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Author Topic: Eliptical wing help...  (Read 2051 times)

Offline jim gilmore

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Eliptical wing help...
« on: September 14, 2010, 05:02:54 PM »
Ok, Ive done straight and tapered. But is there a simple way to figure out the shapes of the ribs for an elipitcal wing ?

Offline Randy Powell

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2010, 05:09:24 PM »
Get Larry Cunningham to email you his elliptical spread sheet. Very cool and easy way to graph out an elliptical wing.
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Offline jim gilmore

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2010, 05:35:02 PM »
Is Larry C. on here ? hello Larry ?

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2010, 06:06:35 PM »
Get Larry Cunningham to email you his elliptical spread sheet. Very cool and easy way to graph out an elliptical wing.
What does one do when the LE is a section of an ellipse, but the flap hinge line is straight?  Certainly one would be constrained to holding one's rib tapers such that the hinge line thickness is maintained -- which would mean that the actual 'ribby' part of the wing wouldn't be quite elliptical.

(This is making my head hurt.  I think if I do it I'll just measure the chord at each rib station and plot a rib for that place).
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Offline jim gilmore

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2010, 07:53:49 PM »
basically  I just want elipitical shape on the leading edge. straight trailing edge and add a flap wit eliptical trailing edge.

So here is a thought.
Would it be easier to create a 3 or 4 piece block for the leading edge from multiple pieces of 1/4 or 3/16 and fuild it like a linclon log wing jig ?
Piecing in each rib like the stelitto is built ?

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2010, 08:47:13 PM »
basically  I just want elipitical shape on the leading edge. straight trailing edge and add a flap wit eliptical trailing edge.

So here is a thought.
Would it be easier to create a 3 or 4 piece block for the leading edge from multiple pieces of 1/4 or 3/16 and fuild it like a linclon log wing jig ?
Piecing in each rib like the stelitto is built ?
I guess a molded leading edge is right out, unless you're into NC machining and carbon fiber.

Depending on how much curvature you want you could either laminate it around a form out of many pieces of 1/16 or 3/32, or you could build it up as you say.

Laminating works a treat for curvy wingtips on old-timers; it should be the bee's knees here, too.
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Offline Wynn Robins

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2010, 10:17:51 PM »
why not scale down a plan that already has them plotted - I have a bunch of spitfire, plans that have the ribs shown - also have other elliptical wing designs
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Offline jim gilmore

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2010, 10:26:20 PM »
I'm sitting in nyc. I have limited access to stuff.
No plotter,no printer at the momemt. using paper and my netbook to trace images is kind of slow.
What plans can I get a copy of ? anything close to 28"

Offline Neville Legg

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2010, 12:57:27 AM »
I would think an "I" beam wing structure would be the quickest and easiest way to go? Take a look a Jack Sheeks Spitfire from '68, in Flying Models.

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Offline jim gilmore

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2010, 01:55:21 AM »
anybody got some build picture for an eliptical wing ? thats an "I" beam ??

Offline Leester

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2010, 04:10:32 AM »
Since your in NYC get ahold of Windy in Rutherford, he built and still has the I Beam Spitfire.
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Offline Neville Legg

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2010, 08:59:17 AM »
I built Jack Sheeks Spitfire directly from the magazine drawing in 1969ish, no plotters or printers then? ;D Its Quite easy, and you could make your own drawing to any size! Someone on this forum should be able to E-mail you a decent copy!

Cheers     Neville

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Offline Randy Powell

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2010, 10:05:30 AM »
I molded my leading edge with strips of 1/16" balsa and a mold. The taper was true eliptical (I used Larry's program to plot out the ribs. The trailing edge of the wing was swept forward somewhat and was also tapered. The wing was a bit complicated to build, but preformed very well.
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Offline Neville Legg

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Re: Eliptical wing help...
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2010, 10:57:42 AM »
If you take a close look at a Spitfire wing, the L/E and T/E leave the fuselage at 90 degrees, in the plan view! That makes life easier! ;D

Cheers
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