Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">I finally solved the problem of transporting, assembling and disassembling an aircraft at the flying field. This method also gets a lot of thumbs up from passerby&rsquo;s while on the highwayhttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../thumbs_up.gif</p>
Roger

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Okay, I'll bite. What keeps the Plane and Stand from flying out of the back of the truck at 60 MPH?

Oriole

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Roger, that's not a good idea. You are putting a lot of stress on all of your surfaces. Dan.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">The cradle is held in place in the truck bed by four lashings on each of the four corners of the cradle, the lashings are connected to the tie down points in the truck bed. The cradle also has forty pounds of weight attached to it for extra security (flat cinder blocks).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">The plane is held in the cradle by two lengths of &frac12;&rdquo; hardwood dowels covered with &frac14;&rdquo; thick foam. Each dowel is designed to fit into a clevis at each end of the cradle. The two dowels straddle the top of wing and thisis what actually keeps the plane held in the cradle. The cradle is padded and is designed to allow the plane a slight amount of wing roll movement; &frac12;&rdquo; up and &frac12;&rdquo; down. The Velcro straps seen in the photos keep the two dowels from popping out of the clevises during wing roll movement.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Stress on the flight control surfaces is not a concern due to no power being applied to the flight controlservos during transport; therefore the flight control surfaces are free to move up or down if subjected to air turbulence over their surfaces. Flight control surfaces are subjected to much more stress during actual flying due to the servo&rsquo;s deflecting the flight controls in the air stream.

Roger</p>

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

unsafe....

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Unsafe, then explain and enlighten me as to why you think this transportation system is unsafe?</p>

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Doesn't appear unsafe nor does it appear to pose a danger to your plane. Use it.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Saw an elderly gentleman transport a giant scale P-38 on his van. A red one called " Yippee". The same setup. We helped him clear it off the center lane of I 95. After that he just needed a small box for it. Saw another guy strip every servo in the plane from the same thing. Not a particularly good idea. Just my opinion............Doug

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Unsafe because of all the passerby's oogling over it and causing wrecks. Ha!

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

There wouldn't be much air flowing over it, it's not directly in the path of travel (ie behind the cab)
It does look like your wings stick out a little though, that would be my only concern.
I'm just finishing a 1/4 Se5a and planned to transport it in my trailer on an angle, it will fit.
But thinking about it, I like to check all the servos, fuel system, batteries and pull cables before each flight so it will probably still be assembled at the field.
You could always teach a squirrel how to fly and get him to transport it there for you:D

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

This is how I have to transport my model to the field because it just does not fit in the car.

The model flies faster than the 80 kmh that I get to going to the model field, The control surfaces are neutral so there is minimum load applied to the unpowered servos.... what is happening during the trasportation of the model that would be any different to the flight loads?

The only drama I could see on ForcesR's setup is that the outboard sections of the wing are in the airstream and therefore producing lift, which will be adding loads to the wing mid and root sections.... other than that, Can't see all fuss???

Thanks

Dave

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Ha, that's great Dave.

Roger,
The only concerns I would have are the wings as things get kicked up from the road. My windshield has some comments on that one.
The other thing is people following me to my house to get a 5 finger discount later when I'm at work.
Either way, I wouldn't tell you you're wrong, do what ya gotta do!

Tim

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

I do not recommend puting a plane in the back of a truck, but if it won't stand the stress of low speed you better leave it on the ground:eek:

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

I like both ways, the only thing I see wrong is that to avoid the 5 mins that takes to put the wings together at the field, you are only bringing ONE.<div>I always bring at least two if not three planes in my RAM pick up truck[X(]</div>

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

This is what I use

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

This probably would not happen in the friendly nation of Canada but here I would be concerned of teenagers deciding to throw a beer bottle at your plane while driving down the road.
I also don't want anyone to know what I am transporting to and from the field.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Can't tell what that is? A trailer? A box on the bed of a pickup?

I built a 4-Star 120 with an 81" wingspan. I figured the wing would fit katty-korner in the back of my Nissan Frontier (72" long bed with a camper shell on top). WRONG!!! Doesn't fit! The only way it fits is to stick the last 6 inches out the back with the camper shell door partially open.

I know, I know - shoulda built the wing in two halves.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

They maybe are not fully assembled, but they are transported safely, and the trailer cost me under $500 total to build (Including AGM Deep Cycle Battery, and I can transport two IMAA Big Birds.:D I also still get 30mpg pulling it with a Corolla. The trailer with planes weighs 450 lbs total.:D:D

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Depending on the wingspan. You may need an oversize load sign and yellow flashing lights. "over size in most states is anything over ten foot wide or 120 inches." You may even require permits. If the right D.O.T. Officer sees you he could pull you over and give you a ticket. Oversize fines are steep. If you are under 102 inches you are fine. No permits, lights or signs required.

