GliderIreland - Ireland RC Forum - Flying Model forum in Ireland
Planes => Indoor => Topic started by: Aidan on January 05, 2011, 16:38:57 PM
-
If you were at the CMAC Indoor fly-in at Middleton last October you might have seen the little orange EPP delta I was flying. I designed it with indoor combat, pylon racing and general messing about in mind. It flew well but needed some tweaking to make it as crash-proof and practical as I wanted.
I got time to sort it out and do some testing over Christmas and now it's working very well. I think I'll call it the Imp but any better suggestions will be gratefully considered :?: !
We had 4 of them in the air together on Monday for some combat (with and without streamers) and we're all agreed it's great fun! Lots of collisions, lots of streamer cuts, lots of fun and no significant damage (nicks from enemy props is about all we've seen).
It's built entirely from 6mm EPP (grade 20L – this is the soft stuff) and a little 3x0.5mm carbon strip. The prop's in the middle and it's got a big, blunt, bouncy nose.
It's virtually immune to head on collisions with walls, floors and roof beams (we've tested this several times now!). There's no landing gear or other breakable bits sticking out (but it can still take off easily from a smooth floor due to the new fuselage shape).
I'll post some photos in a couple of hours and maybe some video if I have anything suitable on the camera. I lost the CAD file for the latest version :!: so I'll need to re-draw it before producing a plan and then I'll post it here.
Technical specs, photos and plans coming soon!
Aidan
P.S.
This is my excuse for not making progress on the Index 4......
-
All finished: AUW is 130g
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/P1020106_Layer%201.jpg)
All the bits cut out and the 4 pieces of carbon glued in place
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/P1020063_Layer%201.jpg)
Cut outs in nose centre lamination. This isn't intended for weight saving. The idea is idea is to add some flexibility and bounce to the nose. Hard to tell but I think it works. It does no harm either way.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/P1020070_Layer%201.jpg)
Assembled inverted using Uhu Por
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/P1020081_Layer%201.jpg)
Top half and rudder added. Ready for the radio gear and power system. The hinges are done with Uhu Por - easy, tidy and strong.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/P1020088_Layer%201.jpg)
The "chin" is designed for skidding take-offs but it's also the perfect shape for a toothy paint job! Especially suitable if it's called the Imp
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/P1020094_Layer%201.jpg)
Radio installation is easy. We glued the servos flat to the foam on the early ones but they were a little vulnerable to getting knocked loose. Now I'm putting a 2nd layer of EPP where the servos go and cutting a slightly undersize hole. Push fit servos! No need for pushrod guides if you use 1.5mm carbon rods. I used 1.2mm rods with supports on earlier versions.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/P1020116_Layer%201.jpg)
The only slightly inconvenient part of the build is that you may need to extend your rudder servo lead. It only takes a few minutes though.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/P1020109_Layer%201.jpg)
Video to come!
Aidan
-
Me like it Aidan ! :clap:
And really original on top of that! :clap: :clap:
Is it like the Sumos "concept" for combat ? :?:
Let's see what Mr Boyle think of that! :P
-
yes very sumo'ish
think you mean Boyd Fred
-
No, it's definitely an Imp.
Sumo - Pah! :wink:
The video is still processing on Vimeo. Hopefully I'll be able to post it shortly.
Aidan
-
Here's the video.
This is from the start of our Monday session before we cracked out the streamers. Eanna's flying the purple-ish one, Stu in Red, Paul unpainted. These 3 are all the previous version which has a slightly more swept delta. I think the new one holds speed a little better when looping.
They will happily slow down to a crawl but it's mostly fast-ish flying in this video. They're a little noisy because of the slot but not as loud as the camera makes them seem.
No video of some of the more lively stuff later in the session - I was too busy flying!
[youtube]http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=18470882[/youtube]
-
Hi Aidan,very cool design and I love the sound !!!!!
Busy bees buzzing around the gym :clap:
Your Dad, is having fun !
Happy New Year to you both.
Richard
-
I’ve just come accross this topic............ :roll:
That’s a very neat little flyier Aiden. 8) Looks good fun and, very nimble yet robust. :clap:
Alas, I’ve rather given up on indoor flying or else I think I’d have made myself one of those. I like the idea of a bit of combat. :twisted:
Keith
-
Redrawn the plans yet Aidan?
-
I haven't re-drawn the version shown above. However I did re-draw the version before that (the one shown in the video) and I'm now thinking this version is the best all rounder. Eanna, Stu and Paul have been flying these regularly and are having a ball with them. I'm told their F3P airframes have been sidelined by the Imp chaos. I haven't had much opportunity myself unfortunately, just not managing to get to many indoor sessions :( .
I'm told there's been plenty combat action and to date no serious damage to any of them so it seems the crashproof plan was pretty successful!
