A softer approach to armor

Here you'll find helpful hints on making your planes stronger.

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THend
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Post by THend »

Well, Pete Sullivan was over last week and we cranked out a new design. The success of the Falcon and Cobra is demanding development of combat wings here at AREA 52. Petes' design certainly has some genre of Cobra in it, however, Pete has several small tweaks in this design that are unique.
Each piece is keyed for alignment with small plywood rectangles, and the motor mount slot aligns the center sections as well.
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Here is Pete Sullivan, AREA 52 Technical Specialist, with his latest design. We opted out on the SLE for the prototype, however spar slots run full span, and it snaps together nicely.
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Here is another shot of his new design. I really like how the LE is a perfect fit for all the pieces, but the outer panels are shorter chord. You gotta love CNC!
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<font color="red"><font size="3">Look for AREA 52 SWAG Wear on sale at a contest near YOU!</font id="size3"></font id="red">

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THend
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Post by THend »

Soft LE, and soft LE re-enforcement. The tubing is irrigation drip line from Home Depot probonded in place. This will spread out the impact forces even farther and reduce or eliminate tearing. It appears to have enough room to insert a 1/8" fiberglass rod through it which would spread the forces even farther. I have not used the rod to date, but have bounced one ship off of a head on with success with just the setup as shown.
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The Snake
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Post by The Snake »

Terry, please call Jim Cole (just details, not to worry)[:D]

Victor (the Snake) Shamulus
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Which_way_is_up
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Post by Which_way_is_up »

First impression, too little/too small an area to be effective.

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"Tail end Charlie"
Matthew 7:6
<b>Cobra and Smack II Kits at</b> http://www.texascombat.com
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Which_way_is_up
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Post by Which_way_is_up »

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by THend</i>
<br />Well, Pete Sullivan was over last week and we cranked out a new design. The success of the Falcon and Cobra is demanding development of combat wings here at AREA 52. Petes' design certainly has some genre of Cobra in it, however, Pete has several small tweaks in this design that are unique.
Each piece is keyed for alignment with small plywood rectangles, and the motor mount slot aligns the center sections as well.
Image

Here is Pete Sullivan, AREA 52 Technical Specialist, with his latest design. We opted out on the SLE for the prototype, however spar slots run full span, and it snaps together nicely.
Image

Here is another shot of his new design. I really like how the LE is a perfect fit for all the pieces, but the outer panels are shorter chord. You gotta love CNC!
Image

<font color="red"><font size="3">Look for AREA 52 SWAG Wear on sale at a contest near YOU!</font id="size3"></font id="red">


<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">



<b><font size="2">Looks to me like a foam version of a Russian design already flying? </font id="size2"></b>[:0][:o)]

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"Tail end Charlie"
Matthew 7:6
<b>Cobra and Smack II Kits at</b> http://www.texascombat.com
ptsullivan
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Post by ptsullivan »

There is a saying: Good artists create, great artists steal.
I claim to be neither great, nor an artist, but the thief
title could probably be applied. There is no shame in
recognizing a good concept and pride never cut a streamer.
I'd like to give good credit to everyone who ever influenced
someone else’s design. I'd also like to think that good
competition is a form of thanks.

That Russian bird looks awesome.
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Which_way_is_up
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Post by Which_way_is_up »

Pete,

Actually it really doesn't matter if the design is an original as much as the great benefits everyone in the combat community gets from documenting the construction techniques used to build it. I'm biased but I happen to think that the Texas group does an outstanding job of trying to share their building ideas with the rest of the group. It does so much for the enhancement of the hobby when folks go out of their way to make the extra effort to show with photos and write ups a new way of doing something.

I would be very interested in seeing how this bird gets put together. In particular the nose and engine assembly. I'm always looking for a better way of doing something.[:I][:D] It a great feeling to see your ideas copied, even if in some cases all you get is a lot grief, like my bladder article.[}:)]

<hr noshade size="1">

Image
"Tail end Charlie"
Matthew 7:6
<b>Cobra and Smack II Kits at</b> http://www.texascombat.com
THend
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Post by THend »

Roy,

Back when the C/L guys showed up I knew combat was going to change forever. I really knew it the first time I watched a Falcon compete. I personally don't think it is a bad thing though, and I really want to convey that. I started scouring through all the control line combat sites I could find. Then I found this, and it has been what I have wanted to build for a long time. Funny, but it really is what all of us are shooting for.

The big thing with flying wings that I have learned is that if you don't use elevons, they are much easier to set up. I fly Dynamic Soaring with an elevon ship, and the elevator portion of my throws is like only 1/8 up and down (and that is alot).

When I noticed what you guys were doing with the Cobra, it really made sense to me. The effective elevator area is greatly reduced, thus allowing more throw. I relate it to de-tuning the response so it is easier to manage, especially during initial flights. Great idea! I have converted my two Falcons to something similar to Lees closing setups with the Falcons, ie elevator and aileron.
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You guys really have out done yourselves. The article on the bladder is great! I still have not mastered it though, I have pulled off some great flights on a bladder tank, and have been pretty frustrated too. I know I need to just go out to the field and practice starting on a bladder.

Next time I cut a set of cores for this design, and I know it will be very soon, I will shoot some pics to show you what we are doing. It is dirt simple, but makes the whole center section go together easier in my mind than the multi piece section used on the Cobra. The tradeoff may be the spar, but I think even Sean still used a full height spar in his Twinky design.

Catch ya later

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