Flying Rag

[mlbco]

Just in case anyone was looking for plans for this design, here it is (American Aircraft Modeler, May 1968 issue). I've seen the same idea scaled to larger motors and would probably work with electric too. Very creative and ultra simple.

Steve

[eliworm]

LOL!! Cool, just when you thought that you had seen everything.


Jim

[Applehoney]

But ... no d/t? :eek:

[mlbco]

Applehoney,

I've seen other versions that just used a towel with a firewall bolted into the middle and the engine attached to that. Without the parachute feature you could be more confident it will dethermalize.

It seems kind of crazy to buy a nice TD 010 and then toss it in the air attached to a piece of cloth given that this was still a fairly new engine in 1968. I've built all sorts of strange free flight models but never had the nerve to try this one, the TD 010 is just too pretty.

I believe there is another thread somewhere on RCGroups where someone built an electric version of the design and flew it, possibly with RC throttle!

Steve

[zultone]

I have a .049 engine... But still.. I love the engine and this just seems so risky... But it looks like a lot of fun to watch it fly up and float down

[Gluehand]

Speaking of engines adrift, a couple of decades ago I saw an article (what magazine?) describing a motorized glider, dropping the engine and engine mount (w. parachute).
The engine mount was located below the fuselage at C/G, and the release mechanism was servo operated...

[lightthings]

There was a power pod marketed that came with a parachute, obviously designed to drop off but I have no idea how it was to do so...

LT

[TLyttle]

Yup, it works. The engine keeps the thing in place, and once the engine quits, good ol' gravity takes over, and it drops off. If you are really good, you can land the chute within yards of where you are standing. Did I mention that you had to be good? Anyhow, a fetchermite will certainly find the engine...

[Gluehand]

The one I saw was a one-piece plywood device with side-mounted engine, and servo operated. It was fitted in a slot underneath the fuselage.

Yep, if you fly alone, it's easy to lose either the engine or the plane as it's almost impossible to keep an eye on both... :eek:
I once lost a model in a similar way....the plane spun down in a forest as I tried to follow a runaway silencer extension with my eyes, in order to find it later....and yes, I did find it... :D

[pitviper51]

ok i have to ask... anyone have a video...
mike