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Old 09-14-2007 | 08:42 PM
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Default Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

Just finished an exciting new design!

Nite StalkerTM
Slow-Flying, Night Airplane

Weight: 26 oz
Wing Span: 35 in
Length: 50 in
Lifting Area: 6.2 sq ft
Wing Load: 4.2 oz/sq ft
Engine: Himax Brushless, geared
Prop: 11 x 4.7 APC
Battery: 3S 1320 Lipo
Duration: 15 minutes
Gear: Retracts, steerable tail
Lights: Neon blue outline, 4 blue LED, 4 red LED

Scratch built from flat 10mm foam, the Nite Stalker is designed to be a stable, slow flying RC airplane for day and night operations. It also makes an impressive sight with its large area during the day, reminiscent of a stealth fighter aircraft. The Nite Stalker has a full compliment of lights installed for excellent visibility that gives the pilot excellent orientation during night maneuvers. Two red LEDs in the gear bay help verify a “gear-up” or “gear-down” position. The forward air-cooling inlet sports two more red LEDs for additional visibility. This tells you the Nite Stalker is flying towards you. On the bottom, four bright blue LEDs blink and the entire plan form is outlined in blue neon. With its light wing loading, the Nite Stalker is easy to take off, land, and cruise in the dark. It is designed for stable, hands-off flying in very light, or no-wind conditions typical of the night.

Here is a picture of the Nite Stalker held by its co-designer, seven-year old Connor Claridge. The design starting point is loosely based on the original Stringless Wonder by Bill Hannan, but modified for RC by Connorand myself.

More pictures and flight video to follow!

CopyRight 2007 Anthony M. Claridge, PE, All Rights Reserved
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Old 09-14-2007 | 08:45 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer


ORIGINAL: tclaridge

Just finished an exciting new design!

Nite StalkerTM
Slow-Flying, Night Airplane

Weight: 26 oz
Wing Span: 35 in
Length: 50 in
Lifting Area: 6.2 sq ft
Wing Load: 4.2 oz/sq ft
Engine: Himax Brushless, geared
Prop: 11 x 4.7 APC
Battery: 3S 1320 Lipo
Duration: 15 minutes
Gear: Retracts, steerable tail
Lights: Neon blue outline, 4 blue LED, 4 red LED

Scratch built from flat 10mm foam, the Nite Stalker is designed to be a stable, slow flying RC airplane for day and night operations. It also makes an impressive sight with its large area during the day, reminiscent of a stealth fighter aircraft. The Nite Stalker has a full compliment of lights installed for excellent visibility that gives the pilot excellent orientation during night maneuvers. Two red LEDs in the gear bay help verify a “gear-up” or “gear-down” position. The forward air-cooling inlet sports two more red LEDs for additional visibility. This tells you the Nite Stalker is flying towards you. On the bottom, four bright blue LEDs blink and the entire plan form is outlined in blue neon. With its light wing loading, the Nite Stalker is easy to take off, land, and cruise in the dark. It is designed for stable, hands-off flying in very light, or no-wind conditions typical of the night.

Here is a picture of the Nite Stalker held by its co-designer, seven-year old Connor Claridge. The design starting point is loosely based on the original Stringless Wonder by Bill Hannan, but modified for RC by Connorand myself.

More pictures and flight video to follow!

CopyRight 2007 Anthony M. Claridge, PE, All Rights Reserved
DUDE, that is NUTS[X(]
Old 09-14-2007 | 09:00 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

What is nuts is to see the look on peoples faces when it cruises up the street 15 feet off the ground! A jogger looked up and said he thought he was at Area 51!
Old 10-02-2007 | 12:06 AM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

Here is a video!

http://rcuvideos.com/item/VSFNZRZNWD92G05W
Old 10-02-2007 | 09:47 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

Awesome video Tony, it looks like it flies great!
Steve
Old 10-03-2007 | 08:24 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

Thanks Steve! Yes, it flys very well. Stable and slow, which is what it is designed for. Tonight it went up to 500 ft in 5 mph wind. I pulled it back, and it hovered above me. Very strange site in the air with lights flashing. The visibility at night is excellent!
Old 10-04-2007 | 06:19 AM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

Oh heck I'll ask, Tony you going to offer plans and such? $$$$$ ??????
Old 10-04-2007 | 04:28 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

WHAT LIGHTS ARE YOU USING? AND HOW MANY LIGHTS TO BE SAFE?

MY NEXTAR HAS 12 SHOULD HAVE 15

AT THE CLUB WE HAD 9 PEOPLE UP AT ONCE

NEED PLANS!!!!!
Old 10-04-2007 | 08:19 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

GG,
We are excited that Model Airplane News is going to feature it in the Pilot Projects soon. We will then be talking to some manufacturers for possible kitting. If this doesn't go through, I will post full plans with building tips. All flat foam, so it is an easy build.

RU4,
The lights are two systems: LEDs are from MPI micro light system driven directly off off the Rx. Current draw is .2 amp for 8 lights (4 blue flashing, 4 red).

The outline blue neon lights are driven by an Align transformer running from a separate LiPo (2S 250mah) and connected to two strings of 1.5m blue neon. All lights will easily run for an hour, but flights are only about 10 minutes anyway. Plenty of "light time."
Old 10-05-2007 | 03:54 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

DOES THAT MEAN WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR PLANS LONG?? [&o] JUST KIDDING THANKS FOR THE INFO WILL CK OUT

I HAVE THREE LIGHT SYSTEMS IN THE NEXTAR GOING TO FIX SOON . 2 WENT OUT, BROKE IN VAN 20$ A BULB GOING ANOTHER ROUTE

MAY LOOK AT RAM LIGHTS OR SUPERBRIGHT LEDS BOTH ARE GOOD .EVERYONE LIKES MINE BETTER EXCEPT THE $$$


ANYWAY HAVE YOU FLOWN AT NIGHT?? IS IT HARD TO TELL WHAT YOUR PLANE IS DOING ?? WHAT I COULD TELL THE LIGHTS ARE THE SAME ON BOTH SIDES WITH THE NEON OUTLINE SHOULD BE EASY AT NIGHT TO FLY

KEEP US POSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RU4J



Old 10-05-2007 | 07:35 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

RU4,
This plane was designed for the night, and it does a great job. Very good visibility and orientation at all angles.
Old 10-06-2007 | 08:04 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

THATS GREAT !!! WITH THE DAYS GROWING SHORTER NICE TO HAVE A NIGHT FLYER KEEP US POSTED!!! FALCON
Old 10-21-2007 | 08:53 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

writting in all caps = screaming
Old 10-24-2007 | 05:17 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

Jumper sorry about that ,i do not know how to type either! ME BAD!!
Old 10-25-2007 | 11:03 AM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

Tony;

Great looking plane.

Where do you fly? I live in Leesburg - maybe we can get together and fly (even though I am not a good flyer, I do crash well )

Terry
Old 10-25-2007 | 09:09 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

I fly in Fairfax. Give me a PM if you are ever my way on a calm weekend.
Old 01-03-2008 | 10:15 PM
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Default RE: Nite Stalker, Stealth Night Flyer

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