Mud Duck Aviation Forums

Greg, First off was nice meeting you and the family at Neat this year. And doing business with you. 

I see the foam cor is listed in the build guide, and also the fan fold being used.  Well, mine's going to be electric too, so what about using Depron instead? 

Also, didn't see it in the plans or manual, but what size wire for the landing gear?

Brad, aka Glacier Girl

Hi Brad,

  Thanks! The NEAT Fair had me talking to a lot of modelers and it was great to see so much interest in the Duck models.  I really wish I had an opportunity to get some flights in, especially with all the requests, but I’ll be better prepared next year and sign up for some demo’s.

I remember a couple people mentioning Depron when asking about construction materials, but I guess we didn’t discuss it at the show since your asking.  I don’t know if you bought the Agri-Duck (110”) or Agri-Duck Sport (82.5”) so I will answer separately.

I would discourage using Depron on the big Agri-Duck.  I think it lacks enough strength for the span and weight.  It could be used with the extensive use of carbon fiber rods, but then you have a very expensive plane and too brittle for my liking.  There is so much lift from these wings that it is really unnecessary to try to get it much lighter, especially at the cost of durability and expense.

Durability and expense would still be a factor to make me choose a different material for the Sport, although the span and weight of the 82.5” version is not as big of a structure issue to me as it would be for the full-size version.

If you ask me, your two best choices for material is foamboard or FFF.  Foamboard being the strongest/most durable and cleanest surface; FFF for price, adequate strength/durability, and weight.

I am happy with the results of Sports built from FFF in all aspects other than appearance.  FFF just looks cheaper and shoddy, but you can’t complain about its price, availability, ease of use, etc.

Since I need to market my models and have them looking their best I will usually opt for foamboard due to the superior finish.  I would not use FFF for a glow version either because I doubt it can be sealed as effectively as foamboard to prevent fuel from ruining the airframe.

To answer your question about the landing gear wire; I believe it is noted on the manual somewhere but all the music wire on the plane is 1/8” dia. (that also includes the wing attachment rods)

Thanks again,
Greg

Well just to update. SHE FLEW!!!!!!!
Beating all odds, like using 1/2 blue foam instead of foam board, going electric instead of gas, using Depron for the wings, take off/flying/landing with a cross wind, and she still flew like a dream.

Finally realize what was meant by it flies like a duck. Probably the most unusual flying craft I've ever flown. And once I got the hang of her style, she was a joy to pilot.

She got her maiden nearly a year after completion. In front of a large crowd, including AMA Pres. Dave Matthews!!!!!

Even normally talkative Dave had few words in trying to discribe the flight of the DUCK when he came over to congradulate me.  Until you've flown one you won't understand how hard it is to discribe.

I mean something the size of a VW, with wings, that weighs less then 10 pounds ready to fly just shocks folks. Then to see it in the air, more or less an imitation of a blimp in speed whether taking off, landing, cruising, or even a dive, it's the same speed, kinda like it's weightless just hanging in the air.

On my maiden with the winds, I could cut the throttle and it would just hang in the air like it was a bird in a thermal. No prop ticking over, yet it would fly around, even climb, just by wind power.

Greg kudos to you in bringing back such a fun bird. And be on the look out for some orders. Everyone I talked to about it wanted to know where to get one.

And everyone in my club and the host club wanted a shot at taking over the sticks once they saw how well it flew.

Hi Brad,

  She Looks Awesome!  Congratulations on the successful maiden and all the attention!  Get used to it; Ducks really draw attention and yours is all the more eye-catching!

  What event did you attend that Dave Matthews was at? Again, I am very happy for your successful flight and thanks for all the gratitude. I hope you enjoy your Duck for many years to come.

Thanks again,
Greg

Greg, I belong to the Badius Boys Flying Club Inc. We're the first total internet based flying club, from our forums over on RCU. I normally host our annual fly in. We all gather(members from all over the US, Canada, UK, Oz land, Japan, and a few other places)for a week plus of family fun.

This year with my move to Lakeland Florida, another member offered to host this years meet in NY.
We gathered at the Marcellus Flying field, a private airstrip and AMA field.

Dave was the big cheeze for that district's AMA before becoming Pres. We even got Dave's blessing for the fly in this year, as a lot of the club's memebers aren't AMA.

Dave even made time to show up and do some flying of his own.

Anyhow, if you get time stop by our private forum. Lot of great folks there.  www.badiusownersclub.com/forum2

I'll be sure to stop by the Badius forums.  

By the way  Check your email address in your profile on these (MDA) forums, I keep getting my PM responses (to you) bounced back as your address is unrecognized.  Do you have a new address since you moved or maybe it's mis-spelled?  Nevermind you responded so you got the PM, oh well another ghost in the machine