Freewing B17 assembly

[inthewind]

Just started assembling this great bird. The Chinese instructions are very vague to say the least. Got to where I was putting the engine cabins in the wings and their instructions state L1 and L2 one one side etc. Now comes the problem. They state that both normal/standard props go on left side and reversing props go on the right. Yet motion rc when I ordered extra ones state that each side gets a normal/standard one and a reversing one. Does anyone know the right sequence?

[Konrad]

RE: Freewing B17 assembly

There is no one correct answer. There are many theories on this subject. Now there are benefits to both approaches you mention.

I like the rigging stated in the manual.

[inthewind]

RE: Freewing B17 assembly

There is no one correct answer. There are many theories on this subject. Now there are benefits to both approaches you mention.

I like the rigging stated in the manual.

Thanks Konrad. This is my first attempt at quad motors and no very little. what do you think are the benefits to the way you like or having opposing motors on each side. Appreciate your thoughts

[Konrad]

RE: Freewing B17 assembly

That's a long drawn out technical discussion, and in the end it makes little difference. But since you asked.
The idea is that engine torque will pick up the dead engine(s). This results in you not needing to add more drag inducing corrections, adding drag is just what you don't need when you have already lost 1/4 or more power.

Another rig I like is having the outboard motors spin with the top prop blades turning towards the fuselage for the reasons give earlier. But have the inboards rotating with the top blade going outwards towards the wing tips. The reason is to help the wing root stall first in a high Alpha condition like landings. Keeping the wing tips flying helps with control! To stall the root the bottom prop blade is throwing air upwards effectively increasing the angle of attack on the root of the wing's airfoil. This should cause the root airfoil to stall first.

Kelly Johnson did this (reverse torque) setup on the P-38 Lighting. As control near a stall was more important than the added drag with having to add more aileron and rudder from an engine out. After all most fighter are way over powered so the added trim drag isn't much of an issue on the P-38!