so what do you make of the new ritewing Drak then?

stevec · December 30, 2014, 01:36:30 PM

Have you seen the video's Chris has put up on his latest project, the Drak?

it looks cool, like a klingon bird of prey. also looks pretty fast with a great flight envelope.

Link to you tube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRitewing1/videos

eagerly awaiting more...

/Steve

iPeel · December 30, 2014, 05:06:47 PM

Initially it looked little more than proof you shouldn't build a Z3 while you've been drinking!

I see now though it's a lot more, but not sure exactly what benefits it has over a regular Z3.

Neil.

wgt40w · December 30, 2014, 07:26:01 PM

Bit of a copy of Stone Blue Airlines swept forward wing configuration ??

http://www.stoneblueairlines.com/hangar/airplanes/vas-aircraft/vas-specter-v3-airplane.html

Jake Bullit · December 30, 2014, 07:41:34 PM

Yes, looks great and flies great going by the videos I've seen, so I'm keeping an eye on it.

stevec · December 30, 2014, 07:44:41 PM

Don't think it is much like the vas spectre as that has a full tail and is a pretty conventional design. Even the forward sweep isn't that pronounced the Drak looks like something from a marvel comic. I am definitely interested but if you have to do the double hand into the face suicide launch I'll not be getting one, I can think of nicer ways of losing my good looks!

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Ratty · December 30, 2014, 07:52:41 PM

Pretty sure I read Chris say this was just something he was messing about with and was not going to be for sale.

I could be wrong though.

Billy_boy_2010 · December 30, 2014, 08:00:21 PM

Would be interesting to see its pros and cons over the z3

CurryKitten · March 12, 2015, 01:11:03 PM

This kickstarter is up on this now

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598250936/ritewing-drak-the-next-generation-rc-aircraft-dron

He's got quite a way to go in a month to make this happen though. Anyone getting one ?

Billy_boy_2010 · March 12, 2015, 02:48:00 PM

I'm in two minds about this.......

The Z3, which was supposed to be the best plane in the world. Ever. And was very heavily marketed as such, turned out to be be over rated in the eyes of some who bought it. By all accounts it's a reasonable all rounder, but doesn't excel in any area. It builds quite heavy, isn't as robust as a z2 thanks to its long nose, builds quite nose heavy with even a reasonable sized motor. Perhaps it's only real advantage is it comes apart for easy transport. For those who want something tthat can be put in a suitcase it's perfect. But for most others, there are other options out there.

The Drak looks fantastic. This alone is enough to sell it and good for Chris for being inventive and moving things forward. He has a big reputation and shoes to fill based on his Z1 & Z2 rep.

He's also building it from the material the original Zephyr was made from, which again is great as to many this was a major disadvantage of the Z2. Slower build but a much more robust plane as a result.

The swept wing seems to offer improved stall characteristics. Chris, despite all his good qualities, is completely unable to admit any of his products have any disadvantages at all- which makes him a great salesman but a bit irrational at times........

from the little research I have read, in general a forward swept wing indeed improves low speed stall characteristics, but it ultimately makes a less efficient flyer. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be able to add some other general/historical pros and cons of the swept wing design.

On the one hand, we may end up with the most robust plane ritewing have made since the original Zephyr, with great flying characteristics, a robust body, easy transport and a big wingspan to carry a decent payload a decent distance. It may offer a more hardcore builders alternative to the z2 and, even if it's a little less efficient in flight, the extra carry capacity of the draks extra 4" may make up for this.

If we are unlucky, the nose will still be a weak point and a nose down crash (which wouldn't normally have bothered an epp wing) will badly damage the Drak. It will be a little less efficient than a normal wing, will fly very heavy, and the long build time will put beginners off.

I hope it's the former. I already have a 60" wing. But I will really look forward to seeing how it's received. I won't get caught up in the hype and dillusion like I did with the Z3 however.

Billy_boy_2010 · March 12, 2015, 02:49:58 PM

PS i hope he pulls it off. At least he's inventing and moving things on, instead of copying and following like HK and most other manufacturers. He's just got damn big shoes fill.

FPVSteve · March 12, 2015, 04:09:15 PM

QuoteHe's just got damn big shoes fill.

Yea, his own :laugh:

Billy_boy_2010 · March 12, 2015, 09:25:48 PM

Quote from: Steve W on March 12, 2015, 04:09:15 PM
QuoteHe's just got damn big shoes fill.

Yea, his own :laugh:

That's true! :D

Mind you, if I had designed and built arguably the most famous plane in fpv history my ego would be pretty big too. Even if it was someone else who, almost single handedly, made it famous.

iwan_canobi · March 12, 2015, 09:52:32 PM

It looks amazing in the air, but it is pretty expensive. Will be interesting to see if they make the goal. It struck me as a bit odd that an established company is doing it as a kickstarter though.

stevec · March 12, 2015, 10:11:35 PM

Setting up proper moulds costs a lot of money I suppose Chris is just ensuring he can get his investment back

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Ritewing · March 13, 2015, 03:09:51 AM

Thnx for the support guys, my shoes are only a size 10 ;D

Here shows some of its characteristics, A good quality EPP mold with the correct company is crazy expensive, having everyone help will allow me to give the supporters a very nice price for such a pricey project.
I am just trying to spread the love.

See if these work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6viOq7Xlwg#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOPyUCUygxc#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYuLId6LBKU#ws