Reality sets in
So here I am, looking at two sets of plans and possible projects.
On the one hand, I would really like to build a half sized "Double Impact", but that would entail a lot of re-scaling, and the thought of drawing multiple sized ribs in CAD (which I am still struggling with) just may turn into a study of frustration.
On the other hand, the "Demi Duster" is about the size I'm looking for (44" wingspan) and has a constant chord wing, so draw one rib up and just duplicate as needed. That I've done before with excellent results (if I may say so myself).
The Demi Duster was also designed for glow power, and has a listed airframe weight of 25 oz. Looking over the plans and the build article (I got the back issue of Flying Models magazine when I ordered the plans) there are lots of areas on the airframe that could easily go on a diet. I think I can resonably get the weight down to around 18-20 oz and still have a pretty stout plane. Add in the fact that I'd need one less motor and ESC, and can use a smaller (re: less expensive) battery, and I think my decision has been made.
Tomorrow night, I start drawing up wing ribs in ModelCAD. It's a good thing I already don't have any hair, 'cuz I'd be pulling it out.
On the one hand, I would really like to build a half sized "Double Impact", but that would entail a lot of re-scaling, and the thought of drawing multiple sized ribs in CAD (which I am still struggling with) just may turn into a study of frustration.
On the other hand, the "Demi Duster" is about the size I'm looking for (44" wingspan) and has a constant chord wing, so draw one rib up and just duplicate as needed. That I've done before with excellent results (if I may say so myself).
The Demi Duster was also designed for glow power, and has a listed airframe weight of 25 oz. Looking over the plans and the build article (I got the back issue of Flying Models magazine when I ordered the plans) there are lots of areas on the airframe that could easily go on a diet. I think I can resonably get the weight down to around 18-20 oz and still have a pretty stout plane. Add in the fact that I'd need one less motor and ESC, and can use a smaller (re: less expensive) battery, and I think my decision has been made.
Tomorrow night, I start drawing up wing ribs in ModelCAD. It's a good thing I already don't have any hair, 'cuz I'd be pulling it out.
Well, whadda ya know!
Came home today, there's a long, triangular package waiting for me. Hmmm, what the heck is that?
Surprise! It's a set of plans for the Double Impact I had ordered from Carstens. So, what's the surprise? I ordered them on 2/3, and they arrived in less than three weeks. The last set of plans I ordered from them took over 3 months, and I had actually been told by Carstens that they had no record of me ever ordering from them.
Now, the bad news - the plans call for a tapered wing. My idea of redrawing the plans in ModelCAD at half size for electric power just got more difficult. Instead of drawing up one rib and duplicating it the required number of times, I now have multiple drawings to do.
Maybe I should scale down my idea....
Surprise! It's a set of plans for the Double Impact I had ordered from Carstens. So, what's the surprise? I ordered them on 2/3, and they arrived in less than three weeks. The last set of plans I ordered from them took over 3 months, and I had actually been told by Carstens that they had no record of me ever ordering from them.
Now, the bad news - the plans call for a tapered wing. My idea of redrawing the plans in ModelCAD at half size for electric power just got more difficult. Instead of drawing up one rib and duplicating it the required number of times, I now have multiple drawings to do.
Maybe I should scale down my idea....
Double Impact - half sized
This may be a long, not often updated build log - just a warning!
For my winter project, I decided I would build a plane from plans - my first attempt at something like that. I found plans for a small glow plane (called the Demi Duster) through Carstens Plan Service, called and ordered them in November. My intention was to convert it to electric power.
Six weeks later, no plans.
A call to Carstens to ask about my order got me a "we have no record of your order" response. Okay, I guess it happens. I found plans for a small electric parkflyer (L15 Scout) from the Air Age site and ordered those. Two weeks later I was working on the plane.
One thing I wasn't looking forward to was cutting out wing ribs. Instead, I bought a copy of ModelCAD and drew them up. Having never worked with a CAD program before, it was a trial and error learning curve. Eventually I had a file that yielded a set of perfectly cut ribs.
With one build complete, and a taste of ModelCAD, I decided to move to a larger project. Hmmm, how about a twin? Carstens had plans for the Double Impact available. It's a large (72" wingspan) plane, designed for twin .40 - .51 glow power. A half sized version would be about perfect for electric power, and by scaling it down in ModelCAD I could get a short kit cut for myself. I placed another order with Carstens, this time on the website so I could get a copy printed out.
Two days later, the plans for the Demi Duster arrive.
Three and a half months? Well, we'll see just how long it takes them this time. Order was placed on 2/3/12.
(By the way, I know the electric "Minimum Impact" is available. Just not interested in a quick foamie build.)
For my winter project, I decided I would build a plane from plans - my first attempt at something like that. I found plans for a small glow plane (called the Demi Duster) through Carstens Plan Service, called and ordered them in November. My intention was to convert it to electric power.
Six weeks later, no plans.
A call to Carstens to ask about my order got me a "we have no record of your order" response. Okay, I guess it happens. I found plans for a small electric parkflyer (L15 Scout) from the Air Age site and ordered those. Two weeks later I was working on the plane. One thing I wasn't looking forward to was cutting out wing ribs. Instead, I bought a copy of ModelCAD and drew them up. Having never worked with a CAD program before, it was a trial and error learning curve. Eventually I had a file that yielded a set of perfectly cut ribs.
With one build complete, and a taste of ModelCAD, I decided to move to a larger project. Hmmm, how about a twin? Carstens had plans for the Double Impact available. It's a large (72" wingspan) plane, designed for twin .40 - .51 glow power. A half sized version would be about perfect for electric power, and by scaling it down in ModelCAD I could get a short kit cut for myself. I placed another order with Carstens, this time on the website so I could get a copy printed out.
Two days later, the plans for the Demi Duster arrive.
Three and a half months? Well, we'll see just how long it takes them this time. Order was placed on 2/3/12.(By the way, I know the electric "Minimum Impact" is available. Just not interested in a quick foamie build.)
