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New development in VTOL design

Apr 23, 2013 Comments Off on New development in VTOL design

Combining the hovering capability of a helicopter with the high-speed, long-range flight capabilities of a fixed-wing aircraft has intrigued engineers for decades. The Australian company StopRotor Technology has a new approach: their Hybrid RotorWing design concept has a main rotor that switches from fixed rotor to fixed wing in mid air. According to Gizmag’s Jan Bellezina, “The Hybrid […]

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Rare B-17 Gun Turret on eBay

Apr 17, 2013 2 Comments

We’ve heard of a lot of interesting items for sale on eBay, but this one’s a first: a piece of a WW II B-17, in its original paint! If you’ve got the space for it, what a great conversation piece this would make! With a reserve set at $6,100, the auction is ending Sunday; click here to go to the […]

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F-104 motorcycle?

Apr 11, 2013 2 Comments

An  interesting motorcycle was spotted in Indianapolis. He has chocks for it too.  His hat suggests he was an F-86 driver although the bike says it’s an F-104. Very cool.  

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Incredible RC Dragonfly!

Mar 30, 2013 9 Comments

The engineers at Festo, the same folks who designed the amazing SmartBird, have now created a four-winged dragonfly they call “BionicOpter.” Here’s the scoop from their website and don’t miss the video of the dragonfly in flight below! With the BionicOpter, Festo has technically mastered the highly complex flight characteristics of the dragonfly. Just like […]

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MLB Super Bat UAV [VIDEO]

Mar 27, 2013 Comments Off on MLB Super Bat UAV [VIDEO]

The MLB Super Bat is a small, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has mission capabilities found only in larger UAVs. The Super Bat is a complete UAV System that can operate autonomously, deliver high quality video imagery, and can be transported in a small SUV. The aircraft operates autonomously, has a 10-hour maximum duration, and […]

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New human-powered helicopter design

Mar 25, 2013 2 Comments

With a frame made of 6061 T6 aluminum, a 1:1 gear ratio and stacked rotors with a carbon0-fiber spar, this 15-pound “micro” helicopter is the latest design competing for the $250,000 Sikorsky Prize! Here’s the scoop from Gizmag:   Last September, the Gamera II team from the A. James Clark School of Engineering got so […]

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Project Zero Update!

Mar 22, 2013 Comments Off on Project Zero Update!

More photos and information has been released on this full-size, electric-powered tilt rotor aircraft. The entire aircraft uses no hydraulics; the retractable landing gear, nacelle tilting mechanism, and elevons are controlled by EMA. ORAL Engineering developed an efficient diesel engine for the alternative electric-hybrid propulsion solution and provided rapid CNC machining for the rotor and […]

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The Golf Channel’s Octocopter

Mar 21, 2013 8 Comments

This octocopter image was captured by Vine user Chad Coleman filming golfers at the  Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill. While it’s a little noisy, the octocopter can get previously inaccessible shots, and word is that The Golf Channel was testing it at this tournament. Watch the video from YouTube’s Slim Boogie below and tell us what you think!  

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Micro UAV that plays “catch”!

Mar 18, 2013 Comments Off on Micro UAV that plays “catch”!

Researchers at UPenn’s GRASP Lab have created a micro UAV that can grab objects while in flight! Using the same physics as a bird of prey, the UAV has a 128-gram grasping claw that replicates a sweeping motion to catch and release an object while maintaining its flight path. Check out the video!

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On a wing and a prayer …

Mar 13, 2013 13 Comments

Yes, you’re seeing that right. This inventor has strapped on a wooden, built-up wing and turbine jet and is taking a little test-flight to check things out. He appears to be using  an RC surface radio for control. You can see his wing and power pack in the taxi test video, and then the first […]

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Navigation by “crash”

Mar 13, 2013 1 Comment

This UAV shows that there’s more than one way to get from point “A” to point “B”: it flies into objects and recovers until it finds a clear route! This actually makes sense when you hear that the AirBurr UAV is designed specifically to navigate close and dark spaces, like a collapsed mine or a […]

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Assembling a (real!) P-47

Mar 08, 2013 Comments Off on Assembling a (real!) P-47

In this 1944 training film, a ground support crew assembles a P-47 in a field using nothing more than muscle, hand tools and the shipping crate the pieces arrive in. One of my favorite parts is in the beginning: a warning to “read all instructions before unpacking!”  Enjoy! Many thanks to Zenoswarbirdvideos for posting this […]

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debrac

About the author

Model Airplane News Executive editor. About me: I’m a publishing professional who has a passion for aviation and RC, and I love creating issues, books and a website that help RC pilots to enjoy this sport even more. I admire scale aircraft and enjoy the convenience of flying smaller electrics.

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