor mount can accommodate a 75/6000. It's flown once on a 54/1700 commercial motor with Bill Davidson on the radio, but didn't get into a glide as the chute prematurely deployed. Minor damage was sustained on landing.
I'm setting it up for flight in a couple weeks at URRF on a 54/2550 white research motor. I'm guessing it'll get about 2600' which I hope will allow some time to get a handle on the CG and handling while still being visible. I'll use a couple rate gyros to assist in a straight boost and to damp some expected roll twitchiness coming down. An RDAS will be along for data only, maybe a GPS too if I get time to install it. Given wing loading and flat airfoil I expect it to be moving pretty fast, probably not landable in a rough field without a $6,000,000-Man type tumble so the plan is to get it into a glide then try to get it somewhat vertical to lose energy and deploy the chute via a Transolve TripleFire.
It's been fun and challenging to work on, I really hope it works!!
I'm setting it up for flight in a couple weeks at URRF on a 54/2550 white research motor. I'm guessing it'll get about 2600' which I hope will allow some time to get a handle on the CG and handling while still being visible. I'll use a couple rate gyros to assist in a straight boost and to damp some expected roll twitchiness coming down. An RDAS will be along for data only, maybe a GPS too if I get time to install it. Given wing loading and flat airfoil I expect it to be moving pretty fast, probably not landable in a rough field without a $6,000,000-Man type tumble so the plan is to get it into a glide then try to get it somewhat vertical to lose energy and deploy the chute via a Transolve TripleFire.
It's been fun and challenging to work on, I really hope it works!!