Make a Cent, Part 2

Here's part two of RF Burns plans to build his very own Centurion...

I plan to publish a complete assembly manual and parts list, as well as draft assembly pages on each part that will need to be crafted from bulk material, such as some of the framing work will need to be crafted by the builder, unless a model company buys the idea and pre-manufactures the individual pieces. The frame itself will be quite a task to build since it must be able to withstand flight wind loads, and hold everything inside. Pictures and small documents will be posted at my web site and hopefully here at the CIC news pages. I have the wireframe file donated by one of the WCTC memebers (dreaddnott)and once I get this wireframe file to a format where I can print it out and blow up the print, I can begin to build the frame pieces. The frame may consist of both balsa wood parts and aluminum tubing, probably the aluminum tubing will be the "keel" and main hard points of the model.

Once completed, the hull will consist of the same thin plastic sheet material used on regular RC planes, lightweight and strechable, and of course, painted grey. Retractable landing gear with landing lights and navigation lights on the wingtips and belly. On board cameras will provide a "pilots point of view" from inside the cockpit complete with a cockpit pannel that will resemble the cockpit from the game.

A second camera, mounted just in front of the nose landing gear will provide an extra view during landings and take offs. The engine in consideration for this model will probably be a small "weedeater" type engine, a 2 cycle gas engine, since regular "cox" engines might not be powerfull enough.

Air will be pulled into the 4 engine nozzles and ducted out the same nozzels to the rear. The tail fins on top will be slightly larger in hight to allow for a rudder control surface, plus increased stabalization. The delta wing will keep its shape, except for a slight increase in thickness from the front edge of the wing and narrowing towards the back. Each wing will have a full length alieron control surface with two functions, one for roll and turn, the other function will serve as flaps and or elevator assistance during take offs and landings. All that will be wind tested using large industrial fans.

Just a small detail of what the project will require and I estimate that the framework alone will take a few months to complete, mostly due to drafting each part after test fitting, then draw up the part full size and document the process. By the time its all said and done, it will be like the assembly instructions found in other model kits, except for the model itself, but the book will have a complete listing of all the materials you will need, plus detailed instructions on cutting each part from those raw materials, radio and servo parts listings and where to find those parts, recommended engine types as well as complete wind test data.