I was wondering if anyone has tried levitating their aircraft by using magnets instead of using a physical connection to the model like a plastic rod.
Recently I saw this small toy. It had a semi-circular electromagnetic base. When you switched it on, there was a little dolphin that had a magnet in it that would just float about 3 cm above the base.
I am thinking of putting a magnet in a small enough aircraft to try this out and then making my own electromagnetic base to levitate it.
If you can think of reasons as to why this would not work or if there are any precautions I should take when dealing with electromagnets, I’d like to hear them.
Just today I was sitting at my model bench and looking up at the unopened models on the shelves above. There sat a Revell Fokker Dr1 “Magic Flight” model that uses exactly the technology that you have in mind.
I meant to open it up today, but I believe they are out of production, so I kinda want to keep it sealed. Then again, I did buy it to play with it, so I’ll open it up tomorrow and report back in.
I gotta lot going on, so you may want to send me a reminder.
Here’s the exact model (and ebay seller) that I bought (from). Patrick Bezuur is a pretty cool guy and has a lot of rare items for sale if you have the money. I have purchased more than a few items from him. Anyway, here’s the link:
At least they are still available. I may even buy this one myself, just to have one to build and one to keep sealed. Call me a fool, but I’ve been pretty good at buying things of value. Will let you know tomorrow.
I got the idea when I was looking at the drop tank on my Monogram F16 ADF.
It’s a little late to put the magnet inside it right now but I’ll go out and buy a 1/48 scale WWII airplane and test it out.
I still have to calculate how big and now many magnets would I need because I’d imagine the weight it still quite a bit for normal magnets. That’s why I am also thinking of using electromagnets for the base.
Another thing I’d like to add is, could you recommend any simple 1/48 scale WWII airplane, preferrably German that’s cheap and light weight plus has space to stuff magnets in? I don’t want to make a really good model with this but mainly concentrate on levitating it and learning how to go abou distributing magnets in a model. I’m thinking of putting magnets in the fuselage but may also try the wings.
I don’t think it’s all that easy to make something levitate (I studied with some Buddhist Monks for a time, but I still wasn’t convinced).
You would have to create a “surrounding” magnetic field base, with the correct polarity and strength to support a corresponding “levitated” magnetic field in the model itself, and, add to that the weight of the model, and you can see where this could go.
I won’t know until tomorrow when I open my kit to see how Revell has engineered it.
Then again, maybe I was hanging with the wrong group of monks.
You’re correct about the base, that’s what I was aiming to do.
I’m going to have to look at my Physics text book to check a few things but if I remember correctly, the upward force the field exerts on the airplane can be increased by increasing the base magnetism. I may run out of magnets so that’s why I was thinking of electromagnets but what I’m afraid of is any effect such a stron electromagnet may have on objects around it.
I think the greatest trouble you might encounter is trying to “balance” the model in the magnetic field. probably, u gotta concentrate the magnet in the center of gravity of the model and just add smaller ones in areas such as the wings and tail to make it levitate to your desired pose.
Now, just a suggestion on finding the center of gravity. Hang a FINISHED model on a string on one end (say, a wing) and draw a line from from the string across the model vertically. Do this on several other locations (say, hanging the model by each stabilizer or the tail) and draw the respective lines. The point/area where the lines intersect would be a pretty accurate approximation of the center of gravity.
Now, you can build and “magnetize” a model accordingly from this knowledge.
I hope you guys understand that because I had much trouble trying to explain it. Here are some pics I drew to at least try to clarify what I just explained.
I thought about this a couple of years back after seeing a ?? Revell ?? 1/44 scale model advertisement in a magazine. Never seen or heard about the model or mag since - I swear I wasn’t drinking at the time LOL.
seriously, I have thought about this. Visiting local science museums with interactive displays with free floating magnets/objects and talking to my buds who are engineers. Magnets are very heavy and lose power over time, and it wont take much force (a slight table bump) to knock them off their centre of mass - thus flying your model through your room onto a cold, hard floor LOL. I got some magnets and played with some designs in the base to stop this. Plus you have to choose a small simiple 1/48 scale plane - because the plane weighs as well. All that paint, glue and parts (resin or not) weigh, and this may be enough to throw your calculations off.
I was planning on making a rough duplicate of my model out of card to experiment with the balance first so that I don’t damage my aircraft.
In the toy that I saw, it had a fine stringright through the middle, like how the Fokker has then from the tips. The string was quite short so that the dolphin was pulled deep into the magnetic field and even if I shook it about by bumping it, it didnt fall off. I will try that.
I should have something done in about a week, I’ll let you know then or as I make progress.