Hercules (extended version) build thread

[pk-surfing]

I had to decide which to build first.......

my Zephyr 2 wing or my Hercules wing, so it ended up with tossing a coin and the Hercules won.

The kit is made by CrashTestHobbies in the USA and I decided on the version that the 12" wide centre expansion section to give a wingspan of 78" and a wing area of 10 square feet.

My real concern was if the extended version would fit in my car, the lads at the flying club threatened to disown me if I chickened out and built it without the extension section.



Today I just taped the main sections together so i could do a trial fit in the car, it fits (just) taking up from the front footwell right back to almost the heated rear window (this s in an Audi A6)



As you can see, it's as big as a big thing !!



Another picture with my little FPV Fox sat on the wing.

The 2 interesting features of this wing, in fact unique I think, are:

A) it has twin motors/props fitted on the front
B) it doesn't have wheeled undercarriage but it can take off from grass as the designer has incorporated a deep centre belly skid.

This build will not be a fast build (there are plenty of them showing on Youtu be) but I will update it as I get each part of the build done.




PK

[g.collins]

Hi Paul
That's an impressive wing mate, but its far to big to fit to that Fox. Lol
Still it was a good idea to, use the Fox as a size comparison, because you could be 4ft tall.
Looking forward to see this build, I have to build one of my wings soon, I will probably build the Zephyr 2 first.
:) G

[FPVSteve]

lol @ gordon .. yea it is a bit big for the fox heh

Would make a fantastic "drop" platform though :D

Great stuff Paul, looking forward to this - you need a trailer!

[pk-surfing]

Making it specially for you to have a go with Steve when we come down for a fly  ;D

[FPVSteve]

Ah i wouldn't trust me to fly anything :D

[Funky Diver]

Awesome doesn't describe it... gargantuan does :D

Looking good there Paul, will be good to see this gracing the Skies above Newton Aycliffe and seeing small children run for cover :D

[BlueFlyer]

blimmin eck, for a minute there I thought the other plane in shot was an easystar, was thinking "eff me that's big"

[pk-surfing]

Been tiling the bathroom but back on the build now.

Slots cut out top and bottom for the various fibreglass spars, did this using a 30w soldering iron with the bit reversed so the flat end was showing and a timber straight edge spacer to get the slot depth right.

The twin motors are mounted on timber bearers so I cut out a slot for them and gorilla glued them in, now they are set the next job is glueing the 6 fibreglass spars in.









;D

PK

[Coyote]

She`s a beasty, quite the size :)

[Pasty]

you go from no wings to 3!

whos the old pops holding it?  :laugh:

[pk-surfing]

The reinforcing tape went on tonight....

First the underneath




then the top




Next job is sorting the elevons out, they are actually split so two elevators and two ailerons.

Then it will be laminating and fitting the SIX servos  :o

Two of them are for the two fins and rudders (yep.... two rudders on this wing !)

PK

[chrisallen649]

Good luck with the build matey i hope it goe's well. Check my video's for problem's i had it was evil mate i would have said the 66" version would have been a better flyer but fingers crossed. Keep it as light as possible to mate weight effect's this thing loads.

[pk-surfing]

Hi Chris,

It's not dead weight that makes a plane a dog to fly..... it's wing loading (mass per unit area of wing) or more specifically the Wing Cube Loading figure that is a good guide of how a plane might fly if we are comparing weight and wing area. (this takes into account the scale effect of different size planes.... look up the wing loading for a full size plane like a Cessna to see why plain 'wing loading' doesn't give the full picture)

For example if I can get the Hercules to be 8 lbs flying weight it gives a wing loading of 12.8 oz/sq.ft and a Wing Cube Loading of 4.
If it ends up 9 lbs then the WCL will be 4.6

An Easystar (with no FPV gear) might be 1.5 lbs flying weight giving it a wing loading of 9.4 oz/sq.ft and a Wing Cube Loading of 5.8

As a guide the Wing Cube Loading figure for various types of models.....

Slow fly / thermal gliders = 4
Trainers = 5 to 7
General Sports and Aerobatics = 7 to 10
Sports and Scale = 10 to 13

So the figures show the Hercules should be able to float round nicely but it won't be winning any speed challenges.

Having built and flown model planes for nearly 50 years !!!! :flying: I always try to "add lightness" when I'm putting a plane together but it is more difficult with the current trend of foam easy build kits as there are fewer opportunities to be creative with the build.

I took this one on as a challenge so watch this space, with the thick wing section and lots of drag I'm expecting it to be a slow flyer but if I can keep the weight down and get it sweet on the C of G it should drift round ok after all it has nearly 10 sq.ft of wing area.

If it turns out it doesn't fly as expected for me and my flying buddies after we have got it trimmed nice then I will officially designate it as a "flying plank" and probably turn it into a coffee table  ;D

PK

[pk-surfing]

I've still got to cut the lipos and receiver pockets in the wing but I've done a weigh in with everything laid on including 2 lipos 4000mah 3S and quite pleased with the weight.

It's looking like all up ready to fly it's going to be 6lbs 4oz

Very pleased as that's with it all together, cross weave taped and laminated, servos, linkages, fpv gear etc

PK

[chrisallen649]

any videos yet mate?