I will just continue to carry mine in pieces and assemble at the field.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

DUMB DUMB DUMB.  The turbulence from the air flow off the car body puts unusual stress on this airframe not to mention every trip to the field is wind stress that we know will eventually cause failure.  If you don't have the vehicle to transport, don't build and fly larger scale planes that need the appropriate vehicle.  Disassemble if needed.  Fly smaller planes that are safe to transport.  NOT TO MENTION, anythiing that flies off this plane, or the plane itself could cause someone behind you to lose control, panic, or make a sudden change in lanes. And I can guaranty  you WILL be responsible for any and ALL damages or have to live with someone getting hurt or killed dodging airplane parts.
There have been people killed from dodging couch cushions, mattresses, aluminum ladders, plastic buckets that fly off the back of vehicles.  Can you live with that? 
  Thumbs up from passing motorists is false accolade!  THINK.  BE SMART!  It's not worth a thumbs up to transport a balsa framework like this.  It's a lose/lose proposition!

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Wow, the net nannies are all over this one.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Anybody remember the original Byron Pitts? One of the options was a rack you mounted on the truck of your car to carry the assembled biplane to the field.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

I also built a trailer for hauling my planes to the field. Final cost (including $109.00 for a permanent license) was just under $800.00

The trailer frame was built from 2" square tubing, and has a final dimension of 4'x8'. It is 43" tall inside.

I've been thinking about doing an article on the trailer - anyone interested? I took pictures as I built it...

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

a buddy at our field used to haul his big spit that way, swore it was full proof.


That was until one day he showed up at the field, and got out of his truck cussing up a storm...he then pull what was left of the wings out of the cab(he had stopped and picked up the two pieces....welll 2 big pieces anyways). He then pulled the fuse, (which at this point looked like a limp noodle) off the mount.

He said everything was fine, then it just started wobbling in its mount and then kinda exploded out of the back of his truck before he could even get it stopped...

good thing was, that the wing did'nt really hurt the car behind him that it hit(the wing).[:@] (and they didnt crash trying to avoid it.)[:'(]

Casey

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Absolutly!

Have any of you even been in the back of a truck while it barrels down the road?

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

I used a Harbor Freight trailer frame w/ 12" wheels for my frame. They were on sale for like $175 when I built the trailer. You cannot hardly even buy an axle and wheels for that, infact I know you can't. The extereier on mine is 1/2 flooring underlayment plywood (waterproof glue). The floor is 3/4" treated plywood, and the frame work is 2 x 3's. The construction is torque bit deck screws with waterproof glue. Its painted with Farm implement enamel. Its equiped with led interier and exterier lights, AGM Deep Cycle battery wired for two chargers. I would have made it bigger yet, but was worried about towing it with a small car. Mine is 43" outside height, 7-1/2' feet long, and 42" inside width.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

My floor is also 3/4" ply, but I used regular ply and sprayed the bottom and the whole frame with spray-can rubberized undercoating.

I decided on a steel frame because I had access to a welder. I bought two 24' sticks of the 2" square tubing from my local steel dealer - the steel cost me $94.00 including tax. I DID already have the axle, but it was only 31" wide. I cut the axle and welded in a spacer to get the mounts out to 48". The enclosure frame is all 2"x3" and the sheeting is 1/4" Luann plywood. It's light and cheap! The rear door (38"x38") doubles as a ramp for loading other items, and the doors on each side are 34"x34". All of the hinges are bolted in place and have locking nuts on the inside of the trailer, and each of the three doors is double latched and double locked.

I picked up an LED light kit for $20.00 at my local surplus store, along with the wheel/tires. They're only 8" wheels, but the over-all diameter of the tire is 14".

I bought the gloss paint from Walmart - it's oil-based Rustoleum, and it was $26 for a gallon.

I did go through 4 tubes of sealant as I was adding the sheeting. She's pretty water tight, but I want to go over every seam inside when I get some extra cash again...

That's pretty much the highlights... No interior lights yet, but I may add them in the future!

