Flying airboat?

[chuckrip1]

I'm using the guts of downed micro-heli (the tail motor channel on the ECS board burned out) to build a small airboat. Initial tests show that it will move pretty fast. Has anyone out there ever attached a wing to an airboat to gain lift? I'm not sure how controllable it will be if it does get airborne, but it was just a thought. Any suggestions or pics out there? Thanks.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

I believe it is called a WIG craft for Wing In Ground effect.
It usually works the other way though, airplanes with short wings that rely on forward motion to create enough air pressure between the water and the wing to provide lift.
Also known as "Ekranoplans" (http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&q=caspian+sea+monster+ekranoplan&spell=1)

http://www.aeronautics.ru/img002/wigs/an2.gif
http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/recavi/Brochures/wingeffect.htm
http://www.se-technology.com/wig/index.php

[CG Bob]

The same bsaic idea has been done as the Hydro-Foam.
The Hydro-Foam is a foam hydroplane,with an airplane prop on the front.


Hydro-foam (http://www.alldumb.com/item/12270/) video
Hydro-foam (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/vehicles/hydrofoam-flying-rc-boat-109983.php) info
Buy a rtr Hydro-foam (http://www.hobbytron.com/HydroFoam.html)

[Wing Zero]

Hydro-foam isn't really anything like a WIG, but rather a overly powered boat with lifting properties. A true wig is NOT able to do the things the Hydrofoam thing does. If you want the absolute CLOSEST thing to a true WIG, look here: http://www.home-taylor.freeserve.co.uk/whizzywig1/whizzywig%20gallery.html I have the plans for this, and have built one. The model was incrediable, until I crashed it. It is not a typical model, but it is fantastic. It was capable of great speed, and is very unique... that i know of, it is the only real model Ekranoplan, and/or WIG. Other models I've seen, haven't been that successful.

[wingnut163]

that is one interesting boat. i can see that each mod. the mtrs are at a differant angle. have you found which one is the best?

[Wing Zero]

The front motors are PAR fans... I forget the meaning, but they are used to force air under the main wing, causing dynamic air cushion. They aid the WIG in getting out of the water faster, providing lift. They are also adjustable in flight. She will become WIGE without help, but the PAR fan aids in slower speeds. I was able to get mine to a foot or two off the water, and land her safely... I heard another guy say he was able to do 5-6 feet. The model is neat, and modifications done by the right person, could led to some interesting developments.The front props are the PAR fans... the tail mounted motor is the cruising propulsion.

[lrsudog]

Hydro-foam isn't really anything like a WIG, but rather a overly powered boat with lifting properties. A true wig is NOT able to do the things the Hydrofoam thing does. If you want the absolute CLOSEST thing to a true WIG, look here: http://www.home-taylor.freeserve.co.uk/whizzywig1/whizzywig%20gallery.html I have the plans for this, and have built one. The model was incrediable, until I crashed it. It is not a typical model, but it is fantastic. It was capable of great speed, and is very unique... that i know of, it is the only real model Ekranoplan, and/or WIG. Other models I've seen, haven't been that successful.

Pupolar mechanics had plans out years ago for a WIG model. Interestingly, it was a tethered model, and for land use, with wheels on it's belly.

[Tram]

WingZero - What sorta setup did you have on your WhizzyWig?

I bought my Hydrofoam to basically have a boat to play with at the local lake and have been reading about other "boats" and stumbled upon the WhizzyWig and am thinking about picking up some plans.. :D

[Wing Zero]

Tram, I had basicly the called for setup listed in the plans and instructions. The model operaters very well as designed, and on full XGE runs, she was faster then I could handle... I made the mistake of running out of water :censored: !! When she is full open and XGE she will glide a long ways at a fair rate, and turning is much harder... I got to close to a shore, and there was no way she was going to stop, or turn. She looked just like water breaking on a rock! The plans were well done, although obtaining them, was my only complaint. I was lucky, but sending cash in the mail usually is a bad risk. I Have the plans still, but if I was to build another one, I would make a larger one. I think it would be cool to make one, with a B-24/26 or B-17 look to it, with the guns sticking out everywhere, and having a WW2 feel to them. I am very slowly working on plans for a A-90 Orljonok, useing two ductfans, and a geared prop. If you need more info about the WhizzyWig, or have questions, PM me... Sorry I don't have pics, I intended to take some that day, but crashed her before hand... mistake I regret. -James

[Tram]

How manuverable is it in the PAR mode? Are the modes "selectable" in flight?

[Elroy68]

How much does it cost to build this whizzything, everything???

[Tram]

I wouldn't think it would cost too much..

3 speed 400's motors..
1 or 2 brushed esc's..
RX..
1 or 2 servo's..
Battery packs..

then the wood required to build it..

