Author Topic: The Flycatcher (Read 25407 times)

john vlna · « **on:** May 19, 2013, 06:42:34 PM »

At Huntersville Jo Shoemaker flew her Fi 156 Dragonfly in 15 Carrier. It was impressive in the very windy conditions. I have always liked Bipes but never built one for 15. I currently have a Class I (F6C) for nostalgia, and an OJ-2 for AMA profile. Top speed isn’t their strong point but otherwise they tend to fly very well.

Encouraged by Jo’s plane I decided to build one for 15. I’ve actually had the Fairy Flycatcher on a build someday list for awhile. It was an early mainstay of British carrier aviation from 1923-1934. A small biplane it also could also be used with floats as a cruiser launched spotter.

The model is designed at about 200 sq in area at 22 in span. Wings are both the same size. The airfoil is a NACA 0012. More later

Duke.Johnson · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2013, 10:27:01 AM »

Sounds interesting John.

john vlna · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2013, 06:39:01 PM »

I've made some progress on the Flycatcher, Just about all the major parts are built and ready for assembly.
The power will be a RCTimer 2836-6, 1500Kv motor
Covering will be Coverites microlight silver

Joe Just · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2013, 09:52:50 AM »

Admirable!!
Joe

Duke.Johnson · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2013, 11:25:10 AM »

Looks like a fun build John. Looks nice.

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2013, 01:15:03 PM »

So John, whats the scoop on the airfoil you used. Nice job and looking forward to see it at Brodak's hopefully.
Wayne

john vlna · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2013, 05:33:34 PM »

Wayne,
The airfoil is NACA 0012

Clancy Arnold · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2013, 01:39:56 PM »

Wayne
Here is the plot data for the NACA 0012 airfoil.
Clancy

john vlna · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2013, 06:55:13 PM »

Lots of Summer stuff going on , including flying so I have not made much progress on the Flycatcher, But here are some pics of were I am currently with the project.

The covering material is Coverite Microlight. Very light, hard to work with, but shrinks beautifully without warping. They say it can't be painted, but Pactra Polycarb (for lexan car bodies) works well for this and other plastic coverings. I have used it before on glow models and it is really tough stuff.

One reason for the slow progress is that I have been rehabing my Berliner Joyce, It is an AMA class profile. Not fast but great low speed, no slider either.

john vlna · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2013, 09:20:45 PM »

Here is an interesting side note for the OJ-2
On May 1, 1934, Navy Lt. Frank Akers took off from Anacostia Naval Air Station in a Berliner-Joyce OJ-2, and performed a blind landing at College Park. The Navy had a contract with WIT to provide the instruments necessary for such experiments. A little over a year later, on July 30, 1935, Akers performed a blind landing in another OJ-2, this time landing on the U.S.S. Langley, while it was under way off the coast of San Diego. Despite these successful tests, the Navy did not pursue this blind landing technology for aircraft carrier operations.

john vlna · « **Reply #10 on:** November 10, 2013, 02:23:34 PM »

I have finally been able to do some work on the Flycatcher. It is almost ready to glue together

john vlna · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2014, 07:02:55 PM »

The Flycatcher is finished except for some minor trim details. Unfortunately I can't fly it until March since the flight surgeon has grounded me.

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2014, 06:04:35 AM »

John, looks great. I am sure it will fly well. Hope you are feeling better soon.
Wayne

john vlna · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2014, 04:27:29 PM »

Wayne
I feel OK, but can't do anything strenuous until March.

The plane should fly well, it is just a smaller version of other bipes I have built, the moments are all in the same ratio.

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2014, 06:14:18 PM »

Great, hopefully see you at Brodaks. we can compare medical issues.
Wayne

Joe Just · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2014, 09:43:18 AM »

If by some remote chance I make it there this June, we can compare surgery scars, a least one bullet hole, and our medicine lists. On the other hand we could just compare thoughts on how good we used to be. Maybe we could give an imitation of the two old guys in the balcony on the old but never forgotten Muffett Show. I'm sure that being there will be the Carrier highlight of the year, as it has in the past. Boy, I really miss you guys! 2 past years away from "the hill" is way too much time!
Joe

john vlna · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2014, 12:16:28 PM »

Joe
Hope you can make it. The best part of surgery: you can't lift anything heavy. The rest sucks.

Looks like you guys have some field problems, noticed that some contests have been cancelled.

