Wing construction Glide Tests - kfm-2 vs FT folded vs hotwired

[JasonK]

I did some not very scientific tests of 3 wing designs to see how well they glided.

To me it looks like the kfm-2 and FT folded had similar performance, however the hot wired wing seems to win out over both with what looks like about 1/2 the drop for the given distance.

If I wanted to get this really well done, I would need to setup a fixed camera stand and some sort of launcher, so the launches were as identical as possible.

 

[joelspangler]

Where did you get the foam that you hotwired? Did you cut it by hand with jigs, or do you have the ability to CNC?

 

[JasonK]

hardware store wall insulation, had it around from table top terrain crafting
by hand with jigs on a hotwire machine, depending on how this goes, I could see myself building a CNC hot wire cutter.

 

[Merv]

In my experience, a proper airfoil wing will out preform a FT wing, which will will out preform a KF wing of similar design. The aspect ratio and thickness of the wing have a major effect on the performance. It all depends on what you want, speed, heavy lift or endurance. There is no one wing that will best in all three categories.

 

[Monte.C]

Perfect addition to this forum. If amped up a bit, could be the most helpful thread in a while. Need more execution! I'd love to see the exact same thing x4 or 5. No need to make it too scientifically accurate/repeatable/precise, just a bunch of examples to help define a result. Do another run!

 

[JasonK]

Yah, not to hard to control most variables. However the throw is less then perfectly repeatable without some sort of launch system.

The hotwired wing is also the stiffest with the 2 cf spars top and bottom. I can put more stress on it then I would dare on either of the other two wings.