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Mike White's Dominator series of models

Article by Mike White

Introduction
This page illustrates the series of models which lead up to the Dominator 44. They all have the same wing planform and were built during the period 2003 - 2014.

Cutlass
The first model in this line was the Cutlass which appeared in the November 2003 issue of RC Model World as a free plan No. MW 3060. This was a 60 inch span design for an OS 60FSR in the nose having a foam core/obechi veneered wing and a built-up balsa fuselage. No undercart was fitted and the machine was launched from a dolly. Performance is sparkling and the glide, with power off is extremely flat. The weight was just under 7 pounds and the wing loading was 17 ozs/sq.ft.

Mini Cutlass
Number 2 model, Mini Cutlass, was half size of the first with a flat plate balsa sheet wing with a built up fuselage. Power in the first instance was a brushed 400 motor with a 1,500mAh nicad battery which was a good performer for those days. Eventually I fitted a brushed motor and lipo battery which gives a nice fast flight. This model also appeared in RCMW, and has the plan number MW 3145.

Devastator
Later, in the January 2012 issue of RC Model World, I did a 36in span Depron version, named Devastator. This was made in single motor and twin motor versions, both for brushless motors. These models performed very well in lighter winds but, of course, due to the soft nature of Depron, they do suffer from hanger rash if treated the way I do! A finish using the Poly-C system, however, does harden up the surface. This model is plan No. MW 3520.

Dominator 36S
In between these models, I built another two of 36 inch span, this time of all-balsa construction. The wings were made from ¼" (6mm) sheet balsa and had a curve planed into the top surface, so forming an airfoil. One model, the Dominator 36S (single) has a single brushless motor, an EMP C3536/5 fed by a 3s lipo, 8x8 prop giving 365 watts with a weight of 3lbs 4 ozs pounds. This is easily hand launched as there is plenty of thrust to get the model away safely with very little sag. With a 9x6 the sag disappears! The watts/pound for this one is 112 watts/lb.

Dominator 36T
The second Dominator was the Dominator 36T (twin), a twin motored version with two Warp 4 BL4-15-3, 2,580Kv motors, 260 watts each on a 3S 3,000mah, 30C lipo. The props are 4.75x4.75. The thrust is not enough to hand launch so a bungee is necessary. One day I hope to get the plans finished and sent off to Q&EFI in the hope that the models may be accepted for publication. This model has a power loading of 153 watts/lb.

All these models have been interesting excersises in designing and test flying due to their different wing shapes which has required some experimentation in finding the correct longitudinal balance positions. There have been quite a few disappointments along the way which have been overcome by analysing each crash and rebuilding. All but one has survived and all are still flown, even the damaged one may be repairable.

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