the unmagnificent man Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 hello to all who read this thread. a good few years back I built an aircraft that only a handful of people of a certain age will recognise. Im talking about my 'Dick Dastardly and Mutley' aircraft. Did it get off the ground? Yes! Did it fly? Well er no, not really. In brief.... The short nose didn't allow for much ballast, it kept nosing over. So I tried it a little tail heavy. it ran all of 2 metres and made a dive skywards........ Like a numpty I panicked and closed the throttle causing a quick return to terra firma. Light airframe damage but loads of nerve damage meant a re design. A re think later and I came up with a wheel on a stick that stopped it nosing over. It was my intention to add a Yankee Doodle Pigeon to this and hide the wheel........ However, an accident with my 109 followed by an accident with my trainer followed by illness followed by my club being bought by a BMX club meant 2 years not flying and no more confidence! Roll on a few years and I have a shelf full of planes I don't fly any more. This Dick Dastardly model was a personal favourite of mine as I designed it and at the time (not sure about now) it was the only one of its kind. Now here's the deal...... I want this aircraft to have the fame it deserves and I am willing to pass it on to the right person who can make the finishing touches or changes to make it fly! Why didn't I do it? Well I almost got there but then with the confidence drop and the illness I just haven't got the nerve anymore to fly planes. SO.... If Tony Nijhous David Ashby or any designer builder connected with RCME can promise me they will adjust and fly it then just email me....... Why connected with RCME? Well, I want to be sure I'm passing it to someone who will have the capacity to correctly adjust the model, fly it and get the results in RCME for all to see and not just someone who fancies a free plane just to have a mess about with when the time arises! Hope you all understand.... Email me..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Hi, Al isn't it? I recall we spoke about a possible plan at the time. Drop me a Pm and we can chat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Jones Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Hi Al, Hope you do not mind me posting you're picture for everyone to see, Do you still have the plan others could work from Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Nijhuis Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Now that will fly.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Collins Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Interesting model! Just a few thoughts on the basis of a quick glance at the pic. The correct C of G looks as though it will come out around 50% of top wing chord. (would need to see an accurate side view to be sure.) This suggests that the main u/c may need to go forward a little. ie in front of the cg in a level attitude. The fin looks a little small while the nose has lots of side area, also it has lots of effective dihedral - It could prove to be prone to Dutch roll. Perhaps an increase in fin chord will be needed. Otherwise it looks as if it could work. Only test flying will prove it for sure but I would love to see it in the air! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I seem to remember this from way back, and if it was to become commercially available, or a free plan, then I think it would generate a lot of interest. I for one would be interested, I loved the wacky races and catch the pigeon when I was a kid. I hope you can get this sorted Guys. 60" Span ? D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I like that a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I don't think you could ever get the CG in the proper place. Any er.. pidgeon would need to be lead and a long way forward. Based on my experience with the occasional oddball design (And not as oddball as this one)...er...no thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the unmagnificent man Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 Hi Guys and thanks to all for your contributions, comments and suggestions, and a big thanks to Steve for posting the photo. The plane was made literally from a plan I drew from my avatar, hence a tail fin that is possibly? Too small and wheels too close to the CoG. Any changes could have spoiled the overall look of the plane. It's a long boring story of illness and mishaps as to why I never got it in the air but now it's going to go to someone who has the experience knowledge and the best list of professional contacts in the business so I'm sure it'll get in the air one way or another. I can't wait for that day........ More news as it happens..... I'll keep you all posted. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the unmagnificent man Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 Steve asked do I still have the plan. Well yes but it's really just a side view and wing design with the intention of adding details once it flew so there is not so much detail as it never got finished Peter ha ha the only sane one among us....... Leave it well alone it really is odball, but just imagine if it did fly at the club. It gained more attention when it was just on the ground than most aircraft that flew at the clubs I took it to. As for the ballast weight I almost had it with just the stick and wheel so a small lead pigeon about 10 cm in front of the main undercarriage together with the original ballast of motors and batteries false engine cylinders could suffice. Maybe even a slightly heavier pigeon could even reduce the amount of lead behind the prop (fixed to the bulkhead not the prop) and therefore reduce overall weight? As a person who enjoys sculpting then once I get told how much ballast the pigeon needs to weigh I could sculpt one from wood and make a mould for a lead version. Just a thought...... More as it happens. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Jones Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Hi AI, That is heart warming to hear thanks for the up-date. Here are some videos for the none believers. And just for fun, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the unmagnificent man Posted June 6, 2017 Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 Ha ha great, it's the first time I've seen the magnet aircraft but I did see the 'flat' DD&M when making mine. I tried to get mine as 'scale' ..... Unmag has a little laugh........ As possible. In the photo the plane was fitted with an SC 25 two stroke engine but a problem with cooling made me change it to electric...... That's when my problems started. Not knowing anything about electric motor setups at the time lead to a trial and error (more error than trial) period which saw my flying nerve diminish as I just didn't want to smash it up. Now it's time to pass it on to more experienced people and see if they can complete my idea...... Let's hope. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.