PARIS team cracks Vulture 1-X wing
Knocks together proof of concept structure
The Paper Aircraft Released Into Space (PARIS) team has spent the last couple of days working on a definitive Vulture 1-X wing structure, having already tried and rejected a few options.
Naturally, we took on board all of your suggestions as to how we might go about making an aircraft wing entirely from paper, and reckon we've cracked it.
First up, we looked for suitable wing profile, and decided to nab one from the Horten Ho IV, which will need no introduction to the aircraft enthusiasts among you.
Since we're using paper straws for the main Vulture 1-X structure, it made sense to convert this profile into a paper rib which can accept four continual spars, as you can see in our template pic:
So, we printed out a load of these ribs, punched out the holes for the straws with a 6mm leather punch and bodged together a proof of concept section of wing.
On the next couple of pages are the construction snaps. Don't bemoan the sloppy hot glue technique - we knocked this up in around half an hour and the final structure of the wings will be lovingly and carefully put together with epoxy...
COMMENTS
Turning these bodging skills into a paid job
Imagine Lester as a Blue Peter presenter.
There'd only be one episode before the broadcasting licence was revoked, the BBC complaint line would be in melt down and a whole generation of kids in therapy - but it'd be awesome.
10g? Featherweight it ain't...
Quick suggestion if I may? You've far too much going on inside that wing...
Keep the ribs, but make the holes fit the wing beams rather than flapping around them. Make the ribs thicker - three or four sheets glued together - they'll need to survive compression from the surface materials but once that's fastened on it'll remove the need for diagonal bracing. Sheet the leading edge - as you have done - but consider just squashing one side of the rear straw to make the trailing edge.
Then sheet with tissue, shrink, and dope... pinning it in place to keep the shape while the dope dries/shrinks.
What size is your planned wing and overall plane? And your overall weight?
Did you say where you got your straws? I'm tempted to play - I'm building a balsa wing today.
I'm enjoying this project
I'm even learning stuff too. :-)
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