Commercial R/C aircraft have been getting smaller and smaller with each passing year. In the early 2000’s, a palm-sized plane or helicopter was the dream of many an R/C enthusiast. Today, you can pick them up for around $20 USD at the local mall. The smallest models however, are still built by an elite group of modelers. Weighing in at a mere 3 grams, [Martin Newell’s] P-51D mustang model certainly puts him into that group. While the P-51’s 11.6 cm wingspan may not make it the smallest plane in the world, its many functions make it incredible.
The Mustang is an 8 channel affair, with elevator, throttle, rudder, ailerons, flaps, navigation lights, working retracts, and flashing cannon lights. That’s Wright, we did say retracts, as in retractable landing gear on a 3 gram model.
All the Mustang’s flight surfaces feature fully proportional control. However, there are no closed loop servos involved. The flight surfaces use magnetic actuators, consisting of a tiny neodymium magnet surrounded by a coil of magnet wire. We’re not sure if the signals to these actuators is straight PWM or if [Martin] is varying the frequency, but the system works. The retracts use heat-sensitive Nitinol “muscle wire” along with a bellcrank system to make sure the landing gear is up and locked after takeoff, and comes down again before a landing.
We don’t have any in-flight video of the Mustang, but we do have footage of an even smaller 1.2 gram plane [Martin] has been flying lately. Click past the break to check it out!
Very impressive!
Now that IS impressive!
Jaw dropping
That’s awesome work.
I will as well just sit here and stare in awe
bravo, that is marvelous.
Hey let’s write an article about a project and never show it in operation – Hackaday
Was thinking thesame thing… It’s a nice toy.. But I want to see it flying.
Here’s a breakdown of his B-25…a genius at tiny mechanisms. Wait for the mains follower cam and retractable nosewheel steering arrangement.
http://youtu.be/qxwXAe0zxY4
“The nosewheel is fully steerable – of course” WOW!
Damn!! That is insane!
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a video with so many ‘oh’ moments…
Martin is a very talented guy. If you’ve not heard of him, check out his Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Newell_%28computer_scientist%29
Well the engine sure doesn’t sound like a Merlin but WOW, that’s amazing! Paint some German markings on a housefly and your ready for some living room dog fights. Please post a flight video when you get it.
There is a swastika on every BMSB! Dam stinkbugs.
This is amazing work. Complete dedication pays off.
It’s great to see Martin’s amazing planes recognized here.
I think the title for the smallest RC model overall is still claimed by a small 2 channel plane weighting less than half a gram (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=892415 , allegedly there’s even lighter planes used by the military), but this definitely is the smallest scale RC model, and the mechanisms used are brilliant
Where can you buy one of these little guys?
how much is this little plane and can you get parts