drone vidiography of tuft tests
 

I've seen enough video shot from drones now that this proven technology would offer us a means to capture all-around video images of a fully-tufted test vehicle.
Any controlled stretch of roadway or inactive runway/taxiway could provide a safe venue for critical Reynolds number testing of modified vehicles without aerodynamic interference from the 'chase' vehicle.
A 'stable' RC fixed-wing aircraft,helicopter,or actual multi-rotor drone with camera turret would do the trick.
Owned,leased,or rented with operator,the image capture could provide critical information about mods as a prelude to a wind tunnel visit.
What do you guys/gals think it would cost to get into this game?:rolleyes:
PS or set up cameras inside a blimp hanger at Moffett Field,California,Dayton,Ohio,or elsewhere,in a controlled,zero-wind environment.Race labs inside the abandoned Pennsylvania turnpike mountain tunnels.

When my son got a Parrot a few years ago, I contemplated this. It only has a 25mph top speed. How about a 100-foot circle? The drone could orbit inside the vehicle and the wind would average out every few seconds.

I'm sure a quad- hex- or octa-copter could be built that would achieve freeway speeds. Then all you need is a 'follow-me' autopilot.

I'll go with $400.

You mean like this secret lab? ;)
The secret racing test tunnel no one wants to talk about

I did not know such a place existed.

I do now... :cool:

The secrets of Laurel Hill revealed - Racecar Engineering




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I was pretty sure that was his referent. I wouldn't want to fly a drone in a tunnel with a moving car in it.

Edit: how about a camera on a cablecar, like they use in football stadiums?

Car aero tuft observing selfie stick, just lower than overpass height.

regards
mech

Finally! A use for selfie sticks! :)

Just like in Mad Max: Fury Road.

Max horizontal speed on the one I checked (quad copter) that was close to $400, was 33 feet per second, or 21-22 mph.

regards
mech

I took a look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-...aircraft#Types. Instead of a quadcopter, it looks like an expanded polypropylene flying wing with electric ducted fans and a first-person view camera might fit the performance and price points.

I always liked the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_Ho_229, "the first stealth bomber".