FTFC20 Dunne type Tailless Flyer by FoamyDM

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
Dunne type Tailless Flyer

Since I have seen the model on Fidder's green, I thought the Burgess-Dunne Flying wing from 1914 is a perfect candidate for DTFB AND a foam plate Flyer, and Balsa.
As I grew up in New England it 40+ years later discovering some of aeronautics origins were so near where I grew up was exciting (plus the Second powered flight was in CT.) to learn the DBF was the first marine based flight in the US, out of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Also if you didn't know this was Canada's first Airforce plane. (Livery ideas abound here.)

I had foam plates, an exacto and tape on a business trip. I thought ahead enough to bring the PUDart, and so I thought no time like the present:

looking smarter I finally found the Balsa version at Outerzone of the Dunne type Tailless. BINGO!
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I will use/augment the Balsa plan to build a more true to history version.
First in Foam Plates for the PowerUp Dart Module, and then for Larger power packs. This bird should be easily scale-able.

I hope you will join in the fun any way you can.
 
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FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
PowerUp Version -Dart
Requirement AUW 21g.
Drive component 6-7g
Leaving 14g for plane foam.
The is 4 - 14" foam plate innards. ~10" dia. To work with. (without glue dabs.)

In a cut-as-you-go construction method, I made wings, struts and ends from the 2 1/2 ish plates. After flight near-failure. Cof G is just at the rear center point of the wings. I made a carriage, but it wound up to glue-heavy and it needed to be removed.
The result is this:
IMG_20190806_074854390.jpg
 
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FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
A/F-pack version:
30" Wingspan, possibly 1/12 scale and have it be 46"
 
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FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
C-pack version:
This one needs to be packable, and there-by be larger... possibly 1/6 scale - 92"
It finished up at approximately 58" and tucks into a front seat of a car, just fine.
BuildCapture.PNG


Direct Balsa Copy:
Original Plan
1237.jpg

Foamy Plans

BD-8CPlansht1.PNG BD-8CPlansht2.PNG BD-8CPlansht3.PNG
Click HERE for the Plan link in the Resource area
Build
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Start out by cutting the wing shapes and vertical formers. I used a Short C-pack pod to guide my Fuselage ad-hoc building. The plans have a more sophisticated true-to-life modeling. This is mostly just a box, it will leave room for servos and batteries.
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Build Note: I suspect it is Critical to taper the trailing under-edges up. I think it directs the wing wash upward like many modern flying wings.
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as usual, I tapered this using and iron along with rounding the front edges. Side bonus: to stiffen the board and straighten it from the gentle natural board curve.

With how simple this build is I suspect the re/build time will be VERY SHORT.
BD.8-Build.jpg
After adding wingtip Skids, it's ready to go
BuildCapture.PNG

Flight:
Glide Test: best test @ 1:26

Maiden Flight
1st attempt:

SUCCESS!!! With a underpowered 3-pt landing:
 

Attachments

  • BDF-8.pg1.pdf
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  • BDF-8.pg2.pdf
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FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
IMG_20190822_224955993.jpg

This is a pic of the sled I built, but couldn't use. I replaced it with a holding nub, for launching... Which is why it's off kilter a bit. I will try for a vid this weekend. It is back to school weekend, so a bit unlikely.
 

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
Plan sheets for what I'm building - Direct translation of Balsa plans. C-pack motor.
BD-8CPlansht1.PNG BD-8CPlansht2.PNG

I'm not sure why I've been going so slow lately.
enjoy!
 

Attachments

  • BDF-8.pg1.pdf
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  • BDF-8.pg2.pdf
    74.1 KB · Views: 0

jpot1

Elite member
Looking great but I’m missing something looking at the plans. Is it a foldover wing? Wing spar? The three connecting wing pieces are confusing me. Probably something obvious but I’m missing it.
 

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
It is Purely flat plate construction. the longest long parts are the upper wing. the shorter are adjacent to the pod. The sqaure-ish pieces are vert connectors. The 1,2 and 3 are the Inner, Mid and Outer Vert. Members. Each of them structures the rotation of the AoA of the upper wing, and in some manner the lower. as the angle of 3 is steeper than 1. the underside of the rear of the wings is a taper. I guess it's for upward throw?. I have a feeling it is critical to flight and stability success. I will try and get some pics tonight.
 

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
Put most of it together. I have looked at the plans and it isn't clear where the original elevons are.

Here is a picture of the bevel on the underside.
IMG_20190831_232041754.jpg

I decided on a scheme. Top and near sides are orange. Far and undersides are black. Color in the leading edges. And stripes on one side... For orientation.
IMG_20190901_003010893.jpg

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It's important to line up the middle piece correctly.
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The goal was to be able to tell orientation at a glance.
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Last piece is the landing gear sled.
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rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
Good plan on the coloring scheme - this would have been very tricky to keep orientation on otherwise!
 

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
Thanks... I figured it could turn into some M. C. Escher optics happening if I wasn't careful. Proof will be in the maiden.
 

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
Nice thing is the C-pod sits pretty right over the fuse in the back. All that's left is the landing gear.
 

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
Glide test is complete.


I made my first landing skid with a longer landscaping flag... Now, where did they go?
I'm excited to get this in the air proper.