McCormick-Romme CycloPlane version 10 2.00

McCormick-Romme

CycloPlane

“The Merry Widow” or

“The Umbrella Plane”

1910-1913

U.S. Patent Office 1,041,876

The rules for what should fly were not yet established in 1910

So, anything that looks like it might fly was tried.

This aircraft flies perfectly well if over speed warnings are observed.

In 1910, we were well past the man with a rocket on his bicycle, or the folks jumping off rocks or off a bridge with bird like wings flapping as hard as the human could flap.

By 1910 it was know that one could fly in a controlled fashion!

By hanging wings from wires coming from a very strong center pole seemed like a simple way to eliminate the central wing spar. This made a fairly strong  and light weight wing configuration! 

This was not meant to be the B-737 of the future or any fighter or bomber!

It was only a proof of concept aircraft to test different wing configurations and possible control surface options!

Up to this time most aircraft used wing warping to control the aircraft, this aircraft uses hinged control surfaces as we use today!

The attached README has pilot’s notes and the full history of this aircraft.

There also is an internet link to the original patent application it is fairly simple reading and will give you a look into what Romme was thinking.

Also, there are several photographs of the real thing.

There are three models in this upload:

One model has a simple instrument panel with trim controls.

The other model has a full modern autopilot. All of my testing and adjustments were done using the autopilot. 

Version 9 with trim and ballistic parachute ( vertical speed about -1,600 fpm, plane breaks, but is a walk away landing)

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Since there were no specifications beyond, “50 hp Gnome engine”, weights and sizes were adjusted to give a maximum speed of about 65 mph. This seems reasonable for this rag covered aircraft.

The only accurate specification found is that it had a Gnome engine rated at 50 hp.

I have used all flat airfoils to reduce drag. From close examination of the old photos this aircraft may have also used flat airfoils!

The Wright Brothers had applied for many patents on their aircraft 

That made the biplane with pusher props and a canard up front for elevator control, and wing warping a prohibited combination that would have required patent licenses required.

So, to avoid paying the Wrights for every plane made, a new configuration was necessary, and that was a circular wing.

Extensive modifications were made after each flight. Most changes were to the flight control system.

One wing, better control surfaces no wing warping that increases fatigue failure on the wings , and a few other innovations were planned.

About the construction of this X-Plane model:

Wires, wires, and more wires. The photos and drawings show 50 -100 wires. 

Since I am building the wires with AC3D, the wires have no effect on aerodynamics, and their perfect alignment is difficult, I have stopped adding wires at about 16. Each extra wire adds a burden to frame rate and does nothing to the flight characteristics!

Internet story about the Cycloplane:

http://www.vought.org/products/html/romme.html 

This is not a great plane to fly, it is not a Spitfire, Mustang, or even a Spruce Goose.

It barely flies, and has very little climb ability.

But with practice and patience, it does fly.quite well in spite of its strange configuration.

All significant parts that make this aircraft fly were produced with X-Plane Planemaker.

The wires, pilot, and and the engine were produced in AC3D

Credit: Bernard Augras for the leather clad flying suit pilot!

Michael2 produced some fine engines in the engineering parts library, the Gnome engine is a serious modification of his P&W 1630 radial engine.

Iam a dreamer, not an engineer

Albert Einstein said, “ If you can dream, you can do the impossible”

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