OQ-2A
Build your own 50-inch radio controlled OQ-2A with a parachute landing option!
By John Hunton & John E. Bird
PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN HUNTON I 30
n August of 1998 an Australian de- signed “robotic” aircraft of 3-meter span, the Aerosonde, made aviation history with the first crossing of the At-
lantic Ocean from the US to England. The Melbourne based Aerosonde Robotic Air- craft Company and Monash University’s Aerobotics lab, directed by Profesor Gregory K. Egan, had formed a research and devel- opment partnership. Professor John Bird was a member of the Monash University Aerobotics team along with Dr. Russell Naughton. Prof. Bird di- rected a study of early unmanned airborne vehicles and came up with the OQ-2A target drone, that had been designed by actor Regi- nald Denny, as a significant landmark in the development of unmanned airborne ve- hicles (UAVs). Through this effort Prof. Bird developed a close and ongoing friendship with Mr. Denny’s son, Reginald Jr., his
daughter Debbie McBride, and Fran Tucker (daughter of engine designer Walter Righter). They have graciously provided valuable insights and historic information for these notes. Professor John E. Bird says “From my
first contact with them over a decade ago, they bemoaned the fact that their father’s work and contribution to aviation had been overlooked and ignored by their fellow Americans. They expressed considerable surprise and some bewilderment as to why persons in Australia were interested. When they found we did have a genuine, serious academic interest in their father, they opened their hearts, home and family archives to us. Whilst I have never meet ei- ther of them in person, we have developed a long standing ‘friendship’.” Historic infor- mation for this article is shown at www.
ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/denny.html.
AT A GLANCE Type:
Construction: Wing span: Wing area: Length: Weight:
Wing loading: Prop:
R/C electric scale balsa
50 inches 350 sq. in. 34.5 inches
26 ounces w/parachute 10.7 oz./sq.ft. 8–5 wood
Motor:Turnigy L22101650 bell type 250W ESC:
40-amp Battery: Radio: Servos:
two 2S 800 mAh Li-Po in parallel
4-channel (3) Hitec HS-55 OCTOBER 2012
Wimpy
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68