I have always thought of the AV-8 Harrier as an interesting and cool fighter jet. Ever since I got into the RC hobby I thought it would be great if there was an RC Harrier that was actually capable of vertical or short takeoff and landings (V/STOL). In the past I had searched to see if any company out there made an RC model of the Harrier, but only found a few that could only fly in forward flight. Recently I came across a video on youtube that discussed how the VTOL system works on the Harrier and another of the F35B. After seeing the videos and becoming more familiar with how the V/STOL system works it sparked the question of how feasible would it be to make an EDF of either the AV-8 Harrier or the F-35B that are V/STOL capable.
The V/STOL system is comprised of two systems, the main system directs the trust from the main turbine through four synchronized vectorable nozzles in the Harrier. The other system has smaller valve-controlled nozzles in the nose, tail, and wingtips to provide control at low airspeeds that are tied to the normal control surfaces. Transitioning those system to an RC model would be pretty straight forward as far as making the replica main vectorable nozzles that could be controlled from either a three position switch (3 - full down for vertical takeoff, 2-half way for transitioning from vertical to forward flight or short take off and 1- forward flight) or using one of the variable nobs on the Transmitter for full control.
The only system that I see becoming an issue developing is the smaller valve nozzles that would provide the nose and tail pitch and side to side stabilization. The system could be powered by either tapping the main EDF unit or using a separate air pump. Then employing a gyro to aid in the stabilization control of the nozzles.
It would be great if we could all share our ideas and knowledge to aid in the push for the development of a true RC EDF model of the legendary AV-8 Harrier. It would also be great to hear ideas for the development of an F-35B EDF.
The V/STOL system is comprised of two systems, the main system directs the trust from the main turbine through four synchronized vectorable nozzles in the Harrier. The other system has smaller valve-controlled nozzles in the nose, tail, and wingtips to provide control at low airspeeds that are tied to the normal control surfaces. Transitioning those system to an RC model would be pretty straight forward as far as making the replica main vectorable nozzles that could be controlled from either a three position switch (3 - full down for vertical takeoff, 2-half way for transitioning from vertical to forward flight or short take off and 1- forward flight) or using one of the variable nobs on the Transmitter for full control.
The only system that I see becoming an issue developing is the smaller valve nozzles that would provide the nose and tail pitch and side to side stabilization. The system could be powered by either tapping the main EDF unit or using a separate air pump. Then employing a gyro to aid in the stabilization control of the nozzles.
It would be great if we could all share our ideas and knowledge to aid in the push for the development of a true RC EDF model of the legendary AV-8 Harrier. It would also be great to hear ideas for the development of an F-35B EDF.
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