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  #1  
Old 08-28-2013, 05:56 PM
5dollarracer 5dollarracer is offline
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Default Guillows Strato Streak

I have a Guillows Strato Streak that I modified by adding extra dihedral to the wings and some sanding to reduce weight.It flies ok straight. Problem, lack of altitude.Any suggestions?
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Old 08-28-2013, 07:33 PM
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Is it rocket powered?
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Old 08-28-2013, 07:56 PM
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?????

Am I suddenly in the wrong forum????


Hmmmm...thought so.
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Old 08-29-2013, 04:35 AM
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blackshire blackshire is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5dollarracer
I have a Guillows Strato Streak that I modified by adding extra dihedral to the wings and some sanding to reduce weight.It flies ok straight. Problem, lack of altitude.Any suggestions?
While this isn't a model airplane forum, many of us (myself included) enjoy flying model airplanes and gliders as well as model rockets--plus, the Jetex-powered and Rapier motor-powered F/F (Free-Flight) jet airplane models are a "borderland hobby" that utilizes elements of model aviation and rocketry, since the Jetex and Rapier jet motors are low-thrust, long-burning solid propellant rocket motors whose performance characteristics are tailored to wing-supported model planes. Also, knowledge of trimming model airplanes and gliders to fly properly is directly applicable to trimming model rocket Boost-Gliders (B/Gs) and Rocket Gliders (RGs) to glide properly. Now, on to your problem:

It sounds like your Strato Streak (here's a link, for those not familiar with it: http://www.guillow.com/stratostreak.aspx ) is flying level but not climbing, yes? If so, is this occurring with ROG (Rise-Off-Ground) flights, flights that begin with hand tosses, or both? If it occurs with the former (ROG flights) but not the latter, it may be a result of the plane flying in ground effect, which shifts the CP (Center of Pressure) of its wings rearward; this can prevent the downward force of the horizontal stabilizer at the plane's rear from pitching the plane's nose up enough for it to climb. Also:

If this lack of climbing occurs on all flights (hand-tossed as well as ROG), it sounds like you need more pitch-down force from the horizontal stabilizer, in order to pitch the plane's nose up more so that it will climb. The Strato Streak's wing can be slid forward and backward in its slot that's cut through the fuselage; if your dihedral modification didn't involve gluing the wing in place, try sliding the wing forward, as this will give the horizontal stabilizer a longer moment arm through which to act. If that doesn't help (or if the wing is glued in place), make two small elevators (say, 1/4" wide and 1" long) out of cardstock, and tape them to the trailing edges of the horizontal stabilizer using masking tape, one on each side. Bend them very slightly upward (having used the tape as elevator hinges) and try flying the plane. If it still doesn't climb, bend them upward more. If it climbs too steeply or loops or stalls, bend them upward less.

I hope this information will be helpful.
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Last edited by blackshire : 09-25-2013 at 06:49 AM. Reason: This ol' hoss done forgot somethin'.
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  #5  
Old 08-29-2013, 04:44 AM
jetlag jetlag is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackshire
While this isn't a model airplane forum, many of us (myself included) enjoy flying model airplanes and gliders as well as model rockets--plus, the Jetex-powered and Rapier motor-powered F/F (Free-Flight) jet airplane models are a "borderland hobby" that utilizes elements of model aviation and rocketry, since the Jetex and Rapier jet motors are low-thrust, long-burning solid propellant rocket motors whose performance characteristics are tailored to wing-supported model planes. Also, knowledge of trimming model airplanes and gliders to fly properly is directly applicable to trimming model rocket Boost-Gliders (BGs) and Rocket Gliders (RGs) to glide properly. Now, on to your problem:

It sounds like your Strato Streak (here's a link, for those not familiar with it: http://www.guillow.com/stratostreak.aspx ) is flying level but not climbing, yes? If so, is this occurring with ROG (Rise-Off-Ground) flights, flights that begin with hand tosses, or both? If it occurs with the former (ROG flights) but not the latter, it may be a result of the plane flying in ground effect, which shifts the CP (Center of Pressure) of its wings rearward; this can prevent the downward force of the horizontal stabilizer at the plane's rear from pitching the plane's nose up enough for it to climb. Also:

If this lack of climbing occurs on all flights (hand-tossed as well as ROG), it sounds like you need more pitch-down force from the horizontal stabilizer, in order to pitch the plane's nose up more so that it will climb. The Strato Streak's wing can be slid forward and backward in its slot that's cut through the fuselage; if your dihedral modification didn't involve gluing the wing in place, try sliding the wing forward, as this will give the horizontal stabilizer a longer moment arm through which to act. If that doesn't help (or if the wing is glued in place), make two small elevators (say, 1/4" wide and 1" long) out of cardstock, and tape them to the trailing edges of the horizontal stabilizer using masking tape, one on each side. Bend them very slightly upward (having used the tape as elevator hinges) and try flying the plane. If it still doesn't climb, bend them upward more. If it climbs too steeply or loops or stalls, bend them upward less.

I hope this information will be helpful.



Could not have said it better!

I still play with these on occasion. Of, course, my young nephews love 'em!

Allen
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  #6  
Old 08-29-2013, 04:54 AM
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blackshire blackshire is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jetlag
Could not have said it better!

I still play with these on occasion. Of, course, my young nephews love 'em!

Allen
Thank you! I still fly them too from time to time. Also, the folks at the Aerosente Glider Workshop www.aerosente.com have several profile F/F through large-scale R/C glider kits. You and your nephews might relish those as well.
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http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
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Last edited by blackshire : 08-29-2013 at 04:56 AM. Reason: This ol' hoss done forgot somethin'.
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  #7  
Old 08-29-2013, 08:16 AM
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Ha. I have a Strato-Streak in the bag on my drawing board.

I like to have them take-off from a picnic table or something like that. A smooth place to land (like a driveway) adds to it. Cheap fun.

I also have a little CO2 motor that I should build an airplane for.
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  #8  
Old 08-29-2013, 08:24 AM
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blackshire blackshire is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by foamy
Ha. I have a Strato-Streak in the bag on my drawing board.

I like to have them take-off from a picnic table or something like that. A smooth place to land (like a driveway) adds to it. Cheap fun.

I also have a little CO2 motor that I should build an airplane for.
Hmmm...I wonder if one of those could drive a small ducted fan, perhaps with a gearbox to increase the fan's RPMs?
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http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
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  #9  
Old 08-29-2013, 09:16 AM
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Ironnerd Ironnerd is offline
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I think a Guillow's "Eagle" or similar model might be make an acceptable B/G. Pretty sure it's been done.
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Old 08-29-2013, 09:28 AM
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Once in my rocket/airplane crazed youth I attached a Jetex 50 to the underside of a balsa glider. Didn't think much about having a flame 1/4 inch from the wood, never the less Jetex started hissing, plane was on fire, I gave it a good toss and it crashed and 'did' burn. Looked good doing it though.
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