New EPP Wing for DS and Rad Frontside.
Posted by Mike Goldston on Nov 14, 2002, 18:36
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| Mike's Bluto at the Emmett Slope near Star, ID |
Bluto
Specs
Airfoil: Custom Harris Nelson
Span: 48” (new 56” version)
Wing Area: 378 sq. in.
Surface Loading: 8-11 oz/sq. ft.
Weight: 21 oz, Ballasted: up to 29 oz
Control: Elevons
Radio: Hitec 555, HS-85MG, 270 mAhr battery, Hollyday Switchjack (optional)
Purchased from NCFM www.northcountyflyingmachines.com
I purchased the Bluto after hearing rave feedback on the newsgroups. After building and flying a couple of Zagi’s and a Boomerang for some time, this was to be my third wing; and I was looking for something fast, acrobatic and yet durable. I was not to be disappointed.
The Bluto seems more akin to a 60” slope racer than a combat wing, and promotes very aggressive flying. Building the Bluto was a kick. The guys from NCFM have used some novel ideas, and I enjoyed learning some new tricks. If you have built most any other EPP foam kit, then the Bluto should be relatively straightforward. Just take your time and use the website for helpful hints, building pictures, and FAQ. The most challenging part for me was making the ballast tube. Having little experience working with fiber glass, I was hesitant to try it. However, following Ian Frechette’s excellent guide posted on the website, it came out just fine. By all means make provision for ballast on the Bluto. Its speed and performance really shine when lift conditions are strong, and you add ballast. NCFM also describes an alternative ballast tube using a solid copper/brass tube instead of the FG. I like the design of the vertical stabilizer. The CF boom slides into a polypropylene tube which is epoxied into the rear of the center section. The boom and chloroplast stabilizer rotate to pretty much eliminate damage to the stabilizer when landing or crashing. Recommended covering material is Ultracote. Make sure you get a light coating of 3M 777 spray glue on the entire surface in order for it to stick well.
Flying the Bluto allows me to explore nearly all the space at our local slope. The Bluto retains energy and penetrates better than any foamie I’ve seen. Get radical! Dive deeper; fly further behind the slope; roll it low across the slope. Fly continuous big loops or multiple outside loops. Fly upside down nearly as easy as right-side-up; hardly a touch of down stick required. Roll rate is very fast and making 2-4 rolls at speed is easy. Survive horrific crashes! But, have a few extra control horns and servo arms. Dual rate settings on your transmitter are highly recommended. The Bluto has an interesting stall characteristic. It begins to hump up and down in what NCFM calls “hyperstall”. It does keep flying, looking for more speed or lift.
Being DS impaired, I have not experienced one of the techniques it was really designed to do. But, I find plenty to keep me excited on the front side. I’m looking forward to learning to DS some day soon!
Mike Goldston
Star, Idaho
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