Man, I want to fly one so bad, I'm going crazy thinking how I'd do the TV.
It would be so comfy to have those nice kits... at $5. HobbyKing makes us spoiled.
Or should I say, I now have too much time to speed up a build that you tend to build simultaneously.

Originally Posted by balsa or carbon

If you would like to do elevon mixing with a non-computer radio you could make an onboard mechanical mixer . http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1385916http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...17&postcount=7

I'm doing something completely different. I'm currently in the process of hacking my TX to convert it to a fully custom, C-programmable*, computer radio.

Just soldered on connectors on the radio board last night so I can insert a small microcontroller and intercept/modify the PPM signal. In the process of drafting a circuit board.

*note: Those of you who don't write software won't understand it but those of you who write software will understand why I want this

@ dave:

'....Could I please ask, the modified Gen II vector unit, is this the one you use with you 19' Delta. ?
Yes, one of the 2 stronger units I have, using the framework of the GEN. II.
For use in the 19' Delta, I elongated the triangle-frame 8cm

I was wanting to do something similar later in the year, and would upgrade the servos, ESC and motor, could you recommend the motor/prop combination you are using ?

I use a 1300Rpm/Volt motor with a 9/4.5" Prop or a 10/3.5" Prop, in combination with a 50A ESC

Love the Blade Msr Mini Vector :-)
Me too!

flatterman, which solution worked best overall for the sports kite?
I was partial to a "6" solution. I imagined so because: the stress is taken off 100% directly on the servos and distributed throughout the frame; very wide motion range; maximum airflow (lack of obstruction).
Getting machined steal for those dimensions will be unreasonable for most of us. I'm still trying to piece together sources of parts to make a reasonable replica of that Premier version. Holding off on my HobbyKing order until I have a full parts list.

... I use the "6" design for 'normal' sized sports kites (160-180cm wingspan).

flattermann

Originally Posted by flattermann

...
No. 5 shows the 'full heli-mechanics' solution
...

I like the 'full heli-mechanics' solution as I have 2 helicopters that I do not fly very often

While on the 'helicopter' topic, a forum of possible interest for thrust vectoring is the 'auto gyro' forum (also under 'exotic and special interest aircraft').
For those who do not know, the 'auto gyro' is a fore-runner of the helicopter and looks like a hybrid between a airplane and a helicopter.
Like an airplane, it has a propeller to pull it forward.
Like a helicopter, it has a overhead rotor to provide lift.
Unlike a helicopter, an auto gyro's rotor is not powered.
Instead it spins on its own as the auto gyro moves forward through the air
(hence the term 'auto' in auto gyro).

Auto gyros have a form of pitch and roll control (like a helicopter's cyclic control) known as 'direct control' (DC).
This involves using servos to directly tilt the rotor relative to the auto gyro's body and looks like a thrust vectoring unit tilted 90 degrees upward.
Like thrust vectoring, these units need to handle a lot of force (in this case, all the lift force) without putting too much stress on the servos.

Originally Posted by flying-llama

Auto gyros have a form of pitch and roll control (like a helicopter's cyclic control) known as 'direct control' (DC).
This involves using servos to directly tilt the rotor relative to the auto gyro's body and looks like a thrust vectoring unit tilted 90 degrees upward.

The very same mechanism (vector unit used vertically) was used by Ryan to test fly Rogallo wings: http://books.google.com.my/books?id=...page&q&f=false

It would be interesting to build a scale model of the Ryan testbed. Most RC models of Rogallo wings use a conventional rudder to steer. We can probably come up with a vector unit strong enough to be used for weight shifting.

(I would also like to take this opportunity to thank whoever it was at Google who secured the rights to scan and archive old issues of Popular Mechanics and allow us to read them for free)

@ balsa or carbon:
'....It looks like Flattermann's solution #7 above ( universal joint solution ) would use an elevon mix . That seems to me to be a good design because you would have TWO servos pulling the weight of the motor and prop up when the input is up elevator. ...'

No use of an elevon mix - simply up/down, right/left. The design of a Universal Joint prevents twisting in unwanted directions.
Look again to Pic. # 7 ...

As I reported in another thread, this solution does'nt allow as much steering angle in all directions as the # 6 allows, because the right/left and up/down tuning axles of a universal joint are not on the same turning level - they are one behind the other.

flattermann

@ Flatterman


"I use a 1300Rpm/Volt motor with a 9/4.5" Prop or a 10/3.5" Prop, in combination with a 50A ESC"

Many thanks for the information on the larger size motor you use

Would this motor weigh in the region of 100g ?


Had you noticed that E-Flite are soon to release a MCPx collective pitch heli ?
http://www.horizonhobby.co.uk/aeroon.../e13_mcpx.html

Perhaps a Micro Variable pitch Vector unit could be a new project



Dave

BL-Motor: Yes, 107 grs weight.

That Heli looks cute

flattermann

Originally Posted by slebetman

The very same mechanism (vector unit used vertically) was used by Ryan to test fly Rogallo wings: http://books.google.com.my/books?id=...page&q&f=false
...

Yes. I remember that Rogallo wings also sometimes use this same mechanism.

Originally Posted by slebetman

...
(I would also like to take this opportunity to thank whoever it was at Google who secured the rights to scan and archive old issues of Popular Mechanics and allow us to read them for free)

Side note: most copyrights expire after a period of time.
Determining that period may be tricky.
Here is one description (probably for US copyright law, not sure how applicable in other places):
http://inventors.about.com/od/copyri...expiration.htm

This thread needs to be a sticky. It's nice to have all the options for VT in one spot....

Tim
AG4RZ

Flattermann:

Where does my thruster design fit?

... perhaps on Your red Delta (if You protect it a bit with an elongation of the keel rod)?

flattermann

A few more pictures of my friend Dan's gimbals he has made,

Hopefully the weather in the UK will eventually cheer up, and we can get out and start flying a few things




Dave