1:9 Scale Bristol M1C - The HangarRC 2022 Build off Challenge

[Spitfire76]

My build log for the following challenge
https://www.thehangarrc.com/buildoff/
Although I’ve scratch built and flown several FT planes I have never designed a plane before so this will be a first for me. The "HangerRC Build off"challenge ruled out multiple wing and multiple motor designs and so after some research I came across the Bristol M1 which apparently was the only British mono-plane that went into service during WW1. As far as I can tell their are no foam board versions of this plane although there are several balsa ones. The challenge does require a “B” pack motor so I needed to decide on a suitable scale factor. The wing span of the full scale plane is 30ft, 9 1/2 inches so after a bit of experimenting decided on 1/9th scale which means a 41 inch wings span. I found and purchased this old publication about the full scale plane on ebay.

I also contacted this museum in the UK that has a flying replica of the plane and they have kindly sent me scanned copies of some of the original factory drawings.

So far have made a prototype wing.

 

[Ligbaer]

My build log for the following challenge
https://www.thehangarrc.com/buildoff/
Although I’ve scratch built and flown several FT planes I have never designed a plane before so this will be a first for me. The "HangerRC Build off"challenge ruled out multiple wing and multiple motor designs and so after some research I came across the Bristol M1 which apparently was the only British mono-plane that went into service during WW1. As far as I can tell their are no foam board versions of this plane although there are several balsa ones. The challenge does require a “B” pack motor so I needed to decide on a suitable scale factor. The wing span of the full scale plane is 30ft, 9 1/2 inches so after a bit of experimenting decided on 1/9th scale which means a 41 inch wings span. I found and purchased this old publication about the full scale plane on ebay.
View attachment 215405
I also contacted this museum in the UK that has a flying replica of the plane and they have kindly sent me scanned copies of some of the original factory drawings.

So far have made a prototype wing.
View attachment 215406

im intersted

 

[Spitfire76]

Week 2 of 6 of the challenge and made a bit of progress on a prototype of the fuselage core. I am using my "Low Profile Power Pod" that I designed last year for other FT models as it provides that extra space to mount the battery from underneath.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4978502
In the photo the core is upside down.

The plan is to design some formers to go around the core and I will likely use poster board around them.

 

[Ligbaer]

Week 2 of 6 of the challenge and made a little progress on the building a prototype of the fuselage core. I am using my "Low Profile Power Pod" that I designed last year for other FT models as it provides that extra space to mount the battery from underneath.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4978502
In the photo the core is upside down.
View attachment 215614
The plan is to design some formers to go around the core and I will likely use poster board around them.

week 2! i need to get started on mine

 

[Spitfire76]

week 2! i need to get started on mine

What design are you planning on submitting ?

 

[Ligbaer]

What plane are you planning to design ?

sport scale extra 300

 

[Spitfire76]

Some further progress on the core part of the fuselage.

 

[Spitfire76]

Week 3 of 6 and struggling a bit with the tail end of the fuselage so decided to switch to making the horizontal and vertical stablizers as these were some what easier.

 

[Spitfire76]

Earlier this week (still 3 of 6) I put together this as a prototype fuselage/empennage

I did size it to take a standard (or my low profile power pod -https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4978502) but since its the HangarRC that is organizing this challenge and they have their own 3d printed firewall it seems it will be better to use theirs especially since they will be the ones making the laser cut kit if it wins so downloaded it and printed it (PETG).

 

[Spitfire76]

Earlier this week there was an update to the 3d printed firewall and control horns so printed those. So far, at the end of week 3 I have this bunch of parts that I’ve been experimenting with

 

[Spitfire76]

Worked a bit today on the front part of the fuse. Still a bit rough around the edges and I’ve used poster board to establish dimensions in some places that will eventually get replaced with foam board. The pilot is 3d printed from one that I found on Thingiverse.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3048798

I was tempted to add a 3d printed machine gun but I guess a should work on those cosmetic details after I've completed the other parts of the airframe.

 

[Spitfire76]

Starting to look more like a plane with the tail section added although it needs covering and will likely use poster board. Some challenges ahead are design for the rather large spinner and also some main landing gear. Hopefully another 3 weeks will be enough.

I think I'll postpone adding the empennage covering and spinner and try to see if it flies first!. I'll add some landing gear, complete the wing and then add electronics.

 

[Spitfire76]

Attempt at some landing gear - designed a 3d printed support and used some 3/32 wire and zip tires. The wheels are a little small for the 1/9 scale but will work on a 3d printed hub and tire that is closer to scale and look after first checking if it flies. Most likely will rebuild a non-painted model for test flying and keep this one for experimenting with dimensioning and look.

 

[Spitfire76]

As a result of last nights build party hosted by https://aviationrcnoob.com I finally got around to building a full wing which I plan on using for the flyable version of my Bristol M1

 

[Spitfire76]

Progress has been slow this week so really not sure that I'll make the submittal date of February 14th but its been really interesting to try. I seem to have gotten stuck on the tail section of the fuselage.
On a positive note I did get a lot of help with the wheels/tires from the "Dawn Patrol" Challenge.
https://forum.flitetest.com/index.p...ommunity-challenge-–-wwi-“dawn-patrol”.69196/
Signed up for that challenge as its focused on WW1 planes. Hopefully will have the time to scale up from 1/9 to 1/6.

 

[Spitfire76]

I was spending a lot of time on the fuse/tail section but I am happy with it now. This is my version 2 (potentially flyable) of the M1 after finalizing the fuse core, wings, tail and 3d printed wheels/tires. Still need to add electronics, test fly it and add fuse poster board etc.

 

[Spitfire76]

Some further progress on the Bristol M1. Wings will be glued to this main fuse core but considering simply extending the power pod all the way back to the tail and making it removal. This way all electronics, apart from wing servos, will be contained in that one section which will slide into this main fuse core.

 

[Spitfire76]

Hoping to maiden it later this week but without painting and turtle decking. Weather looks great here, sunny, little wind and low 70s so I have no excuse for it to be in that nose down position on the day!.

Got a feeling that's going to be real tail heaving considering the wing position that's very close to the nose as maybe the real planes in those days had such heavy engines.

 

[Spitfire76]

Introduced the M1 to the club field yesterday but did not maiden it I had ran out of push rod wire but picked some music wire today so hopefully can at least make it flyable for a the maiden tomorrow morning.

 

[Spitfire76]

Picked up some K&S 502 0.47" (1.2mm) music wire from the local hardware store so should be able to get the M1 ready to maiden tomorrow. In the meantime did a quick taxi check as I had added a steerable tail wheel although the full scale plane just had a skid but its easier to be able to taxi at the club field.