Christchurch and District Model Flying Club
Sloping Off - our newsletter

Martyn Pressnell’s new book entitled ‘Model Planes: Aerofoils and Wings’ will be published by Robert Hale Ltd in April 2015. This is intended to be informative to all aeromodellers and useful to many looking for the latest and best in aerofoil selection. There are 48 pages of aerofoil sections drawn out in a range of sizes and suited to most types of models, radio controlled, free-flight and control line. Each section is shown in full outline and with a surface skimming of 0.8 mm or 1.5 mm to enable sheeting or cap stripping to be incorporated easily.

Succeeding chapters introduce descriptions of: lift generation, understanding aerofoil characteristics, boundary layer development, Reynolds number, sources of drag, wing plan-form effects, induced drag and gliding performance with R/C thermal soaring and free-flight applications. Simple formulation is presented with worked examples to explain the significance and inter-dependence of the many variables encountered. The book stops short of a theoretical treatment of aerofoil design. Common terms in the aeromodeller’s vocabulary are explained in the text, with a glossary for quick reference.

For those wishing to draw their own sections a chapter is devoted to explaining a method using Microsoft Excel, commonly available on a home PC, or similar spreadsheet system. An appendix gives an introduction to those who may be more cautious about Excel. The method can be used to produce a family of sections to suit a tapering wing (or any desired plan-form) with blending of the sections if required. Structural details can be added to the basic aerofoil to achieve actual rib shapes ready for building.

‘Model Planes’ can be pre-ordered through the publishers at: sales@halebooks.com (within Sports and Leisure section). Amazon are offering a 10% discount and free postage in the UK. Websites are advertising the book throughout the world, so there should be no difficulty in obtaining your copy. The book will be available through book shops, in university and other libraries. In due course it should be available through the model trade and from your mail order stockists.

I do hope that you all find my book interesting and possibly of lasting value in your reference collections.

Martyn Pressnell
Lymington, Hampshire

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