Well building is progressing nicely on my Raptor 2011 Edition which i'l have at this years Nats. I have been busy building away trying to get her in paint by Middle of April - As well as trying to finish off my classic ship.

I was buidling this at the same time as I was finishing:
The ares
The 2010 Raptor
My 2011 Classic model - the shop was certainly Crowded !!!!!! Still is ... with another model in the pipe line getting close to finish.

The design of the model is my own set of numbers but Im using alot of Idea's from other successful model designs The wing on this specific model is a planiform I have not tried - I used Paul Walkers Miss america mustang wing design but with the flaps identical in size and dimension to the Dave's T.G. The only real changes made were making the wing area 630 sq and not having the Kick out at the front of the wing like the mustang. But the 1/4 Chord Root / tip is identical.

Tailplane design is similar to what I had built for my last Raptor however I again consulted with Dave on the TG design and took many of the design ques. I wouldnt say Copied because I dont have a copy of te TG plans.. I did get some accurate measurements from the man himself. One of the design features I like to have on all my designs is a very slight swept back hinge Line in the Elevator ( 1/4"ish..).  You can see it on one of the photos if you look hard. Its one of those design features that I have run now for the last few ships - I like how it feels. Although I dont have any aeronautical reasons or maths to back up my findings - I did take some elements of that design from looking at larger planes like the airliners where the sweep is far more sever. I put it down to efficient design and aerodynamics. airflow would roll off the elevator so sweeping it back slightly maintains airflow for a brief amount longer. I have built several models that were VERY close to design almost identical but with this difference in stab design, and I found it more accurate, more responsive. - The same sort of effect I encountered with the Gieseke Bear tabs on the Stab - I choose not to run those- however have experimented with them on and off similar models and that was the best way I can describe the sensation - more positive and accurate through the turn.
As mentioned before I dont have any plot data however I have seen 3D wind tunnel plotting of a similar design tail and you can clearly see where the air flows, and where it doesnt . Again I'm just a Flyer and Graphic designer with no engineering background at all - so my reasons may be completely off the mark but I like how it looks and it may or may not make any " real world " difference, Call it artistic License.


Carbon Torque tubes for the flabs and Elevators - Triple carbon layer of Flaps - 5/8 Assymetry. Dual Flap tabs Rush boost tabs. I found I didnt like the feeling of full span flaps I never have - there are various threads about the merits of Full Span. I know the reasons why but Its comes down to feel in the end.

Target weight will be between 60 - 62 oz - The last Raptor pictured bottom and featured here a few weeks ago finished in at 62.5 oz ready to fly. I try to document where the weight goes at every main stage and they are along the same weight paths. I doubt it will be Sub 60..

Ball link controls used all throughout. Upon Brett's recommendation Im using the Titanuim threaded inserts inside the carbon pushrob.and Rocket #87 for the first time on this ship.  All Control systems by Kaz minato. Engine is Stalker with custom head modifications done in Ukraine.  Carbon tank. New Carbon/Kevlar undercarts +  carbon wheel pants.  

Thats about all until paint.

I only have 1 set of plans for this edition which were drawn by myself, I could get copies made if there were any credible requests.

Its VERY simple.

The horn itself it still at 90 ' as far as its concerned it thinks its a normal Straight trailing edge.
I make up a little triangle wedge block that sits where the  2 halves meet. I in effect make where the elevator sits a regular join but where the elevator goes is then on the angle.

You aren't talking about alot of sweep anyway. - Its no difference IMO to making a wing with a swept forward Hingeline *( like that one.. ) I do that the same way.

DONT bend the horn to suit......  you end with all sorts of weird geometric issues.

Matt :
As in why they are there? Or why there are sections missing?

The answer to the first : Why are they there is weight saving.

The answer to why there are sections missing is for strength near the root and in the centre sections provide central strength when I cut out my Rush boost tabs. - The flap is triple carbon layerd anyway One could argue the weight I save is small - every little bit helps.

I find it easier to build flaps with ribs. Dont forget the carbon torque tube also adds rigitidty so one can go lighter on the materials.

Randy - since this photo i redid all the fillets with SuperFil   Thanks for the compliment final product should look much nicer than the previous. Im taking my time and trying to get it to USA standard.

Also since this photo - I've added a sweeping fillet ( like the front of the wing ) to the stab for continuity.

