I want to build a 3D blimplane!

[Rex A Lott]

Hey gang, I've been caught up in the 3D flying craze with homebuilt (FFF) foam models. The other night I couldn't sleep and I had the idea of making a helium balloon 3D airplane.

The idea being somthing that could do 3D style manuvers vveeerrrryyy sllloooowww. I'd be interested if you think it's possible.

Thoughts:
Somthing with at AUUW (All up uninflated weight) of 10-15 oz.
Possibly using a main rotor from a micro-helicoptor for thrust.
Biplane design would allow componentized wings and fuse each with seperate gas chamber. This design would also allow the heavy components to be attached to the outside of the craft while remaining near the 3-axis center of gravity. Getting CG correct would be critical to allow 3D flight.
Working model would be slightly negative (bouyant).

Big Holes in my idea. I need help determining:
What material to use for POC and final design? Garbage bags? Space Blanket? Is there a source for rolls of mylar?
Should I have a rigid structure inside like a wing spar? Balsa? CF?
What sort of adhesive should be used to glue mylar without adding too much weight?
Any thoughts on designing and building an inflatable wing?

[ericdeborde]

I have made a 3D blimplane
All the ACRO is OK

I made litle micro mini outdoor blimp (10" long / 60 km/h of speed)
see : www.media-zep.com
brushless motors and LiPo bat

Galerie photo, video of the blimp and abord video !

[bamm]

Hey dude I have the same idea :D I wont to make A plane that will float even with it not moveing :cool: Make some plans and post hem and I will make some too


Dan Warner :)

[jay flay tway]

Interesting. Just last night I had a dream about an RC camp and when I woke up I thot of a blimp that could do rolls, loops, immelmans, etc.
or
a plane with a very thick, inflated wing/body that has slight weight when inflated so it flies VERY slowly and is good for learning to fly--especially at home.

[Guga]

I have made a 3D blimplane
All the ACRO is OK

I made litle micro mini outdoor blimp (10" long / 60 km/h of speed)
see : www.media-zep.com
brushless motors and LiPo bat

Galerie photo, video of the blimp and abord video !

Ericdeborde,
Do you sell these mini outdoor blimps, and what are the prices, in your Home page I could not find any information on that.

[stewy_1977]

I Have Changed From Brushed Motor To Brushless And Li Poly Batteries.
I Have A Saab Witch I Am Running A 400 Brushed Motor A 18amp Speed Controller And A 1000amp Li Ploymer Battery But The Battery Keeps Getting Red Hot.

What Am I Doing Wrong???

I Also am Building A F 14 Swing Wing Can Anyone Suggest What Engine And Battery To Use???

Please Help Before I Blow Myself Up

Stewart]

[Fred DCRC]

Hay guys as soon as the Paten goes through I will be introducing a 3-D
Inflatable the proto type fly’s great it’s called Zero-G and should be available
In late fall 2005 I have to be careful about how much I say about it until
I actually have a paten in hand or I would post some video of it
All I can say now is that I will release pictures and video soon

[Guga]

I Have made my ownn 3D and I called it:
Advanced Hybrid Aircraft... shortening... AhA!!!
Since it (AhA!) is not Lighter than air... but... a little heavier... :cool:

These photos are on the early stage of construction...
I will give post other details and flight photos latter...

[ericdeborde]

Hi all!
I am happy to see new moves on this forum!
Some contacts to make your personal proto:
For enveloppe : http://www.balloonkits.com/pages/catalog.html
For motors : http://aircraft-world.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=12&cat=motors+%2D+0%2DMICRO
http://www.skyhooks.ca/WMotors.htm

Have fun with HELIUM!

[Guga]

I have been testing my AhA!!! In a rig ... see photos...
I have calculated de Center of Gravity CG as a Canard airplane...

Correct me if I´m wrong Eric De Borde... is the CG in the rear aproximatelly 1/3 of the tail...

[Fred DCRC]

All of my testing with lighter then air 3-D has shown that the CG should
Not follow the rules of heaver then air, Craft but it should have just a slight
nose down CG .
This will give you some forward movement when the power is off
Some where around 45% from the nose
But will fly fine all the way up to 25% it will just want to dive when the battery’s
Go dead With the CG this far forward. Do what I did try change the CG to what you
Like I found that I like it about 35% this gives good wind penetration and
Good control for landings but My 3-D is not Lighter then air it has a 2 oz. wing
Loading when the power is off it starts coming down in a very slow glide.
like an airplane only in slow motion.

[Guga]

Thank you for your inputs Fred DcRc.
Can you post some pictures of your LTA (or almost) models...
I´m having problems as far as balancing this baybe I created...

[ericdeborde]

I agree with Fred.
Moving CG from 25 to 45% from the nose is depending of the size of your fins.
More weight on front means smaller fins.
I always make bigger fins than necessary, try the model and cut little parts of the fins after each flight. The perfect equilibrium is reach when the blimp's turns are narrow and the straight lines are nice.

If the model does not turn by vectoring the trust, fins are too big or CG is too much in front.
If the model is not stable in straight lines, fins are too little or CG to much at the rear.

[Guga]

I like that EricDeborde...
it realy is going to solve my problems these hints that you gave...
Fantastique... il va marche bien mantenan...

[im-sad]

just a idea, what about the toy blow up airplanes, fill with helium and glue motor on, presto a airplane shaped blimp.