CafeenMan

Thwing! (with the exclamation) is my latest creation. So far we have 1-1/2 test flights. The motor came out on the second flight and the propeller managed to cut through the leading edge. Not sure why it happened, but it's not a pretty sight. I'll get it fixed and flying in short order.

The first flight went well. Controls were a little sensitive and we had too much reflex dialed in so a lot of down trim was needed. Other than that it was rock solid. At extremely slow speeds it would start to wallow a little, but no tip stalls or other nasty behaviors. It decended at about a 40 degree angle.

More here:

http://airfieldmodels.com/gallery_of_models/rc/thwing!/

ChuckAuger

My Feedback: (12)

Don't have to worry about everybody showing up at the field with the same plane! [8D]

Awesome structure, almost too pretty to put at risk.

CafeenMan

Umm... too late []

I forgot to mention. The completed and covered structure weighs just under 9 oz. It's just over 26 oz ready to fly.

JNorton

My Feedback: (2)

Absolutely -- without a doubt the most beautiful delta I've ever seen!

PaulSwany

My Feedback: (45)

Man... that's a lotta sticks.... how's she fly?

Kenny R

now we know where you have been so long..............nice work!

Boogie

Awesome structure

RSands

Looks like wicker furniture to me. Can you bolt legs to the corners and remove that rudder? Now that would be cool! Seriously, nice job, great looking bird.

CafeenMan

I've always thought that universities should add Model Airplane Weaving 101 to the curriculum - even as an elective, but it probably ought to count as a humanities credit or maybe physical training.

Thanks everyone. I'm glad Thwing! is being so well received.

JNorton

My Feedback: (2)

No, not humanities -- It's art, pure and simple, and craftmanship I can only aspire to. I'd ask for plans but there is no way I could build it.

CafeenMan

Heck, guy... it's not that hard. Just break sticks about the right size, pour on some glue, wait a few minutes and put it all together. Should be ready to fly in a few hours.

Actually, a disk sander is very helpful with projects like this. I don't really enjoy stick-work, but I don't mind it too much either. Now that I have a good disk sander I can get parts to fit much more easily and a lot less aggravation. It's not skill so much as just taking the time to sand, fit, sand, fit, etc.

I do agree that model-building is an art form. Especially when a couple hippies can solder together coat hangers, spray paint them and call it art (and sell it for more than I could get for a Thwing!).

CafeenMan

I just posted the maiden flight video. The link is after the model specifications at the top of the page. Just scroll down a little and you'll see it.

http://airfieldmodels.com/gallery_of_models/rc/thwing!/index.htm

CafeenMan

I recently purchased a decent digital camera (Nikon D50) which can use the many $$$ of lenses I purchased for my N90s. I took some new flight shots this weekend which are far better than what I had previously taken.

SNARLACLES

My Feedback: (20)

man, have you been flying the THWING for 2 yrs?....that alot longer shelf life than I get outta my planes

CafeenMan

SNARLACLES - I know what you're talking about unfortunately. But this plane was built for a good friend of mine whom I've never seen crash. Well... he crashed once when somebody's Great Planes Pitts went dead stick headed down wind at about 200' and then he threw the transmitter to my budder who had no choice but to let it fly into the fence it was heading toward. I don't think that counts and personally I think the guy should have kept the sticks and landed it himself.