Backstrom EPB-1C "Flying Plank"

loopingfred

Hi there,

So, here are a few photos of my "latest" build !

Well, I've decided before going to Retroplane, that I needed a backup plan in case the Opel Rak wouldn't fly... So, a week before heading to France, on the Retroplane forum, i've contacted Claude L telling him that I was interrested in his plan for this flying wing (the full thread, in French, can be seen HERE )
Note that as far as I know, Claude is selling the plan for this wing. Contact him or myself if interrested !
Scale is 1/4, and the wing span is 2 mtrs.

Well, a flying wing, you just have a big wing to build ! So, in a week, that should do it !

A photo of the real thing :



As usual for me now, I've cutted all the pieces with the cnc machine. Put the file in the machine, wait 1 hour, and here you go with a nice kit :



Of course, you start with the .. wings !



No comments here... The ribs are made of 3mm balsa. The only tricky part is the wing tips, due to the profile used (autostability..)

For the fuselage, well, like the Opel, it's really small, and is built quickly :



So, after 2 days, you have this :



Now, I can't find more pictures of the building :?:

Just for the story, I've brought the Backstrom with me at Retroplane, finished and painted, just the servos to be plugged... But too busy during the meeting, I did not take time to complete the job. And the Opel was flying too !

loopingfred

The cockpit :
Seat is made of Depron covered with fabric from an old cord trousers

loopingfred

And to finish :





Yep, that really is a Flying Plank !

First flight soon, I still haven't put the servos :oops:

Note that all the stickers and so on were made by Anthony from www.rubberprintdesign.com. We've tried decals as well, as some of the markings are really small, and too small to make stickers...
Well, Decals is the way to go for small things like that !! Works perfectly ! I've put a layer of varnish on it and it's almost invisible !

Contact Anthony if you need some or want more details !

coolwings

Such a short tail moment ....
The elevator (elevon) control should be lively on that one Fred.

loopingfred

Ah well, this is a flying wing :rolleyes:

For the elevon, that should be fine (large surface etc etc), the only thing that worry me (well, i'm still sleeping at night ) is the rudder efficiency to support the turns. But 45* on each side should fix the problem