DUMBO

Model designed by Terry Lee

Dumbo 1
Dumbo 2

This is a 'lash up' of my proposed DUMBO flying elephant. I had some polystyrene sheets taking up too much space in my workshop, so I thought I would cut it up to save space. I made a few paper templates & cut out the body parts of Dumbo just to get an idea of the final size it would turn out. Held together with parcel tape & tent pegs, here you see the result. During this exercise, I found one or two potential problems that I could cure at this stage instead of waiting to find out on the flying model. Earspan is 6 foot, proposed power is to be a Super Tigre 61 (the biggest I have).

Originally built as a 'tail dragger' with the wheels in the front legs, but the high thrust line simply nosed it over. It will be rebuilt as a trike next time, probably with electric power.

For initial flights, model was unpainted & simply left in it's brown paper covering (no point painting it, until you know it flies)

These are video 'grabs' (because I dont have any proper photos) taken during the first attempts at getting Dumbo to fly. First shows the front legs with the wheels inside. Second shows it nosing over due to the high thrust line.

Dumbo 3 Dumbo 5

Video of Dumbo's first flight attempts.

Note, the front legs are missing due to a bad launch on the first attempts.
It has not flown since, due to modifications to try & make it 'rise off ground' instead of hand launching.


Dumbo top Dumbo front Dumbo side

March 1st 2009

A few pictures of the finished 'Dumbo' - now fitted with tricycle U/C, including a 'Nose' wheel in the trunk!
Painted a blue/gray colour with pink under the ears & freshly manicured toe nails