1/20 EDF Buccaneer

Started the design for this in Photoshop a few weeks ago, modifying it from the 1/8 slopie I built a few years ago and now at the trace and cut stage.

I'm off to the South Coast for a few days for work so taking a little 'down time' travel box along to occupy me in the hotels. I'll stop at the local Hobbycraft and buy an A4 cutting mat to go in the box in the morning.

Brave choice. Have you done a free flight edf before? Wingspan and expected powerplant? Derek Knight's marvellous creations do nonetheless seem to only just have enough power (not sure if that is intentional?) I'm sure it will be successful though, given your track record. Looking forward to progress reports, Nigel

Hi Nigel, first FF edf for me this. I'm using two of Derek's 32mm fans. I've seen one of them power a 257g Hunter comfortably so I reckon two of these will be ample for the weight I'm aiming for - 300 - 350g - or thereabouts

Derek's fans have ample power, provided you build suitably...

Down time travel box is a great idea. Look forward seeing this one progress

This is going to be another Monz Masterpiece.

it will be a pleasure to watch the build progress.


Tony B

Monz
A FF EDF sounds a particularly brave (or is that terrifying?) option given the weight/speed that is likely to result from the relatively small wing area of the Buccaneer.

I know you wont have the power on for very long but even my 32" span, 200 g EDF Venom goes a surprisingly long way pretty quickly and if I have done the sums right your 1/20 Buccaneer will only have a span of 26.4" for its 300 g.
As always I shall be following with great interest.

Quorneng wrote: Monz
A FF EDF sounds a particularly brave (or is that terrifying?) option given the weight/speed that is likely to result from the relatively small wing area of the Buccaneer.

I know you wont have the power on for very long but even my 32" span, 200 g EDF Venom goes a surprisingly long way pretty quickly and if I have done the sums right your 1/20 Buccaneer will only have a span of 26.4" for its 300 g.
As always I shall be following with great interest.

It looks to me that you've been too long away from Free Flight Q. Monz has picked a good size, weight and power source for the model. It should fly well!

The secret is in the building, finishing, trimming and operating of the model in the 'right' environment. Modern flight profilers also help in that the motor power, length of run and rundown characteristics can be programmed predictably.

I'm sure it'll all come clear as the build progresses

Andy
I don't doubt it will fly.
My concern was simply its likely speed in an FF situation.

I didn't misunderstand Q, the answer I gave was intended to demonstrate that the model will perform both predictably and safely. You really do need to come to a FF Scale meeting to see what models are currently flying. You might find it to be an interesting eye-opener. The next one will be at the BMFA FF Nats to be held at Barkston Heath during the end of May Bank Hols.

Monz wrote: Hi Nigel, first FF edf for me this. I'm using two of Derek's 32mm fans. I've seen one of them power a 257g Hunter comfortably so I reckon two of these will be ample for the weight I'm aiming for - 300 - 350g - or thereabouts

Derek's fans have ample power, provided you build suitably...

Just had a quick browse on the net for these fans - Chris Golds (is he still with us?) did a 29.5" Sea Vixen with two 32mm DK fans, but he did power them with Feigao brushless motors on 3S LiPo's. AUW was 20oz, so the fans are up to the job!
The Sea Vixen wing loading was 11oz/ft2 - from yours and Quorn's useful numbers I reckon you're heading for between 11 and 13 oz/ft2 (33 - 39 g/dm2). Any idea if Derek used a brushed or brushless motor? Brushed is kind of old-tech for R/C models where I usually play, apart from ultra-lights such as the Vapor (<1oz /30g). I see that HK do a 'Basher' series of brushed 1S 4Amp (~12 Watt) motors for mini-4WD car things that are available in up to 10000kV. 12Watts vs 300-350g model is outside my experience but I will cogitate.

Just being curious - I'm with Quorn, trying to tally your plans with my experience zone. If I can help, I surely will.
Good luck, Nigel

Quorneng wrote: Monz
A FF EDF sounds a particularly brave (or is that terrifying?) option given the weight/speed that is likely to result from the relatively small wing area of the Buccaneer.

I know you wont have the power on for very long but even my 32" span, 200 g EDF Venom goes a surprisingly long way pretty quickly and if I have done the sums right your 1/20 Buccaneer will only have a span of 26.4" for its 300 g.
As always I shall be following with great interest.

Thanks, Quorn, that's a useful benchmark. I think we're maybe coming from the other end of the spectrum where RC EDF are finally enjoying an excess of power. Derek's model at last year's FF Nats certainly appeared to only have just enough power, but he is equally certainly a master of the art.

regards
Nigel

Thanks for all the comments so far.

Here are two videos of models using the 32mm fan. Ron is using only a third to half power in these flights. I think Derek also doesn't turn them right up till his models are properly trimmed. So they have lots of grunt.



www.facebook.com/monz.lyons.16/videos/vb...2117/?type=3&theater

Q, your Venom has a much larger fan in it? And being RC the flight profile is very different from FF. The Bucc is going to be quick, but I'm confident it will be very near to scale speed once trimmed.

I made a start on the first fuselage half, some pics to follow later after some more progress.

Monz
It has a 40 mm cheap AEO which is reasonably light at 18g and low powered which is why I made the comparison with the 2x32 mm that you are going to use.
I was actually more concerned at the wing loading. You are predicting 50% heavier and it will have less wing area. It must fly faster than my Venom.

Made a start on the structure. Slow going as I'm working it out as I go.