Re: Airplanes with flat plate wings

On 2005-12-15, tux_powered@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <tux_powered@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On 2005-12-15, Mark Miller <dasmiller@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


>> Be aware that flat-plate airfoils have some unpleasant characteristics.
>
> Hi, care to elaborate on this.

Elaborate they did !
Thanks for all the information guys. There are a number of web sites
quoted that I will go read for myself.
I have read a couple of articles where the author was a fan of flat
plate wings, well maybe 1/4 to 3/8 inch balsa, slightly shaped. These
were used on electric models and would probably have been used at
reasonably fast flying speeds. The attraction, at first glance, is the
simplicity of producing a wing like that. I thought about using the idea
for a simple, cheap and quick to make knockabout model with a small glow.
Guess I will probably take the time to make a wing with a proper
airfoil. Trouble is I am busy with a couple of big wings with Clark Y
and SD7036 airfoils so was tempted to sidetrack into a small, quick
project. The triangular shape may well be worth further thought...

Reg

>I have seen designs for flat wings (just
> a little bit of shaping.. maybe 1/4 inch balsa). I have thought about
> making one just for a `knockabout' model. Maybe 30 inch or so wingspan
> and possibly a .15 glow. I would appreciate comments on adverse aspects
> before finding out the hard way !
>
> Reg
>
>> The foamies typically get through it by being ludicrously overpowered and
>> using the wing more like a big horizontal fin.
>>
.

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