airfoil needed

[normblitch]

(as I get back into E-fly RC)

... I've been doing a lot of "virtual Modeling" of late...

can anyone recall the original airfoil on the Berkley Bucanneer?

Norm in Jax

[Sky Sharkster]

Hello Norm, Welcome to Wattflyer! I don't know what airfoil was used on the Buccaneer, but may have a way for you to find out, There are at least two kits or plan sources from the original Berkeley kit; http://home.comcast.net/~bsli40/Page4.html#Old%20Timer%20Kits (Replica Kit) and;
http://www.freeflightmodels.com/pages/aerodyneproducts/old_timer_powered.htm (Plan Set # AD 1983)
I'd imagine if you emailed either of these companies, they would know.
Also, a great FREE online plan and airfoil source, Profili, has plans for the "Buc", http://www.profili2.com/ip_eng/default.htm (http://www.profili2.com/ip_eng/default.htm) Click on "Plans + Drawings", under "By Name" enter "Buccaneer". Full construction 3-view with wing rib shown.
If I had to guess, I'd say it's the Ol' reliable NACA 6409. Could also be a Grant or Goldberg section.
Good Luck!
Ron

[normblitch]

Hello Norm, Welcome to Wattflyer! I don't know what airfoil was used on the Buccaneer, but may have a way for you to find out, There are at least two kits or plan sources from the original Berkeley kit; http://home.comcast.net/~bsli40/Page4.html#Old%20Timer%20Kits (Replica Kit) and;
http://www.freeflightmodels.com/pages/aerodyneproducts/old_timer_powered.htm (Plan Set # AD 1983)
I'd imagine if you emailed either of these companies, they would know.
Also, a great FREE online plan and airfoil source, Profili, has plans for the "Buc", http://www.profili2.com/ip_eng/default.htm (http://www.profili2.com/ip_eng/default.htm) Click on "Plans + Drawings", under "By Name" enter "Buccaneer". Full construction 3-view with wing rib shown.
If I had to guess, I'd say it's the Ol' reliable NACA 6409. Could also be a Grant or Goldberg section.
Good Luck!
Ron

Ron,

Thanks!

I have a copy of the full-size plans, and the small set in FZ's Yearbook ... I haven't done a full 14" plot using Compufoil yet, but the small size in the yearbook looks VERY close; maybe the front under-hump is a tad fuller than generated by a 6409...

Norm

[normblitch]

If I had to guess, I'd say it's the Ol' reliable NACA 6409. Could also be a Grant or Goldberg section.
Good Luck!
Ron

Ron,

NACA 6409 IS too thin... I'm lofting a 6412 to see if it is closer...

Norm

[normblitch]

Ron,

NACA 6409 IS too thin... I'm lofting a 6412 to see if it is closer...

Norm

...6412 is too fat (getting a bit like Goldielocks and the Bears et al ...)

I ran across the Grant X series yesterday...it looks a bit like a likely suspect... I may input these coordinates into CompuFoil soon to try one...

Norm

[Sky Sharkster]

Hi Norm, If you find that none of the airfoils available at the time of the original design are exactly correct, there is the possibility the designer took what was available and modified it. I've seen this happen in Free Flight designs, a proven quanity like one of the Benedek series gets a "make-over" and becomes "new" or "original". Not exactly a crime, more of a mis-representation!
Just an idea,
Ron

[normblitch]

Hi Norm, If you find that none of the airfoils available at the time of the original design are exactly correct, there is the possibility the designer took what was available and modified it. I've seen this happen in Free Flight designs, a proven quanity like one of the Benedek series gets a "make-over" and becomes "new" or "original". Not exactly a crime, more of a mis-representation!
Just an idea,
Ron

Ron,

While substitution IS certainly a viable concept for Sport Flying, AFAIR SAM Old-Timer Rules require the use of the original foil. Before I try to be THAT MUCH of a Luddite as to try to cut my own ribs (:rolleyes: ), I would rather research the original foil in order to have it Laser Cut...

Norm
Lazy in Jax

[Sky Sharkster]

Hello Norm, I wasn't suggesting that you change the airfoil, I meant that whomever designed the plane originally may not have used a "standard" section, in which case you would not be able to match it to published coordinates.
Ron