Red Kite (oz16530)

About this Plan

Red Kite. Radio control slope soarer model. Wingspan 64-3/4 in.

Quote (google-translated): "The Red Kite. A glider made of... feathers and bones!

This project had been in my mind for a long time, and now, finally retired, I've been able to devote myself to it full-time. Why a Red Kite (Milvus milvus), you might ask? The reason is simple: three or four years ago, this magnificent bird was reintroduced to my region, England, and now many specimens can be seen. A couple have established their territory near my airfield, no more than twelve kilometers from where the repopulation took place. The Red Kite is a true master of exploiting very weak thermals, capable of turning in very tight circles by swinging its forked tail, and its ability to maneuver at low speed is something no model could ever dream of. These are the reasons that drove me to build it.

The first problem I faced was finding the right proportions. I consulted many ornithology textbooks, but with little success: they all mentioned wingspan and average length, but that was all. Then I found a small plan view, which I enlarged and photocopied, from which I derived the model's proportions.

An even more complex problem was finding data on plumage and coloration. I found many illustrations and photos of the ventral side, but not of the dorsal side, and the result you see here is, at least in part, the product of imagination and personal observation.

Once I had obtained the plan view of the Red Kite, it became clear that its proportions would not be ideal for a model: a very short lever arm, no fin, and a very short nose. Not wanting to introduce a fin to achieve the necessary directional stability, I opted for a V-shaped tail. As I've already mentioned, the Red Kite splits and vigorously twists its tail, thus giving the impression of having a V-shaped rudder. The 121° span provides sufficient directional stability without appearing too out of place.

The wing profile is a Selig S5020-084-86, designed for full-wing aircraft. The profile's reflex allows for near-zero moment, with considerable self-stability. Having had some previous experience with V-tails, I was aware of their less effective nature compared to traditional ones, so I decided to couple the rudder to the ailerons, which, of course, requires the use of a computerized radio.

The next challenge was finding the correct center of gravity. To begin with, I decided that the classic 28-30% would be a good starting point. The movements were designed to have a significant amount of rudder and a small amount of elevator. The ailerons move differentially (more up than down). My intention has always been to fly both on slopes and flats, using the catapult. Another problem, therefore, would have been the positioning of the tow hook..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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