Kevin Matney

My Feedback: (1)

That is what I'm talking about, some have to follow the rules and some don't!!!!!

Scorpion Racing

Hi Kevin, long time no hear! Let me first assure you, I do not have a "in" with the NMPRA new design approval committee, nor have I violated any rules. I submitted my design in December of 2009, with pictures of the full scale, 3D renderings of my model and full size plans showing 14 sections thru the fuselage. I was given initial approval on my plans in January, and given the green light to proceed in construction. The final approval is based on how accurately the final model resembles my drawings, and meets the minimum NMPRA design criteria. Just in case you missed any of the important construction points, I will walk you thru the high points.

Post #1 - Notice the 3D renderings of the proposed model.
Post #5 - Notice the sections on the (initial approved) plans, used as templates for the plug.
Post #27 - This is the original canopy shape (pointy).
Post #55 - This is the revised canopy (rounded as the full scale) approved thru email with the committee.
Post #58 - Some pictures of the Full scale INVICTUS.
Post #63 - Almost completed Plugs.

If you look at these posts and compare the renderings, drawings and the method used to build the plugs (14 different fuselage sections for top & bottom!) you will see how close to the initial approved plan it really is. In fact, I am using the plan outline as the parting board template! For obvious reasons I have not posted my plans for public view, but I assure you I could show you all the 3D cut-a-ways, aeronautical design notes, fluid dynamic models, CAD files, material templates, and the final lay-up schedules to build the finished racer. Trust me Kevin, I have no special favor with the committee, and Invictus will meet ALL the rules for a 422 racer.

As far as the nose looking like a Polecat, yes it does! The Polecat is also a mid-wing design that was designed very close to the minimum sizes, so they are very close visually. But hey, the Polecat is an awesome looking airplane!! When it is all done, I plan on giving Tom Richard (Owner of the full scale) one painted up like his to hang in their museum, and we will get some pictures to show how close they resemble each other.

If you are still unsure, I will bring my digital calipers and a 1 1/4" ball so you can check the size on the line!

jorgeneo560

i would love to have a copy of your 3d model if you wanna to share or a least a tutorial to desing a q40 plane, i really love this kind of planes, i never see it where i live, theres a lot of sport arf and 3d but not pylon

garys

ALL the Proud Birds?

All the airplanes currently being used have some "unscale" areas. There really isn't any way to avoid it unless the rules required scale outlines within a specific percentage. The being said, Dave English's AR-6 and Scott's Invictus are probably the closest to the actual airplanes as far as keeping the key features and shapes of the real ones.

kane

Gary, I actually forgot about Jim's. So there are two exceptions. I agree that Dave English's airplane is the most scale. And Scott yours is a close second. Keep up the great work.

DK

Scorpion Racing

Thanks Dan, I have tried to maintain the look of the original plane as much as I could. When you squeeze a 40 ft long plane (unlimited) and a 20 ft long plane (formula one) into the same overall dimensions (50"-56" span), the smaller formula planes become very challenging to keep the "look" of the full scale. It was not really meant to be a scale model, but I did want it to be as close to it as I could but still be competitive in Q40. I think everyone will like it in the end.

Thanks for the help along the way Dan!

diggs_74

As far as scale goes, there are some that are a stretch in my opinion.. My Endeavor may be one of them.. That being said, even in the ugly plug state it's in, there is no question what race plane it's modeled after.. Now, what plane is the Sweet-V modeled after? I know the answer, but that's a real stretch in my opinion.. Before all you Sweet-V lovers (and there are many, it's a great flying plane) flame me, I'm not implying any kind of special treatment in the approval process, just making a point regarding the use of the term scale when it comes to Q40 designs..

Kevin Matney

My Feedback: (1)

But the cowls still have to look some what like the real thing! IE like were they start and stop

Scorpion Racing

Kevin,
Take a look at these photos of the full scale. These show the look of the cowling and the cheeks. Notice the cowl tapers in an arc from the spinner outwards and then reverses to cover the valves of the engine. At the main wing LE, it then tapers back into the fuselage just behind the front of the canopy. That is what I also did. Mine begins and completes the front tapers almost exactly in the same location (scaled down) and travels straight back to the wing LE and then arcs back into the fuselage just behind the front of the canopy. As far as the cheeks being just "speed Bumps", remember that you have to use the available spinner for a Q40 engine, as well as have the required 3/4" clearance all around the cylinder head, have the venturi in the airflow and still maintain the overall look of the full scale airplane. Those two dimensions (spinner & cylinder length) dictated how wide the cowl can be and still be NMPRA legal. Heck, I would love to just be able to enclose the engine totally and cut out all that drag!! The other item that controls the cowl is the exposed muffler (not including a shallow channel) which dictates the depth of the cowling.

All in all, conforming to the rules, making it all fit with the available parts and still have it look like the full scale is quite a magic act. But hey, it's all part of the fun and challenges of designing a Q40.

D.E.

Hey Scott,

Dont sweat it you are doing everything per the rules and have gotten your okays along the way like you are supposed to from the people that make the decisions that matter anyway. I know that Jim Allen is kind of a little Hitler when it comes to running a race and scale appearence. He plays no favorites! So keep going there are few enough people that build there own airplanes as it is. Your airplane looks great maybe when you get finished we can trade each other one.

D.E.
Who builds that un-scale Endeavor.

diggs_74

That paint job is going to be a *****

Scorpion Racing

Thanks Endeavor crew! You like the paint job, huh? I am thinking that painting that in the mold the first time might take longer than building the dang plugs!!

diggs_74

Just messing with you Scott..

I'm not planning on painting in the mold other than maybe some white to cover up any pinholes.. I've try painting in the mold on my quickies and it never turns out that great in my opinion.. Probably has something to do with the mold surface not being up to par..

Scorpion Racing

Ha Ha! I actually want to do a couple just like the full scale. One for the owner of the full scale for his museum, and the other to tote around as a show plane. I assure you I am not up to that task yet, I will have to get a master painter like D.E. to do that one for me!

Yeah, I know she is legal and will pass the final inspection just fine. I just get a little touchy sometimes about stupid things. I like comments about how to do things better, or something that might help someone out in future projects. I think the current gestapo leader (OOPS, I mean Jim!) is really making it clear that the planes need to look like the full sized versions. I think that is a good thing.

I also heard from a little birdie that there are a few new designs in the formula one scene coming out in the next few years...

garys

Don't sweat it Scott. Remember this isn't a "scale" event. The airplanes just have to have major features similar to the full scale counterparts they're supposed to represent. Like you said, it's hard to keep things close sometimes due to the restraints of our rules, ect. Some additional leeway has been allowed in areas due to airplanes that were grandfathered in prior to the approval committee, ect. For example, if you look at any Napier that's been raced in Q40, the leading edge of the wings don't have enough sweep back, while the trailing edges have too much sweep forward

D.E.

Scott,

Send me one I willpaint it for ya!

I am talking to a paint manufacturer to try to get set up with all of the toners and formulas to be able to mix small quantities of colors and be able to sell to the model guys. I can sell small amounts of primer, colors and clear.

D.E.

D.E.

Hello Gary,

I see what you mean I looked at a Q40 Napier on line and the wing planform is incorrect!

D.E.

Scorpion Racing

[:@]

kane

Whatever, I think you all are wet behind the ears. The POLECAT/LOKI (That I designed) is the best looking

DK

D.E.

Hello Dan,

I agree, your airplane and Rustys Ashley have been the cream of the crop in Q40 for a long time!

Now appearence I guess you are right mine is kind of ugly or maybe NOT ( Everyone thinks their kid is the cuteist )

D.E.
who is going to dry behind his ears.

kane

Just poking fun. Actually, Rusty's has been around way longer than mine.

Dave, you do have a cute child in a stand at 5 paces kind of way. I just wish it was a little slower. Maybe we could require that it travel to contests on the short bus!

Scott, keep going and I can't wait to see the finished product.

DK

garys

DK, Don't worry, when we bring out the second generation AR-6, the one that you've seen us race will be considered slower!

You can have the pretty planes, I'll take the fast ones

D.E.

DK, I remember you when you were just a cute kid, and most all of you for that matter.

I have looked at myself in the mirror and knew there were no cute offspring in my future!

D.E.

Sorry Scott back to the Invictus GET ER DONE!

diggs_74

I'm with Gary, I'll take an ugly, fast plane over a pretty one that's slow any day.. Of coarse the speed is somewhat relative to the thumbs flying it so I guess the opinions will vary..

kane

Second generation, then the third then the forth. Whatever, I guess you need a benchmark so keep chasing my Loki. Which is PRETTY and FAST! I will take both, not either or.

DK