On Wed, 08 Mar 2017 03:28:19 -0800, krasw wrote:

Thinking of PW-5 nose ground clearance, fitting FES would make a rather
expensive lawnmower.

True enough - my excuse is that its years since I've seen one.

But isn't there a UK company that is in the process
of fitting not only jet but ELECTRIC engine driving wheels of glider
that has PW-5 wings? And no, I believe IGC did not have this in mind
when deciding on "electrical self launching" capability.

I remember seeing adverts and articles about that, again some time back
and nothing recently, so I can only assume that the project imploded.
IIRC the guy behind it was at one time the UK AC-4 agent: doesn't have a
lot of luck, does he?

Thinking about the AC-4M, I wonder if would it be possible to electrify
one by replacing its pop-up IC engine and fuel tank with a brushless
motor and battery. Even of possible, I suspect it would be left in the
dust behind the current 13.5m electric self-launchers, so a fun project
if ultimately futile.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |