Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Tips, Tools & Techniques => Topic started by: Squidly Doom on February 13, 2020, 08:07:58 AM

Title: Pitch and balance realism?
Post by: Squidly Doom on February 13, 2020, 08:07:58 AM

Hi all, I'm just starting out with digital models and was wondering if anyone had any advice for ensuring a fictional plane would have decent pitch control and balance? I've been using
this calculator meant for RC planes (https://www.ecalc.ch/cgcalc.php?deeplink=Spitfire%20Mk%2047%20(Example);cm;41.5;41.5;34.5;21.5;13.5;0;0;2;7;9.5;13.5;21.5;35;26.5;10;3.5;0.8;13.5;13.5;18.5;15;6.5;0;0;0;2.5;7.5;10;2.5;3;16.5;10.5;2.5;99;25;10;) for balance and came up with these:
(https://i.imgur.com/YIHUUokm.png?1) (https://i.imgur.com/oc6Rj3am.png?1)
I've no idea how to tell if the elevons aren't far back enough or if the canard could compensate for it however.
Thanks for any help :smiley:

Title: Re: Pitch and balance realism?
Post by: Kerick on February 13, 2020, 12:21:49 PM

Well, it sure looks good!!
I would say you are on the right track.

Title: Re: Pitch and balance realism?
Post by: perttime on February 13, 2020, 11:16:52 PM

Using that calculator should get you close enough. Not everybody is all that concerned about such realism....

Title: Re: Pitch and balance realism?
Post by: Squidly Doom on February 14, 2020, 01:25:41 PM

It won't tell you anything about where to put the control surfaces though.

Title: Re: Pitch and balance realism?
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 15, 2020, 02:06:37 AM

Your design looks somewhat similar to the Swiss ALR Piranha design so maybe that can assist for the purposes of this:

(http://www.alr-aerospace.ch/images/PiranhaSide.png)
(http://www.alr-aerospace.ch/images/PiranhaTop.png)

Title: Re: Pitch and balance realism?
Post by: Squidly Doom on February 15, 2020, 10:36:56 AM

Woah.. It does...
Thanks! I'll put the wing geometry of that in the calculator and see what happens.

Title: Re: Pitch and balance realism?
Post by: Kerick on February 15, 2020, 01:04:26 PM

Gerry Anderson never let these details bother him!
Seriously, sounds like a good tool to get things into the world of the plausible.