The Mongrel Project.

[Beaver5150]

This thing is a pieced together frame using mostly 450 helicopter parts. It will be a fixed wing plane.

The main flight envelope will be set more for endurance/long distance, as my roommate has challenged me to a 1-hour flight time (Currently getting 20 min with a 41" Extra 330s). This will be a test vehicle.

I have not decided what wing to use yet, and the pusher motor and mounts may be removed in favor of twin motor tractor/wing mount setup. I re-motored the Stinger, so I have 2 2812/950Kv motors available.
The wing will be near 60x10 inch or near 600 sq-in, and probably a KFm-7 airfoil. I will most likely keep it a straight wing, but I thought about going swept-back to match the angles on the tail, but haven't done the math to figure aerodynamic center for it may put actual CG too far forward. The low wing loading should yield glider-like performance with minimal power, though there should be enough power available for evasive maneuvers when needed.... which is inevitable.

Wing to be built this week.

 

[FlamingRCAirplanes]

This thing is another pieced together frame using mostly 450 helicopter parts. It will be a fixed wing plane. View attachment 223453 View attachment 223454 View attachment 223455 View attachment 223456 View attachment 223457 View attachment 223458 View attachment 223459 View attachment 223460
The main flight envelope will be set more for endurance/long distance, as my roommate has challenged me to a 1-hour flight time (Currently getting 20 min with a 41" Extra 330s). This will be a test vehicle.

I have not decided what wing to use yet, and the pusher motor and mounts may be removed in favor of twin motor tractor/wing mount setup. I re-motored the Stinger, so I have 2 2812/950Kv motors available.
The wing will be near 60x10 inch or near 600 sq-in, and probably a KFm-7 airfoil. I will most likely keep it a straight wing, but I thought about going swept-back to match the angles on the tail, but haven't done the math to figure aerodynamic center for it may put actual CG too far forward. The low wing loading should yield glider-like performance with minimal power, though there should be enough power available for evasive maneuvers when needed.... which is inevitable.

Wing to be built this week.

Hey now that is a really neat idea! Good going!

 

[Beaver5150]

I've decided to keep the single pusher motor for now. I can always build nacelles for twins later.
This coming Saturday looks to be nice weather and I'd like to get a maiden in.

 

[Beaver5150]

Maiden flight was a success, though a bit tricky in a 10 to 20 mph variable wind. There will be some adjustments to make.

 

[Beaver5150]

Here's the video.....
The Mongrel seems to need a little more elevator authority or CG moved back a little.... and a bigger prop.
The wind was reported as 15 to 25 at the time, and I didn't want to wait 2 or 3 more days.
Yeah, I botched the first landing, so I went around for 2 more to make it up.
Overall though, It was a successful maiden.

 

[skymaster]

Maiden flight was a success, though a bit tricky in a 10 to 20 mph variable wind. There will be some adjustments to make.
View attachment 223865 View attachment 223866 View attachment 223867 View attachment 223868

Hey this reminds me of this thing. VTOL Hybrid - AimDroix Xray Quad | Flite Test - YouTube

 

[bisco]

that's a great flier, well done!

 

[Beaver5150]

Adjustments made, a much better 2nd flight, then....... Rogue tree in my glidepath, stuck 30ft up! (No damage, it still flew after I retrieved it!)
Film at 11..... or sooner.

 

[bisco]

i have that same exact picture

 

[Beaver5150]

i have that same exact picture

I've been dodging that one for two years now.

 

[Beaver5150]

Here's the final pics of the evening after tree, damage inspection, and short check flight.
Still editing the video.....

 

[Beaver5150]

Hey this reminds me of this thing. VTOL Hybrid - AimDroix Xray Quad | Flite Test - YouTube

Yeah, love Flite Test channel. Great ideas!

 

[Beaver5150]

Mongrels second flight was much better than maiden despite some wind. I went from 7x4.5x3 to 8x4 prop and that helped a little on climbs. Trim was tighter, and I was able to lower the throttle and float in the wind some, nearly stationary at times. Still exploring stall points... Landed this one like a buzzard on a dead snake.
2 more videos to go after this....
(I don't record every flight or build, but I figured someone might get a kick out of this little evolution of a monster.)

 

[Beaver5150]

Another good flight till the tree got in the way. That will be far right edge of the screen just above halfway up.... the tallest tree, watch closely the last 10 seconds of video.
Okay... Before this flight, I extended the elevator surface a bit longer for better authority, went to an 8x5 prop, and put the finishing piece on the Mongrel......... an old white generic 450 helicopter canopy that with slight mods, ended up not looking so bad on an airplane. It probably prevented some impact and retrieval damage also.

 

[Beaver5150]

Last one for now.
We carefully poked at the Mongrel with 30ft of yard fence pipe sections till if finally fell out of the tree, with help from my son Drew. No obvious damage, the battery had disconnected on impact with the tree I think, so no servos or electronics were harmed. We went back to the yard, I put Mongrel back in the air for a minute to check things out, then I gave her the landing she deserved.
The neighbors who watched us, cracked up laughing when Mongrel was in the air within minutes of rescue...... must think I'm crazy!
Perfect ending to an interesting day.

 

[bisco]

looks good!

i have also been caught trying tree rescues. it's a bit embarrassing to admit i'm not a very good pilot. but dang, these trees just jump out when you go by.

sounded like some serious wind on the tree flight

 

[Beaver5150]

looks good!

i have also been caught trying tree rescues. it's a bit embarrassing to admit i'm not a very good pilot. but dang, these trees just jump out when you go by.

sounded like some serious wind on the tree flight

It wasn't too bad, 10 with occasional 15-20 gusts. This time of year in central Oklahoma, if you can't fly in the wind, you probably won't get to fly much. Besides... It's more fun to me to point into the wind, pitch up, throttle back, and practically park an airplane in mid-air like it's a kite with no string!

 

[Flightspeed]

 

[Beaver5150]

View attachment 223936

Nice!

 

[bisco]

we have a similar problem, but not quite so bad. but i'm uncomfortable above 6mph steady, and hate gusts.

big gusts have blown my models beyond sight, or into trees. i have to be careful with my madness