guapoman2000

I really got very interested in seeing what really happens when Airflow hits the Nose section of the Space Shuttle model that I acquired a woman's Hair Dyer and cut up some Yellow Party Streamers and taped them inside the first half of the "DUCT" section to see the results.

Bottom line, I am working a solution to those frontal inlet holes such that the in-rush Air will be directed more effectively inside the FUSE cavity and thus inside the "DUCT" as planned.

Here the VIDEO showing the Aerodynamic issue at hand.

[link]http://www.vimeo.com/15375173[/link]

spaceshuttle1

You may just have to open up the nose and add a screen if you are going to use the tube to feed the edf

guapoman2000

Richard!

Have Faith, I am working on a very good solution and no need to take out the AX.

Okay, here is some additional VIDEO of the results of having an AIRFOIL form on the wing instead of a FLAT PLATE!


[link]http://www.vimeo.com/15377426[/link]

guapoman2000

Richard,

It is an very easy fix and working on it very carefully so, it may take at least 2 hour from now. Just in case you wanted to take a shut eye or coffee break!

guapoman2000

Richard and others,

I really gave it my all on this Space Shuttle and studied and experimented with the ongoing (Oh, you don't have enough Airflow, "or" Oh, you have ribbed Ducting") which I really like to thank all for these comments as I feel that the model has really reached it's final stages!

Using the Hair Dyer and those Yellow Party Streamers really made things easy to witness and determine "Air" flow dynamics and the rest for solving was done on the fly!

First, let me post the pictures of those modifications that I found after careful study to solve "or" enhance the EDF Airflow isssue:


Using 1/32nd Birch Plywood, and some triangle balsa stock a angle catcher was inserted at the bottom frontal nose section!






During off Video experimentation by placing my hand in a curved manner over the Top Frontal area the Airflow inside the "DUCT" significantly increased so...

guapoman2000

Prove it?

Okay, using again the unscientific approach by using the Hair Dryer and those Yellow Party Streamers, the proof is watching this new VIDEO!


[link]http://www.vimeo.com/15383458[/link]

guapoman2000

Guys,

For those that do not like the new look, I agree but, I want this Space Shuttle Flying with the "DUCT" as in many expert EDF Web Sites and even EDF discussion threads have admitted that using a "DUCT" is much more efficient.

The fact that I have increased the Drag is perhaps not an issue to me here as this is a Space Shuttle and I am aiming for slow, scale dynamic flight and nowhere the speeds of a typical EDF "JET" so, we all will soon see what works

Waiting for the new EM-Sport batteries from Esprint Model.

Carlos[8D]

simano

Carlos,

I agree that the duct is more efficient. And I still think it will work without all the added deflectors...here's why...

The hair dryer test is trying to "push" air into an inert opening...the angle of entry to the holes affects the outcome.

However in operation, the EDF will actually "PULL" air into the duct, therefore allowing the model to operate even at different angles of attack.

That's why the original design also worked(air coming in thru the payload bay door openings), although at worse efficiency and performance.

I share your original thoughts from yesterday that this model should work with the setup you have..without deflectors.

Gerry.

guapoman2000

Gerry!

Now you educate me about the EDF Sucking!

You have no idea how much effort trying to angle those standoff's holding the Deflector for the Top Nose section!

Man, I should have left it alone!

Oh, well, today I will be getting the new Batteries for Saddle bag setup (one on each side of the "DUCT")!

Carlos[8D]

Dwhart24

Hey Carlos,

One thing I was thinking about before I saw the pics of your deflectors is, could you have cut more holes where the crew windows/windshields would have been and painted the inside black instead of using decals for the windows? Tunnel those holes to the duct? Maybe cover those holes with black screen? Just a thought if you change your mind on the deflectors.

David

guapoman2000

David,

Thanks for that Recommendation but, the Crew Cabin windows will be off target and will miss the Water Bottle "DUCT" as it is just a little too high but, a great idea because it is almost perpendicular to the Flow of Air and normal Flight Path.

Over at WattFlyer I have a sister thread that mirrors this one for those that do not come to RCU and there is someone named Pat from AZ who is an expert EDF modeler had also pointed out that I DID NOT have enough frontal top FUSE holes but, he did not say anything about me installing any Deflectors!

Tonight, I will take away the ugly Deflector as it looks something from Howard the Duck movie

Anyway, hope to find the new Batteries when I get home and will continue my path to the finish line on this project!

