Rubber Band Powered Aircraft?

Ok, it would not be practical for a family flyer - but is anyone currently
experimenting with a rubber band powered aircraft? Any websites regarding
how much power is available, and for what duration?

I found some information on rubber band powered aircraft in the 1800's, but
few details. Seems like an ultralight ship ought to be able to get off the
ground - and that is what flying is all about.

Wonder what the distance record is for a rubber band powered aircraft?

Someone must have done it, because in some of the old movies the pilot yells
out "wind 'er up" just before takeoff.

Colin

"Rubber Bandit" built by George Haven at Van Nuys in the 90's. I don't
know if it ever flew

http://www.rubberbandit.org/

I don't think it flew, according to the website, the last update was in
2003 and as of that date, it hasn't flown. If they did fly it, I'd bet
that they would've update that.

Interesting non-the-less. I can't see why it wouldn't fly.

The Monk

"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
. net...
Ok, it would not be practical for a family flyer -

Actually, there is nothing new about rubber band powered aircraft.
http://www.answers.com/topic/bungee1-jpg

Vaughn

Cool, but not as interesting as powering a propellor with rubber band.
It is just the fact that we all (most anways) had owned and played with
one while we were kids. I always bought one or two from 7-11 when I
had extra change.

The Monk

Saw one at Oshkosh, in the Ultralight area, about 1988. Was called the "RB-1",
and for a "band" had some stuff that was originally used on high-tension lines
for insulation or some such. Heard it had flown successfully, a distance of
about 300 feet.

Got a picture of it, somewhere...

Ron Wanttaja

"Ron Wanttaja" wrote in message
...

Saw one at Oshkosh, in the Ultralight area, about 1988. Was called the
"RB-1",
and for a "band" had some stuff that was originally used on high-tension
lines
for insulation or some such. Heard it had flown successfully, a distance
of
about 300 feet.

Got a picture of it, somewhere...

Do you recall if it had some kind of gearing between the engine and the
prop? I would think you would need to turn some of the torque into higher
RPM to turn the prop, to maximize run time. Just a guess.
--
Jim in NC

On Mon, 13 Feb 2006 01:58:54 -0500, "Morgans" wrote:


"Ron Wanttaja" wrote in message
.. .

Saw one at Oshkosh, in the Ultralight area, about 1988. Was called the
"RB-1", and for a "band" had some stuff that was originally used on
high-tension lines for insulation or some such. Heard it had flown
successfully, a distance of about 300 feet.

Do you recall if it had some kind of gearing between the engine and the
prop? I would think you would need to turn some of the torque into higher
RPM to turn the prop, to maximize run time. Just a guess.

No gearing, just one hay-el of a lot of pitch on the prop.

Guess what, I was able to find one of the pictures:

http://www.wanttaja.com/RB1.jpg

Unless it's somewhat of a little tiny planetary gearbox, it's direct-drive.

It could, of course, be some sort of hoax, but I do recall hearing more about it
at the time.

(I originally wrote, "...some sort of joke..." but that's already a given. :-)

Ron Wanttaja

In article .com, Richard
Riley says...

"Rubber Bandit" built by George Haven at Van Nuys in the 90's. I don't
know if it ever flew

http://www.rubberbandit.org/

That's the one I was thinking of.I haven't heard much about it lately. I guess
they were going to wind it with a truck by hooking the rubber to the rear
tire.That all may have changed by now. If they took the cockpit area off it
looks like a P-30 model airplane.

See ya

Chuck S

I learned to fly using long rubber strips and kid power to strech it in high
school a loooong time ago. The plane didn't look quite like the one in this
picture - it was a (real)primary glider, single seat at the end of a pipe
that was the fuselage. It actualy did get in the air most of the time.

Frank

"Vaughn" wrote in message
...

"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
. net...
Ok, it would not be practical for a family flyer -

Actually, there is nothing new about rubber band powered aircraft.
http://www.answers.com/topic/bungee1-jpg

Vaughn