Gulp - 60 inch DS Wing. Its Bigger than a Swallow!
Posted by Greg Smith on Feb 27, 2002, 22:55
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GULP
The GULP is designed and kitted by Steve Drake. It is an 60 inch flying wing with a cool fuselage shape. It is an EPP model designed for maximum DSing. Steve uses the proven MH-45 airfoil on the GULP.
The fuse is large enough to house all the radio gear internally. I used Hitec HS-225 servos and strip aileron controls to keep everything clean.
Specs
Airfoil: MH-45 modified
Span: 60 inches
Area: 570 sq/in
Surface loading: 9.1 oz/sqft
Weight: 36oz
Control: Elevons
Radio: GWS 8 channel receiver, Hitec HS-225MGs, 1400 mah pack.
See pictures of the building of the Gulp.
Here are pictures of Greg’s GULP. Gotta make sure you know which side is which when DSing!
04/06/02 - Update
I got the new Gulp from Steve and he has added a nice touch to the kit. It now has the spar cavities routed out. Should make building faster and because they are the exact size for the included spars it may save a bit of Goop weight.
I’ve had a couple more days on the original and I am still very happy with it. I had a rude landing at Warnimont Park with it and walked away with no damage. Tough slopers rule!
03/22/02 - Update
Well, the minor repairs from the DS sessions in Kansas have been made and I have flown the Gulp several times in the last few days. It continues to impress me. It is nearly as fast as a 60 inch composite plane yet will hang in relatively light lift. On our hills it likes about 10-12 mph at least so it isn’t quite a Zagi THL but it is a heck of a lot better flying plane! I’ve got a DLG for when the lift is real light anyway. When the wind pick up the Gulp is just a joy to fly and that along with the incredible durability has put it on my “must have” list. I have already ordered another from Steve Drake. I wouldn’t want to be without one.
03/07/02 - 03/10/02 Flying at Wilson Lake in Kansas
I tried to do the Gulp in this weekend DSing at the dam at Wilson Lake in Kansas. It was howling at 35 to 40 and I had 22 ounces in the custom ballast tube in the wing. The DS circuit is about 10 feet off the deck in some places and meetings with the ground were inevitable. Besides blowing off the epoxyed on carbon wing tips, damage was limited to torn Ultracote and a slightly compressed nose. Did I mention that the lake side of the dam is all sharp boulders? I am replacing the carbon tips with EPP and covering with tape and Ultracote.
We also had a brief foamy pylon race. I races 2 regular JW's and a new JW XL. The GULP smoked them. It turns better and pulls them on the straights. Steve, you may be getting an order or two out of Kansas. Everyone who saw it fly was very impressed.
02/10/02 - The first flight of the GULP in 25 mph winds with blowing snow and 30 degree temperature! It flies very well. I set it up per the instructions and they seem to be pretty close.
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