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Joined-Wing Skycar ( 38.5 in. / 97.8 cm )


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Joined-Wing Skycar model airplane plan

Joined-Wing Skycar

RCModeler's Joined-Wing Skycar

The Skycar is a most unusual sport aircraft designed by Ken Willard and Bob Andris, that features a novel "joined wing" aircraft configuration developed by Julian Wolkovitch in the early 1980s. The JW configuration can best be described as two tandem wings arranged in a diamond configuration. Although the Skycar design uses a vertical stabilizer, a conventional horizontal stabilizer isn't required, and the rearward wing panels contain "strip" ailerons and elevator surfaces. The JW's technical advantages include strong and stiff structure, lighter weight, greater lift, and less drag than conventionally designed aircraft. Boeing and NASA investigated the JW configuration with proto-design flight tests in the late 1980s, evaluating stability, control, and performance for commercial passenger aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. The model design presented in the plans is a pusher engine design (an OS .10 is shown on the plans) and features all-balsa construction. Although the Skycar's construction is straightforward, prospective builders should pay particular attention to the importance of maintaining proper alignment of the "diamond shape" wing surfaces.
UPDATE: AeroFred editor "hogal" has raised the valid point that although Julian Wolkovitch is credited with the 'joined wing' design configuration in the 1980s, due credit belongs to Britishers Norman Hall-Warren and Rex Young who developed the original joined wing design approach in 1926(!) and received a British patent in 1937. A 36" span free flight model was published in Aeromodeller magazine, the "Ace of Diamonds", August 1958.
UPDATE(2): In the 80s and 90s, interest in the joined-wing concept was high, based on the aerodynamics advantages for High Altitude/Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs. American and British researchers published numerous technical analyses on performance, parametric sensitivities, flutter margins, and other aerodynamic topics backed up by extensive numerical analyses, wind tunnel tests, and fairly large-scale remote control test models. Curiously, all the researchers credited Wolkovitch with the joined wing concept, even the British researchers, and Wolkovitch was awarded several American patents on various aspects of the joined wing approach.
UPDATE(3): In the original RCM article on the model aviation Skycar, model designers/builders/fliers Ken Willard and Bob Andris established contact with Norman Hall-Warren and copies of their correspondence are included in the RCM article, quite fascinating! http://outerzone.co.uk/planfile_supplement/6551/Skycar_oz6551_article.pdf To the best of my knowledge, the Willard/Andris article is the best
"circle back" to the original joined wing designers, something that escaped all the joined wing researchers in the 80s and 90s.

Link to this page: https://aerofred.com/details.php?image_id=90836

Sources: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4365773.html
Sources: https://books.google.com/books?id=f2_sPyfVG3AC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Details: Full Details
ID: 90836
File Size: 1.8 MB
Type: Airplane
Class: Radio-Control
Use: Sport
Motor: Glow-Powered
Motor Size:0.049-To-0.15-CI (2-strokes)
Wingspan: 38.5 in. / 97.8 cm
Publisher: RCModeler
Magazines:  More at RCBookcase
Pub. Ref: 402
Designer: Ken Willard, Bob Andris
Date: 08/1969
Weight Class:300g-To-500g (10.5oz-To-17.6oz)
Material:Various-Wood-Types
Listing Editor: aeroastro
Added: 24/05/2015 10:14
Updated: 24/05/17 05:35:40am
Corrections? Contact aeroastro
Need Help? Forum
Filetype: .pdfSoftware for .pdf files

Member Profile for aeroastro

Hi! I'm aeroastro

Fascinated with model aviation since a youngster, my modeling experience includes control-line, indoor modeling, competition free flight, r/c competition thermal sailplanes, r/c electric powered models, and more recently, Giant Scale r/c models. After gaining an MIT Aeronautical/Astronautical degree, I served 29 years in the USAF in the space and missile fields, serving as Program Manager for two major space programs. Presently retired and residing in Southern California, enjoying its year-around excellent

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Plan Attributes: Edit Attributes
Plan ID:90836
Keywords:Skycar joined wing willard andris wolkovitch diamond wing Norman Hall-Warren Ace of Diamonds
Class:Radio-Control
Model Type:Airplane
Channels:4-ch
Functions:Ailerons-Elevator-Rudder-Throttle
Aircraft Use:Sport
Wingspan: 38.5 in. / 97.8 cm
Wingspan Class:75cm-To-100cm (30in-To-40in)
Wing Position:Multiple-Wings
Wing Style:Straight-Wing-Trap
Wing Dihedral:Dihedral
Landing Gear:Tricycle
Motor Type:Glow-Powered
Motor Size:0.049-To-0.15-CI (2-strokes)
Number of Motors:1-Pusher
Weight Class:300g-To-500g (10.5oz-To-17.6oz)
Material:Various-Wood-Types
Construction Skills:Novice
Pilot Skills:Novice
Publisher:RCModeler
Magazines:  More at RCBookcase
Date:08/1969
Reference:402
Designer:Ken Willard, Bob Andris
Restorer:H.E
Category:AeroModeller
Similar:Plans like Joined-Wing Skycar
File Details:
Date:24/05/2015 10:14
Views:4515
Downloads:206
Rating:3.00(2Votes)
File size:1.8 MB
File Details:
Date:24/05/2015 10:14
Views:4515
Downloads:206
Rating:3.00(2Votes)
File size:1.8 MB

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Comments & Corrections
Do you have questions, comments or corrections about the Joined-Wing Skycar? Your input will surely help others to build this model...

Joined wing plane hogal on 19/05/2017 04:36
It seems stange to me that this plane was hosted as a new concept in the 80's when the Ace of Diamonds designed by George Wools first appeared in the August 58 Aeromodeller. In the article descibing the design George attributes the concept to Norman Hall-Warren and Rex Young who were granted a patent in December 1937. He also goes on to descibe the concept of the wing and how it is thought to work.

I must also say that the Ace of Diamonds is also a much prettier plane although more of a challenge to build.
updates and appropriate credits for the joined wing aircraft configuration aeroastro on 24/05/2017 01:27
Hogal - you have keen eyes and a great memory! I received your comments recently, researched the issues, and have
updated the Skycar writeup appropriately. If you have any comments on my updates, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely
Peter Young ("aeroastro")
pwyoung@ix.netcom.com

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