northropn9m
Oct 16, 2004, 12:22 AM
Muncie, Indiana October 15, 2004 – Over the last few years, V-shaped flying objects have been spotted periodically in the sky over Muncie, Indiana. What may look like UFO’s to most observers, are actually flying model aircraft based on a design that is over 60 years old. These strange looking aircraft are flying model replicas of the Northrop N9M flying wing. Muncie resident Jeffrey Imel has been designing, building and flying them for the past three years. Imel’s six foot flying model is based on John K. Northrop’s flying wing designs from the 1940’s. With over three years of research and five flying prototypes in the air, Imel will be releasing the first of several flying wing plans that can be used by model aviation enthusiasts worldwide to build and fly their own flying wing. The first set of plans will be released on October 20, 2004 and will be available for purchase from the company’s website.
For many in the model aviation community, the pure flying wing platform is the impossible dream -- majestic in the air, a prized aircraft in any modeler’s collection and a sure attention grabber at the airfield. A flying wing consists of only a wing, no vertical surfaces, fuselage or tail. “Careful aerodynamic and mechanical design allows the wing to fly as stable as any other aircraft,” says Imel.
While many modelers desire to add a Northrop N9M radio control model to their personal fleet, few have taken the time to research, design, draw and test the platform. “Plans are not readily available. I tried to find plans three years ago when I began my research and when I could not find any sources, I decided to draw my own,” said Imel.
The release of these plans is the first of several flying wing designs to be published over the next 18 months. The design, development and flight testing phase include a Northrop N9M with a 100 inch wingspan and a twin engine, jet turbine powered Horten Ho 229 flying wing, a German design from World War II.
About The Bell – Imel Group, LLC.
Based in Muncie, Indiana only a few miles from the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ international headquarters, the Bell-Imel Group LLC specializes in the design and development of flying wing aircraft and low-power, high frequency communications systems.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jeff Imel
Vice President, Aviation Division
The Bell – Imel Group, LLC
765.748.4667
(Fax) 765.286.1912
http://www.bellimelgroup.com
jeffimel@bellimelgroup.com
For many in the model aviation community, the pure flying wing platform is the impossible dream -- majestic in the air, a prized aircraft in any modeler’s collection and a sure attention grabber at the airfield. A flying wing consists of only a wing, no vertical surfaces, fuselage or tail. “Careful aerodynamic and mechanical design allows the wing to fly as stable as any other aircraft,” says Imel.
While many modelers desire to add a Northrop N9M radio control model to their personal fleet, few have taken the time to research, design, draw and test the platform. “Plans are not readily available. I tried to find plans three years ago when I began my research and when I could not find any sources, I decided to draw my own,” said Imel.
The release of these plans is the first of several flying wing designs to be published over the next 18 months. The design, development and flight testing phase include a Northrop N9M with a 100 inch wingspan and a twin engine, jet turbine powered Horten Ho 229 flying wing, a German design from World War II.
About The Bell – Imel Group, LLC.
Based in Muncie, Indiana only a few miles from the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ international headquarters, the Bell-Imel Group LLC specializes in the design and development of flying wing aircraft and low-power, high frequency communications systems.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jeff Imel
Vice President, Aviation Division
The Bell – Imel Group, LLC
765.748.4667
(Fax) 765.286.1912
http://www.bellimelgroup.com
jeffimel@bellimelgroup.com