Pattern wings
11-04-2011 | 09:10 AM
#1
Pattern wings
I have seen several discussions about wings as of late. Composite vs. Foam core, some failures of composite wings, top hinged Vs. center hinged, strength, weight, ect.... The last contest was at there were two composite wing failures over the weekend. Thank god no crashes resulted. This got me to thinking. I have been a scratch builder for 3 decades and have always cut my own foam cores and have a process for strait, strong and light wings. Seems to me that there may be a need for custom pattern wings. So my big question is: If you could order a set of wings with whatever airfoil, planform, aileron size, wing tube placement and were delivered where all you would have to do is final fitting, cover, glue in hinges and mount servo. Would this service be of use? Pictured is a wing off my own scratch built pattern plane. While they are a tad on the heavy side, there was no lightening done to the core, no hand selecting of wood. and a full size servo and heavy linkage. This wing could have easily have been built at 15 oz.
11-04-2011 | 11:05 AM
#3
RE: Pattern wings
ORIGINAL: TimBle
sure,wouldbe an excellent service. Would you ship worldwide?
sure,wouldbe an excellent service. Would you ship worldwide?
11-04-2011 | 12:06 PM
#4
Senior Member
RE: Pattern wings
ORIGINAL: speedracerntrixie
I have seen several discussions about wings as of late. Composite vs. Foam core, some failures of composite wings, top hinged Vs. center hinged, strength, weight, ect.... The last contest was at there were two composite wing failures over the weekend. Thank god no crashes resulted. This got me to thinking. I have been a scratch builder for 3 decades and have always cut my own foam cores and have a process for strait, strong and light wings. Seems to me that there may be a need for custom pattern wings. So my big question is: If you could order a set of wings with whatever airfoil, planform, aileron size, wing tube placement and were delivered where all you would have to do is final fitting, cover, glue in hinges and mount servo. Would this service be of use? Pictured is a wing off my own scratch built pattern plane. While they are a tad on the heavy side, there was no lightening done to the core, no hand selecting of wood. and a full size servo and heavy linkage. This wing could have easily have been built at 15 oz.
I have seen several discussions about wings as of late. Composite vs. Foam core, some failures of composite wings, top hinged Vs. center hinged, strength, weight, ect.... The last contest was at there were two composite wing failures over the weekend. Thank god no crashes resulted. This got me to thinking. I have been a scratch builder for 3 decades and have always cut my own foam cores and have a process for strait, strong and light wings. Seems to me that there may be a need for custom pattern wings. So my big question is: If you could order a set of wings with whatever airfoil, planform, aileron size, wing tube placement and were delivered where all you would have to do is final fitting, cover, glue in hinges and mount servo. Would this service be of use? Pictured is a wing off my own scratch built pattern plane. While they are a tad on the heavy side, there was no lightening done to the core, no hand selecting of wood. and a full size servo and heavy linkage. This wing could have easily have been built at 15 oz.
I think guys are getting much lower weight than 15 ozs for their typical 400 square inch wing panel. Not unusual to be down around 12 ozs (foam w/ balsa sheeting, ultracoated) with servo RTF on electrics.
How large is the panel at 15 ozs?
Good luck with your service but beware. Hope it goes well for you
11-04-2011 | 12:31 PM
#5
RE: Pattern wings
Matt, the wing pictured has an area of 475 sq. The airfoil is also thicker then what is commonly used. I'm aware that less then 15 oz is possible but I am going about this on the cautious side. I would hate to sacrifice strength to the point of possible failure to make a sale. Obviously we are not capable of doing realtime structural failure analysis so I feel much better making sure the strength is there. As I stated in my first post, I have seen and read about some of the lighter layups coming apart. I am confident that at an empty weight of 12 oz that a set of wings would last years.
11-05-2011 | 08:34 PM
#6
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From: Tracy,
CA
RE: Pattern wings
I think it would be awesome honestly. I have had my share of issue's with built up/composite built up wings. If I ever get a job, I'll have ya cut me a set..
BTW, I have seen his wings, they are very light for the size.. And very, very nice. He's a fantastic builder! Beautiful work!
Chris
BTW, I have seen his wings, they are very light for the size.. And very, very nice. He's a fantastic builder! Beautiful work!
Chris
11-06-2011 | 09:29 AM
#8
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From: Tracy,
CA
RE: Pattern wings
You will see me at many more next season I'm sure. I missed a bunch this year due to my main plane being down (because of wings), and not having my Opium ready like I should have. Oh, and the no work in the last 4 months has kinda killed it.. haha.. Being a small general contractor doesn't pay off really.
As for your wings, well they speak for themselves as does the rest of your building abilities! So just speaking the truth. When things pick up for me, I'll be getting a set from you for sure. I think foam is mainly how many of these companies should be building these wings. Too many failures should tell them that. I don't get it really, it's so easy to do foam wings vs built up IMO. I've always said that the composite wings of the Abbra are the strongest/lightest/best wings (I know there are lighter) I had seen. They did them right IMO.
C
As for your wings, well they speak for themselves as does the rest of your building abilities! So just speaking the truth. When things pick up for me, I'll be getting a set from you for sure. I think foam is mainly how many of these companies should be building these wings. Too many failures should tell them that. I don't get it really, it's so easy to do foam wings vs built up IMO. I've always said that the composite wings of the Abbra are the strongest/lightest/best wings (I know there are lighter) I had seen. They did them right IMO.
C
11-09-2011 | 09:31 AM
#9
Senior Member
RE: Pattern wings
ORIGINAL: patternflyer1
You will see me at many more next season I'm sure. I missed a bunch this year due to my main plane being down (because of wings), and not having my Opium ready like I should have. Oh, and the no work in the last 4 months has kinda killed it.. haha.. Being a small general contractor doesn't pay off really.
As for your wings, well they speak for themselves as does the rest of your building abilities! So just speaking the truth. When things pick up for me, I'll be getting a set from you for sure. I think foam is mainly how many of these companies should be building these wings. Too many failures should tell them that. I don't get it really, it's so easy to do foam wings vs built up IMO. I've always said that the composite wings of the Abbra are the strongest/lightest/best wings (I know there are lighter) I had seen. They did them right IMO.
C
You will see me at many more next season I'm sure. I missed a bunch this year due to my main plane being down (because of wings), and not having my Opium ready like I should have. Oh, and the no work in the last 4 months has kinda killed it.. haha.. Being a small general contractor doesn't pay off really.
As for your wings, well they speak for themselves as does the rest of your building abilities! So just speaking the truth. When things pick up for me, I'll be getting a set from you for sure. I think foam is mainly how many of these companies should be building these wings. Too many failures should tell them that. I don't get it really, it's so easy to do foam wings vs built up IMO. I've always said that the composite wings of the Abbra are the strongest/lightest/best wings (I know there are lighter) I had seen. They did them right IMO.
C