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Call NASA quick!! this MUST be a bad idea.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

I KINDA LIKE THE SQUIRREL IDEA MYSELF. :)

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

I haul my 50cc yak all the time like that. and have hauled my python and my 35%yak a couple times. Usually I just leave em assembled in the trailer but somtimes I don't want to drag 30 feet of trailer with me.. I just grab one and put it in the back of my pickup and go.. I have a box to put the landing gear on and strap the landing gear to 50feet of log chain coiled up in the bottom of the pickup.. it isnt going anywhere. I do tape the surfaces with blue masking tape before I go down the road. You don't want the surfaces to flap freely in the breeze- that will strip the servo.. I have a friend who made some nice control locks out of the flexible steel straight edges with some padding on them. He drilled holes in them and clamps em over the surfaces to hold everything in place. But he goes 25miles or so on the freeway to fly..

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

This is how B1 Bob rolled out the F-105 on the maiden flight.

http://b1modelproject.com/images/B1Bob-Transport.jpg

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Nice trailer!

I want to do something similar, but am worried about the correct way to weatherproof the box when finished.

What did you use to seal the door when shut?

Thanks!
Bill

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

A club member used to transport his Nosen P-51 fuse on the top of his '74 Camero for years and never had a problem with it.

Looked stranger seeing the tip of the wing sticking out of the passenger side window!

As long as your double check all mounts, you SHOULD be good to go, but forget one time and it could bite you, and the guy behind you, big time!

IMO, its just being lazy that you don't want to assemble it at the field.

Bill S.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

I would LOVE a trailer build thread!

Bill S.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

<span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-size: large">Shhhh...."Big Secret Huh"..."I could tell you what I am secretly carrying, but then you would have to buy me something"...I get it..!!

</span></span>

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

I would love to build a trailer too, but management has shot down the concept of having a trailer at the front of the house and I have already commandeered the garage as my workshop!

Thanks

dave

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Dave, that photo is worth a thousand words, I would love to have an FW-190 that size, what model is it?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Gee, if I had known that my post would cause so much controversy, I would never have posted. I guessI better not post a photo of my 89" WS ESM Spitfire sitting in the cradle inthe back of the Ranger http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../omg_smile.gif

Idid take into consideration when I designed the cradle that the wing would protrude out into the airstream by approximately 15&rdquo; on each side of the truck bed. That is why the cradle is designed to allow wing roll movement of &frac12;&rsquo; up and &frac12;&rdquo; down. The design helps relieve the stresses placed on the wing structure from the airflow over the wing sections that protrude into the airstream.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Before I actually transported the Mustang, I took into consideration the things that may be unsafe, fail and potentially cause an accident. I work at an Aerospace consulting firm and I have friends in the engineering department who were asked to look at my cradle design and point out any flaws with the design and what could be done to improve the cradle. They made a few suggestions for improvement and those improvements were incorporated. They were satisfied with the changes and were confident that I could transport the Mustang in the cradle without having a wing failure and causing a potential accident.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">I even had the misfortune recently of passing through an OPP spot check where transport vehicles were being checked for unsafe loads and current vehicle inspection. The officers thoroughly checked out my method of transporting the Mustang. They were impressed with the design and how it was secured and attached to the truck bed. They mentioned that they wouldn&rsquo;t have a job to do if all truckers were as conscientious when it comes to safety concerns. Since the Mustang&rsquo;s wing span is only 85&rdquo;, I do not require a transport permit. If the wing span was above 96&rdquo;, I would be required to have a transport permit.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">There is one thing that was mentioned that I may do to save wear and stress on the flight control servos; install some sort of flight control locking device to keep the flight controls in the stream lined position.</p>
Roger

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Roger, I think its a genuine topic for discussion. Those who give antidotal evidence for not doing something most likely have no idea as to reason for the failure.

Just about any type of transport system can be made to operate safely given the right design.

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

+1 [8D]

Roger, It's the new ESM Fw-190D. Cracking model!!! love flying it.

https://vimeo.com/33210524


My flying buddy normally comes to pick me up if were heading to an event that a fair drive away. it's only a 25min drive to the model field so if I'm heading there, I just strap her on the roof. I too made a custom cradle for the model and have also made sure that it can't move forwards or backwars in any way and she's been fine!

Thanks

dave

RE: Why not transport your fully assembled aircraft to the field?
 

Roger,
I also think its a great topic and doubt there is any RIGHT answer.

I think what the officers said was the important thing, you did it right.

My only problem is if you forget something ONE time, thats all it takes. BUT, that would stil apply even if you had the plane disassembled in the bed of your tuck, if you missed something, a part will fly out!

Thats why I choose to put a cap on my truck. :)

Great looking 'Stang nonetheless!!

Bill S.