Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Dave flying his Graphite 2e

Here is a fantastic video of Dave's Graphite 2e flying at the club field last weekend. Very impressed at the flying Dave and the superb quality of the video / music.
Very Interesting flight Information. What's the software package called you use Dave?

Graphite 2e
(taken from Hyperflight's Website)
The Vladimir's Models Graphite 2e is a 3.1m no compromise high performance glider/hotliner for experienced r/c electric glider modellers. The aerodynamic qualities have been further improved over the original Graphite with the assistance of Dr Drela.

The wing uses the popular MH32 section, is all molded, and of exceptional quality and surface finish, with the lay-up designed to combine extraordinary strength with comparative low weight.

The resulting performance is outstanding, and the glider’s toughness allows it to survive the rigours of competition and slope flying. Suitable for F5J competitions.

See this copy of a lost RCMF
Hyperflight / Vladimir's model Graphite 2E Build Thread for a very high quality build log, with excellent photos, and flight reports.

Construction
The kit is very highly prefabricated, and can be assembled in a short time.

Fuselage - coloured, gelcoated and laminated in the aluminium mould. It's made of kevlar and carbon and has a removable nosecone. Its keel for the RC mounting is made of carbon together with the ballast mounting tube.

Wing - coloured, three-section gel coated and laminated in the aluminium mould, has sandwich construction and is made of the materials according to the version. It has a high-tech carbon spar and joiners. THE AILERONS and flaps are completely ready and hinged. They also have wipers closing up the slot when aileron/flap operates.

Tailplane - coloured two section gel coated and laminated in the aluminium mould, has sandwich construction and is made of HEREX and fiberglass. It has a carbon spar and joiners. The elevators are ready and hinged. They have wipers closing up the slot.

Accessories - screws, horns, clevis, metal plugs wing pushrods, carbon pushrod for the elevator, servos covering plates and tow hook. They are of exceptional quality

Non-supplied parts - all r/c receiver, battery, switch, connectors, servo mounts. For the electric version: motor, gear, speed controller, battery, spinner, propeller.

Versions
One some sites you may see photos of the V tail version, but we will normally supply the glass wing cross tail version with glider and electric fuses. Carbon wing and V tail versions are available to special order. Our thanks to Justin Barber for use of his excellent Graphite-2e photos. See the glider product page for more Graphite-2 images.
Graphite 2e Specification
Wing span
3.1 m
122 in
Wing area
64.5 dm
1000 sq in
Length
1.515 m
60 in
RTF weight
2030 g - 2500 g
72-88 oz
Wing loading
31-39 g/dm2. 10.3-12.7 oz/sq ft
Wing airfoil
MH32
Stabilizer airfoil
HT14-HT12
Centre of Gravity
108-112 mm from wing leading edge
Controls
Elevator, rudder, flaps, ailerons

The Vladimir's Models Graphite 2e can be built down to approx 2Kg by using very light servos and a lightweight powertrain, making it competitive in UK eSoaring contests. However for general fun flying more substantial servos and a large 1KW powertrain will result in a flying weight of about 2.5Kg


Graphite 2e Weights
Tip panels
491 g
Centre section
571 g
Tailplane
50 g
Electric fuse
185 g
Electric nose
83 g
Accessories
100 g
Total weight
1480 g (52.2 oz)

3 comments:

  1. Its shot on a Mobius ( smallest Cam I have giving minimal drag ) and edited in Final Cut Pro on an iMac. The thermal turns looked OK from the ground but pitch consistency is rubbish from the on-board shot - I think I will have to try the Mobius in its FPV cradle to see if I can sort out the pitch sensitivity a bit... The thermals were quite small bubbles so kept falling off the edges...
    The Altitude/Vario trace was from an Altris V4.

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  2. There is also a 1.9m Graphite as well which is also a superb flyer and I would recommend one to anyone.

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  3. I will do another post soon on the technical stuff in the Graphite - if anyone is interested and maybe one on using a 3D printer to make bits such as servo mounts, a dummy motor and a firewall drilling template...

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