saucerguy

Last November I was tinkering around my shop, messing with foam plate stock to see what I can make as a chuck glider to later on turn into an all out RC scratch build. I like going that route since it lets you fine tune a design prior to committing to an all out RC platform. You get close much of the time going this route which really helps keep the final revisions minimal.

Considering, I grew up as the class artist, I used to specialize with dragons, and in this case, opted to put my RC build skills combined with the dragon platform. After posting it to a few threads in it's simple, flat chuck glider form, I received some positive respones from people urging me to make this into an RC. A buddy of mine who ordered a few P40's from me, I showed him the glider and what I planned upon doing with it later on.

A week went by, and much of our dialog was about how he couldn't stop thinking about the dragon, so told me if I developed it, he's more then game to buy it, he even gave me a deposit to cover materials and help me get started.

I'm using a hand wire cutter, some laminate jigs, sandpaper/files and alot of engineering in order to achieve my goal. Going this route also let's me make more, this thread shows the progress upon his, which I sanded down and fine tuned to look more dragon like, and mine, the first off of the run made using the jigs I created afterwards. I didn't sand mine, knowing it's just a test platform and to show, this is what it looks like cut out in it's initial stage, or be it, kit form.

Revisions put in place not shown are a longer neck, the battery pack is located in the head and it was necessary to extend that area to set the proper COG, I also increased the size of the H-stab since it kept nosing up, which meant I needed more area there. I'll show updates in those regards later, I just wanted to show you guys my latest creation, and indeed, show the world, it's first RC flying dragon, you'll also take note, I got a shot of a cloud formation over Mount Raineer on my way for a test flight with it, I consider it a good omen.

saucerguy

More photo's.

saucerguy

More photo's.

More photo's and video will be posted shortly.

calvino

lol, how good does it fly???

saucerguy

I'll have video posted shortly, the ones I took, it's COG was off, so just determined and tested that phase today, will have something refined to look at later.

browndodge

this is a really cool looking project! ever thought about an articulated tail for control?
keep up the good work.

saucerguy

Anything is possible, technically, this thing can be converted into an all out robot, moving legs, neck, head, tail, wings, etc. and having it fly to boot really would make it a menacing RC to have around.

I'm reaching completion on it's new fuse, I'm sweeping the wings back a bit for more performance as well.

biplanemurphy

Hi Saucerguy......I really like the new tail surfaces you incorporated.....and the longer neck looks pretty slick too!!!

I will start mine pretty soon, I was waiting for you to test the other prototypes a bit more first.....

Contemplating mounting the motor where it's mouth would be.....A little more thinking and I will start the build.

Murph........

saucerguy

With the longer neck I was able to move the stick to it's chest, this helps increase ground clearance. The wings, I'm going to try and get them to be adjustable, this will allow me to test it's performance along different levels at the same outting. It's been raining here lately, hopefully tomorrow it will stop, I'll have this re-geared up by late this evening and can take it out on it's hopefully final tests.

biplanemurphy

Cool...... I'll be standing by for the next report.

saucerguy

Revisions are in place, I'm not thrilled with the wing mount system, it's taped onto a mounted piece of 3/32 basswood stock, yeah I can remove it and adjust it's angle, but it's not permenent so a little wiggly, yet I can still easily fly it, have flown worse in the past on foamies that were just a mass of broken foam held together with tape alone.....

After putting it back together, I was surprized to find out I can now place my pack further aft, so the head/neck area carries no weight not carrying the battery and is now a nice spring/prop/motor shaft saver at this point. The original design will work just fine, you simply need to sweep the wings back a bit and it's set in that area, the trade off being, it's now going to be faster.

browndodge

I used a u-joint once for a full flying tail hinge (elevator and rudder control). It worked pretty well, the u-joint kept it from twisting but allowed up/down, left/right movement. The trick was building control arms that didn't accidentally "mix" the two controls.

the new dragon looks really cool! can't wait to hear how it flies.

saucerguy

That's a good way to go, especially if you are thinking about going 3d with it all.

Well, I finally got the bugs worked out on this one, the dragon fly's well, I ended up having to take the new long neck off, it was destabalizing it to extreem levels, so looks like the shorter one I designed in the original stay's.

It was a very impressive site to see up on the sky, this time not having to white knuckle it through the air. Sweeping the wings back is what did the trick big time.

biplanemurphy

Sweet!!!.......So She flies well..... I will definately sweep the wings back a bit.....

saucerguy

I'm at a degree or two along the inner leading edge of the wing back, as I stated before, it was spongy, and especially after crashing it a few times even more, so as long as you get close to that area, you'll be set. It was just beyond cool to see it airborn and gaining altitude like a regular plane should, I'm waiting for the glue to set to show you the revised neck/head position and will get a more precise angle for you to work with as well. The cog on mine rests along the wing tips, so you could easily put it rearwards, I just like having it nose heavy, partially so I don't have to worry about the winds, partially because it's going to put up with heavy abuse and plenty of crashes in the process because I always hotdog these first off the lines to force them to fail in order to help with anybody that picks them up with theirs to extreems.

I did love the fact, unpowered, it floated right on like a bird, so is going to be easy for anybody to land. I can't wait to put it through it's paces now.

biplanemurphy

I can't wait to hear more....and I am looking forward to the build... I will start real soon.

saucerguy

Revised neck is shown along with the glued back together fuse, the wings are going nowhere and are solidly mounted, I'm going to put this bird through hell before it gets retired.

Attached photo shows the changes, leaving the original jigs in tact gives alot of versatility for the new builder on this one regardless.

TruBlu02

Very cool. I would love to see some video if you get the chance!

KingCobra2

Awsome, can't wait to see some of that video and stop 'dragon' your feet! LOL

KingCobra2

I have told Squiggy about your plane and he is very interested in seeing it and more. His joy is building as much as flying if not more so. In WattFlyer he is WaterBoy. Cheers, Scott

biplanemurphy

Hi EFG..... Glad to hear from you....I can't wait to start on mine....Now that Saucerguy's testing has given me a lot of info to go with as far as motor position and wing sweep etc.... I think the build will begin on Saturday.

saucerguy

I have the head taped into the final position, I just have to glue on an extension to the stick and will take it out again. Go ahead and proceed forward, moving the neck down straight, have the stick located just below the head, mounting your motor just below the head, I'll have photo's posted tonight.

biplanemurphy

Cool SG.... I'll be standing by for more flight reports and photos etc......

KingCobra2

MURPHY!!!!!!!!! good to see you again too!!! Great plane saucerGuy is working on here!scott

KingCobra2

With SaucerGuy's permission, I would love to build one of these as a multi engine set up. I would like to build a 5 foot wing span with maybe a 180 on each wing. I am a multi engine kinda fella. I just hope that the 180 would be enough and I am sure it will be ok. I am running a pair of 180's on my Jet foamy(4 1/2 footer) that I have posted pics of in this forum, and it flys just find. I am sure my jetliner is a bit heavier than a dragon build would be also.scott