The Dunlop "Maxfli"

[sequoiaranger]

The "Flounder" ain't the only "bug-eyed" aircraft I have done. Witness the "Dunlop Maxfli" promotional plane:



The "executive transport" was tricky to fly, but was able to hold two golf buddies in addition to the pilot. No fourth on purpose, as the three buddies needed a "shill" to fleece once out on the course. The demise of the "Maxfli" came when the engine cut out, and Dunlop made a forced landing on a par 5, catching the spatted landing gear in a greenside bunker and upending right at the pin. A "hole-in-one" was claimed for the aircraft, but rules purists insisted that the plane would have to be entirely below the lip of the hole to be counted as "in".

Notice the old "Dunlop 65" golf ball--a "world standard" in the '60's (British diameter) when my dad played St. Andrews and brought home the ball. Incidentally, the dimples were all individually scoured out of the "Gee Bee" model, in the mode of the day with straight lines of dimples.

[Ed S]

Cool Looking model!  But that seems like a lot of work to do all those dimples by hand..

Ed

[PR19_Kit]

But it's aerodynamically wonderful as the dimples keep it up longer (to coin a phrase....) 

IIRC the dimples on a real golf ball do just that, it flies further with them than if it was smooth.

[Caveman]

Well the GeeBee, was basically spherical anyway so maybe the wake reduction from the dimples would work!

[kitnut617]

A while ago, the guys on Mythbusters did that to a car. First they covered the car in a skin of clay (like they use for prototypes) and drove it around with a measured amount of fuel, recording how far they went.  They then made up a tool which would slice out the dimples out of the clay, the cutout stuff being chuck in the back seat of the car so the weight remained the same, then did the same drive with the same amount of fuel.  It actually went 2 or 3 miles further -------

[Pablo1965]

Wow, I wonder how you do the surface. Good work and very interestin idea.

[RotorheadTX]

I've always joked with the missus that should one of our cars get dimpled in a hail-storm, I'd paint it white and apply Slazenger logos to the doors.

Your GolfBee is  !!

[Taiidantomcat]

LOL at the golf story  Really cool model idea and well executed   

[NARSES2]

But it's aerodynamically wonderful as the dimples keep it up longer (to coin a phrase....) 

Ah you remember "those" adverts to 

[PR19_Kit]

Ah you remember "those" adverts to 

We're both 'of an age' Chris............ 

[Stargazer]

Wow! Cool idea! Much better than the Rutan VariBallsey... 

[Weaver]

Excellent - that's the first interesting thing about golf that I've ever seen!

[sequoiaranger]

>Well the GeeBee, was basically spherical anyway so maybe the wake reduction from the dimples would work!<

Aerodynamically, the dimples break up the boundary layer of air flowing over the surface, and reduce airflow friction and eddy currents. The reason it "works" on golf balls is that the spin and dimples combine to break up the dragging air currents flowing over the ball, and there is acually "lift" created on the top of the spinning ball. Thus, it stays in the air longer than a smoothly shperical ball---17th century golfers noticed that their leatherbound, feather-packed balls with a scuffed surface from hard play went further than a brand-new smooth one. Of course, "spin" is *NOT* what you want for an aircraft!!

The dimples were made from a Dremel burring tool of appropriate diameter. Depth control was basically fixed pressure and time. If I went too deep, I just put in some white glue afterwards. I had to "grid" the plane with pencil marks to get the spacing right (didn't always come out perfect). Yes, it was tedious, but I like the final effect.

Incidentally, that is "felt" on the wings. Supposedly a covering for show purposes to look like a green (golfing term for the smooth, short-grass final approach area by the hole, not a color) and taken off and stored when it's time to fly. The picture doesn't show the "Maxfli" lettering under the red "target", but it looks like the golf ball. Co-incidentally, "Gee-Bee" is pronounced like the two letters G and B, denoting "Golf Ball", as well!

[PR19_Kit]

Of course, "spin" is *NOT* what you want for an aircraft!!

From what I've seen on at least one video, Gee Bees did that rather well! 

What's the monster 4 blade prop you've added to it please? That's seriously meaty!

[kitnut617]

What's the monster 4 blade prop you've added to it please? That's seriously meaty!

It looks like a Bearcat Aero Products prop Kit, or one from a Skyraider