Something that works simular to the type Dodgson Designs use to use on his Maestro Series of gliders.

I know Dubro sells a linkage package for V-Tail configuration. Can this system be used for Flapperons too. And if so has anyone used the Dubro package........is it a reliable way to connect flapperons.

Thanks

The simple answer is " with a single servo driving both Ailerons" No.

Jim B

You could do it with a slding tray arrangement. That is, the aileron servo sits in a sliding tray that can be moved backwards and forwards by another servo. Seems like it might be easier just to use one of those onboard elevon/v-tail mixers, though. Instead of hooking it up the aileron and elevator channel, you could hook it up to the aileron and flap/throttle stick channel.

If you can't do it with a computer radio, then use the sliding servo tray idea talked about. That is the easiest. There are more complicted, but they take more room.

The sliding tray is OUT!!! Too unreliable, too difficult to tune properly, too much space....

The on-board mixer is definitely the way to go. See if you can get one which allows the mix rates to be pre-programmed (usually dip switches).

Should add no more than 15 gram to the overall weight and disappear under or over the Rx.

Airtronics used to sell a mixer called a Vector Director that is very similar to the old Dodgson mixers, except it's made of nylon wheras Dodgson's were aluminum. I have one i could photograph for you if you want to try to scratchbuild one. (No, mine's not for sale).

I've mixed V-tails and elevons with the airtronics mixer, as well as the Dubro and sliding servo mixers. They all work well, the Airtronics mixer is the most adjustable. You might find one on eBay.

Cheers,
Dave

If you dont mind sending me a picture of your mixer.....it might be very helpful to try and scatch build one.

Thanks

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I'll second probligo !
If your radio does not have the capability, go with the onboard electronic mixer, it will be much easier to set up, and will take less room and weight.

Michael

Here's a picture. In a flaperon setup, the pushrods from the aileron servo would go to the outer arms, one each side, then from the other end of the arms to the control surfaces. The flap servo connects to the center arm, to move both surfaces collectively. The whole thing pivots on the base plate which is screwed to the fuse floor.

The Dodgson coupler operated on the same idea, but instead of a center arm it had an outer frame shaped like an upside down U, with the aileron levers inside it. It was stiffer and possibly better suited for flaperons.

Some of the Dodgson couplers also had an elevator compensation bar on the outside to automatically feed in down elevator with flaps.

I agree that electronic mixing is simpler but personally I like mechanical gadgets.

Cheers,
Dave

Unless this is really small plane with a permanently mounted wing I'd go with 2 servos in the wing, plugged into a 2servo connector in the fuse, plugged into an electronic mixer, and then plugged into the Rx. No pushrods to run from the control surfaces to the fuse, no sliding tray to buy or build, and lots of room in the fuse for the Rudder and Elevator servos. ( from 4 servos to 2 servos in the fuse)

Pay close attention to what happens to an aileron input when the Flaperons are down, you really do not want the servo to stall because the there's not enough movement left over. A stalled servo causes the current drain on the Rx battery to go up by 3 or 4 times normal current drain. Start doing 360 deg. turns with the Flaperons down and one of the servos stalled and you could find yourself with a dead or near dead Battery and the plane 50 ft up.

Jim B

A sliding tray or mechanical mixer is OK for the nostalgia/novelty value, but for practicality, use an on-board electronic mixer or a radio with a flaperon function.

The best use of flaperons is not as "flaps", but to reflex the trailing edge of the wing to give an undercambered profile, which is inherently a low-speed airfoil.

An electronic onboard mixer.

I appreciate all the responces.

Thanks