What a brilliant design the Demoiselle was. I know the Wrights were six years earlier, but almost nothing from a Wright biplane is now used, whereas every key feature of the Demi is found in a modern lightplane: dihedral, cruciform tail at the rear; space-frame fuselage; decent size wheels....single prop at the front etc etc.
A lovely model but it is still missing an aspect of these WW1 types that I've never seen anyone attempt. If I was still aeromodelling I would like to try implementing a more realistic blip-throttling system for WW1 Gnome & Bentley engines. Someone has commented about this aircraft sounding realistic but it is so only at full throttle where, even then, it revs too high. To me its sounds more like a WW2 radial. When I built my Sopwith Triplane during the '80s I overpropped a largish diesel to try and make it sound more realistic, but this still came well short in throttling. Now that we have computers I would love try something different, but am no longer able to build these models. I would start by choosing a spark ignition engine, due to its ability to switch ignition on/off instantly. To this I would fit the largest, heaviest low pitch prop I could get the engine to run, augmented if necessary by a flywheel. As well as adding a realistic torque twisting effect, this would simulate the low compression effect of these old engines and allow it to continue spinning for a significant time after killing the ignition. As these aircraft ran very large propellers by modern standards anyway this would also enhance a realistic appearance. If you want to keep the handling sweet then add a roll gyro with around a 1/4second delay and you have a realistic prop torque effect with some protection against the infamous vice the Camel was well known for. Then fix the carburettor wide open, perhaps using a bypass servo for safety. But this would be on a spare channel, certainly not the radios normal throttle channel. Instead the revs would be controlled by a kill switch on the ignition, something very easily implemented. Ideally this would be controllled by an on/off button on the transmitter but I can see whole worlds full of pain here. But the throttle stick could control the pulse width of a PWM in the aircraft the would do the ignition switching. Thus the model could be way more realistic As well as having blip throttling of the original, there is the potential for other benefits towards a more realistic scale model. I would be very interested to hear others thoughts on this.
Hi Roland, I have a morane which I'm preparing to maiden very soon. I have installed a UMS 5/75cc and I'm curious to know what engine and how much weight you've added to the nose to get CG. With this engine, I still need to add approx 2.5kg which concens me a little. Cheers Glenn
@@gwrrolan Thanks for your reply. I have managed to contact the club that the owner flies at and emailed the Treasurer/President or someone that knows the owner ( Gary ? ) of this aircraft, and the larger version. He explained that the owner is not internet connected but would pass on my enquiry. What I really need is some close up shots and some details of the wing construction. ( materials etc. ) I have gain enough info from the internet for the Airframe but need more info on the wing assembly. I dont need to re-invent the wheel, its been done before, if you know what I mean. any help you can provide will be much appreciated. Thanks again .. Take care
My 50 (!) years old Microprop 35 MHz never had any issue to this day, my Spektrum 2,4 GHz had some failures including a total loss of an airplane. It was pure luck that the engine, an OS FT-160 survived and nobody was hurt.
Nice flying. You make it look easy. It helps to have a big open space like this. My first attempt last winter was at a small venue about 1/3 as big. Lots of crashes! This winter we flew at a similar size gym like this and it was a lot more fun! 😊
What was the engine? A real half scale rotary Clerget would be necessary since there was so much work to go 1/2 scale. And OH what a beautiful sound it would have!
Beautiful but please start it with a "chicken stick" to be safe. I assume you would never consider flip starting your lawn mower. But when you think about it, this is like flip starting a 5 cylinder lawnmower.
