COLANI/dannysoar TETRAHEDRAL SKELETAL FLYING MACHINE PLAN





This started out as a proof of concept model for a Jumbo version of the Luigi Colani Energy Saving Plane,

It proved, !Alas! that the concept of a Jumbo Luigi Colani Energy Saving Plane was not apt to prove fruitful. With the propeller in front it had a viscous dutch roll (or something). A huge fin seemed to tame it, but it certainly wasn’t scale any more. I know about clear plastic fins but I didn’t want to spoil the purity and the amazibility of the concept.

So I reincarnated it as a pusher. Back when civilized folks would voluntarily go out in evening air, I was getting 45 sec flights in evening air.

This plane sort of just growed and no doubt you smart lads can improve on this.  I think a big one made of 3ft sheets would stop the show


The plan won’t fit on a 8” x 11” piece of paper.  I included a  ruler on the plan to help you enlarge it to the right size .
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If  you have trouble visualizing this from the plan, maybe a peek at the pic will jog the neurons.

Keep in mind that it is a pusher.

The tips  two rear (that's the end with the propeller) "wings" join up at the "tip plate"  one over the other, the third "wing" runs from the front of the tip plate to the rib with the incidence at the front of the model.

It is only a tetrahedron if you ignore the anhedral on the upper rear wing.

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All  6 flying surfaces are made of light 1/32 with a little camber warped in. To do this I soaked the sheets and allowed them to dry wrapped on a piece of 4” (nominal) piece of PVC pipe..
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Here’s how I kept things lined up without a huge amount of jigs &c.

1) Cut out the bottom rear “wings' and glue in  1.2 inches dihedral on each tip.

2) Make the triangular “fuselage” and  glue it to these wings. Add the tips

3) Cut to length and glue in the upper rear wings.

4) Glue ribs to the front of the “fuselage” at an angle of incidence of about 1/16"  and add the
front “wings”

5) Warp in a little wash out at the tips

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Add clay to balance. . You’ll need  thrust adjustments to get a turn against the torque (I had little luck with a turn with the torque) and to keep the nose down.

Enjoy
   d/s


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