XF-108 Rapier

[Foam Addict]

Since the XB-70 worked so well I'm thinking about building its escort fighter. EDIT: I found out this was actually an interceptor, though seeing a flight of Valkyries escorted by F-108s was a pretty cool thought.





The snag is I've tried to build this model twice before, and I couldn't get any sort of stable flight out of either prototype. That being said, they were probably tail heavy, and I definitely had too little V-stab area.
My plan is to more or less copy the method I used to build the Valkyrie, with a mix of rolled and planked DTFB, and probably using an 1804 mini quad motor for power. I'm aiming for a 10-12oz AUW, ~20" span, and ~36" long.

If anyone has experience with tailless deltas I'd love to hear your input, I've built a lot of flying wings and the Valkyrie, but I can always stand to learn some more.

Also, if you're expecting a quick build log, I'm sorry to tell you this could easily take me 6 months to build.
I'm going into my senior year of College, so research and classes will take the majority of my time, but I think this will be a nice last side project before I start Grad school.

 

[Michael9865]

Subscribed. Cool pick to build

 

[Air-headed Aviator]

Good luck on your build man! I'm curious to see where this will go.

 

[Foam Addict]

The biggest difficulty in building a plane that never flew is figuring out which design you like best. The XF-108 went through 3 main variations:





I really like the canard on the first one, but the double delta is a little angular. The single delta looks a lot like the F-102 and F-106, while I love those designs, I'd like something unique. That leaves the last variation. I really like the planform and sub fins, and this version had a mock up, which makes the design process much easier. I may make some slight changes to the wing tips and sub fins, but other than that the model should look most like this design. Now I just need to get some foam!

 

[Michael9865]

I agree the canards look sweet. You could add the canards to the "A" model. It was never build so rev 4 it. That way you get the features that you like.

 

[Foam Addict]

Good idea, I may build a canard I like and then decide whether to install it or not later in the build.