Flying Formation of Blue Angels

This project was on my things to do list for quite awhile.

As I mentally built it in my head, I ran into problems that always prompted me to place it back on the back burner.

Ken Willard built something similar back in the 70’s using the sweep of the wings to allow fiberglass and wooden rods to connect the planes. Being in a Navy town I wanted to use the latest plane the Blue Angels currently used. The F–18 Hornet. This jet did not have the degree of wing sweep that would allow the construction that Mr. Willard used. Finally an epiphany struck me of a construction method that would be simple and perhaps stronger than what had been done before. Before I go further I will tell you that one of the prime goals I have in designing/building a new plane is to keep it as simple as possible.

I decided on a size that would fit the trunk of my car. 6 mm Depron allows simple construction ( this important as we are building four little planes ) and would match the 6 mm carbon / aluminum shafts. (arrow shafts) The hollow tubes allow the attachment of the outboard planes to the lead plane and provide attachment points for the landing gear. You will note that the tailplane does not have any tubes in the structure. The Depron alone is strong enough.

Step 1: Flight Video

https://youtu.be/JDYemeAXiIg

Step 2: Parts and Specs

Parts used

6 mm Depron foamboard

6 mm carbon / aluminum tubing two 23” one 29” one 17 ¾”

1/64” plywood

foam safe glue

unwaxed dental floss

bamboo sticks

1/16” wire

5” x ½” mounting stick

Stick motor mount

300DF Aurora brushless motor

5 x 4.5 Gunther prop

Pheonix 10 brushless controller

GWS 6 channel Receiver OR four channel with “Y” extension

Fullymax 1050 mAh LiPoly 3 cell battery

Two 12” servo extensions

One 24” servo extensions

One 4” servo extension

Three GWS pico servos

Three GWS SCW-254/13 wheels ( one inch )

Formation Flyer

Wing span 30 inches ( 12 inches each)

Length 39 inches ( 17 1/4 inch each)

Weight 10 oz dry

Throttle / Aileron / Elevator

Aurora 300DF brushless motor

Gunther 5 x 4.5 prop

1050 mAh LiPoly 3 cell battery

Step 3: Prototyping Model and Body

The center of gravity was determined using bamboo skewers and copy paper. Flew surprisingly well!

Body parts of 6 mm Depron foam

You can sand the leading edges to make it more aerodynamic if you wish. I did not find it necessary

Step 4: ​Cut Out the Ailerons and the Tubing Slot

Step 5: Lay the Wing on a Piece of Tape the Length of the Wing Span.

Step 6: Tubing

Lay the tubing in place, add epoxy or polyurethane glue (my favorite) and wrap the tape over the tubing. This provides a nice attachment of the tubing to the wing and is barely noticeable when painted.

Do the same with the lead wing along the trailing edge of the wing.

Step 7: Bevel the Leading Edge of the Ailerons

Step 8: Tape Hinge in Place on the Outboard Planes.

Drill the 1/16”

landing gear holes through the rod. (arrows)

Use the wire landing gear as a spacing guide.

Step 9:

Do the same with the ailerons of the tail plane that will be used as the elevator. Link the two ailerons with 1/16” wire.

Press a groove into the foam in the area between the “ailerons” to allow proper alignment and movement of the elevator.

Press grooves into the elevator halves to accept the wire.

Step 10: Lay the Lead and Tail Wings on the Fore and Aft Shafts.

Step 11: Alignment

Piece of foam helps align the side planes keeping them square to the fore and aft shafts.

Step 12: Attaching to Shafts

Lay the joined outboard wings on the fore to aft shafts. The inside wing tips should lay on the fore to aft shafts. This helps align the wings to the shafts. Glue the wings to the shafts with foam safe glue and lash the wings to the shafts with unwaxed dental floss..

Step 13: Bamboo Sticks Help the Floss From Pulling Through the Depron and Simulate the Wing Hinge Point on the Fullscale

Step 14: Alignment Tabs

Slide the fuselages into place allowing the alignment tabs to secure the position.

Glue in place. Trim the alignment tabs if they hit the arrow shaft.

Step 15: Attachment Reinforcement

Attach the 1/64” plywood guards onto the noses of the outboard planes. Drill a hole through them into the tubing of the lead plane. The tubing has been previously filled (plugged) with epoxy or polyurethane that has cured and drilled.

Step 16: ​Notch the Side Plane Fuselages to Accept the Lead Plane Rod.

Secure the outboard planes to the lead plane shaft with a screw.

Trim upper portion of circle off.

( see pictures below

Step 17: ​I Found It Convenient to Support the Assembled Structure on Soda Cans.

Yardstick aligns the fore and aft planes at the same level.

Step 18: ​Screw the Reinforcement Tabs to the Lead Plane Rod.

Make sure all the wings are in alignment before gluing the reinforcement tabs.

Ruler aligns the wing to the same level as the rods.

Step 19: Lash the Shaft to the Nose of the Tailplane With Floss.

Step 20: Attach the Tail Fins, Using the Alignment Jig, With Foam Safe Glue.

Step 21: Attach Fin

The Lexan fin is needed to counter all the side area ahead of the center of gravity.

Canopy glue helps stick the smooth Lexan to the Depron.

Attach the Lexan fin after the model is painted.

In my model, The large fin can not be seen from several yards away.

Step 22: Landing Gear

Push landing gear

strut through from the top of the 29” rod holes that have been drilled according to the plans and retain with a collar below the wing. The wheel is held on with a collar using the set screw as the axel. Match the horizontal bend to the holes drilled into the shaft.

( one inch between bends )

File a flat spot on the wire for the wheel axel screw.

Step 23: Landing Gear

The wheel position should be approximately 15° behind the Center of Gravity. ( see plans )

Too far back and you will have a hard time rotating for take off.

Step 24: ​Nosewheel Is Centered With Wheel Collars.

Modify the length of the landing gear to suit your flying field.

Wires are inserted into the leadplane’s rods with a dab of epoxy.

The most recent modification has steerable nose wheel. ( more weight)

Step 25: Servos, Radio and Battery

Servos are glued into cutout in the fuselage of the outboard planes and the tailplane.

The lead plane holds the radio and battery using velcro

Step 26: Control Linkage

Use the bent control rods to connect to the control horn.

Insert control horn at the edge of the bevel

Step 27: Motor Mount

Cut away the rear bottom fuselage of the lead plane to mount the motor mount stick with glue.

Step 28: Glue Stick and Place Weight on It While It Cures.

Step 29: Tape Servo Wires Down.

Step 30: Use Clothespin to Hold Wire While Taping.

Step 31: Flying

Point the plane into the wind, give it full power and rotate for take off at about 50 feet.

The large vertical fin causes the plane to weather vane into the wind. Cross wind take offs are impossible.

The plane is remarkably stable. There is no pitch sensitivity and rolls are smooth and predictable. There must be a Delta wing effect as there is no dihedral. The control surfaces are ample for scale like flight. You may wish to link the ailerons of the outboard wings together like the elevator to get more response. The plane has a pretty fast sink rate with power off. 25-50% power on landings will get you down safely. Be prepared for the gathering of friends and onlookers. You have an unusual plane that attracts attention.