Flash!  My new book is now on sale.  Click here for more info Click here for more info

The model is a 22% ( 24ft. span) model of the Voyager by Glenn Dunlap of Cincinnatti.  Yes it fly's!!  Models like this are what this site is all about so let Glenn tell it .......... "Marv,I just wanted to thank you for your site. I used it in designing my 22% scale model of the Rutan Voyager. I thought you might be interested. Here is a picture and my own web-site which I started in October 02 to keep people who were helping me updated on my progress.  http://www.geocities.com/gdunlap104/VoyagerRC.html "
"Secondly you are right. I have only designed my own free-flight airplanes before this. I had never known what a vacum-bag was, never used carbon fiber before but I was willing to really dream big and say "what if?". I have built lots of planes(kits) in my modeling career but never had I had taken a chance like this and reeeeeeally pushed the envelope. I readily admit I did rely on other peoples' knowledge to help me through (that's the great thing about this hobby) some of the technical parts.
     It was satisfying to just build this magnificent bird, but then to have it fly in a controlled manner and get it back on the ground was beyond description! My wife said she wish she had the camera on me instead of the plane! I am planning to write an article for AMA magazine and in it I am going to encourage people to really try something  different. To quote Eleanor Roosevelt " you must do the very thing you think you cannot".
Glenn."
(No one could have said it better !!)
Shawn Strunk's electric Wright Flyer

Top Row
Photo's 1 & 2 -This Wright Flyer was a DARE kit mastered by Shawn Strunk.   Controls are rudder, elevator and throttle, no wing warping.  Motors are GWS DXA IPS motors (same as in the GWS Tiger Moth).  Using an eight cell Ni-Mh battery, 15 Minutes are normal flight duration.  This model is covered with dope and tissue!!  I just hate guys like this ....... so damned talented...... and the craftsmanship is undeniable.
Photo's by George Sauer. He is justifiable proud of his  Minolta Dimage 7i camera. This camera is capable of 7 shots per second.  Pretty darned neat!
Photo 3 -Bob Terhune and his Long Eze.(right)  We had quite a time with the Long Hardee (definitly not Eze and no smut intended)  Here is what Bob went through during about 7 rebuilds.  I will quote:

Engine started with a  "40" 4-cycle , then changed to a "45" 4-cycle, and then finally changed to "45" 2-cycle. The canard incidence started as 3 degrees positive and changed to 2 degrees positive.   The canard projected area was increased l5%.  The thrust line started as 2 degrees positive and was changed to 0 degrees.    The weight at the start was 7lbs. 4 oz. and was gradually decreased to 6 lbs.   This all went on several years ago and hasn't been flown for the last 5 or 6 years, but is still in one piece.

Second Row
Photo #1 - Here is a concept picture Dan Greisch of Palm Bay, FL. recently emailed to me.  He is a mechanical design engineer using Pro-Engineer software.  Pretty cocky picture there Mr. Dan!!

Photo #2 & 3-Here are a couple pictures of two other canards.  The front one is a Sig Tristar by George Sauer.

Third Row
Photo #1 &2 - TriStar in the air.  It is electric and powered by an Astro geared 020. Weighs 2 lbs 7 ounces.
Photo #3 - This foam prototype belongs to Chris Bourne.   The motor is a GWS EPS-350C(dx) 6.60:1 gearing.  Chris goes on to say:
"I glided the 1st proto. It went wherever I pointed it.  It has a 29” span and no moveable surfaces.
The 2nd proto has a 36” span.  I’m trying to keep the total weight under 11oz.
It will definitely be interesting moving all these surfaces w/ only 3 servos."

I truly admire people like these guys. They are willing to expirement and try new stuff rather than just grabing up the next hot ARF.  True expirmenters, modelers and builders.
 Back Home