Bristol Boxkite
I've attached a couple of snaps of the Boxkite I've built for
a competition for 'Pioneering Aircraft' in August. At 1/5 scale
it's about 8' long and probably weighs around 10lbs - a Laser 120
provides more than enough grunt. The 'pilot' is fully articulated
and moves with the stick and rudder bar.
The first flight was terrifying with full 'up' required for most
of the time and massive pitch changes whenever I touched the
throttle.
After talking to the engineers at Old Warden I discovered that
they had recently shortened the top rear booms of their machine
to reduce the incidence of the tail unit which hugely improved
its flying characteristics. They had also experimented with
various CG positions and found it made little difference.
I did the tail mod. and returned the elevators to 'neutral'. In
addition I fitted a cunning friction device to the transmitter so
that I couldn't inadvertently alter the throttle setting while
operating the rudders.
The second flight was just about perfect - rock solid and with
good control about all axes although I rather think that if the
engine stopped it would fall out of the sky - backwards!
I'll let you know how it goes at the competition - of course the
chances of flyable weather conditions are pretty remote. Anyway,
take care of yourself, and keep in touch.
All the best, Richard.
Isaacs Fury
Demoiselle