Airframe

Does anybody have an opinion of using this Wing Dragon as a UAV? Is it too small? I like the easystar, but this has ailerons.

http://www.art-tech.cn/english/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=150

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on January 5, 2009 at 5:21pm
I had an earlier art-tech plane in this style and it was really bad (bad radio, bad flying). This one at least seems to have upgraded the radio.
Permalink Reply by Jay Kickliter on January 6, 2009 at 9:54am
Then how about this one:

http://www.nitroplanes.com/predator-arf.html

It's 4 Channel, and foam. I can't find any info on it.

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on January 6, 2009 at 8:56pm
That's a total POS. Bendy wings, cheap construction, no room in fuselage, etc.

If what you want is a suitable airframe that comes with everything, ready to go, try the E-flite Apprentice.
Permalink Reply by Steff Davies on January 7, 2009 at 8:05am
Their own flight video looks pretty ghastly, I must say.
Permalink Reply by Shaw Innes on December 21, 2010 at 11:54pm

Hi Chris,

  I just got myself an E-Flite Apprentice.  I've seen some mention of people having little problems with these like battery doors popping and the wing pegs coming off - have you had any experience with these problems and any advice for me before I fire it up :)

 

  It looks to have HEAPS of space for my ardupilot mega - I'm looking forward to the day when I can have it do a circuit around the local field.

 

Shaw

Permalink Reply by ren on January 6, 2009 at 7:41pm
>It's 4 Channel, and foam. I can't find any info on it.
usually a good sign to wait until you can find any info on it ;oP

check here for what I think might be on target as regards a Predator

Why not go with the EasyStar and mod the ailerons yourself?
There are plenty of how tos out there.

But my own opinion is that if you intend to put payloads on something that only weighs 500-700gm then there is not a lot you can put on it both weight wise and size wise.
The TwinStar II has a flying weight of roughly 1500gm and is available for about 85USD in kit form.
I don't yet have enough programming experience to comment on the UAV side of things but my own experience from the FPV side of things is that many people skimp on the power source and RC side of things with all thier money spent on FPV kit.

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Gary Mortimer on January 6, 2009 at 8:02pm
The Twinstar is a wonderful platform especially when made brushless. Long threads about that over on RC Groups.

I love mine.

Only wish they would make a slightly bigger one!
Permalink Reply by Steff Davies on January 7, 2009 at 8:04am
I'm at an early, early stage and thus far planning to use something throughly disposable like the Wing Dragon for my own initial training and something from Multiplex for my first UAV airframe when I get to that stage. I've just picked up a book which may be of interest though - "Model Aircraft Aerodynamics, 4th Edition" by Martin Simons (ISBN 1-85486-190-5). I'm no expert, but it appears to be both fairly comprehensive and intelligible.

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Sgt Ric on January 7, 2009 at 11:07am
I too enjoy reading, don't get me wrong, but in R/C, (which is really the prerequisite to understanding UAVs), you pretty well have to get out there and crash something!.

Only then do you rget a really good understanding of what you're up against in trying to keep something in the air.

Thirty-five years ago, I started in R/C by building a 6 foot scale model of a Piper Cub J3... BIG MISTAKE.
I spent 8 months building it, but it took me only 2 minutes to "re-kit" it at the end of the runway.
I wish they had had EasyStars back then!
Permalink Reply by Steff Davies on January 8, 2009 at 2:34am
Aye - I'm just hoping to soften my introduction (and possibly that of others) by having some idea of the answer to the question "will this airframe be appropriate" at the outset. That every other bugger seems to be using the Easy/Twin star airframe is very good evidence though.
Permalink Reply by ren on January 8, 2009 at 7:03pm
feel free to re-invent the wheel/brick
just be sure to blog it! ;o)

If you want dirt cheap you can get EasyStar type fomies from China I think 6 to a case for about 100USD. Have them boat them out to you... 6 to 8 weeks? No idea of the cost to ship though but lots of time to code and drink, even pay attention to 'er indoors.

Group purchase would be the way to go (although I'm not in the US/UK).

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Sgt Ric on January 8, 2009 at 7:19pm
Ahh,,, but are these Chinese knock-offs really made with Elapor?

I for one think thats a BIG difference.

I have used foam before, and nothing can compare to Elapor for building ease and survivability.

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