Hello,
Suppose we want to build a WW1 biplane today, but not necessarily a replica.
So for example why not have the same wings, top and bottom ? And a lighter engine
Now the issue is:
1. Is there a problem with both wings having the same airfoil and chord ?
2. How do I calculate the wings' stagger (how much forward is the top wing from the bottom)
3. How do I calculate the horsepower required ? (would 60 hp be sufficient, like a rotax 582 ?)
4. Certainly the wings must be moved aft because of much lighter engine, correct ? I mean the 1916 design
looks seriously tail-heavy, but this is because the engine was 146 kg.
Thank you so much!
For example: Here is how a Nieuport-17 would look if it had two same wings with Clark-Y 1.25m chord. I made this in Blender 3D.
Wingspan is 8 meters (top), 7.5 meters (bottom), chord is 1.25, (both). Wing area = about 215 sq ft.
Weight should be 200 kg (440 lbs) empty (would that be possible with plywood construction) ?
On the left is the altered design. On the right is the original Nieuport-17.
Suppose we want to build a WW1 biplane today, but not necessarily a replica.
So for example why not have the same wings, top and bottom ? And a lighter engine
Now the issue is:
1. Is there a problem with both wings having the same airfoil and chord ?
2. How do I calculate the wings' stagger (how much forward is the top wing from the bottom)
3. How do I calculate the horsepower required ? (would 60 hp be sufficient, like a rotax 582 ?)
4. Certainly the wings must be moved aft because of much lighter engine, correct ? I mean the 1916 design
looks seriously tail-heavy, but this is because the engine was 146 kg.
Thank you so much!
For example: Here is how a Nieuport-17 would look if it had two same wings with Clark-Y 1.25m chord. I made this in Blender 3D.
Wingspan is 8 meters (top), 7.5 meters (bottom), chord is 1.25, (both). Wing area = about 215 sq ft.
Weight should be 200 kg (440 lbs) empty (would that be possible with plywood construction) ?
On the left is the altered design. On the right is the original Nieuport-17.
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