AeroCanard - RG

This is going to be a complete remake of the very first model that I ever completed for Real Flight. That plane was the Velocity XL and you can still find it on the old swap pages. When the new pages were started, I never converted that plane to the new RF version as I didn't feel it was up to my current standards of modeling.

This model will be the retractable gear variant of the AeroCanard in 1/4 scale (about a 7' wing span) and is very similar to the Velocity, incorporating the best features of the Velocity and the Cozy Mark IV.

Doug

Thank you!

Other than for the landing gear, the 3D model is pretty much complete. This even includes a little interior gingerbread. I'm much happier with this, compared to the old Velocity.

Woah!!! Keep that bad boy comin!!!

hey Doug, you must be a big Rutan fan aren't you

one of these days remind me to convince you to make a model for his Boomerang! DAMN what an aircraft!!



this would be a FANTASTIC R/C model I would think! -Tim

EDIT: if you are a fan of Burt Rutan, this might interest you

I do like canards and Rutan has always had some of the most interesting designs. I fell in love with some of his work, way back when I was studying them in my undergraduate days.

The Boomerang is a very interesting plane. The 3D model would be easy, but I'll really need to play with the physics editor a bit to see how Real Flight will handle a design that is that unsymmetric.

Doug

It will do it!

I've played with the physics on several planes just to see how it handles asymetric aircraft.

It works, but the physics are not as straightforward.

Rutan Rules!!!

Guys,

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr./Dr. (I'm not quite sure which one.) Rutan in the last flight of White Knight just before it went to the Smithsonian Museum in D.C. It's an AMAZING plane! Spaceship One is not bad either!

This man has an incredible mind for design and aerodynamics! I would just hope to know half as much as he does one day.

Doug,

If you don't have much time right now, I could possibly design that aircraft. Since it's straightforward, it shouldn't pose a problem or a challenge. The only caveat is that it would take me another 3 weeks to start the project. Right now I'm swamped with work and studies, so it'll take me a little more time before my summer vacation starts. Let me know what you think.

Gunnar

I can do the physics on it. 3.5 handles asymmetry pretty well. I have a few designs that I've been experimenting with so puch the boundries of the physics models. the 3d model is the same but I changed ALL kinds of stuff.

let me know, I would REALLY love to work on that plane!

one of these days i'm gonna head down there and see my uncle. might get to meet Burt. but I for sure wanna see some of the sweet aircraft they have in a hangar!

I've finished the 3D model and have started to work on the texture map of the AeroCanard. Since most of the details will be inside the cockpit as the rest of the plane is pretty much white, it shouldn't take too long. Once I get the physic set, I can model the Boomerang.

Does anyone have a better set of 3-views? The one posted above does not really show the control surfaces very well. Also any design data from the original aircraft would be helpful.

I'm all for another collaborative effort if others want a part in this.

Doug

Time for me to go to bed. Here's what's been completed so far.

Very cool!

Looking forward to this one!!!

such a sweet looking model Doug.

one of you guys have to get me the software so I can start doing this right! Gmax is killing me! (I have used 3DS before though) -Tim

Thanks Tim.

I didn't get too long to work on her today, but the texture is nearly done. Just a couple more pieces and then add a couple of accent stripes.

A beaut!

Thanks, it's getting there.

3D model is completed and the texture is about 98% (I still want to add a stripe for trim). I've started to work on the physics model. So I should be done in a couple of days.

Here go everyone, the AeroCanard is ready for a preview & initial critique.

I'm still tweaking the physics (dual rates, air-brakes, and trim have not been set yet) and I have a few adjustments to the texture map. This is a 1/4 scale model with .90 sized engine. As it is a large scale aircraft, I'm shooting for scale type performance. So please let me know what you think of her so far.

A note for all you purists, who can't stand unconventional controls - The retracts are on the (3-position) left switch. I did this deliberately so that the model will assume the cockpit exit position that the full scale plane does (see the attached picture). So the lower switch position retracts the gear for cruise, the middle position extends the gear for landing & take-off, and the upper position lowers the nose & raises the canopy for exit. I know that the limitations of Real Flight will not re-raise the nose, but this is as close as I could get.

5/11/07
The AeroCanard is now up on the Swap Pages. Note the picture that I posted here (of the open canopy) is no longer valid. I zoomed in real close on one of the pictures I had of the aircraft, and saw hinges on the side of the cockpit. So it now opens to the left side, as I would assume the hinges allow the full scale's to do.

Strange things...

happen. When I open the canopy on the Aero canard ( Great plane! ) the
front landing gear "kneels" as I assume it does on the real aircraft to allow
pilot and passengers to board and "deplane" ( I heard that phrase on a
commercial airline ) the front landing gear sinks into the ground when you
close the canopy, I assume that on the real aircraft it also raises the aircraft up
when the canopy closes.
How about it KE, is it a bug with the landing field or what? This happens on
all the stock fields I've tried, however I have not tried them all only a few...

Jim

Yeah, it's a limitation of Real Flight and it will happen on all fields. The real craft would indeed lift back up, but with RF you have to hit the little red button.

Doug