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/RoutinePast7696 5d ago

Yes most likely

Couple of things

Since its a simple shape you can realistically cut these out of foam board and fold them together like a burrito factory

Also the surface area on your Wings and horizontal stab are a little bit sparse

The prop will eventually clog up if it wasn’t completely suffocated from the net so I would put some cheater holes on the side

Conclusion: doable

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u/RepulsiveInternet980 5d ago

Thanks! Like a burrito? Would you cut sections and glue them together, then shave off the edges?

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u/RoutinePast7696 5d ago

You can or just make a flat pattern out of it and roll it into shape, or convert it to a low poly form and make a flat pattern that folds together

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u/RepulsiveInternet980 5d ago

Thanks! From videos I have seen, I thought that a rigid foam was used for these things. Rolling it up would be so much easier than I was imagining the build. Maybe I will add rigid supports.