I could be leaving something out.. :)

[Wing Zero]

The model gets up pretty quickly with the help of the par fans... when she is in the water, she acts as a displacement hull, and I feel she was fairly manoverable considering her nature. The par fans are adjustable in flight, as the model reaches XGE mode, the par fans are providing pure forward thrust only. She wasn't the cheapest thing to build, however, if I knew what I knew now, I could have done it for a 1/3 or less of the cost in building materials. I used Sig wood purchased from the local hobby shop.. and I paid out the :censored: for it!!! The is a place I know of, which has MUCH cheaper balsa and bass wood online. The model could probly be built for less then $40... I can't remember what all I had in her, but she had 2 speed 400s, and one 480. One battery pack, two servos, and one speed control. I will be building another one very soon, as I have a two week shut down starting tomorrow where I work. If you want, I can do my best to keep track of all the materials, possible costs, and where to get the items I use. Perhaps, if I am lucky, I'll build two if I feel I have enough wood... might make a moded one! .... Everything I had was already in my hands, except for the wood. I spent almost $100, and had alot of scrap let over. The battery pack and esc was a friends. I don't remember what they were. I'll try to find out, battery was per instructions though, as were props and motors. Controls were a Skysport 4 on ground frequency. While the model does lift out of the water, and hover just above it, it is not able to completely free itself from the ground. To be honest, I dn't know what frequency would be the legal requirement, but based on the models characteristics, I went with ground. -James

[Elroy68]

scratch

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

The concept behind the ekranoplans and "wig" aircraft, is that they can carry huge loads at high speed. The wings are designed to create an air cussion between the water surface and the wing. This allows the vehicle to save energy, and "fly" on a relatively small wing area.

Concepts for the craft included high speed landing craft, to missle platforms. All being "flown" under the radar. The NK-87 used 28000 lbs of thrust and could carry 882,000 lb maximum load on a 144 foot wing span.
A C141 starlifter carries only 323,000 lbs on 20,250 lbs of thrust and a 168 foot wing span. While the C141 may go higher and faster, the ekranoplans were being reseached for maximum load.

[Tram]

Frequency is a good thing to think about.. If you start to build one, if you have a digital cam, why not do a build thread? :)

Elroy68 - I have a Hydrofoam, but I also wanted something that would "stay" on the water.. Just something to play with, like a boat, that.. isn't exactly a boat.. :D

[Elroy68]

scratch

[Tram]

Mine probably won't sit on the shelf..:)

I'll build one and "fly" it every chance I get.. I like.. different things in this hobby.. I try and stay away from run of the mill.. :)

[Elroy68]

scratch

[Tram]

Elroy-

Yeh, airboats are cool too, but still.. run of the mill.. :) Been there done that.. I think the WhizzyWig will be a ton of fun.. Plus, it's very different.. :)

I haven't flown the Hydro yet.. I am sure you could get parts if you talked to Red, he may be willing to cut you some parts..

I have just finished painting my Hydro actually.. I dunno if I'll get around to flying it anytime soon or not though.. I bought it mainly to play with something on the lake and am not really worried about flying it, however, it should be neat to fly also. :)

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

All well and good as far as military goes but for modeling is it just the idea that you can make one for the sake of making one and put it on the shelf. I watched history channel where during the wwII they made a ball that bounced a few times to weaken dams and eventually destroy dam thru pressure of the water behind the dam once leaks occurred. To each his own!

I don't think that was a "ball", it was a huge depth charge. Skipping it across the water enabled the pilots to fly low and avoid detection, and bounce it over the anti torpedo nets in front of the dams. :cool:

I don't think to many people here build thier models to just sit on a shelf. ;)

[afc]

see:
http://www.dambusters.org.uk/
~A

[Elroy68]

scratch.

[Roger in France]

To be accurate the bombs were not balls (i.e. spherical) but broad discs with severely rounded shoulders. I presume this gave them a degree of directional stability and spin. However, as Umi said, their significant property was the ability to skip the submerged nets which protected the dams. The bombs sank at the foot of the dam before exploding. A huge amount of damage was achieved to the dams on the Rhine and Moselle which provided power for the German heavy industry such as Krupps. I think the bombs were invented by Barnes Wallis the designer of so many great aeronautical things. The film "The Dambusters" although somewhat dated, gives the story well. Including the ingenious but simple sighting guage which was a simple "Y" shaped woodden device with two sighting markers, on the approach the co-pilot gave the Captain instructons until both sights settled on the towers at each side of the dam, then they were at the correct distance to drop.

The bombs were tested (sans explosives!) on a dam in Derbyhire, close to where I used to live in the UK.

Roger in France.

[Elroy68]

People , i stand corrected!

[Tram]

Hehe.. vicious group eh? :)

Welcome to R/C Groups Elroy.. :D

[Wing Zero]

Tram, I don't have a digital camera... nor a camera period, I'm not camera shy, just camera hateful! I don't mind snaping pictures, but if someone snaps one of me, I might snap their neck! Of course, as much trollage going on as I have, the camera would likely break simply by aiming its lens at me. Anyways, I might have access to a digital camera through my brother, so I will ask. Please note, my english sucks, and so does my explinations and ability to organize. If I go to build them, I'll do my best to document everything. The WhizzyWig is very cool, and if moded right, could lead to some unique models. Umi, right on! Perfect explination of what Ekranoplans are, and their abilities. :) -James

[Elroy68]

They are correct, so why not set the record straight. That is why i said i stand corrected. I've turned in my resignation, so you can have the whole works. Retiring here cause i have too many projects and this doesn't give me enough exercise to keep the weight down. Good luck!

[Tram]

Wing Zero - you ever get anywhere with the new one?

[t00fatt]

Very intresting boat, I like its uniqueness. Are there any of the boats in full scale size? Or is this just a model.

[Wing Zero]

Tram, actually I bought the materials to build a new one, and gave up without starting it. I guess I am just not that interested in it anymore. I wanted to build an a-90 orljonok, but have lost interest in that as well. I long time project I have been working on, a USS Pegasus, I have also started to lose interest in doing. Sorry...

[Tram]

You wanna sell the plans for the WhizzyWig?