This years wings

[bigMouse]

Have always liked wings, here is a rundown on what I have ready for 2013 and their history!

The Mamba is tiny at 36" wingspan (910mm) weighs 1lb 2oz (1kg) flying weight, uses standard size futaba 3001 servos, 800mAh nicad battery pack in nose. Used for several years slope combat, almost indestructable, highly aerobatic. kitted by SAS (Soar Away Sailplanes) needs about 6mph wind to fly. Never considered to use this for fpv.

[bigMouse]

The Python (no longer made in this size) at 53" wingspan (1340mm) weighs 1lb 3 3/4oz (0.48kg) including standard size futaba 3001 servos, 800mAh nicad battery pack in nose. Used for several years slope combat and just plain flying off the cliffs and hills, almost as indestructible as the Mamba. kitted by SAS

several years sloping it on 35mHz then it was turned into a UAV.  Installed APM1.4 in it, not particularly successful, too high wing loading. Difficulty in launching etc...

[bigMouse]

Converted again later for fpv, this worked fine with a 200mW 5.8g vTX. Fatshark camera. Although the small 1500mAh Lipo battery made for short flight times, not so good...

Have today just returned this one back to its original form for slope combat.

This one has been flying regularly for at least 15 years...

[bigMouse]

Here is the Vega at 62" wingspan (1600mm) weighs 4lb 1/2oz (1.81kg) including standard size futaba 3001 servos, 2x 4000mAh 3S turnigy Lipo batteries in nose. Only used so far LOS in very windy weather, seems quite stable, easy to launch, will fly quite slow! kitted by Flying Dog.

Looks a bit untidy, wasn't sure what to put in it! Think it will end up with an ezosd, got one spare here! might laminate this one sometime in the future.

Standard size futaba 3001 servos. Note the servo lead top entry in the RangeLink Rx. makes it a bit difficult to hide below the wing surface!

[bigMouse]

The latest one is the Zephyr ZXL at 82" wingspan (2083mm) Flying weight not yet known! Contrary to common perception, it's not a very big plane (Multiplex Cularis is bigger) Using HS85mg on outer elevons, thinking of experimenting with the inner elevons as brakes, Planning on using 2x 4000mAh 4S Lipo batteries in central forward compartment. 750KV motor, possibly 13" prop. Got a spare RangeLink Rx to go in this one!

Think the sweep back is getting as far as you should go with a wing! Although with the vertical stabs and wing strakes should make it really stable to fly! Think the Vertical leaning stabs is near enough to the prop might actually increase the noise level! kitted by Ritewing

Close up of front shows a camera box machined from 1.6mm fg sheet. It seems like it might protect the camera. Thinking of having the rx closer to the center on this one, to keep the servo leads shorter, the vTx will be the other side and further out...

Thinking of installing APM2 (The one with the built in Mediatek GPS) And MinimOSD, Don't need a super accurate GPS like uBlox on plane! The combination should give long range and mission/RTL capability.  Vtx 2.4g for now, might change that later!

The last pic shows the group pic. see the ZXL isn't that large, and with the high aspect ratio comes a heavier wing loading! Anyway, should be interesting to fly

[Dusty]

nice run through of your wings there.

My wing history is as follows:

Swift 2 (LOS)
Vega (swapped for a FJU )
Wing Wing Z-84
Tek Sumo #1 LOS
Tek Sumo #2 FPV (currently being built by flybys.co.uk)

[bigMouse]

Noisy but nice!

[Dusty]

yup, my wings are/have been a bit noisy due to their size. smaller wings like these I tend to stick with my good ol' tried n tested 2200kv motor with 6x4 prop on a 3S... pretty ballistic for anything under 1kg though

I put a 4S in the wing wing Z84 and it was mental.

[bigMouse]

I've got a Turnigy 2826-6 2200kv on the way too, and some 6 x 4 Master props.
planning to put on a foamboard motor glider, Forgot to order the 40a ESC though! and out of stock in the UK...

[Dusty]

you gonna build the Photon from experimental airlines?

[bigMouse]

Yes, and if that's successful I rather like that Canard for light FPV.

The foam board arrived, appears to be the same as in the YT videos!
My hot glue gun is not so low temp melt, it works on foam board but need to be careful with it directly on the foam.

[bigMouse]

Chris, Just did a practice run, built an Armin wing (including Aileron) in 30 mins start to finish! Fastest wing I've ever made! Quite tough too, much tougher than depron. Only slightly tricky bit is getting no glue oozing out of the TE, else it makes it slightly difficult to cut the V groove, although it's still easy to form it after with coarse abrasive.
 

[Dusty]

what are you using for wing spars? he always talks about arrow shafts, but I dont think bow hunting is as popular here as it is in the US, so the local ASDA doesn't usually have them in stock lol.

I've got a few ebay users I've used before saved in list, I've bought carbon and fibreglass spars/tubes/strips from them in the past with no issues and fairly decent prices too.

[bigMouse]

It appears that a single wing panel (ie 30") doesn't need a spar

Ed uses a spar on two panels (60") options are wood dowel, square 1/4 x 1/4 wood or carbon tube!

I searched for 32" carbon tube on ebay, all either too short or too expensive (I think they are cutting it for cheapest mailing costs)

Regarding arrow shafts, this is the best place I found in the uk:

www.merlin-bows.co.uk
www.merlinarchery.co.uk

I had a letter back from him saying:
The OD of these shafts is 9/32", at all spines the stock length is longer
than 31" the price is £2.77 per shaft (inc nock and insert).

I'm not sure how they are measuered! Think it includes the nock, which is the notch on the tail end that engages the bow string! And the spine means how stiff the shaft is to bending. Of couse we can throw away the nock, and the insert can be used to extend the tubing (I think). Don't know if it has slits in the sides for the feathers.

Good price though! It appears that you get 32" appx uncut. postage is a bit expensive so better to buy several.

I tracked down a foamboard supplier:
www.foamboardonline.co.uk

Order the 5mm stuff 20" x 30" then immediately email them and say you want "Insite Reveal"
Or email them first, they are very helpful, even sent me a sample first!
he Insite Reveal is imported from the US and has the paper lining that can be peeled off, exactly as seen in the videos! Only negative is that its bulk buy only, I ordered 30 sheet pack

And my hotter than normal hot glue gun doesn't damage the foamboard even if the glue is applied directly to the foam underneath.

[bigMouse]

Have ordered some arrow shafts, will let you know what they are like!