First sneak preview from Black Dog Skunk Works.
Mike, I’m VERY interested as to how much weight that fan can push, is it possible for you to run it off of track power for a test ( starter Pack Transformer or similar?)
thx
The rolling resistance of the donor frame with steel wheels (no bearings) is very low. I tried measuring but it is too low. I don’t intent to pull anything with it. It is just a hair-brain idea I got when I saw the propeller driven project on this site. The donor jet this came out of had a 10 minute flight time as this ducted fan pulls about 5 amps cruising. I am going to get it to work with the battery (11.4v) first using the R/C. I have two servos that I am thinking of incorporating for something. Then I think I will devise a solution to use 18v track power…I tried using the starter transformer to charge the battery but it couldn’t maintain the 800ma draw while charging battery pack. Internal thermal breaker popped and when it cooled don it self reset. Found a wall-wart power brick that puts out 1A and that did the trick. More to follow.
mike miller said:Mike, that would be me, I think,,,
It is just a hair-brain idea I got when I saw the propeller driven project on this site.
Yep Doug it be you that got me thinkin…thanks. should be a kick in the pants if I can get it run properly.
Hmmm, a GWS fan? 55mm? This should be interesting.
Dave
A little more progress. Fabbed chassis. Retaining ability to disassemble for maintenance. Fitting Fan Housing Assembly. After I get fan mounted properly, I will attempt tethered power-up test. Still thinking about what to do with the two servos that I have. Air Brake?
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jtmsmike/_forumfiles/Sledppt.JPG)
I say add some wings and let’s see if it will fly 
Neat project you and Doug both have.
Ralph
Ralph, the donor for my propulsion was advertised to fly at 85mph. Hard foam airframe with all the electronics weighed about 2lbs. The rolling resistance of the “sled” is almost nothing. I am trying to see if I can get it stay on the track…Hope John Miller lays lots of long straights.
mike miller said:See if one of our Australian friends can replicate the Nullarbor Plain
Hope John Miller lays lots of long straights.
Today - Mid build re-design.
Front and rear spoiler to hold it down to the track?
Heck I don’t know. Just trying to create a very different look…LMAO!
You have gone over the edge.
Trying to decide if that looks more like (1.) An SR-71 Blackbird (2.) A “Predator” drone with no wings, or (3.) A photon torpedo with an air intake…
If you’re going to draw the air in through the bent tube from above, you probably ought to seal up the nose … I kind of like the potential for the “through” air design that combines the body from the last picture with the nacelles from the second one. It’d kind of look like an F-14 from the rear… Shame you can’t work in a thrust reverser!
Hey, can’t I have some fun and do something insane? Reverse thrusters…I have two servos but working with plastic isn’t like metal unfortunately… thought about using one servo for “brake bar” under the chassis to scrub the rails but no room. Darn. Check the walk around video. Gotta finish skin and do tethered power up tests. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hUTP9EFNos
Use the servos to drop out a couple ships anchors, one on each side? http://www.castyouranchorhobby.com/cat--Anchors--Anchor
Get on that backyard Bro! I am going to need the outside loop for some high speed power runs…LOL!
Bob McCown said:I don't think my brother would appreciate me tearing up his track and/or road bed but it would be quite a sight to holler "anchors away" and drop them. In my navy experience, we only had to do that in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Iran when there was no semi-deep water pier available.
Use the servos to drop out a couple ships anchors, one on each side? http://www.castyouranchorhobby.com/cat--Anchors--Anchor