X-DLB-1 development
In July 2007 perusing a new design to control stability in lifting body aircrafts. I borrowed from a design I have been working on for some time The DragonSleigh tail and combined it with the D-WAV body. In my limited research I have identified that lifting bodies have a dangerous roll characteristic. In many cases a large tail fin or winglets where used to counter the effect of roll. However, they where not agile aircrafts. My goal was to create a self correcting stable gliding aircraft. It is all in the tail fins and these are facing the opposite direction down compared to your common tail fin facing up. This configuration cups the air and restricting the air flow in-between the two tail fins correcting the balancing effect or eliminating the roll, very much like the dihedral would do . In a sense I think this configuration completes lifting body, making it a stable aircraft. This design is still in it's infancy, in an experimental stage. that is why it is called X-DLB-1 (eXperimental Ductling Lifting Body 1) As a Ductling member I intend to be using the Duct-Vane as the vectoring thrust propulsion system eventually.
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The model (prototype I)
The reason for this development was derived from the fact that the DragonSleigh was a single seat and a multiple seat version was next. This meant the DragonSleigh was going to get wider. With the original DragonSleigh morphing into the TooCan and the configuration borrowing from a lifting body this was the natural path for the X-DLB-1. I decided to incorporate the facet concept to facilitate a simplier construction technique. I began with the profile (section) of the design and expanded on this, then began to work out the tail fins. The fins are special, because they need to support the ability to incorporate the Duct-Vane, also the need to be structurally strong. In design the tails have a wing shape that channels the air flow to help with correcting the roll effect a lifting body would inherently encounter. To find the correct angle of attack for the lifting body, several 10” models where built.
By changing the peak of the canopy (wing chord) this would define the foil for the body. With the correct “peak” the wing would perform in accordance. Of course the “peak will change with model scale since aerodynamic dictates this. With the 10” version, I discovered how stabilizing this new tail configuration demonstrated.
A larger scale was built and motorized to test the theory some more. Reluctantly a maiden flight was made on a windy day surprisingly the craft flew and landed. The pilot expressed that the controls where not commanding enough. With the pusher configuration and control surfaces at the trailing edge may prove to contribute to ineffective control.
Further development is in progress.
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2008 01 19.