SPA Modeler

I've noticed many builds of delta wing aircraft that include flaps. This applies to planes like the F-102, F-106 and the B-58. These aircraft all had full span elevons to control pitch and roll. If flaps were fitted they would compress the nose gear same as a lowered elevator. Several companies sell 102 and 106 kits with split elevons. I built an Encore 1:48 F-102 and it came with flaps. Apparently these kit makers are not using any kind of photo reference material. If you build a pure delta please on't put flaps on it. I imagine this also applies to the Mirage deltas.

hmmmm, interesting tidbit...what do you mean by "compressing the gear"? Do you mean turn it left/right?

also, when you say they do not have flaps, are you referring to the entire elevron/flaperon control surface, or a split flap like B-17's have?

if flaps are up/down when parked is always a good fact to note!

EDIT: I got curious and google-searched some B58's....it seems they can have droopey flaps when parked! So building them up or building them down is totally OK

If you lower both elevons as would be done when diving, and you are on a take off run it will try to lift the rear of the aircraft and compress the nose gear. I worked on F 102 aircraft for 4 years when I was in the USAF and I promise you they did not use their elevons as flaps. On take off they raise the elevons which will cause the nose to come up and the aircraft will develop a high angle of attack to generate enough lift to leave the ground. Delta wing aircraft also land at a high angle of attack to scrub off speed because they don't have flaps to slow them down to landing speed. Go to you tube and check out some 102, 106, or B 58 videos.

When the aircraft is parked on the ramp for extended periods of time and hydraulic pressure bleeds down, would the elevons not droop to an extent?

This 102 appears to have some droop on the elevons



They are not dropped for added lift for take off obviously...



and obviously not on landing either...



but it is not unheard of to see them with drooped elevons when parked on the ramp







but obviously when the bird is powered up and hydraulics pressurized, the elevons go to what ever position the stick is at