John

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2014, 06:14:35 PM »

John, you started something. I hear Gary is building something with two wings.
Wayne

john vlna · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2014, 06:35:53 PM »

yes, he is building a F4B, for 15 I believe.

john vlna · « **Reply #19 on:** April 26, 2014, 05:20:14 PM »

An update. Almost got in the air today, but it was too nose heavy, even without the hook mounted. You have to be careful with electrics. The motors are a lot lighter. I have to move the motor forward and add more lead. Maybe next week.

david smith · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2014, 07:53:12 PM »

Hope to see it next weekend.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2014, 09:06:42 PM »

You say it was too nose heavy with a lighter motor? And you want to move the motor forward with added lead.

john vlna · « **Reply #22 on:** April 27, 2014, 10:55:30 AM »

Sorry doc, meant to sat Tail heavy

john e. holliday · « **Reply #23 on:** April 27, 2014, 06:28:24 PM »

I know old age and all that. I'm there. Hope to see you at Brodaks.

john vlna · « **Reply #24 on:** April 28, 2014, 12:00:46 PM »

Doc
I'll be there old age and all
John

john vlna · « **Reply #25 on:** April 29, 2014, 05:54:10 PM »

Well it isn't the most elegant modification but it will work. Don't try this with a glow motor! I extended the motor out and added weight to the firewall. Balance with out tail hook seems OK now. I try it and see if I need any nose weight with the hook on. I fly kinda tail heavy anyway.

Joe Just · « **Reply #26 on:** April 29, 2014, 06:44:26 PM »

INGENIOUS!!
Joe

john vlna · « **Reply #27 on:** April 29, 2014, 07:52:29 PM »

Joe
Not really, pretty standard in the electric world. I actually flew a profile at the NATS a few years ago with the same type setup. That had to do with the way the motor mounted more than balance
John

john vlna · « **Reply #28 on:** May 04, 2014, 06:15:24 PM »

Well the Flycatcher flies very well, even in the gusty conditions we had this weekend. Still a bit tail heavy, and some trimming needed, but I am happy

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #29 on:** May 05, 2014, 05:43:35 AM »

Congratulations John!
Wayne

john vlna · « **Reply #30 on:** May 05, 2014, 10:24:56 AM »

Thanks Wayne, it always is satisfying when a new design flies. My first electric bipe and I learned a lot, especially to build the tail light, light, light! Bipes with their typical short nose will be difficult to balance because E motors are so light.
John

john vlna · « **Reply #31 on:** August 04, 2014, 11:39:31 AM »

Did a bit of cleanup on the nose after the NATS. The cowl is fro a PAM cooking spray top, the Aluminum part is from a soda can.

john vlna · « **Reply #32 on:** April 02, 2015, 07:37:23 PM »

I am catching up on some stuff from last year. Here are two Flycatcher videos by Tim LaNore. Although I had about ten flights at this time the model was not completely trimmed.

Intro

Flying

JoeJust · « **Reply #33 on:** April 02, 2015, 08:21:00 PM »

IMPRESSIVE!!! A lot of years, time, money and desire is paying off!
Joe

john vlna · « **Reply #34 on:** April 02, 2015, 08:26:22 PM »

Joe
Not a lot of money, I have been selling glow stuff to pay for the electric stuff
John

eric david conley · « **Reply #35 on:** April 03, 2015, 11:42:34 AM »

WOW, I'm impressed John. I'm thinking I would like to build and fly something like this plane. I've built a few bi-planes and have always said, "twice as hard to build", "three times as hard to fly" but now I'll have to rethink my feelings. What motor, ESC, battery, and flying lines are being used in the video? I looked as hard as I could and couldn't tell if it is 3-wire or two and if it is 2.4? Very impressive. Eric

john vlna · « **Reply #36 on:** April 03, 2015, 11:54:56 AM »

Eric
It is 2.4, 2 wire. The motor is a rctimer 3530, 1400 KV. Prop APC 8x6 E, esc 40a, battery 1300 mah 3 s.
If you build an electric bipe, think about extending the nose. What is hard to see in the photos are the 1" plus standoffs used on the motor mount. Without themthe model was very tail heavy.
John

eric david conley · « **Reply #37 on:** April 03, 2015, 12:19:18 PM »

Thanks for the info John. Yes, I learned the lessons of the short nosed biplanes at about 14 years of age when I built a 1/2A German WW1 biplane (one very short flight). The next biplane was an F4B4 for a Nelson engine (lots of nose weight there) and I didn't lengthen the nose so much as I mover the wings back a bit. Looked great but didn't fly are that well (LS). Thanks again and looking forward to seeing you at the NATs. Eric

john vlna · « **Reply #38 on:** April 03, 2015, 01:28:32 PM »

Yeah been there and done that. I built a F6C for nostalgia and it has a lot of noise weight even with a .40, should have crammed in a .60 and blown the wings off.

Author Topic: The Flycatcher (Read 25407 times)

Joe Just

Joe Just

Joe Just