The RM airfoil- Performance for the masses! https:

by RustyMustard | May 11, 2014 | (0) Posted in How To

UPDATE:

Since this article has been posted, there's been a lot of progress and succrss stories from other RM builders.   I know my airfoil is good, but recently this video by RcGroups.com user 'pardshaw' of his RM1 Wisel has left several of us nothing short of astonished at it's performance.   I'll let his video speak for itself:

Things have been moving fast lately, new builds, and a few of us have been working on an in-depth geomerty analysis and virtual modeling trying to figure out just why it works so well.   Things are moving too quickly to even attempt to summarize here and the mass of data on the section and many variants are rapidly accumulating.   For the latest, check the RM airfoil discussion thread linked below in the article.

A new build video was requested and is now up with better detail and the process in it's simplest form.   The video is now available in the article below.

 

Hi all, recently i and a few others have been experimenting with an alternative to KFM airfoils in an effort to reduce drag of the steps and the reflex needed when used on planks and wings.


What i came up with is a simple way to build a great performing flat plate wing using very simple techniques that anyone can use to build a wing in a matter of minutes.

The concept is simple, two sheets of foam laminated together like a KF, except both are the same, the full wing shape minus the control surfaces.

The construction is just as simple, cut out the wing shape, mark any spar locations, lay spars, glue sheets together, trim to final shape, then bevel both LE and TE as follows:

LE - rounded bevel on top surface
TE - straight, shallow bevel of bottom plate only to about 1" forward of the hinge

That's it.

There has been a number of planes built already by myself and others that prove this aimple airfoil works on a variety of planks and wings.

Additional links to more RM related stuff:

The RM airfoil dicussion on RCG

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2141726

A couple of RM birds

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2130789

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2143010

Check the last several pages in this thread for more RM airfoil builds.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1391999

 

This has to be about the simplest way i've found to get the most out of a flat plate wing with minimal effort.   If you can cut/sand two bevels you can have a great performing wing.   If you've ever wanted to try slope but have been put off by all the talk of the 'right' airfoil, hot wire cutting and such, try this.   Check the last link i posted above and build something you like from the numerous plan and examples posted in this thread.

 For a few bucks of tape, glue and foam and a few minutes of beveling and sanding the edges anyone with a couple extra servos lying around can try their hand at slope without investing much time or effort.   

I haven't tried this airfoil on any powered planks yet but i suspect it'll work well on powered wings and planks as well.   It may also be a great wing on a conventional tail design, but again, we've only built slope planes so far and all have turned out to be excellent performers.   Follow the topics posted to see more vids of RM birds.

Enjoy!:) 

 

COMMENTS

RustyMustard on July 4, 2014
Done. Check the article for the new build video!
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L3Grasshopper on June 17, 2014
An experimental airfoil is cool. You should reshoot your build video, perhaps with a fixed overhead camera angle if you need to do it solo.
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bigrocketnerd on June 16, 2014
Very nice! I recently found the joy of playing on a slope in a 10 to 15mph breeze...good times indeed. That is until i cracked up my micro radian in some turbulence. This article came at the perfect time as I was looking for a cheeper way to get some more slope practice in. Thanks a ton! By the way, that area looks a lot like Bisbee?
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RustyMustard on July 4, 2014
Yes, a fun place to fly!
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The RM airfoil- Performance for the masses! https: