The Magnus Effect

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I have just been reading Phil Button's article in the Feb 2017 issue concerning his fitting of a 'Flettner' rotor in his Lucy G yacht.

I have often wondered if this would work at model size and it does appear that, after some experimentation, Phil has managed to get some drive from the rig, albeit not always predictable.

The model, as with the full sized version, features a smooth surfaced rotor drum. Does anyone think that a rougher surface would give more 'grip' on the airflow and improve performance. Maybe sheath the rotor in differing grades of abrasive paper?

Just a thought.

Colin

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Phil Button’s Lucy G conversion

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Who knows! I suspect you would have to make a working one and then try !! I will be interested to read the article.

​Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Ashley

If anyone was going to try this system……………I would have put money on it being you.

The article makes very good reading and its worth having a quick google to read more.

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I​ did look at this ages ago but decided against it, and well done to Phil for persevering with the thing. I imaging you could fiddle with something like this for years optimising the design.

Ashley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Ashley, surely it's just a case of which side out when you make the hardboard rotor…

Colin

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Colin, you mistake me for someone with sophistication. Obviously a cardboard packing tube is the way to go.

​Ashley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Hardboard to Cardboard = Hero to Zero.

Colin

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Having just read the article properly I can discern indeed Phil is a man of sophistication and has of course used that material which is purpose made for the job. QED.

NO LATIN REPLIES PLEASE>

Ashley

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