You can find the plan for the Pre-Imp here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17027477&postcount=14
The modifications made between this version and the one pictured above are described here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17027490&postcount=15
These plans are for printing on A0 which most people probably can't do (not at home anyway!) so if you need it set up for printing on several A4 sheets let me know.
If you decide to try one, have fun, and let me know what you think or if you have any constructive criticism.
I'm using the following hardware and it's a perfect match to the airframe:
Hardware
Motor: Infinite A1705-2250 or Hyperion Z1705-11 (17gr)
Battery: 2s Rhino 360mAh lipos (21g)
Prop: GWS 6x3DD
Servos: Waypoint W-060BB (6.6g)
Sorry for the delay producing a plan.
If anyone's interested I might look at throwing together some basic kits for next season.
Aidan
-
Thanks Aidan
-
I headed down to the indoor fly-in at Midleton yesterday and had a great day's flying. Thanks Ralph!
There were 4 Imps there and we had several frenzied and hilarious sessions of streamer shredding. I got the distinct impression there might be more of these turning up in the near future!
We had what I think is the first structural damage to one of these to date, when Eanna's Imp somehow got a wing torn half off. Still an easy repair though. These can take a lot of abuse!
-
it wasn't me
:oops:
-
it wasn't me
:oops:
Nope - I think it was the one he was flying himself. It was an easy repair anyway.
-
Looks like you had fun last week end! :clap: :clap:
Any photos / videos?
-
one of ten 8) (http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/rogallo/311798_2340616989497_1072080917_2529980_70453080_n.jpg)
-
one of ten 8) (http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/rogallo/311798_2340616989497_1072080917_2529980_70453080_n.jpg)
I love it when I don't have to build the prototypes!
How's the curved spar? Does it install okay to the shape on the plan? Reasonably stiff?
I need to print myself another copy of this version and get building this weekend. I'll post the plan as soon as I know it's at least as good as the original.
Aidan
-
Hi Aidan,
tis good, a little difficult to fit bit it is fine, alll painted and hinged now.
Servos tonight and I have to wait for the motor :(
Can you email me the plan full size on pdf so I can print another one.
p.s. no sign of where to put the servos :oops:
Cheers
p.s. in Cork it's call D'Imp, like!
-
Hi Aidan,
tis good, a little difficult to fit bit it is fine, alll painted and hinged now.
Servos tonight and I have to wait for the motor :(
Can you email me the plan full size on pdf so I can print another one.
p.s. no sign of where to put the servos :oops:
Cheers
p.s. in Cork it's call D'Imp, like!
Good stuff.
I'll PDF the plan and e-mail it to you later on. The plan I gave you at the weekend is a non-standard page size. I'll see if I can fit it on A1 but it might have to be A0 to get it all on one sheet. What sort of printer do you have available? I can lay it out whatever way makes printing easiest.
I'd suggest installing the servos in the same locations shown in the pictures of my one earlier in the thread. The elevon servos are outboard enough to give about 15mm or 20mm clearance for the pushrods from the tip of the prop. The rudder servo is just a little aft of the slot to keep the CG forward and the cable run short.
I added a second layer of EPP at the servo locations and cut slightly undersize holes so I could push fit the servos. 1.5mm carbon pushrods without guides work fine for the elevons. As you saw, the only part this leaves vulnerable is the servo/pushrod and pushrod/control horn connections. I've been using heat shrink connections like the F3P planes but this isn't bulletproof. Something based on the fuel tube fix we used last weekend might be a more durable method.
Did you do Uhu-Por hinges?
Aidan
-
Santas workshop?(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/rogallo/319534_2391210094293_1072080917_2551745_1454930342_n.jpg)
-
Heard about the imp this evening at our BMFC AGM..as some of the members where talking about indoor flying at Nemo first Monday of the month starting this Febuary..
Who's selling them ? Where can I get one ?
Sean
http://www.bandonmodelflyingclub.com/
.
-
Hi,
I haven't produced kits for the Imp, just drawings.
You can find the current plan in PDF format here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20073637&postcount=49.
One suggestion - place the elevon servos in the centre behind the slot along with the rudder servo and receiver instead of the position shown on the plan. They're much better protected here and you should still be able to get the CG right without much difficulty.
I'll update the plan when I get a chance - can't do it now as I'm in work.
If anyone wants to CNC cut the foam for this let me know and I'll see if I can dig out the CAD file.
Have fun,
Aidan
-
I have a few kits left :D
All the latest improvements made, nice foam too.
Royalties still to be paid though :oops:
-
I have a few kits left :D
All the latest improvements made, nice foam too.
Royalties still to be paid though :oops:
Oooooh......Royalties!
I think you've probably paid me in cakes already.