DRAFT 2019 Fantasy Aircraft Design & Build Challenge Guidelines

[rockyboy]

I have not found what I am going to build. I don't really want to try and build a jet because I think it will be beyond my skill level. And I have not see much movies, book, comics that have planes in them. So I am struggling to find the perfect plane. Plus I don't know a plane that I have a story with.

Try doing some google image searches for "whacky races airplane" and "fantasy airplane" and "diesel punk airplane" and "lego airplane" - that should point you into dozens of prop style airplane ideas - and see what shapes jump out at you. I'm not going down the jet/edf route either. Or pick one of the images we've posted here in this thread - honest, having more than one person take on the same subject is great! And many of us (including me almost every time) don't know the story when we first see the image of the plane. That just starts the curiosity rolling and the digging around on the interwebs begins - then we share what we find in the build thread

And if this is still all a little overwhelming at first, pick a plane you like that someone else is planning to build and ask if you can be on their team as a beta builder that tests out the early plans and designs and gives them feedback. I think all designers are totally thrilled when someone wants to help out with that!

 

[Pilot_35]

Try doing some google image searches for "whacky races airplane" and "fantasy airplane" and "diesel punk airplane" and "lego airplane" - that should point you into dozens of prop style airplane ideas - and see what shapes jump out at you. I'm not going down the jet/edf route either. Or pick one of the images we've posted here in this thread - honest, having more than one person take on the same subject is great! And many of us (including me almost every time) don't know the story when we first see the image of the plane. That just starts the curiosity rolling and the digging around on the interwebs begins - then we share what we find in the build thread

And if this is still all a little overwhelming at first, pick a plane you like that someone else is planning to build and ask if you can be on their team as a beta builder that tests out the early plans and designs and gives them feedback. I think all designers are totally thrilled when someone wants to help out with that!

Thanks.

 

[Tench745]

I already shared this in my Cafe Air Racer build thread, but this is a perfect time to bring it up again:
http://conceptships.blogspot.com/2014/05/cafe-air-racer-by-david-correa.html this website has numerous "concept" aircraft and spaceships, including the inspiration for my Cafe Racer series of builds.

 

[Pilot_35]

Time for pictures. Tell me which one you like best. Your opinion on which one looks the coolest will really help me make a choice on what to build.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Choice: top right, top left, bottom left, bottom right.

 

[Namactual]

I really like #2
With a little modification to the tail it looks like it would be rather flight worthy too.

Now that I look at it, #3 looks like it would probably be the easiest to get to fly.

 

[Grifflyer]

@Pilot_35 3 and 7 are my favorites

 

[rockyboy]

Lots of great options there @Pilot_35 - I'd just say steer clear of #6 as it will be extremely difficult to get the CG to a workable place. For my favorites, I'd say 3, 4, or 5 probably.

And thanks for putting that link out here again @Tench745 - I'm falling in love with half a dozen planes that artist has thought up!

 

[Pilot_35]

Know that I look at it closer 7 it really close to number 3 but with a tail. If I do number 3 I would need to add a tail I would think. I am leaning towards number 7. Because it is close to 3 and flight test has not built a plane like number 7. @rockyboy thanks for the help and c.g. reminder about number 6

 

[Namactual]

It looks like #3 has a tail, it's just hard to see. It's almost shaped like an "H".

 

[b-29er]

Man, we're already counting down for FF 2019? i thought that was just me. I may throw my hat into the ring on this one.

 

[rockyboy]

Man, we're already counting down for FF 2019? i thought that was just me. I may throw my hat into the ring on this one.

11 months, 2 weeks, and a couple days probably... depends on which week they pick

And welcome aboard! Whatch'a thinking about building?

 

[b-29er]

11 months, 2 weeks, and a couple days probably... depends on which week they pick

And welcome aboard! Whatch'a thinking about building?

Probably something a bit more slow and lumbering than most of what i've seen on here

 

[rockyboy]

Nice!!

It is one of the great things about this theme for the challenge - everyone can find a subject that fits their speed / style / flight envelope. I'm going to be doing something on the slow side myself I think... that Sandwich Crusher from my earlier post is stuck in my head

 

[b-29er]

you mean this guy?

Spoiler!

It might fly great if you put it on its side and flew it like a lifting body. Fuselage vertical would be interesting to see.

 

[CarolineTyler]

Probably something a bit more slow and lumbering than most of what i've seen on here

Lol! Thats basically the old Multiplex Sonic Liner...

 

[Pilot_35]

Probably something a bit more slow and lumbering than most of what i've seen on here

Put 2 edf in the back of that thing and I don't think you will be calling it slow.

 

[Pilot_35]

It looks like #3 has a tail, it's just hard to see. It's almost shaped like an "H".

I don't see the H tail. Number 3 looks a lot like something from stars.

Star wars

 

[b-29er]

Lol! Thats basically the old Multiplex Sonic Liner...
View attachment 111230

Thats exactly what it is, since multiplex got inspiration for the Sonic Liner from the Sonic cruiser.

Put 2 edf in the back of that thing and I don't think you will be calling it slow.

Yeah, i have a goblin and an f-27, those can be my fast planes.

I don't see the H tail. Number 3 looks a lot like something from stars.

View attachment 111241

Star wars
View attachment 111242

Heres a better pic. Look closer, it has a pair of rudders like the bf110 and a 3rd prop. You're probably seeing the rudder on the other side as a dorsal rudder behind the cockpit, but you can also see a second, smaller aircraft below with the same rudder. You would want that anyways since that design would be a pain to impossible to fly as a straight winged, rudderless plank with tip mounted props.

 

[Namactual]

It's extremely hard to see, but it is there...

It might be even harder to see depending on your monitor/color settings.

 

[Pilot_35]

It's extremely hard to see, but it is there...
View attachment 111243

It might be even harder to see depending on your monitor/color settings.

Thanks now I see it. How would I put a 3rd motor on the back? Or should I just stick to the 2 on the wing tips.