A WRIGHT FLYER, DOWN UNDER
December 18th, 2003 Early morning flight commemorates the epic Wright Bros flight 100 years ago..
Venue: (Bendigo Radio Controlled Model Aircraft
Club airfield, Marong Victoria. Australia)
The Australian National Centenary Air show was held at Avalon airfield in Victoria earlier this year. There was a lot mentioned about Kittyhawk and the Wright Brothers during the day, as well as a good number of flying replicas from the earliest days right through WW1.
Local model aircraft enthusiast, and model supplies dealer, Les Davis (AUS 5620), was returning home with a bus load of enthusiasts when the discussion turned to what our local RC model aircraft club could do to commemorate this auspicious century year of manned flight. Les felt strongly towards building a scale powered model replica of the Wright Flyer, but where to start?
Original plans were subsequently downloaded from the Smithsonian and redrawn to scale, overall length just on 1 metre, wingspan 1.77metres. From plan up, the total building time covered 6 busy months, the exact hours could not be counted, but were many.
The timber structures were of prime balsa and spruce, the metal frames shaped from modellers sections. The wires used in rigging were control line cables and the turnbuckles, all 28, were handmade. Covering was heat shrinkable fabric. A speed 700 electric motor was used as any I.C. engine would be too difficult to incorporate. Two 13x5 wooden props were used, 1 pusher, 1 traction. The drive shafts and mountings were hand made and the belts were of joinable "O" ring material, Battery used was 12 cell 1700 maH
Hh. Three servos were incorporated, two standard for the elevator and rudder, a very large one for the wing warping. Finished weight was 3.5 Kgs.
Three flights have been attempted to date.. the first started the learning curve, , the second, on Sunday Dec 14th (most of the accompanying photos) achieved a short but level flight but was damaged on landing (this baby does NOT glide well..).
The Big Day was yesterday, Dec 17th.. ( 100 years later). Bendigo, Central Victoria.. At 6 a.m. just after dawn, before the day temperature down here started it rise into the high 30C's (summertime) a band of keen onlookers arrived at our field, along with local T.V. and newspaper people, to record the big event. Les would have liked to wait until the real hour (around 10.30 am, our time) but conditions would not have been favourable, hardly bearable, even. As it was a light but gusty breeze came out of the east, which, while a bit un-nerving, may have assisted the actual take-off.
The first attempt off the rail appeared under-powered so Les and his crew affected some adjustments and the stage was set.
With TV and newspaper cameras rolling/clicking, this was main street, Dodge City, no turning back.
The crowd was awarded the spectacle of a perfect takeoff and a rapid climb in seconds to about 30 metres.. At this stage the speed controller experience a momentary loss of output which resulted in the aircraft proving yet again that is was not a glider.. cut the power and its all downhill. Regardless, the distance covered was comparable to the Wright boys' effort and was beautifully portrayed by WIN TV in their evening news presentation.
As seems to be it's lot in life, the model incurred yet again a heavy landing and the structure was, as they say, compromised.
Les would love get it up and going once again, but due to the very nature of the aircraft the risk of further damage is too great..
While it wont fly again it will be a morning that all of we onlookers will never forget.
Oh, if you'd like to read a really interesting book on the subject there's a hardcover titled DAWN OVER KITTYHAWK. I've read it, didn't think to retain details (was on loan) but its a non-fiction based story on the brothers and their family. Hard to put down.. gives you the full story.
CONSTRUCTION FLIGHT PREP FLIGHT RETIREMENT OTHER WEBS Email Les Davis
Photos (most) Bill Mathews/Mal Fields. Website courtesy of Bendigo Radio Controlled Aircraft Club (Inc.) Page creator: Mal Fields AUS 48091
