Akom's Tech Ruminations

Various tech outbursts - code and solutions to practical problems
Toys

On Wheels, Thrust Vectors, and Gorilla Glue

Posted by Akom • Tuesday, October 21. 2008 • Category: Toys

New Wheels next to old wheels

I upgraded the wheels on the Pitts plane, and what a difference it makes. I never thought it could land (and sometimes even take-off) on grass! (Well, short grass, anyway). I don't nose in every landing now. Just got those 2.50" Sport wheels from the hobby store. The stock wheels are just way too small. I did need to cut the wheel pants slightly to fit them, but I think it is cute the way they stick out. And as you may have noticed, the Fiji bottlenose got a paint job.



Now about those thrust vectors...


I've been toying around with a design for an aerial photography plane for a little while, something that's not quite common, something with multiple wings and a flexible center of gravity. So I tried to read up on thrust vectors, center of pressure, neutral point, and other such fun terms.

What happens when you do take off into a tree.



Well here is what I discovered about the thrust vector today: Understanding the thrust vector has practical benefit when you combine this understanding with awareness of the surrounding objects.

New 3 Piece wing design



Allow me to rephrase this: Do not take-off into a tree!



The new 3-piece wing is not part of my new plane design



Finally... Gorilla glue just keeps on ... working. Here it is putting the wing back together. If I am to attempt a tree landing again, the wing will probably break in another place.

Gorilla glue at work

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