affordable 50-60mph wing

[rcaddition]

I wanted to have a 48in wing that would be great for just all around flight performance, affordable, good trainer, and awesome glide. I already have the over powered smaller version 36" and 40", so speed wasn't a big issue. I just remember back to when I first started with wings and how just flying around at 50-60mph is actually quite fun. Not to mention I wanted to teach my daughter to fly. Also long flight times would be nice. Here's what I came up with

rcworks 48" sickle $59
mutiplex brushless 4t $59
7x3 apc
great plains 35amp esc $49
ebay 6cell 3500 batties $50 for 4

well this is pretty cheap for a brushless system, and here are the results
-50-60mph
-glides almost too well, doesn't want to land
-very nice handling and aerobatics
-each packs gives 16-20minutes flight time with throttle control :D

this is a great setup for the beginner to inter. or someone wanting relaxed fun. Loop after loop and roll after roll, inverted flight, the works. And wow the flight times on a cheap, crash resistant, 6cells pack...awesome. Hand launch is cake.
Just thought I would let people know in case you're new or just want an all around good setup without having to go with lithium power.

[msmith]

Know what ya mean rcaddition...

I've got an old FMA Razor that I acquired in a trade... It was setup for a geared motor combo... Think I'm going to put a motor/gearbox on it this weekend since it's already built, and I really just have to throw some electronics in it. Cheap, quick, easy fun...

Besides... It's one of those that I can get up about 70-80 feet, and let a friend try the sticks for a minute or two... No buddy box needed... If they get in trouble, just take the box back... If I'm not fast enough... Oh well... At least I've got more room in the shed.

The prices on your motor/esc... Is that new pricing? Or did you find a used deal somewhere? Haven't researched those exact products ($49 for a bl 35amp esc seems like a good deal).

-mike s.

[LuckyDay]

If the budget is a concern, you could always wally wing it... with a sp400 and a 5x5, I estimate I get 50mph or so (pitch speed with my setup is around 70). I cut the wings down to about 32", and launching is a little easier with a 6x4, but once airborne you can go for speed or just putt around. Landings have been nice and smooth with no surprises. And I have a set of 20" cores for when I feel like making a mini wing.

[rcaddition]

those prices where new at towerhobbies.com, ebay can help. I wanted to stick with an epp wing though just for durability.

[Hermitt]

rcaddition, was your 48" Sickle a custom order?
I can't seem to find one (Sickle) on rcworks larger than 36".
Just curious....

Hermitt

[bildo baggins]

I believe the Reaper is based on the Sickle at 48"

[rcaddition]

From my understanding the reaper is a sickle airfoil. I bought the wing cores about 2 years ago so things may have changed since.

[Hermitt]

From my understanding the reaper is a sickle airfoil. I bought the wing cores about 2 years ago so things may have changed since.
AH, so 2 years ago they called their 48" a Sickle, now they call it a Reaper. :cool:

Hermitt

[rcaddition]

all I'm sure about is that this airfoil is one of the best for its glide ability. Its very smooth and it just doesn't want to land. rcworks can probably give the specifics

[-=SLaPPiE=-]

I taught my 12 year old son (after some sim time) on a stryker with a 13xx Kv outrunner with a 7x5 and a 2 cell 1300.
This assumes you have some hardware around
20 bucks for a stryker fuse, and 3.50 for the motor mount, then you would have 40 more bucks to throw at power system stuff.
Say a mega motor, and or lipo's.

Or if you are set on a conventional wing, there are cores on e-bay.

If you read about the 30 dollar Mega beater (in the power systems forum), you will see it's only a 5 turn motor which is a very easy wind. It is a 3 wire in parallel wind of 26 gauge wire, and runs like a 90 buck 4 turn mega. Something about a diy motor that really gets me a grinnin'.

To really save money, break out the bow, and cut your own cores. I taught one of my 50 year old buds how to fly on some homemade blue cores. He is now flying pylon (with an IFO) in his basement, and is probably a better pilot than I am.

-=SLaPPiE=-

[jfinch]

In addition to the fine planes already mentioned, I'd throw in the Unicorn as a cheap, easy, 50-60 mph 48" wing. Glides like the dickins. And can be powered by any number of cheap brushless motors. Balances out perfect with NiCd/NiMH batts.

[RCWorks]

rcaddition, was your 48" Sickle a custom order?
I can't seem to find one (Sickle) on rcworks larger than 36".
Just curious....

Hermitt

The 48" version is the Reaper, Take the Sickle measure it, take all the measurments and divide by 6 and multiply by 8 and you have a Reaper.

I had worked with the 36" so long and had it pretty well tuned so I just scaled it up in millimeters to maintain the integrity of the original, also my cnc is metric. so it made short work of creating the new size. the Snappy was the same thing only scaled down.

I have worked a small wing spredsheet with all measuments given in inches and in MM from 18 inches to 48 inches in 2 inch increments and a larger wing spreadsheet that takes me to 96 inches in 6 inch increments. if I make a change to the Sickle in the spreadsheet the change occurs in all wing sizes derived from the Sickle.

We are preparing to cut our first 60, I will be picking up a chunk of MDF(Partical board) to sandwich the foam in for this cut, I cut thinner than most cutters and the trailing edge is sandwiched in the planks to maintain the straightness of the foam and of course the trailing edge.

Currently all wings from 20 to 60 are cut fron the spreadsheet, only minor tuning is done to make the trailing egde thickness come out where we want it.