Identical to my previous model paint scheme but with more detail - Im choosing not to airbrush I feel the solid tiger stripes give a better effect. I will change the paint colour to a more Orange Metallic Called " Electric Orange "

This is " Electric Orange "


Metallic base. - I will fade the orange into a nice Yellow also.
I have been going alot of R&D on Weathering techniques and have perfected my technique courtsey of a fellow modeller whom does space ship modelling. Here is a link of the sorts of techniuqes we have experimented with. Ive been able to reproduce this style with great sucess. - I prefinished a flap that allowed me to try 30 seperate sections and the final 3 were to my satisfaction.



Its a more realistic streaking and weathering effect for my panel lines. I will also take more time to do the line work. My last model was really jsut a proof of visual design concept. I did visualize it on paper and breifly in 3D without chopping into work time to much, but I had this model ready to go So I through paint on it and tested some idea's from a Visual perspective.

Just need to sit down and start - Im taking 3 days off work next week to get a good crack on it.

Leopard spots are harder than they appear...... HAHA

Matt :
As in why they are there? Or why there are sections missing?

The answer to the first : Why are they there is weight saving.

The answer to why there are sections missing is for strength near the root and in the centre sections provide central strength when I cut out my Rush boost tabs. - The flap is triple carbon layerd anyway One could argue the weight I save is small - every little bit helps.

I find it easier to build flaps with ribs. Dont forget the carbon torque tube also adds rigitidty so one can go lighter on the materials.

Thanks PJ,

My question had to do with the 2nd question, why there are sections missing.

Bill : Its the same technique.

Matt : No Problem - Its for weight and strength - When is your TP going to be finished??


Latest update : Just stopped for lunch and am working on final stage before primer - was hoping to get it in primer today.. Might not happen.

Same engine. Stalker .81 Ive got 4 of them . The one that went into the Backup was my No #1 comp engine - with the modified Head, The backup was really done so I can get the engine setup in that one and just transfer it out once '11 is ready . Get the settings spot on and not have to fiddle with tank heights and shims and venturis too.

I've run stalkers for along time I know the runs, I know how to set them up - I hear great things about the Ro-Jett and PA engines - many successful fliers use them. Current World champ used ST 60 - So for me the key is consistant engine runs and setups. ( no electric jokes !! ) 

- Ill check out your new cowl, sounds like your building quite a ship.

Carbon undercart now finished and ready for primer.



Close up - I wanted to get the blend of Arch into Spat seamless as possible.

Same engine. Stalker .81 Ive got 4 of them . The one that went into the Backup was my No #1 comp engine - with the modified Head, The backup was really done so I can get the engine setup in that one and just transfer it out once '11 is ready . Get the settings spot on and not have to fiddle with tank heights and shims and venturis too.

I've run stalkers for along time I know the runs, I know how to set them up - I hear great things about the Ro-Jett and PA engines - many successful fliers use them. Current World champ used ST 60 - So for me the key is consistant engine runs and setups. ( no electric jokes !! ) 

- Ill check out your new cowl, sounds like your building quite a ship.

Hi PJ,

So far, my only Stalker experience has been with plain bearing .46.  Excellent engine!

How much fuel does the Stalker .81 usually use, as you run them?  Prop, fuel nitro %, venturi size?

Thanks!
Bill

Now the fun part.  Sanding it all off.      By the way it is looking good.  The plane not the guy behid the mask.

Love a guy that dives right in. 

This have been put on hold for a few days - I find it difficult to do 2 things at once, and in the last few days I've been trying to ge tmy Classic ship in 1st stage of Paint.

Both planes were in primer at roughly the same time, and both will be in 1st stage paint at about the same time, however its takign me a few days to get the surface prepared for paint. ( Which I did yesterday )

Once that is done I will then move back to this model and repeat the process - Somedays I wish I have 3 weeks off to get things done.

This is why I build one plane at a time. I do poorly going back and forth.

Hi Randy,

I REALLY do wish I could do that.  Do you have any experience with adult ADHD in your field?

Bill

Bill,

Ask your doctor about Adderall or Vivance.

Next appointment is Monday the 7th.  At least the body has gotten rid of most of the pitting edema that had my legs from the knees down looking like an elephant's!  Seems that was from a blood pressure med I was on.  Dr. took me off that med and didn't replace it.  BP has been low for a while now.  I guess getting out of teaching was good for something! LOL!!

But I haven't been able to concentrate on a single project for years (actually, probably never).......... and I would like to know how to do that. 

(oh yeah, it's Vyvanse )

Big Bear

Lauri,

These are Carbon/kevlar half moon undercarts avaliable from Kaz minato.

11.5 x 4.5 actually.

Wont get that experience with a Shark ..