Chris Walby Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Hi, It looks like I will need a launch dolly due to U/C position and pusher props on a 6Kg Vulcan (it can land on its U/C when it comes back down). The runway is grass, a bit bumpy and quite short! Does anyone have any photos/drawings of a launch dolly that would be suitable as its a bit pointless reinventing the wheel so to speak. And is there any benefit in say powering the dolly to help it on its way either bungee or self powered? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanN Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Just do a forum search for "dolly". That will bring up a no of threads which should get you started Romeo Whisky's had a very clear pic **LINK** with a few more in his photo album **LINK** Haven't heard of anyone powering a dolly, and not sure that would be helpful. That's an extra thing you'd need to control - or to go wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Speed control line models often used a "Rat rap" dolly. This had arms that locked down over the leading edge of the wing,As he model lifted off it took the dolly with it. Atrailing arm droped releasing the retaining arms and the dolly dropped away.. It was very effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Walby Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 Thanks to those that have posted and after a bit of web searching a design is being formulated, Two front wheels, with one trailing (possibly steering, but will try it without first), it will be quite wide for stability and to miss the pusher props which are 12 inch apart compared to the 6 ft wingspan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 There is a full article about model launching on the Home Page of this site by Dave Royds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Walby Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 I have read the article with interest, not sure I am prepared to stretch out a bungee with 30kg of pull (that is a lot of stored energy!) and let go of a delta wing model for its maiden with just elevrons and flaps....Might need two bin liners for that! Back to the dolly I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Colman Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Chris, I'll be following with interest as I need to make something similar for my FX-61 wing. Edited By Steve Colman on 12/10/2016 16:04:51 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Walby Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 Steve, I have a Yeti delta wing which looks much the same as you FX-61 in size/power/weight and all I do with that is hand launch it. I think a dolly will be more trouble than its worth to be honest I was advised with two techniques for launching firstly the hold the centre and above head throw with motor off, as it glides toward the ground power up and a bit of up elevator or discus style (hold it by the end of the wing with wing in front or your body at about 45 degrees. Then throw into wind away from yourself. I prefer the second technique as I put throttle hold on, give it full throttle and throw it with my left hand (I am right handed) which leaves my right hand holding the TX with my thumb on the elevator/aileron stick and my second finger on the throttle hold switch (on my TX its mix/hold switch is top right). So throttle hold, throttle to full power, ready to throw, take throttle hold off and once its up to full speed, throw firmly into wind (with right thumb of TX stick) and away it should go! The only other thing to mention is the harder I throw mine the worse the launch (within reason) because what I tend to do is introduce rotation into the throw. The Yeti has no rudder or centre stab so if I introduce yaw I only have elevrons to correct it with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Colman Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Many thanks for the advice re launching the FX-61 Chris. The problem is I have limited movement and strength in my left shoulder after an injury some years ago. Hence the idea of using a dolly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Posted by Tom Sharp 2 on 12/10/2016 18:50:58: Dolly launching should be banned. Dolly pilot concentrating on flying leaves his dolly on the strip, expensive plane hits dolly on landing, result major damage. What's the difference between a dolly and a model that has just landed, deadstick? If expensive model flyer is so precious and unskilled as to be unable to avoid a dolly, perhaps said flyer ought to just wait until the dolly has been retrieved from the strip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DH 82A Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Take off diagonally across the runway, the dolly runs on to the edge of the runway out of the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Incorporate drone GPS flight controller into powered dolly which engages drive after model release. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Walby Posted October 14, 2016 Author Share Posted October 14, 2016 ....so where does it return to.. the flight line where it mows me over (I'll have enough trouble flying the Vulcan as it is!) or the pits via the fence....How about I retrieve the dolly and someone with greater experience with maiden flights has the sticks... Any takers (when are you next up at the field?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 I'd have said close to the pits netting but off the runway. Tomorrow, if all's well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 It may be right to dissect and write off procedures and methods to our hobby, but I find Dolly's and bungees exciting and innovative to watch, especially the depron twin motored sea plane, built by an 80 year old member from the magazine plan, rise gracefully from its dolly, and fly beautifully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Whisky Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Our's is a friendly club! If I'm using the dolly I just ask one of my mates to retrieve the dolly from the runway after the launch, and with no fuss at all they kindly do it. It's a simple system and it works perfectly. We also offer to hand-launch models for each other when necessary. That's what friends are for. Why doesn't TS2 just offer to retrieve the dolly from the runway instead of moaning about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Posted by Romeo Whisky on 14/10/2016 16:29:25: Our's is a friendly club! If I'm using the dolly I just ask one of my mates to retrieve the dolly from the runway after the launch, and with no fuss at all they kindly do it. It's a simple system and it works perfectly. We also offer to hand-launch models for each other when necessary. That's what friends are for. Why doesn't TS2 just offer to retrieve the dolly from the runway instead of moaning about it. Yep, that's how it has always worked for me, and at my current club at least three of us regularly use a dolly to launch a variety of models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Posted by Tom Sharp 2 on 14/10/2016 18:47:16: Posted by Romeo Whisky on 14/10/2016 16:29:25: Our's is a friendly club! If I'm using the dolly I just ask one of my mates to retrieve the dolly from the runway after the launch, and with no fuss at all they kindly do it. It's a simple system and it works perfectly. We also offer to hand-launch models for each other when necessary. That's what friends are for. Why doesn't TS2 just offer to retrieve the dolly from the runway instead of moaning about it. Too busy flying And of course no one helps you if you are too busy to help others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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