New Design - Foxhound
 

Not a simple design, but ought to be a good challenge for a Skill Level 4 model. The deployment velocities are a little high on some of the sim runs, but the averages are not that bad.

In my head, I envision working it up into a carrier/glider combo. The upper pod would be the gliding portion. In this version, however, it's just a fixed component.

Length: 26.65"
Diameter: 1.04" (ST-10)
Fin Span: 7.35"
Weight: 1.75 oz


B4-4......370'......Dv 16 FPS
B6-4......381'......Dv 13 FPS
C6-5......860'......Dv 26 FPS


All engines reach safe flight velocity on a 36" x 1/8" standard rod. The A8-3 is not recommended.

Enjoy!

New Patterns -- Foxhound (2010)
 

Here are the fin sheet patterns and the transition pattern for this model.

One sheet, 3/32" thick, two required. One sheet, 1/16" thick, one required. One sheet, 0.05" matteboard, one required.

Also, after taking note of the diameter of the two lower fin pods as being 0.25", I have changed these to 0.26" diameter to match the size of ST-2 tubing. A pattern is included to show how the two cones should look with their shoulders still attached. Both are elliptical, one is 1" long and the other is 2" long. I figured it would be better if they were made as general-purpose for manufacturing as possible. The proposed designations are BC-210E and BC-220E.

All images are zipped together for simplicity (YORF 5-file limitation).

Revised Pattern Files
 

I've made a slight correction to the tip of the lower main fins. The tip edge now conforms to the curve of the BC-220E. This means the tip won't need to be hand-cut or sanded to match the shape.

The ZIP file contains all of the pattern files in both CDR and JPG formats.

Another Revision
 

I'm making two changes to Fin Sheet 1 (main upper and lower fins). First, the thickness has been increased to 1/8" from 3/32". This allows the 1/8" dowel probe to blend into the fin better with just a little FNF. The second change is a recess cut for the probe to fit into, giving it a little more surface area to hold onto.

Yes, I'm trying to get this one ready as a prototype... :D

Alignment Guide Templates
 

This sheet contains a set of alignment guides to help in the assembly of the Foxhound. Included in the set:

• Pair of guides for the upper main fins. 180 degrees, attached to upper pod.
• Pair of guides for the lower main fins, set at +120 and -120 degrees to the lower pod.
• Pair of guides for equally-spaced cooling fins on the main body tube.
• Pair of guides for holding the upper pod to the rear outer tube.
• Pair of guides for holding the lower pod to the main body tube.
• Pair of guides for holding the fin tip pods to the lower fins.

The guides are cut from a 6" x 12" piece of 0.05" matteboard.

Upcoming Revisions
 

I'm actually trying to work up a decal set for this one. Nothing overly complicated, just enough to keep it from being 'plain vanilla'...

There is an update to both the alignment guides and the fin sheets that I'll be posting soon. Minor touches to be sure, but when someone builds this thing, these changes should make the assembly process easier. I'm spending some additional time working out the 'parts-fit' kinks.

Given time, I should also have a PDF of instructions to post. :D

Thanks for all the interest you've shown through your views and downloads!

Plan Update
 

Here is a revised RKT file, showing some of the corrections to parts. Also included is the first 3D rendering with some of the decals added.

More 3D Renderings
 

Here are some additional 3D views of where I'm going with the decals. Not something 'written in stone' yet, but still the direction I'm leaning.

Latest Updates
 

After posting the first versions of the fin sheets and some basic alignment guides, I was naturally not fully satisfied with the way they went together. This led me into a subtask of reworking the guides, which turned into a real project in its own right. I think the guides are at least as complicated, if not more so, than the model itself.

Here are some of the changes in the reworked files:

• Upper main fins are 1/8" thick balsa.
• Lower main fins are back to 3/32" thick balsa.
• Outer tips of the lower main fins are contoured to match the BC-220 ellipse.
• Upper vertical fins remain at 1/16" balsa.
• The 1/8" dowels are now recessed into the upper main fin, and terminate with square-cut ends.
• The cooling fins are now 0.05" matteboard.
• The radiators are 0.02" matteboard.
• There are now three sets of alignment guides, all made from 0.05" matteboard.
• * --- Cooling fin guide.
• * --- Lower pod guide.
• * --- Upper pod guide.
• The lower pod guide keys off the cooling fins for its alignment.
• The lower pod guide divides into two guides when attaching the pod to the main body.
• The upper pod guide uses the lower main fins for positioning.

As mentioned, I'm trying to make the fit of the parts better, and with this model as complex as it is, those guides are much-needed. Now I'm trying to finish up the decals, and get the PDF started.

The files are divided up into four groups:

• Corel DRAW 10 file set of fin sheets (6 sheets), includes cardstock transition.
• Corel DRAW 10 file set of alignment guide sheets (5 sheets).
• JPG set of fin sheets (6 images), includes cardstock transition.
• JPG set of alignment guide sheets (5 images).

If anyone finds a problem with the files, especially in how the guide pieces fit together, please post a message here. I want these files to be as complete and accurate as possible.