TOPICS
Why not ?
A lot of theoretical research has been done concerning ground effect in relation to stability and related topics, but very few Wing-In-Ground effect crafts exist. At the same time, the search for faster and faster machines has neglected the effect, sometimes with devastating results. In 2001, Mercedes built three Le Mans cars. Two of the three cars flipped over backward during the race. Almost every year, several high-speed racing catamarans flip. Even small racing hovercraft at high speed have the tendency to lift at the front, but this twisting moment can be compensated by the driver leaning his weight over the front of the craft. Spectacular crashes from instability need not be the norm.
Some time ago, a Russian company built the SERVER, a typical dynamic hovercraft. Cruising speed 120 km/h with only 54 HP. As you see on the image, the propeller and engine are in front of the craft, pulling the craft instead of pushing it. This pulling configuration is far more stable and could be incorporated to create stable WIG craft designs. Second, by installing a folding skirt in front, the craft could use static pressure to achieve separation from the water's surface tension and maintain elevation until it was traveling fast enough to generate dynamic lift. The skirt could be raised, and the craft could travel in WIG mode. If used only on water, a catamaran configuration will work well. Surface Area, Desired Speed, Cruising Altitude, Pay Load, Cockpit Size, Horizontal Stabilization, Flaring Height, and even ergonomic, are only some of the factors that need to be considered for an excellent WIG design.
Another example of original thinking is shown on the right. The Cushion Crow is a flying body/wing. Experiments with this design are very promising. These are only two examples. There are many more possibilities. Warning model experimenters: Due to the behavior of a wing in ground effect, models can only be used on flat water, or the model must be a large scale.
Some time ago, a Russian company built the SERVER, a typical dynamic hovercraft. Cruising speed 120 km/h with only 54 HP. As you see on the image, the propeller and engine are in front of the craft, pulling the craft instead of pushing it. This pulling configuration is far more stable and could be incorporated to create stable WIG craft designs. Second, by installing a folding skirt in front, the craft could use static pressure to achieve separation from the water's surface tension and maintain elevation until it was traveling fast enough to generate dynamic lift. The skirt could be raised, and the craft could travel in WIG mode. If used only on water, a catamaran configuration will work well. Surface Area, Desired Speed, Cruising Altitude, Pay Load, Cockpit Size, Horizontal Stabilization, Flaring Height, and even ergonomic, are only some of the factors that need to be considered for an excellent WIG design.
Another example of original thinking is shown on the right. The Cushion Crow is a flying body/wing. Experiments with this design are very promising. These are only two examples. There are many more possibilities. Warning model experimenters: Due to the behavior of a wing in ground effect, models can only be used on flat water, or the model must be a large scale.
Cushion Crow
Most models are low flying aircraft's !! BUT.........
for a firs dry, go to this link for an
easy to build paper model
easy to build paper model
IDEA DYNAMIC HOVERCRAFT
SERVER
Copyright © 2005 by B. Kohler
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