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Step 4Reshaping the Wings
After the first molding of the butterflies wings, the elevator did not have enough upward shape and the butterfly flew too fast and thus its maneuverability suffered. Here is a video of a flight with not enough up elevator:
To get the final trim, the elevator trailing edge was shaped to trim for a more nose up attitude. The process was begun by rehydrating the Monarch Butterfly and molding components (paper strips) by placing them in an airtight container with a small amount of water:
After at least a day in the container, the butterfly is ready to be reshaped. First, the inboard sections of the wings are shaped over the wire to provide more up elevator:
Next the outboard (wing tips) are shaped flush with the foam board:
And the assembly is set out to dry. This reshaping (more up elevator) resulted in a slower trimmed airspeed and more maneuverability.
To get the final trim, the elevator trailing edge was shaped to trim for a more nose up attitude. The process was begun by rehydrating the Monarch Butterfly and molding components (paper strips) by placing them in an airtight container with a small amount of water:
After at least a day in the container, the butterfly is ready to be reshaped. First, the inboard sections of the wings are shaped over the wire to provide more up elevator:
Next the outboard (wing tips) are shaped flush with the foam board:
And the assembly is set out to dry. This reshaping (more up elevator) resulted in a slower trimmed airspeed and more maneuverability.
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