Wild Wing Combat
Mike Nadler, Gary Morgan, Dave North and I rolled and tumbled in ceaseless Wild Wing combat on a recent sunny day at Baylands.
Gary hadn’t yet built his Wild Wing so I shared my orange-finned WW with him and shot photos of the combat. In return, he took pictures later in the morning when I flew my new red-finned Wild Wing.
The result of this team photographic effort was nearly 400 pictures, about half by Gary and half by me.
Neither of us succeeded in capturing any collisions, though we snapped lots of near misses. There were a number of hits, but they’re quite unpredictable. It’s like trying to photograph the surprising strike of a fish.
Frank Ducker, a frequent combatant, dropped by to watch and eat his lunch. His wing was convalescing in the Wing Hospital.
Here are some highlights from the day’s battles.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Man that was fun!
I think you can focus better than me Pete. All in all - a great time!
When is the rumble with the Boomer guys?
Gary
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Wow, that was fun! Unnaturally good weather in Portland right now, but no planes. I think I’m gonna be in the mood to hit something when I get back. So Gary, about done with that wing yet?
July 26th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Absolutely, on to the second one. I had to prop down with the motor you built me - it was too hot!
Went from a 5-4.3 to a 5-3 with Pete’s input (and prop). Sweet motor. I think we should start awarding kill stickers… and really tell the tale
There is nothing more I enjoy in this world than a challenge - the only thing to do is rise to the occasion!
Get back soon I’ve killed everybody else…
And if that heats anyone up - good…
Dicta Boelcke
1. Try to secure advantages before attacking. If possible, keep the sun behind you.
2. Always carry through an attack when you have started it.
3. Fire only at close range, and only when your opponent is properly within your sights.
4. Always keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses.
5. In any form of attack it is essential to assail your opponent from behind.
6. If your opponent dives on you, do not try to evade his onslaught, but turn to meet it.
7. When over the enemy’s lines never forget your own line of retreat.
8. For the Staffel: attack on principle in groups of four or six. When the fight breaks off into a series of single combats, take care that several do not go for one opponent.
July 26th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Actually that motor should be okay with the 5043 since most of the time you should be “near idle.’ It has a strong but tolerable attack burst.
But it should be okay with the 5030 also. I’d actually think it might be better with the 4540 than the 5043, if you want to ease up on the max draw…
July 26th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
FYI, here’s the numbers on that motor from my test stand:
Hex 11T 24awg ABC Delta Kv 21551/7.99 = 2700 Io = 1.59
GWS 5043 DD THex 620 2S
16135 rpm @ 7.27v/9.78a 338 grams 11.9 oz/thrust 72.7% Efficient
That’s less than .2 amps more than the average 16-gram motor, and it should punch a hole in the sky. Even a Tbird 9 should be able to handle it in normal use, and the 730 2S won’t have any trouble at all.
In other words, if you think it’s too powerful … well, hey. Thanks! But it sips electrons.
July 27th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Well then something is awry with the speed controller. It was cutting out on a very gentle climb out with a 5043. It’s a thunderbird 9 and a 620mah 2 cell. Could I possibly be pinching the bearing in the tube with the mount? Seems unlikely.
I tested on my watt meter and was drawing 12 amps with a 5043 at WOT. Switched to a 5030 and that cured the problem of cut off. I’m going out to the shop to test the numbers for the 5030 right now. I’ll get back in a bit.
I’d like to find the problem and be able to run your numbers.
Sipping electrons is the way to go.
July 27th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I wonder if my battery was not completely charged when I tested it? 12 amps is far more than I would have expected. Might need to restest. But hey, give a 4540 a shot, it’s kind of a fun little prop.
July 27th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Just did a afresh test on the 2 different props.
Fresh 620 2 cell
5030 prop - 6.5A - 45W
5043 prop - 8.6A - 57W
No cut off on the bigger prop.
Sounds in line with your numbers now…
I wonder if the motor had a break in period?
Anyway see you Monday at 11:30 - I have something for you!
Gary
July 27th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I’m guessing you accidentally stuck on a 3S battery?
July 30th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Larry Smith discovered another off-the-shelf motor that powers the Wild Wing nicely: the Hacker A10-12S, available for about $40.
August 4th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I put up 60 seconds worth of today’s Wild Wing battle on YouTube. Sadly, I didn’t capture any of the carnage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhtgf7aIUDE
August 8th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I think you did get some carnage. There’s a good spinner about 2/3 of the way through.
Speaking of the next version of that little red motor for Mike (you know, the $6 junkheaps?) It turned out about 11.5oz thrust @ about 65mph for 9.1 amps @ 7.3 volts. Think that’s safe to let Mike have, or should this one be Pete’s?
August 10th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Let’s give it to Mike. I’ll sprinkle a Calming Powder in Mike’s coffee cup.