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".

speeds
 

For a 'real' vehicle,we'd only need 20-mph so it seems like a modest aerial vehicle would suffice.
A 100-ft circle would be great since as you mention,we'd be averaging out any winds if present,for a wind-spectra look at the yarn.And there are no vehicles anywhere near the car to add interference to the airflow.

secret
 

Yeah.They can't be running 24-hrs/day.And testing COULD be done 24-7-365.It's indoors,no weather.Strobe lights would freeze the tufts as I remember from physics lab.
If we revealed any of their formula-one secrets they could off us!
Some of the members might be geographically near these sites compared to the A-2 or DARKO,or other venues.

cable camera
 

Absolutely! Great idea! If you can shoot half the body,you've essentially got the whole car.:thumbup:

21-22 mph
 

It would be perfect.With tilt,pan.and zoom,we could look at virtually any tufted feature.
At Burning Man they might let you set off 50,000 cubic feet smoke cookies and image the smoke at Black Rock.Call it a momentary dynamic art installation piece.

Media Burn 1975

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/un...v_pile_660.jpg

Would a camera attached to a kite towed behind the subject car be a simpler/cheaper solution?

Like the Germans did with their u-boats before radar drove them underwater.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focke-Achgelis_Fa_330

regards
mech

How about a good helium baloon? The kite would only stay aloft while the vehicle is moving and I would not be confident of it landing gently.

kite
 

As long as it was a stable camera platform it would be just fine,and a whole lot cheaper for aft-body imaging.
A drone could advance ahead of the car,or circle, giving those views however.

Hot hydrogen dirigible full body of revolution. 12' cantilevered 'wiper arm' on the front bumper.