Nearing completion.

Finally getting a workable cockpit arrangement for flying RC that isn't a complete pain to deal with or set up/take-down and is reasonably portable. I use a Trailer Hitch Carrier for transport since it is low enough I can get the box on and off readily without a lot of physical effort. I have a larger utility wagon that fits the car carrier I can set the Flight Station and more gear on for truly long treks over rough terrain.

Power from (2-4) 20Ah Pb batteries. Dell Latitude D620 with nVidia video section primary operator. A Latitude D620 with Intel video is provided for the Flight Manager. PYRO A/V Link device (API-558-EFS) for analog to DV video encoding in hardware before being sent to the PC via 1394, (Firewire).

ACER S201HL. LED monitor has arrived and fits! OH NO! It's 19 Volts! Whew, It actually seems to work fine on 12 volts.

Getting the power distribution and subsequent connections to devices under control. Ultimately will use automotive style "Auto resetting" fuses for all the circuits. I have six fused circuits presently with room for expansion if needed. Five of the six are externally accessible via Anderson Power Pole connectors installed in the side of the box. These are for powering the Video Receiver, RC transmitter and other attendant external equipment.The sixth is for the automotive style Lighter Power sockets mounted internally for powering the laptop/docking station DC>DC converter and the monitor.

EDIT: Tested the power system and...Continue Reading

Whispered conversations and half-seen misshapen shadows moving about in the labs of late. I heard things like, "That miserable robot" and "Where's that mechanical monstrosity you call a test pilot?" Don't know what they got planned but it might not work right and the robot is wise to 'em.

EDIT: Great, munched a fan and waiting for a replacement so the robot gets a temporary reprieve.

Just some pics of a work in progress....Continue Reading

With just a minor bit of reshaping and simply turning the original rear mounting boss/bracket around backwards I am able to shoe-horn a 6S Zippy Flightmax 40C 1800 inside the pylon base.

The entire package, Pod, Nacelle, fan, motor, controller and battery weighs 22.5 oz.

I will be thrust testing it with a Mega 16/15/4 on a stand hopefully tomorrow.


Rob

This project is back on track finally.

Getting the final details done on the internals for the Discus Fan Pod. The opening for the speed controller will be covered with copper screen mesh after final painting.

There is still plenty of room inside the front half of the Velocity RC Nacelle shell for more equipment needs at a later date. The flight battery fits inside base for a completely self-contained power pod.

Rob

Making progress on the Nacelle for the fan pod.

Rob

I have another project taking shape that uses the WM400 fan unit but is an entirely different beast from the Slingjet.

It is a Flying-Dream Discus CS with their optional EDF pod.

Yawn, yeah, OK, so?

A few beginning steps.

Re-locating the rudder linkage.

I love "pull-pull" setups,...done properly. The original arrangement calls for the cables to be run directly from the servo horn to the rudder horns down the center of the fuselage. While this may be great for casual flying it does have it's drawbacks the cheif one being fragile and the second is it blocks access to the rear of the fuselage.

The EDF pod is a work of it's own. The maker recommends an insanely anemic fan/battery combo that I doubt would make for comfortable flying. Additionally the EDF pod is a parasitic drag nightmare on top in the "as provided" configuration.

I will be using the new Fan Nacelles for Velocity RC WM400's to solve the problem and make this thing a bit slipperier for better efficiency. At low to moderate fan speeds the nacelle should effectively be "invisible" to the slipstream around the aircraft which will hopefully result in longer motor run times at cruise.

The WM400 fits like a glove in the EDF pod once you remove the mounting tabs. I am securing it with a single screw through the fiberglass pod fan tube into a pad glued to the outside of the fan housing.

Rob

I have finally recovered enough from my injuries to start working on my projects that have been unattended these many months. I can only manage a few hours a day at best so it may be a slow process.

New 6S 40C packs are winging their way here for the Slingjet so I should have it flight ready in a week or two.

Rob

The nacelle is finally done. It has a 55mm outlet....Continue Reading

This Slingjet is beginning to look like it means business. Just been taking my time with the build. Still have to make a battery tray and a few other bits to fashion.

I like this plane.


Rob

Finally completed the nacelle for the fan/motor. Things are coming along nicely. I'm right at the published flying weight which is a pleasant surprise considering all the mods.

Just a couple more ounces of electronics and we're good to go.

Rob

Working on a Slingjet on the kitchen table.

Had to make things difficult and add rudders. Rudders and nose gear steering driven by same servo.

More later,

Rob

More TLAR A-4M

Good old Empirical Engineering. I think this one looks about right. It was a blem so I tried a couple of finishes.

So got the canopy and wing blister plugs done. Now I need the tanks, twin 300's I think.

Camship

More updates on the TLAR GWS A-4M....Continue Reading

My "TLAR" A-4M

More pics of the Unspeakable Labs (UL) modifications for the GWS-262.

Camship

The ME-262 going together is going to need something to shoot at.

This is a first attempt at a new covering system.

NOTE: The PolyGuard is NOT involved except to keep the wind from blowing the nacelle away while photographing it!