For some reason, my eyes don't work too well with the bright LEDs typically
mounted on the wings for night flying, I seem not tp be able to judge distance
and orientation.

I was wondering if a plane is painted in phosphorescent paint, and then
"charged" with a strong UV source right before a flight, will work better
because then you'll see the actual plane instead of a bunch of
light spots.

At least that's my theory, will it work in practice? Has anyone tried that?

thanks

are you running a balsa or foam plane? I'm finishing up my night flyer and it is balsa and lit from the inside and with white monokote the whole plane is lit up.

Hobby King sells a phosphorescent film that they say lasts for hours:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...m_x_200mm.html

Also, I agree with the plane lit from within idea. I am in the process of building a hollow-bodied plane that will be lit from within and should make the whole plane glow. You can do a balsa plane with white monokote or similar translucent color, or do a built-up foam plane. You might also try just pointing the LEDs into the foam, like what I've done on the plane in my avatar.

I've also heard of people installing UV LEDs (blacklight) into the wing tips pointed back at the plane and painting it with florescent paint or using florescent monokote to make it glow. You could also just use bright white LEDs in the same way to light up the plane like it has a spotlight on it without special covering.

Seeing the plane and maintaining orientation is definitely the biggest challenge of night flying. Good luck.

I tried the glow and the dark paint and it stunk! I do like how ever fluorescent paint being lit up by blue LEDs .

MAP123 could you post a bigger pic of your avatar? I can't really make it out and Ide like to check out what you mean with the foam and LEDs. Thanks, Tim

Originally Posted by Timtreo

MAP123 could you post a bigger pic of your avatar? I can't really make it out and Ide like to check out what you mean with the foam and LEDs. Thanks, Tim

Sure, Tim, no problem. Also, you can read more about it on my blog:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=232405

Originally Posted by MAP123

Hobby King sells a phosphorescent film that they say lasts for hours:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...m_x_200mm.html

I've got a sheet of this stuff. I haven't applied to to an aircraft yet, but sitting in my dining room, "charged" by daylight and CF bulbs, it gives off a soft green glow all night.

-K

Originally Posted by kad

I've got a sheet of this stuff. I haven't applied to to an aircraft yet, but sitting in my dining room, "charged" by daylight and CF bulbs, it gives off a soft green glow all night.

-K

Cool. I might have to pick some up. My only experience with glow-in-the-dark stuff was Blade MSR glow parts, and they would barely glow enough through one flight, and you had to keep it in close if it was really dark. Might be cool to do a super light plane and use a bunch of that stuff on it.

You need a dimmer switch.

Dimmer Switch1.wmv (2 min 9 sec)

Originally Posted by kad

I've got a sheet of this stuff. I haven't applied to to an aircraft yet, but sitting in my dining room, "charged" by daylight and CF bulbs, it gives off a soft green glow all night.

-K

I just noticed that HK has this in Blue as well now. May have to pick some up next order.

-K

Oh ok i see it now, thanks that's a sweet little rig. I'll check out your blog also mine is here for night heli blades (just added a video) http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=433840

Are those just the Rx on/off switches from HK Barn-E? I keep checking and they have been out of stock forever.