Component Weights Rudder Elevon Unit (2)
Horizontal nose component Main wing unit Lower fuselage Upper fuselage
4mm graphite tube 3 grams
4.5 grams (each)
9 grams 30 grams 7 grams 12 grams 7 grams
Graphite & wire pushrod matl. 2 grams “Kit” Total
Brushless Park 300 motor GWS EP-0843 prop 10-amp ESC
Hitec Feather servo (3)
Spektrum AR500 receiver Plywood motor mount assy DuBro “Blade” control horns
Ready for launch position and attitude. A gentle follow through is usually all that is required for a successful launch of this lightweight model (8 ounces ready to fly for the prototype). Plenty of thrust at full throttle for a good strong climb. Much like a classic F/F launch.
light breeze and with the bottom of the air- craft facing away from me. With the nose pointed up at about an angle of 80 degrees or so, I brought up the throttle until the air- craft began to pull a little bit (about half po- sition) and was obviously wanting to go and then simply let go. The model’s first attempt at flight was
less than auspicious. It nosed over into the wind and flopped into the snow. But there was no damage due to the rugged type of construction employed in these aircraft. I had not attached the permanent battery mount at this time as I had anticipated some c.g. work. The model was nose heavy and the battery had come loose from the temporary twist tie mounts used. After some re-evaluation and moving the battery further aft a second attempt was made, this time with much better results.
The model was allowed to climb to about 60 feet and then the investigation began to find out what the control characteristics were go- ing to be. Roll was quick as were the other two axes. But when the stick was released it would all stop. It was very neutral in roll and fairly predictable. So far so good. I was carrying a little up trim on the main stick so the c.g. could still move further back. Rudder was very effective, but because of
lack of dihedral with this model it would just swing back and forth in yaw. Slow flight with lots of back stick was also very good. The mod- el would not drop a wing without plenty of warning. Roll to inverted flight required plen- ty of forward motion on the stick further in- dicating the need to move the c.g. aft, but even in this condition the model was very manage- able in the inverted mode. The power was also reduced a bit to keep the speed down.
(1) 24 × 36 sheet of 1.3 EPP Foam (9 mm thickness)
(1) 24 × 36 sheet of 1.9 EPP Foam (9mm thickness)
(1) 4mm diameter graphite tube (1 meter length)
(2) 1.5mm diameter graphite rod (1 meter length) (pushrods)
(4) DuBro 923 Push Rod Guides (4) 1⁄4 inch long 2-56 cap screws (4) 2-56 Blind Nuts
(3) Sets DuBro #915 Mini E/Z Connector (1) 1′× 2′ × 1⁄8″ plywood sheet
(firewall)
(1) Tube of Welders Glue (1) 1⁄8″ hardwood dowel
FLYING MODELS
10 grams 1 gram
$2.50 Scrap Box
Raw Material Measurements and Costs 92 grams
153 grams 10 grams 2 grams
1 gram each 1 gram each 1⁄4 gram each 1⁄4 gram each 4 grams
(P/N 936) (3) Miscellaneous hardware
82 grams 23 grams
4 grams 10 grams
9 grams (each)
7 grams 4 grams 1 gram
(each) 2 grams With all looking good the next step was to
make an approach to see how best to land this thing. As the throttle was pulled back and the speed decayed it just kept slowing down. With the model near the ground, the throttle was closed all the way and up elevon was added until there was no more to be had. At full up elevon at a flying weight of 8 ounces, the model came in like a freeflight model under full DT. It just set- tled into the snow! The rest of the flying session was spent in- creasing the flight envelope of the model and finding out where my limits were and fur- ther adjusting the c.g. I used up two batter- ies on this first outing until my fingers fi- nally were too cold and stiff to continue. One of the things I did the most was to try and open up the flight envelope as much as pos- sible under the circumstances. Then inside to wait for better weather. In the months since this first day of flying,
$10.99 per sheet $10.99 per sheet $3.38 each $1.53 each
$1.25 for four $1.05 for four $0.95 for four
$16.00 for 12 sets Scrap Box
the Dyke Delta has proved to be a very reli- able and satisfying model for flying out in the hay field on nice days in the mornings and evenings when the winds die down. It’s great for practicing loops, rolls, flying around inverted and low altitude work where a mistake with other more conven- tionally constructed aircraft could be very costly in repair time. No need to mow the “runway” as the aircraft is hand launched vertically and lands in a very similar man- ner. As long as the batteries are charged, you are probably good to go when good weather strikes. In the final analysis, this model flies very
well for such a strange appearance. It was very easy to construct and consists of only a very few major pieces. The model could be completed in only a few evenings of work if you are experienced with this type of plane construction and flying technique. In short, cheap durable thrills in a package that is a real conversation starter.
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