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Our Original Designs |
This design had two objectives in mind. Foremost it was to be a competative 1/2A 049 club pylon racer AND it was necessary it fit in a briefcase to aid in travel. The result was this little gem. It also has some great features such as modular wings and tail meaning it can be reconfigured to a classic or T-tail and wings of different aspect and airfoil can be interchanged. This gives it the ability to be reconfigured between races to meet the conditions of the day or the event. It also features a single aileron driven directly from the servo (no linkage). The central carbon fiber shaft provides tremendous fuselage strength and rigidity. All internal components are accessed not through hatches but through the open body framework design. The result is an rigid, tough, 049 plane that has unlimited vertical and will lift off from your hand. Fast? Estimated 100+ mph. Designed for 34 G turns. |
Club Pylon Racer "Carpetbagger" |
Specs: Type.................Pylon Racer Gross Weight.............7.5 oz Wing Area............112 sq. in. Wing Loading.....9.6 oz/sq. ft Engine......Cox .049 Killer Bee Prop....................APC 4.2x4 Power Loading......153oz./cid Airfoil.......................MH-44 |
UPDATE : This model is undergoing tests with wing area reduction vs. performance. |
With an emphasis on aerodynamics this model is indeed slippery. Wings are fully sheeted built up balsa with a racing airfoil and reinforced with dual carbon fiber spars. The engine is cowled to reduce drag. Because frontal area was kept to a minimum, it requires the use of a custom brass sheet fuel tank. However, a latex balloon tank can easily be substituted. (see Tips & Mods) When flying this plane you will be surprised at its accurate tracking and it goes exactly where you point it. At speed it flies completely within the 'drag bucket' of this airfoil and loses minimal speed through hard cornering. When they said 'flys like it is on rails' they were talking about this plane! I's not a beginner's plane however and not for the faint of heart. It slows down nicely for landing but keep the speed up until flare! |
Club Pylon Racer "Cold Day" |
Specs: Type.................Pylon Racer Gross Weight..........10.75 oz Wing Area............137 sq. in. Wing Loading...11.3 oz/sq. ft Engine......Cox .049 Killer Bee Prop....................APC 4.2x4 Power Loading......219oz./cid Airfoil.......................MH-44 |
This was an experiment in V-tail design. OBJECTIVE: Create a 2 channel (plus throttle) design with a V-tail and subrudder. Modeled after the 'Golden Era Racing' planes of the 20's this design uses a innovative system of pull-pull cabling to contol three surfaces (ruddervators with sub rudder) with only two servos. The end product was amazing to watch and gorgeous to behold. The plane did fly with modest control authority but due to the complexity of the setup the plane was retired. It could however be given more conventional controls including ailerons and it would be a great sport machine and a novel addition to your hanger. |
Experimental "Monkey Business" |
Specs: Type................Experimental Gross Weight...........14.5 oz Wing Area............208 sq. in. Wing Loading......11 oz/sq. ft Engine..........061 Norvel AME Prop.......................MA 6x4 Power Loading......219oz./cid Airfoil.................Eppler 168 |
Cold Day |
Carpetbagger |
Monkey Business |
G.R.A.C.E |
Custom designed for the Great RCU 1/2A Circumnavigational Event on RCUniverse. This event is all about a 'Postal Plane' which is mailed from participant to participant and flown in as many places around the world as possible. Different pilots from around the world will check in here at CrowRiverRC.com to post their flight log. Watch for this event here and on www.RCUniverse.com Design specs for this plane? Since it is most likely going to have a hard life it had to be tough, light, easy to fly, and very repairable. It was designed to be built with few parts, and no special tools other than glue, sandpaper, and a good old #11 hobby knife. Hand launches are straight ahead and Grace climbs right out. It does basic aerobatics like loops and rolls and has power enough to make flying sporty but not 'white-knuckled'. Stalls are very gentle and straight forward making it fun and forgiving. With the power off, this plane glides like a champ and allows you good time to set up for an approach. |
Specs: Type.........................Sport Gross Weight............13.5 oz Wing Area............164 sq. in. Wing Loading......12 oz/sq. ft Engine....Cox .049 Sure Start Prop......................Cox 6x3 Power Loading......271oz./cid Airfoil................Jedelsky 8% |
Das Wunder combines two of my favorite model types and it's lineage is apparent. The sporty flying abilities of the 'Stick' type aircraft meet the wild speed and turning abilities of the 'Wonder' series. This plane pulls it together. While the plane loves the speed it will slow to a crawl and if pushed stalls are gentle and straight forward. Roll rates are reasonably quick and with the short tail moment buzzing the deck into a vertical pitch up is so fun you would almost swear it makes square corners. While it's listed here in my 'Original Designs' section, this plan is actually a highly modified version of the 'Das Not Ugly' or DNU designed by Ulmer-RC listed on the Friends and Links page. Special thanks for letting me play with the design. Please visit Patrick and check out the DNU and his other designs with the link below. |
Sport Plane "Das Wunder" |
Specs: Type.........................Sport Gross Weight.............14 oz Wing Area............160 sq. in. Wing Loading......12 oz/sq. ft Engine..........Norvel 061 AME Prop.......................MA 6x3 Power Loading......219oz./cid Airfoil.........Semi-symmetrical |
Das Wunder |
Power Loading (oz. per cubic inch displacement) 300+ .........Sunday Flyer 250-300 ..............Sporty 200-250 ...............Racer Below 200.......Holy Cow! |