Carlos[8D]

Hoghunter12

Carlos, hese's an idea I had about intakes on your bird, two ramp intakes from just behind the nose to just in front of the bulkhead were the duct is, capped off with aluminum screen painted white. Would kind of look like a F4 phantom's intakes, almost.

guapoman2000

HogHunter,

Just a fantastic mod idea!

I had wished to see that earlier and do that one as it is much easier on the eyes but, now I have to pretend that my Space Shuttle has RCS Jets on the Nose!

Carlos[8D]

guapoman2000

Well Guys,

Another Marathon Night of finsihing up with this Build for the Space Shuttle!

I must have been so tired that I just do not remember what time I crawled to bed![X(]

Anyway, I took off those Deflectors very carefully and now the Space Shuttle nose area looks as if no one ever installed any Ulgy Duck bill on top of it!

guapoman2000

Wednesday night (09-29-2010), I completed the "DUCT" installation into the Space Shuttle's Payload Bay area primarily because I certainly received my new EM-Sport 2200mAH Li-POLY batteries from Esprit Model. They are have the best customer service and Shipping Department!

Here are a few pictures of the completed internals of the Space Shuttle! Notice the Dimension Engineering BEC on the Right Side of the FUSE.





Total weigh-in was 2lbs. and 1/4 oz.



Two pictures showing a comparison between the two different Batteries form factor (4-Cell and the (2) 2-Cell):

4-Cell, 2200mAH, Li-POLY


The Pair of 2-Cell, 2200mAH, EM-Sport, 25C, Li-POLYs:

guapoman2000

Some detail as to where I placed those EM-Sport 2200's inside the FUSE, I believe that it was just too much nose heavy so, I moved them almost 2 inches rearward from where they are shown in this picture!



I had some distasteful swaying of the Main Gear and noticed that the securing screws were not screwed in all the way. I replaced the screws to the next slightly higher size and opened up the hole size for the Control Horn acting as my hold down clamp and pre-drilled into the plywood mount. Using smaller washers allowed for additional downward pressure on the nylon control horn section and thereby the main landing gear is nicely secured.

To reduced the swaying of the model sideways back and forth, I developed a wire brace and worked like a charm!






New batteries fully charged to 8.43 Volts each pack!

guapoman2000

I will see about taking the Space Shuttle over to the East Orlando RC Association (EORCA) as they have a nice Asphalt runway.

Stay tuned.

spaceshuttle1

Still scheduled for a Sunday lift off?

Bring your camera both video and stills
Be careful there are not many of those kits out there
Richard

guapoman2000

Yes, I am taking the model for some runway OPS to see about adjustments with the Nose Wheel Steering and not to take-off.

Yes, Sunday Lift off is schduled to actually fly the model.

Careful as best as I can but, you never know what might happen during a Maiden Flight.

Gerry was not going to be able to have the time required to finish it, and so he gave it to me and I believe those modifications I made, especially the wing Airfoil will allow this small model to fly with additional stable characteristics instead of Raw Power pushing a piece of flat foam board.

In any regard, great care will be had as it will hang from my cieling after it's maiden flight[:@]

guapoman2000

Weather permittig, taking the Space Shuttle for some Runway OPS to adjust the Nose Wheel Steering and Fire-up the EDF to see what happens.

I will try to setup my camera on the tripod to capture the action.

Otherwise, Sunday morning will be the actual maiden flight.

Carlos[8D]

spaceshuttle1

What will be the test use for electronic equipment
edf
motor
servo
esc
you have already stated batteries

guapoman2000

Richard,

EDF: Freewing Model 64mm EDF, 5-blade Unit (Outside Diameter: 77.2mm )

Motor: Freewing B2836 (3500kv), Unique Tail Cone Design, precision bearings.

ESC: Castle Creations Thunderbird 54-AMP

External BEC: Dimension Engineering 1.2 AMP / 5-Volt Delivery BEC

Dwhart24

I will plan on being at EORCA Sunday morning!

guapoman2000

Guys,

I just spooled up that EDF Unit and I was amazed at the power it produced and thrust.

I did not have the nerve to go FULL THROTTLE as I thought it was going to blow the camera down!

For a little 64mm EDF, it is very powerful! The Box says at or better than 1 kilio-grams of thrust!

That's more than 2lbs. of Static Thrust!!!! Wooo Hoooo!!

Here's the VIDEO:
[link]http://www.vimeo.com/15432943[/link]

simano

Amazing...I just don't see how you get your energy from to put such long hours into this...but hey when I passed this project on to you I knew it couldn't be in better hands!!...and I was right...

this model is looking great and I'm sure all the mods and hard work are going to pay off real soon.

I'm planning to be at EORCA Sunday early and bright with camera on hand!!

Gerry.