Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[glowworm]

hi folks,
          after successfully making a "griffon" hovercraft and now halfway through a build of a russian "christy" hovercraft (scratch built), i am now thinking of my third one and this is where i need the help. i want to make a round hovercraft based on a typical "flying saucer or u.f.o. shape". i can make the model, i am also ok with the lift motor. my problem is -- i do not want push motors with props or rudders mounted on the top. i was wondering if the steering could be done by directing some of the lift air through ducts (open/shut valves) out the sides or rear of the model. the motor for lift would be a large "540" size brushless motor and 9.6 nimh battery. the model will be 21-24 diameter. if anyone has any helpfull suggestions (forget the wisecracks you hovercraft-hating lot) it would be very much appreciated.
                                               cheers.  glowworm,   (chris).

[DickyD]

Wise cracks, us ???  Never. Round, is this like a ball ?  

I used to have a hover, mowed the lawn a treat Chris.

[Big Ada]

Hi Chris,

Got any Photos of your Hovercraft ?.
What would be a good one to start with, I would want to scratch buld.

Len.

[hover tim]

have a look at the SRN1 she had ducts on that directed the air see link http://www.australianhovercraft.com/new_page_2.htm as for an ideal firts hovercrfta the Griffon 2000 is ideal man have been built and the desing is farily simple see http://www.model-hovercraft.com/2000tdx/2000tdx.html

[glowworm]

hi len,
        my "griffon" was built using mark porters plan which i got from the internet, and with the help of a very good friend who has already made several of these. i didn't take any build photos but the finished model can be seen on the link from my name our club website - srcmbc - "solent radio control model boat club", or type - "chris chattaways hovercraft" into utube. i shall try and take build photos of the "christy" and also my round one if it ever gets off the drawing board.
                                                          glowworm.
and to richard -- you cheeky sod.------- hovercrafts rule --- especially over those horrible grey lumps you call warships, ha, ha. see you at the pond.

[Sub driver]

Hi.

You can mount 2 ducted fan units either side of centre line for thrust...but you will need a gyro for stabilisation.

A round H/Craft will spin VERY easily hence the gyro..

I built the SRN1 once hovered gt  but not enough thrust from the side vents so scrapped it.

regards Sub.

[glowworm]

hi sub,
         you say that you once built an SRN1, what motor did you use for lift?. was it big and heavy and how much air actually pushed out of the ducts. did it actually move at all?. any tech details would certainly help. what material did you use for your model and what batteries.
                                                             cheers,
                                                              chris,    (glowworm)

[Ivor Bittle]

This thread is very timely because I am building a hovercraft. I am building it in two stages, the hull and lift system and the thrusters/directional control system. The lift system is working and I can lift 9 pounds using a 3 inch GWS ducted fan unit drawing 25 watts, 6 volts and 4 amps. I have in mind two smaller GWS units for the thrusters and mixing them on two sticks to steer using the aileron channel and the elevator channel for speed. I wondered about the stability of such a system and now someone warns that I might need a gyro.

I have never used a gyro so what I really need to know is how the gyro is incorporated in the steering system? Any advice would be appreciated.

Ivor Bittle

[glowworm]

hi ivor,
         i have sent you an instant message, i hope this helps.
                                        chris.   (glowworm).