Gloster AS.31 Biplane Twin - Start to Finish & First Flights

Описание: Dave Mitchell's charming 13" Gloster AS.31 free-flight rubber-powered model, inspired by the 1992 plan by Emmanuel Fillon. Features a dual drive gearbox. Film shows the building process, and a series of early trim flights. Filmed by Tom Hallman, Wally Farrell, and Eric Holmes. Music: "Oval Windows" by Yehezkel Ray via ArtList.io.

Free plan of Gloster: https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details....
Here's the gearbox kit Dave used to build his own: https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-America...

More from myself & Dave Mitchell about the Gloster project:

Designed by Master builder Emmanuel Fillon in 1992, the peanut model features a dual geared drive, powered by a single motor located in the long fuselage. Besides requiring a light yet sturdy structure, the added challenge was the creation and development of a strong and efficient, lightweight gearbox. It needed to be small enough to fit into the rear of the narrow fuselage, while being smooth running and reliable to confidently power through many flights.
Before committing to building the bones of the model, Dave worked through numerous gearbox designs, using various gears & bits from little toys, methodically bench testing each new version. Mitchell writes, “…My first attempt at the gearbox was a non-starter but gave me insights as to how to approach Version.2…which was ok, but too big, and not free-running—no matter how much I tried to break it in. V.3 was a great improvement—easily small enough to fit in the peanut Gloster, and very free-running…but it wasn’t counter-rotating, and it was heavier than I wanted. The key to getting counter-rotation was to run the prop drive gears in series off the main drive, not parallel. Works like a charm.
I got my new Tamiya gearbox kit…which provided me with six new drive gears to play with…(allowing me to)…finish off gearbox V.4, which IS counter-rotating, and .13 grams lighter to boot. Runs nice and smooth, and at 1.52 grams with the prop drive wires, is the lightest version yet, almost a quarter of a gram less than V.3…”
As Dave worked through the gearbox designs, he changed his focus to the framing of the model. “…Everything on the Fillon plan is in millimeters, so my digital calipers have been getting a workout. I’m finding enough variation in 1/32” and 1/16” stock that often times just a little sanding needs to be done to bring the sheet wood to dimension—and sometimes none…
There’s a lot of substance left to make yet—engine nacelles, motors and prop assembles, landing gear, struts….and of course, the tissue. Weight of all the balsa parts…including the gearbox, is 5.7 grams. I think I’ll be able to at least match Fillon’s stated weight (15.5g); I’m going to be very careful from this point forward. It’s got something on the order of 40 sq. in. of wing area, adjusted for bipe inefficiencies. It would be nice to bring it in around 13-14 grams…..”
The model was covered with white Esaki tissue that was lightly airbrushed with silver acrylic enamel. Dave adds, “…The model is powered by a well-braided, single loop of 1/8” rubber 21” long…powering two counter-rotating flexed wire driveshafts which run out to 3-1/4” carved spruce props…which must rotate “out at the tops” (toward the wingtips)…for stability…”
After initial trim flights, the model came in ballasted at 17.5 grams without the motor. Mitchell writes, “…best unofficial flight so far is about 35 thrilling seconds. I think it can do better, but it’ll require some thermal help to get there. But frankly, anything in the 30 second range with this bird leaves me floating…it’s just so COOL, and the noise it makes is indescribable. You want a motor hum device? This baby has it built-in…” ---TH & DM

*** 10 steps to trimming a rubber model, by John Koptonak: http://www.flyingacesclub.com/PFFT/Tr...

Also, these tutorials from Easy Built Models: https://easybuiltmodels.com/tips.htm#...

Geneseo FAC Nats Journals from 2016 & 2018: http://www.maxfliart.com

For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
https://brooklyn-balsa.square.site
http://www.easybuiltmodels.com/
https://volare-products.myshopify.com
http://www.flyingacesclub.com
National Free Flight Society - https://freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - http://www.ffscale.co.uk/
https://www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk

Flying Aces Club merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/flyingacesclub
All profits support Flying Aces Club activities.
Center of Gravity merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/centergravity