Hi All.

I have recently ordered one of each 50"x36" sized sheets of Spectra ballistic grade 1000 sheet and Spectra/Carbon Fibre hybrid sheet to carry out some testing with to see how practical it will be in my airship project.

Now my intention is to hopefully be able to use the Spectra as the outer shell of the airship that will go over the rigid framework, however although it will be suitable when not infused with resin I would like to be able to infuse it to create a more solid and smoother outer shell at least for the gondola. There are a number of reasons for wanting to do this; a smooth outer surface would significantly reduce any drag on the airship as it moves through the air because of its large surface area, also there will always be the ever present risk that someone may want to take a pot-shot at it with something like an air rifle for example (this has happened on an earlier test balloon) so the Spectra would be more than enough to protect the internal gas bag and components.

So I would like to ask if anyone has had any hands-on practical experience either infusing Spectra with resin and even attempting to laminate more than one sheet of it together ? Also I should note that because of it final use it will still need to be a UV stable end product so the use of vinylester and polyester resins will probably be essential unless anyone can point out anything different ?

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated, and any trials carried out will be videoed or photographed and posted on here for all to see if they too are interested.

Jim

Hi Compositepro.

A previous test model was shot down by a local idiot with an air rifle, this was a basic framework of 1.6 m diameter sphere with an helium inflated balloon and ground tethered, and was a test to see if a basic framework could be lifted. You can never account for the stupidity of some people and the things they might do !

The next design will be 2.6m in diameter and made from carbon fibre laminate framework and covered with spectra material for the outer shell assuming it is suitable for the task. It will also have a pay-load of motors, batteries, and on-board telemetry/camera system for FPV and the estimated cost for a completed airship will be approximately £4000 all in, so the need to protect the airship at all time is a priority but hopefully not an eventuality.

Do you think that there may be a concern from someone that an aerial vehicle with a level of ballistic protection is likely to be flying ?

Jim

every material has some level of ballistics protection.

Ballistics materials are not restricted in this country.

Im sure some PC doo gooder will be "concerned" after all you could strap a bomb to it....... but if we listened to them, we'd ban all RC aircraft from civilian use.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

Hi Warren.

True, there are no restrictions that I know of for the materials used in normal construction of RC craft, but it is cool to push the envelope for the use of newly available materials. Hopefully I can find out the advantages and disadvantages of using Spectra and Spectra/CF hybrid materials in both infusion and lamination because I cannot find any info on its uses like this over the web. I will be posting up my findings here on the forum and also include video and photos where applicable that should go some way to helping others.

Maybe the best way to deter CHAV's is to paint it up as the Death Star ... after all Star Wars is real, right ? ... lol

Jim