2018 Flite Test Forum Challenge: WWII Design & Build

Ketchup

4s mini mustang
Will there ever be another version of this challenge in the future, like one or two years from now
 

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
Yes! :applause:

This is actually the third annual Flite Test Forum Challenge that leads up to a big in-person activity at a Flite Fest event. In 2016 we all made different designs of the Baby Baron and Baby Brit to ride escort with Wilsonman's big Gotha bomber. In 2017 we recreated the International Air Races of the 30's and did some pylon races. This year was WW2 designs that never saw combat.

Each year we have managed to increase the ways for people to participate even if they can't make it to Flite Fest Ohio, or any Flite Fest event.

The theme for the next challenge hasn't been decided yet, but will be announced in a week or two after Flite Fest Ohio to give people almost a full year to work on their projects. Here's the ideas being bounced around so far:

- Amphibious craft (anything capable of taking off/landing on water)
- Classic to Modern (DTFB conversion of any balsa plans set - thousands available over at Outerzone)
- Composite Design (use combination of multiple materials from list of DTFB, Fiberglass, block foam, Balsa, 3D Printing, other)
- Fantasy Craft (anything that's never been built full scale for sustained flight - which could nicely include sci-fi and outlandish steam punk craft too)
- X Planes & the Edge of Space - anything experimental from the cold war forward including high flying mother/daughter ship combos and other launch vehicles

Feel free to chime in with other ideas too!
 

HilldaFlyer

Well-known member
Yes! :applause:
Here's the ideas being bounced around so far:

As you know, I'm in for anything... but here is my input...

- Amphibious craft (anything capable of taking off/landing on water)(any plane can "LAND" on water... once) Maybe wait a year until FF is located at the new site with water available to demonstrate those awesome landings... and taking offs.?? Other than the lack of pond at Furry field... wait... we had one last year. Never mind.

- Classic to Modern (DTFB conversion of any balsa plans set - thousands available over at Outerzone and AeroFred. Great idea. Lots of participation for this wide open field. Judging will be impossible, but who needs to judge... build, share, fly.

- Composite Design (use combination of multiple materials from list of DTFB, Fiberglass, block foam, Balsa, 3D Printing, other). Another great idea to promotes using different materials. I'd like to see how other approach this topic.

- Fantasy Craft (anything that's never been built full scale for sustained flight - which could nicely include sci-fi and outlandish steam punk craft too. I like this idea for the creativity we'd see. Might limit the participation of the beginner/novice?

- X Planes & the Edge of Space - anything experimental from the cold war forward including high flying mother/daughter ship combos and other launch vehicles. Another fantastic idea.
 

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
I like a design build for Fantasy craft... I think it will really get some amazing ideas flowing and new/old build techniques introduced.

I'm also working on a few of them of my own.
 

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
The first phase of the competition is over so I won't be doing any more scoring of designs - but the second phase is under way and everyone is welcome to jump in! Guidelines on that are in the first post in this thread.
 

SP0NZ

FT CAD Gremlin
Staff member
Admin
Moderator
Mentor
-Fantasy Craft, gets my vote too.

I think the Intruder would fall into that category. Might give me a little more motivation to get back to that design and finish it. :black_eyed:
 

b-29er

Well-known member
Bit late, but oh well. Should ace the bombing competition.

B-29er and Pigfarm1403
Convair B-36B/D
http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?39788-Size-36-The-build-of-an-18-B-36&p=394791#post394791
convair-b-36.jpg
 

smithhayward

Large Child
How do I cut plywood firewalls?

Preferably with something sharp, but I jest... what’s your question? What size/shape/holes should it be or what tool should you use? What kind/thickness of plywood are you using? What size plane? Can you tell I’m a business analyst by trade?
 

b-29er

Well-known member
Stuff like flite test firewalls, I think 1/16 or 1/8 ply with notches (maybe)

1/16 or 1/8 is pretty thin. I'd almost say use some light duty spray adhesive to paste a paper template on some basswood or some relative hardwood and use an x-acto and your average boyscout training of "cut towards your chum, not yout thumb" , but you could also use a dremel with the router attachment if you feel like overkill. You could also just have something 3d printed if you have access to such tools. Just make sure whatever you do cut has holes for the firewall screws of what you are making and is strong enough to withstand the sudden torque/thrust of sudden throttle changes, perhaps with a ground test, following existing plans or copius overengineering.
 
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HilldaFlyer

Well-known member
I don't know if this will help, but I use 1/4" plywood (5 ply) from scrap crates used to ship solar panels. You can also use plywood from art/craft stores like AC Moore. Before I had the 1/4" plywood scrap, I used plywood from AC Moore and glued two 1/8" sheets together with wood glue and then cut out. Some folks may argue that you've got to use aircraft grade plywood, but for the foam planes, the craft stuff will work fine. So far I've had great experience just drilling 1/32" holes and screw mounting the motor to the plywood.

Cutting plywood is difficult to do by hand, it is designed to be strong, so I would probably not attempt doing so with a straight bladed tool... I value my digits.

I use Elmer's glue to attach the paper template to the plywood and then cut on the scroll saw. Add a little water and it peels off afterwards. If you don't have a scroll saw, a jig saw, even a small hand saw will work. My firewalls are rectangular glued to foam support. Never had an issue with FT planes.
 

Ketchup

4s mini mustang
Oh thanks. Also, does anybody know if it is possible to use a Dremel like a drill, because I could use the dremel for firewalls and then use the same thing to drill the holes
 

HilldaFlyer

Well-known member
Oh yeah! Just be careful... it will drill hands very easily because it is high speed. Use a vice to hold the wood.

It also has rasp bits... can cut like a router.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&k...&hvtargid=kwd-176425799&ref=pd_sl_23ik3rjur_e

If you don't have one yet... this is the one I have and I use it every day.
Black and Decker RTX.
13796336


More watts than Dremel for the money. $32 at Target.
All dremel bits fit too. Best tool I've owned for this hobby with the scroll saw a close 2nd.