Richard's Waverider Fleet Page

The waverider tests are conducted using a range of small test models. The waveriders are generally launched from other booster rockets, either into free gliding flight, or into rocket powered flight. A number of tests have also been carried out on ground launched waveriders as well.

Note - The numbers start from 12 since waveriders 1 to 11 have been destroyed in testing over the years. The waveriders are generally constructed from blasa wood frames, overlaid with a fibreglass / epoxy resin skin for strength. Given the amount of flights and amount of crashes, this is a neccessity rather than a luxury.

    Waveriders

  1. XW-12
  2. XW-13
  3. XW-14
  4. XW-15
  5. XW-16
  6. XW-17
  7. XW-18
  8. XW-19

    XW-12 to XW-15

    Details More info Comments
    Span 100 mm XW-12 to XW-15 have the planform of a STAAR Research / AspireSpace designated Mark-9A waverider design, with a straight leading edge, sharp nose, deep body and canted tails. They are constructed from a balsa wood frame, overlaid with a fibreglass / epoxy resin skin, and are used for test flights to investigate the aerodynamics of mirrored pairs of waveriders, as well as general low-speed handling characteristics of Mk-9A waveriders.
    Length 200 mm
    Height 75 mm
    Motor(s) Standard 17.5mm motor mount
    A, B and C class motors
    Dry Mass 200 grams (4 ounces)
    Gross Mass 1 Parachute
    Waverider Design Mark-9A

    XW-16 to XW-17

    Details More info Comments
    Span 100 mm XW-16 to XW-17 have the planform of a STAAR Research / AspireSpace designated Mark-9B waverider design, with a curved leading edge, sharp nose, deep body and canted tails. They are constructed from a balsa wood frame, overlaid with a fibreglass / epoxy resin skin, and are used to investigate general low-speed handling characteristics of Mk-9B waveriders.
    Length 200 mm
    Height 75 mm
    Motor(s) Standard 17.5mm motor mount
    A, B and C class motors
    Dry Mass 200 grams (4 ounces)
    Gross Mass 1 Parachute
    Waverider Design Mark-9B

    XW-18 to XW-19

    Details More info Comments
    Span 100 mm XW-18 to XW-19 have the planform of a STAAR Research / AspireSpace designated Mark-9C waverider design, with a curved leading edge, blunt nose, deep body and canted tails. They are constructed from a balsa wood frame, overlaid with a fibreglass / epoxy resin skin, and are used to investigate general low-speed handling characteristics of Mk-9B waveriders.
    Length 200 mm
    Height 75 mm
    Motor(s) Standard 17.5mm motor mount
    A, B and C class motors
    Dry Mass 200 grams (4 ounces)
    Gross Mass 1 Parachute
    Waverider Design Mark-9C

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    Copyright 1996-1997 Richard Osborne, All Rights Reserved.

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