M-55 Geophysica construction photos

fossil · 05-04-2008

Starting to take shape

**GEEDUBBYA** · 05-04-2008

Howdy Fossil,

Looking good so far! I am not sure if most people here know just what this is. It was the soviet unions answer to the U2 spyplane.
Photos of the actual aircraft below:

A bit of the history of this aircraft:

"
The M-55 was first known as the M-17. Its life began in 1978 when Soviet engineers searched for ways to intercept American unmanned reconnaissance balloons. The first flight of the M-17 was 26 May 1982; this aircraft was soon detected by U.S. observers. With the introduction of another model of this class, this interceptor M-17 would later become known as the M-17 Mystic-A.
The Mystic-A set 25 world records for its class. However, this balloon-interceptor model was terminated in 1987 and replaced by the M-17RN, also known as the M-55 Geophysica, which was dubbed by NATO Mystic-B. The first one of these flew in 1988, but as the Soviet Union collapsed, military demand dropped. In 1994, the reconnaissance version was terminated after only five aircraft were built.
A number of M-55 Geophysica remain in service, performing in research roles. One M-55 took part in a study of the Arctic stratosphere in 1996-1997 ".

I really look forward to seeing this model as you build it, please take and post lots of photos

have a good day,

Greg

**Bluewavestudios** · 05-04-2008

Nice work there Fossil,

Looks like that one is going to be a nice size when it is completed, I presume it is an R/C Model. What sort of propulsion will you be using for it or is it being built as a P.S.S version...??

I agree with Greg too, keep the pics coming !!

Regards.......Mark

fossil · 07-04-2008

Will use 2 ducted fans, not sure of the make or size yet. Scale is 1/14th, span is now 96 inches or 8 feet. Work is slow, more demanding things come up, like eating and sleeping.

alan2525 · 07-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEEDUBBYA

Looking good so far! I am not sure if most people here know just what this is. It was the soviet unions answer to the U2 spyplane.

My first guess was a Brontosaurus - so I was a little off the mark! Looks like a nice build and should be impressive in flight too at that size!

**Bluewavestudios** · 07-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by fossil

Will use 2 ducted fans, not sure of the make or size yet. Scale is 1/14th, span is now 96 inches or 8 feet. Work is slow, more demanding things come up, like eating and sleeping.

Should be a very impressive model when completed, it is nicely recognisable from the basic fuselage you have done so far. A nice different choice of subject too as you don't see these being done very often. I think I may have seen pics for a much smaller PSS version but that is it.

I can appreciate at this size it will take time....Those wings are going to be fun !! (If you are like me, I find the wings the most boring & laborius parts to make !!)

Keep us posted

Regards......Mark.

fossil · 08-04-2008

Some new shots with intakes and wing roots added.

If I install two ducted fans I may need to cut larger intakes under the wings. Also was thinking of digital microservos in the wings and tail.

Anyone have thoughts?

This will be my first attempt.

**wonwinglo** · 08-04-2008

One of the original aircraft, was badly damaged when it accidently dropped from an helicopter whilst in transit to a Russian museum site.

**Bluewavestudios** · 08-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by fossil

Some new shots with intakes and wing roots added.

If I install two ducted fans I may need to cut larger intakes under the wings. Also was thinking of digital microservos in the wings and tail.

Anyone have thoughts?

This will be my first attempt.

What size are the intakes now..?, they look large enough to me from the pics... If this aircraft has any auxillary intakes on the real thing then why not copy them, at least it will be scale and will serve your needs too. To be honest, this model has the best layout for ducted fans, in that they are straight ducts from intake to outlet so I would stick with the intakes as they are for now....I think you will find them more than enough when you start running.
You can always compromise and open out any extra intakes later on, (if they are needed).

Servos in the wings and tail is not a bad idea - giving each one a dedicated servo will at least ensure proper functioning without massive control runs.

Regards.......Mark.

fossil · 11-04-2008

The intakes are 1&3/8 inches wide X 3&1/4 inches high