Edgley Optica

[Basil]

I have been making enquires about the plane. It seems that at least two of you have been seeking advise re electrification .Perhaps the parties might like to contact me , as I have a great urge to build this aircraft. As the parties may be aware it calls for some mods...............

 What about a ducted fan version. I am of the mind that a half size model of the published plans maybe easier the tackle, and far less expensive(Sarik is about £450).

Bas

Edited April 16 by Basil

[Simon Chaddock]

Surely the full size Optica is a ducted fan.

In theory it should be a good design to "electrify" however from what I have seen not all the EDF installations are that good with inappropriate inlet and exhaust duct areas resulting from the cockpit restricting the inlet and a big flat 6 positioned in the middle of the exhaust. 

In my view a conventional layout EDF does not fit particularly well in the available space. 😉

Just my own observations.  

[Basil]

Simon, it's a 61 driven prop, within a pod/tube. so in a way is a ducted fan.What size 'Fan' would be equal to this 61 situation.?

Bas

 

[Nigel Dell]

I would just use an outrunner equal to a 61-90 swinging a prop size similar to the original model rather than going to the expense of large edf’s and the required intake / tailpipe set up’s to get the best out it, it flew ok with i.c. Back then it will be fine with the equivalent electric set up now, no need to over complicate it.

[kc]

You will have to work out how you can start a glow motor in this model- how do you access the prop?   Electric would be easier.

This is probably the most impossible scale model to build - at least 1 very experienced builder ( on this forum years back ) seems to have given up due to the problems.....

[Outrunner]

Many moons ago a fellow club member built an Optica from the published plan. He made super job if the model but the only problem was he could never get it to fly. 

The model would get up to great speed down our tarmac runway but it just would not lift off.

He tried many different props but it refused to fly.

starting the model was fun too, the engine being in an awkward place.

It might fare better on a modern EDF unit and lots of cells.

Good luck with your build and I hope it flies well.

[PeterF]

EDFs are typically small diameter, high pitch high rpm to produce high speed but low volume air flow to replicate jet engines. They are not set up to mimic full size ducted fans. A commercial EDF to power this would either be too small for scale and very inefficient or you buy an EDF of the right size at high cost and run it at low rpm. The way to approach it is as said above, get a motor to turn the same size prop at a typical IC speed.

[Ron Gray]

 

[Outrunner]

48 minutes ago, Ron Gray said:

 

That fly's great! Thanks sharing Ron!

[Basil]

Thanks Ron, cheers Bas