Which EDF model for a learner?

[Happy Days]

Thanks for your commiserations guys. (I’ve not long been out of hospital following a minor operation and the tumble has left me feeling a tad sore at the moment. ) Hey-Ho!

Ron, with xmas coming up why don’t you splash out and get yourself a little something to play with when you cant get to the slopes, or when there’s no wind? (Every home should have one! )

Yep, slender delta's are typically pretty well behaved at low speed and can slow down a lot more than non delta planes with similar wing loading.
At high angle of attack the airflow comes around the lead edge and rolls into a vortex over each wing. That gives you a big stable low pressure region over each wing and allows a very high lift coefficient. Drag gets very high when flying it like this but that's helpful for landing.

Now that is very interesting information Aidan, :?:  and answers the question as to why the model is so surprisingly well behaved during launch and landing. I really wasn’t expecting her to have such good low speed manners.
It does seem that you get the best of both worlds with Delta wings, the benefits from a high wing loading with a low landing speed.

So,……what’s the downside of Delta wings Aidan? There must be some, otherwise we would see more of them.
Thanks for your info by the way.

K.

[Aidan]

....So,……what’s the downside of Delta wings Aidan? There must be some, otherwise we would see more of them.
Thanks for your info by the way.

K.

In normal level flight they won't be nearly as efficient as a higher aspect ratio wing which means less range and/or more fuel. Where deltas come into their own is for transonic/supersonic planes where you need the wing sweep. Compared to a chevron wing like the English Electric Lightning, a delta gives you lots of wing volume (somewhere to put fuel, landing gear & weapons) and a reasonable landing speed.

For model planes where efficiency isn't a big issue they work well.

Aidan

[Happy Days]

Thanks Aidan,…….I’ll remember that.  
(I’ll probably have to ask you some more questions later,…….when I think of them! :lol: )

K.

[Ron]

What! :shock:  :shock:
By myself a Chrissy Present?
Such reactionist ideas Keith.
I have enough trouble with the thought police as it is

On the other hand.... I could blame you now you've actually voiced my thoughts  :twisted:  :twisted:

Heh, heh, heh...

Ron

[Happy Days]

Go on Ron,……..be a devil :twisted: . .just for christmas.

After all,   you don’t want ANOTHER inflatable doll do you? :?:

[Ron]

Decisions, decisions.....
Tricky one that. :!:
A Squall or another inflatable doll? :?:

OK, I give in.
A Squall it is then.  

Ron

[Happy Days]

Goodman Ron! :clap:   You won’t be disappointed. (At least I don’t think you will)

Excellent instructions, a bit like painting by numbers. (Do they still do those? :?: ) Assembles like a piece of  preverbal wee wee. :?

When finished you’ll be able to fly it anywhere.  
(Although, of course, you would only ever fly it at an authorised and registered flying ground, :shock:  like I do. :roll: )

As I discovered , the Squall only has one weakness Ron :shock: …….

It breaks, when people fall on them. :lol:

Well,... There's none so strange as folk!

[Ron]

My only real worry is that it's a bit on the fast side, as this YouTube vid shows...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/v/ClfU6Tsk-fY&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Thought that is with the vectored option.

Ron

[Happy Days]

Yea, but there are also many shots of the model flying with only very little thrust, almost gliding, yet still flying and controllable.  

That’s what I like about this model, though may be most delta winged planes are the same, it’s very well mannered at slow speeds.
So if you don’t want it to fly fast, don’t open the throttle so much!

Are you going to get the V.T. unit as well? You can fit it on later if you’re dubious about flying it first time with vectored thrust.

K.

[Ron]

Yes it certainly does glide well.

No I think I'll keep the VT unit for an upgrade later.

Is yours the HP version with the 4 cell battery, and higher power motor?

Ron

[Happy Days]

Yes,…..John P first suggested that having a higher powered motor would be a good idea.

I like the idea of having more power available because if I don’t need it I don’t have to use it, yet if I do want it it’s there :? ………………If you get my drift??

[Ron]

Hmmmm.... Makes sense.

Start browsing the shop adverts then...

Ron

[Ron]

Lots of on-line research.
Well, it's the dark evenings you know  

And a Squall is ordered, complete with VT unit.
Yes I've gone completely bonkers.
Even ordered a couple of LiPos too.
They nearly cost as much as the plane :cry:  :cry:

Well, that's the pension gone then  :shock:
Bread and cheese for the rest of the month.

Ron

[Happy Days]

oooOOOOooo,…….you little rascal, Ron. :clap:

Feels good when you know it’s on order though, doesn’t it!
And you’ve ordered a VT unit. Hmmmm sounds like there’s a bit of One-up-man-ship going on  here. :twisted:

As for two sets of Li-pos,.... the extravagance of it!!!
I found that 2200mAh were much cheaper, about £30 each, so I bought them. I still get 8 minute flights, just have to fly on slightly reduced throttle setting for some of the time. :roll:

Er,……. by the way Ron, do you normally eat anything more than bread and cheese?

Just finished repairing my Squall. Unfortunately Every battle leaves a Scar,  but I actually quite like models that aren’t perfect looking.

A few creases and blemishes here and there adds a touch of character, don’t you think?

(I say the same thing when I look in the mirror. :oops: )

K.

[Aidan]

As for two sets of Li-pos,.... the extravagance of it!!!
I found that 2200mAh were much cheaper, about £30 each, so I bought them. I still get 8 minute flights, just have to fly on slightly reduced throttle setting for some of the time. :roll:

I'd suggest trying Flightmax 2650mAh cells from Hobbyking. They'll cost you about 1/2 that and I've found them very good.