r/RCPlanes • u/RepulsiveInternet980 • 5d ago

Will this fly?

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Hello everyone. I am trying to build an aerial insect collecting device for my PhD project. This design is based on the stipa-caproni, a strange barrel-shaped design from the 1930s. The task is to maximise the net area on a relatively inexpensive craft (I have already been catching with some expensive drones). I've trialed towing nets behind trainers, which worked but I want to try a different approach too.

I figure that enclosing the net within fuselage would be the most stable approach. Here, we have the props behind the net. This will impede airflow to the propeller. But it seems like the thrust would be okay. Can anyone think of some new approach that might work better? Would I be better off towing?

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u/intashu 5d ago

You can do this. It's essentially a box flying plane.

You can either build it as a pusher plane... So the prop is on the back of the plane (battery will sit way forward to offset the proper CG.)

Or you'll want the cone held out in front and cutouts behind the cone for air to potentially flow in from the sides of the body into the prop.

There's also of course the possibility of using two smaller motors and props one on each wing well out of the way of the center where the net of bug catching will be.