socrunningman

Ambition has got the best of me, I am nearing the end of a design process for a second model zeppelin. This time I am going to go for an aerostatic (think aerodinamic but for airships) streamlined shape based off of the LZ129 and LZ130 (my last model was roughly based off of the LZ4 or LZ10)

After testing many materials I have determined that the use of two types of paper (A4 20lb & A4 cardstock) and epoxy resin can create a lighter structure than my last model while increasing the size and the stream of air over the surface(my last design had control problems, ironically similar to that of Zeppelins first few crafts, because the air flow was not directed over the control surfaces.)

I am also going to Up the Power of the engines, and have 4 instead of 2, and have full working rudders and elevators(my last model used the two props to steer, to go up full power was applied, to descend less than that was applied)

The Gas bags will be mylar this time(rather than the heavy duty trash bags used last time) and will fly off of helium(not hydrogen like my last model.)

Lastly the battery life should be about 15min at full power(approx 40knots) my last model was in a fight against the wind that it lost on it’s 4th flight, so the power and endurance, as well as the improved controls should solve the problems encountered by high winds and trees. (I plan to dive down to the ground and set it down if the same thing happens this time, last time I could not do that because there was not enough power to fight against the wind, and as I flew full power the craft only rose higher in the air. sure enough after the craft was in the tree the wind stopped and wasn’t around for the rest of the day [well, in that force or durration])

If I where to build it true to scale these would be the dimensions.

Design TH002A
Scale 1:50
Length 16’4”
Max Diameter 2’8.5”

However beautiful this design would be it is only marginally practical, therefore I plan on making one of these two concepts

Design TH002B
Scale 1:50
Length 16’
Max Diameter 3’6”
Approx lift 2170g

Design TH002C
Scale 1:50
Length 16’
Max Diameter 4’
Approx lift 2840g

C would be the best lifter, but the drag(increasing at a sq to the diameter) would be quite large and take away from the streamlined flow of the craft, therefore I plan on designing model B.

The structure will be made out of Paper and epoxy, of which I can acquire at practically no cost at my school. I will have to buy some cardstock for the main rings which need to provide more support. The skin will be paper, this way it serves as both an aerodynamic improvement on the surface, and also serves as the struts linking the rings, lowering the total weight of the craft.

I am still looking at different radio packages, but it looks like I will be spending about $300 or R/C gear. Once I determine the flight system I will post it here.

With that, does anyone have Ideas or questions to help me brain storm a little more? I plan to start construction of the body in about two weeks using the B model.

COMPLEATE!!!

COMPLEATE!!!, the Zeppelin is compleated, whats even more amazing is that it got super cold in my house last night, so me being the crazy person I am(if you don’t belive I am crazy, may I remind you that I built a zeppelin in my house in under two weeks) filled the cavity with hot air(it was around 30 in the house downstairs at that time, and I filled it with hot air from a camping stove keeping the door open making it slightly colder) the differance in tempiture worked, if only for a few minutes, and it floated in the air for a full two minutes before loosing tempiture and droping to the ground. none the less, I consider this an initial success in flight, now to get it ready for a flight in the feild house after custom making some sort of bag or getting balloons to put inside(I am still working on this all important step)