D-WAV I - Winged "A" frame Vehicle
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The D-WAV I is an attempt to improve on the D-III VeeBee in the construction method, and improve on a controlled glide path.
When I started to build this
type of construction I continued with the foam to generate the shape. The
face concept whelped with cutting the shape, hence a new shape emerged. This
model (white in foam) was hand launched to identify if I was on tract.
A discovery was made with the launches, similar to the launches done with
the D-III VeeBee. It had a tendency of dropping when the speed was reduced.
So the Canard control surfaces where introduced after seeing the movie
STEALTH. This inspired the look and of course the effect. With the launches
an improvement was noted, but not as reliable as predicted.
Then I began with exploring the structural frame design. Some good came out of this, using bamboo skews as the frame material and some hot glue I played with producing a structurally sound shape based on the foam model.
The "A" frame is born.
I transferred the wire frame design to CAD the printed out the drawings at 1/40 scale. Using the bamboo skews and resizing them to 1/16 dowels, made it possible to build at a smaller scale. I also crated the Duct-Vanes at this scale. I made use of my magnet set to build with; this helped keeping all components straight and true. Using paper I covered the frame to complete the shape.
I discover what may have
prevented a steady glide path with my test flights.
The VeeBee has two type of airfoils built in.
• The body (lifting body)
• The winglets
Here is I realized that the body foil was at a different angle of attack, that of the wings. This definitely contributed in the dropping at lower speeds.
At different speeds the foils react differently. With the D-III VeeBee the two body foils share the same trailing edge, the angle of attack is different from the winglets, and this contributed to an unstable glide path.
So goes the theory......
With the third model I raised the tail center. This created a deceptive foil that would correct the angle of attack and add to the V stabilizer. Also a closer look at the inlet was worked out.
In the diagram, it displays the correction used with the WAV. This will compensate for the different foils. The thicker body line represents the outer sides of the D-WAV 1 body where the duct-vane is located. The main (center) foil trailing edge is complimentary to that of the winglets, and sharing the same angle of attack.
It is not with several tries that a good outcome is derived.
The final composition is happily concluded.
It is almost believable by just looking at it that it will fly..
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2008 03 04.