COX .049 POWERED 1903 WRIGHT FLYER

TD ABUSER Sun 1 Nov 2020 - 13:36

I tried to build a 1903 Wright Flyer powered with 1 Cox .049 Reedy.
The idea almost produced enough power to fly the model I built, but the model was a wee bit too heavy. The best flight was a gradual glide to the ground about 20 feet from where I released it.
I didn't use much science to figure what I wanted for a gear reduction, but I think the resulting 5900 rpm with a pair of "drone props" put out enough power for this idea to work with a lighter, more airworthy plane.

1/2A Nut Sun 1 Nov 2020 - 15:10

Since the last flight attempt better props have come out 6x5 / 6x6 should fly it.
Do you need counter rotating?

TD ABUSER Sun 1 Nov 2020 - 16:52

1/2A Nut wrote:Since the last flight attempt better props have come out 6x5 / 6x6 should fly it.
Do you need counter rotating?

I'm not sure if counter rotating would help. The drive belt set up was pretty challenged to provide just enough tension to keep things turning without becoming too much drag for the engine to turn.
Instead of foam board, there is much improvement to be made by building an all balsa framework and covering it with cellophane. Since the balsa frame would all be rigged with Spiderline and bamboo skewers, the choice of wood can be 1/4 x 1/4 balsa sticks for almost the whole model.
I'll bet the same sized model could be built with 25% less weight.

Sponsored content

COX .049 POWERED 1903 WRIGHT FLYER

COX .049 POWERED 1903 WRIGHT FLYER

Re: COX .049 POWERED 1903 WRIGHT FLYER

Re: COX .049 POWERED 1903 WRIGHT FLYER

Re: COX .049 POWERED 1903 WRIGHT FLYER