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-   -   "Instant" flex-wing B/G (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=16130)

blackshire 07-28-2016 08:48 AM

"Instant" flex-wing B/G
 
Hello All,

Here is a catapult-launched paraglider that would—with little modification—make an “instant” flex-wing boost-glider (they’re even cheaper in quantity—as for club buys...): http://www.joissu.com/Slingshot-Han...7/#.V5n9I_krIdU

I hope this information will be helpful.

AstronMike 07-29-2016 11:12 AM

Hmm...
 
Those remind me of the delta kites I used to modify for use on longish BT60 based flexie RGs. Had to make my own flexie 'tops', where the spars all connect, as typical kites do not have this. Also, had to use a crossbar type deal for springing open the wings and holding them out. Remember, this was a flexie *rocket glider*, not the tube-ejected BTC float away version!

If any of these things show up locally, I might grab a few and see what can be done with them. They refer to 18", but is that span or length? In either case, wouldn't be able to do beyond a BT50 with those.

Biggest issue with those kite-based flexie RGs, is trimming. Hand tosses are not very accurate, and if you 'dork' in the first few flights, you might not have enough salvageable tubing to continue :o

Best one I ever made was back in '93, which incidentally flew GREAT on the just released Estes E15s. None ever CATO'd in this particular version, but did in other gliders! :eek:

Literally flew that thing to death, until the main BT wore out and the kite plastic got too charred in spots. Never got another one to work that well ever again. Did upscale using this tech, and an 8 foot cloth delta kite, for 38mm H and low I motors. That did not glide as well as it should have, probably due to the heavier components.

You never know what cool 'toy stuff' items you can run across that come in great handy!

blackshire 07-30-2016 02:14 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by AstronMike
Those remind me of the delta kites I used to modify for use on longish BT60 based flexie RGs. Had to make my own flexie 'tops', where the spars all connect, as typical kites do not have this. Also, had to use a crossbar type deal for springing open the wings and holding them out. Remember, this was a flexie *rocket glider*, not the tube-ejected BTC float away version!

If any of these things show up locally, I might grab a few and see what can be done with them. They refer to 18", but is that span or length? In either case, wouldn't be able to do beyond a BT50 with those.

Biggest issue with those kite-based flexie RGs, is trimming. Hand tosses are not very accurate, and if you 'dork' in the first few flights, you might not have enough salvageable tubing to continue :o

Best one I ever made was back in '93, which incidentally flew GREAT on the just released Estes E15s. None ever CATO'd in this particular version, but did in other gliders! :eek:

Literally flew that thing to death, until the main BT wore out and the kite plastic got too charred in spots. Never got another one to work that well ever again. Did upscale using this tech, and an 8 foot cloth delta kite, for 38mm H and low I motors. That did not glide as well as it should have, probably due to the heavier components.

You never know what cool 'toy stuff' items you can run across that come in great handy!
I don't know which dimension--the span or the length--is 18"; I've never seen such a catapult-launched Rogallo-type glider before. I'm not sure what you mean about your larger ones having been rocket gliders, unless you're referring to something like the 1964 "Project 621" paraglider-recovered sounding rocket that Dornier designed (see: www.google.com/#q=Dornier+paraglider+rocket and http://archive.aviationweek.com/issue/19640113 ), in which a normal-configuration rocket had two deployable delta "sail wings" folded against its body during ascent.

ghrocketman 07-30-2016 02:04 PM

That looks pretty cool.

AstronMike 07-30-2016 07:13 PM

Flexie Rocket Gliders
 
Yes, those models were basically lengthy Bt60ish jobs with a standard 17x40 delta kite attached to the 'top' of the body, about halfway up. Used a standard NC and fins on the best version. That used a standard burn string to hold the wings for boost, keeping it a true RG. Now, even though BG, some later ones used a more 'convie' tail setup with elevator. That helped the trim nicely, but added complexity....

To make *that* work, I had fashion an ejectable rear motor can mount, which had a large paper clip on top as well as a long cord with a specially bent open clip. The top clip was for elevator retention, and the string-based clip was used to hold the wings shut for boost, since this did not use a burn string (that's what really ruins BTs on such things).

At ejection, the rear canmount would eject, pulling the clip off the elevator as well as pulling the string and its clip off the main wings, allowing them to open. Problem was, that fit had to be *JUST RIGHT* or it would not pull off (Crash) or, if it was too loose, wings deploy on ignition (also not a good thing).

Believe it or not that was pretty reliable for being such a cludgy system. However, having a wings-open-on-ignition disaster was enough for me to quit flying that stuff around clubs. Too many 'dinner jacket' rocketeers and not enough 'research' minded guys..... :o

Heli Hacker 09-14-2017 02:30 PM

I recall that back in the '70's, I made some simple flex-wing gliders using drinking straws for the frame and thin sheet plastic in-between. The trusty Big Bertha was a good launch vehicle for one or more of these. Just fold the sides of the frame together and stuff them inside with the parachute.

BigRIJoe 09-14-2017 04:21 PM

Has anyone actually used the gliders mentioned in the Original Post, and if so, what body tube will they fit into?

AstronMike 09-15-2017 12:09 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRIJoe
Has anyone actually used the gliders mentioned in the Original Post, and if so, what body tube will they fit into?


No, never seen anything like those show up locally here. Might need to troll through some of the Dollar Store types toy sections though...that's how I came across Adams Readiboard back in '04.

Always neat to keep your eyes open for stuff that can convert.

blackshire 09-16-2017 01:52 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by AstronMike
No, never seen anything like those show up locally here. Might need to troll through some of the Dollar Store types toy sections though...that's how I came across Adams Readiboard back in '04.

Always neat to keep your eyes open for stuff that can convert.
That's continuing the Robert Goddard tradition! He and his assistants checked through hardware stores and mail-order catalogs for items that they could use "as-is" or adapt for purposes that their manufacturers never imagined.


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