From Wacka-Wacka to Zip-Zip OR Bunny s History of Radio Controlled Rocket Gliders (aka RCRG )
What s the story on RCRG s? A Model Timeline Model Design & Equipment Trends Competition History and Background The Future: New Branches to the Family Tree
circa 1968, Handbook of Model Rocketry, 6 th Edition
1969 Skydancer 2 Channels / D Powered Designed by Larry Renger of Estes Flown as demo at NARAM -12 (1969) Employs standard RC Airplane construction Tried some staged (!) flights Aerobatic (!)
1969 Skydancer 2 Channels / D Powered D-Box wing with full spars Built up tail surfaces Kraft RC Gear (lightest available at time Box fuselage 12 oz. liftoff weight
1969 - Model Rocketry Magazine and Doug Malewicki s Single Channel
1969 - Model Rocketry Magazine and Doug Malewicki s Single Channel free flight HLG construction techniques single channel, rudder only control C6-3 powered 1 1.25 oz. glide weight Bentert RC Components
Pulse Proportional Radio Systems transmitter note single stick! transmitter normally 50% on / 50% off. electromagnet activated with on signal moving stick changes on / off ratio wacka wacka wacka
1970 s - MIT Rocket Society Invasion
1970 s - MIT Rocket Society Invasion
1970 s - MIT Rocket Built their own receivers, actuators. Published TONS of plans Experimented with structure Flew the pods off their models. Dominated the field. Had some success! Society Invasion
1970 s - MIT Rocket Society Invasion
Late 1970 s A Digital Invasion
Late 1970 s A Digital Invasion Cannon sub micro equipment (approx 70 grams of gear) Larger models, more like Skydancer Started thinking about larger motors! Settled on the FSI F7, but Lusted for something better!
1982 Flagship The First Widely Built RCRG
1982 Flagship The First Widely Built RCRG
1983 - Lust Satisfied Aerotech E6 Composite engine tailored to RC flight profile: Long burn, low thrust MUCH more reliable than BP motors! Probably tripled the altitude.
Early 1990 s Sailplane City Raven 3 by Bob Parks Computer generated airfoils Speed range increased to allow tactical flying Sheeted foam wings and molded pods designed for drag reduction
1992 - European RCRG s Flown from fiberglass piston. Internal spring to open flop wing Rolled balsa fuselage Eliminates boost problems, but VERY high drag! A technological dead end!
RCRG Dixie Style Solved boost by adding large pods Standard Flagship construction w/ D12 power Important because others are experimenting!
1990 s The Chicago RCRG Mafia
Chicago RCRG Mafia Models Sheeted wings retained, eventually moved to foam V-Tail for drag reduction New solid launcher Kevin McKiou s Cuda and Sting Ray kits
Why All This RC Effort?
Why All This RC Effort? US dominated World championships thru early 1990 s Individual medals won by Guppy Youngren, Phil Barnes, George Riebesehel, George Gassaway US Team medaled in 6 out of 7 World Championships from 1978 through 1992!
Modern European RCRG s
Modern European RCRG s Flagship design reproduced in Modelar magazine. New designs with various wings start appearing Pods slung under wing; HARDER to boost! European participation GREATLY influences FAI rules for contests! Runway style landing & precision duration added to FAI rules.
NARAM 38 What of the Future? American RCRG Growth NARAM 43
What of the Future? An RCRG You Can Own AND Fly!
What of the Future? RC Scale Models
What of the Future? Projects like Orbital Sky Dart
What of the Future? How s about your own HPR X-15?
What About YOU? Ask an RC flyer Buy an Aero Ace from TRU Try an Arcie II Take the plunge!