Round Airfoil

[Clarkst]

I used to make round winged aircraft as a kid (sorry long story, not for here) any way, I was just thinking of ways to make our fixed wing UAV smaller and more "thrunkable" when I remembered the round wing. I have a link to pictures of an aluminum proto type, and a cheap foam proof of concept vehicle included below.
The foam plane flies quite well. The plane is free flight, but with some small control surface adjustments, I was pleased with its performance. I removed a 1/3 of the wing on both sides of the foam model and the round foam replacement "wing" seems to be providing equivalent lift and more stability (I eliminated the vertical and horizontal stabs as well).
I have not been able to find any data in regard to the round airfoil concept. Maybe I am not seeing lift at all? It sure looks good, but I don’t want to get too far into this before I find a scientific reason this will not work.
The next step would be to build a foam and CF version with control surfaces, but I don't like to reinvent the wheel, so I humbly send out this RFI.
Thanks to all.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/8065428@N05/489807557/

[Unterhausen]

I used to build round winged airplanes in the days when they wrapped soda bottles in a foam insulation layer. They floated really well, so I think you are developing lift. My airplanes had one circle for the wing and one for the tail -- nothing that looked like a conventional wing at all. Just the circle flies pretty well if you throw it carefully.

[lvspark]

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=447934

[Unterhausen]

lvspark, that's just like the coke bottle insulator planes I used to make. I gotta copy that bluecore version.

These planes have something called an infinite aspect ratio wings
http://minifly.rchomepage.com/plans.htm

[clolson]

lvspark, that's just like the coke bottle insulator planes I used to make. I gotta copy that bluecore version.
These planes have something called an infinite aspect ratio wings
http://minifly.rchomepage.com/plans.htm

We used to put a 1/2 twist in to the loop before joining the ends. This results in a non-orientable infinite aspect ratio wing with only one boundary component. However it was important to twist the front and rear wings in the opposite directions. ... errr ... never mind ... lame attempt at humor that started to go down in flames about 1/2 way through ... :-)

Curt.

[Tom Harper]

Sonofagun actually built an RC version. He had pictures but I think the URL's are dead.

The tip tubes and a forward tube were tilted to give aileron and elevator control. Really looked neat. He might respond to inquiries.


http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=63419

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4999665&postcount=25

Tom

[Unterhausen]

Sonofagun actually built an RC version. He had pictures but I think the URL's are dead.
Tom
It's in that thread linked above
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4683861&postcount=12

[macboffin]

Back in the 60s built a radio controlled "flying cigarette" 12 inch diameter, five feet long, inch thick walls.Complete with "Cork tip". Power an O.S., I think a .56, mounted on centreline inside front, prop about 18 inches from front. Cruciform internal tail surfaces for pitch and yaw, and controlling torque effects.R/C gear in a streamlined "bump" on the inside "floor". After abortive attempts to fly it from hand -launch from open sun-roof of car, used a dolly undercart, much better.C of G about a third back from front. Flew ok but slowly, at a fairly nose-up attitude, power-on. Glide angle about one in three! Definetly not an advance in aerial science!
Mac

[lvspark]

Those are pretty neat.. Here is one I did a couple years ago.. Flew pretty good :D