I'm surprised the aerodynamics work at scale and slow speed. Very nice work! (Incidentally, I'm always amazed at the eyesight these guys seem to have, I'd have no idea which way it was pointed)
If you have enough power, almost anything will fly.
$100 (US foam kit, order electronics etc., straight from HobbyKing in Hong Kong) or so and few evenings work and you can make something like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPATzx-Nx-4
Just google for 3D foamies, I have one and it's enormous fun. Can be flown like a regular r/c aircraft also, not just for stunts, and they will carry keyring cameras easily, just tape it on.
The reason that the SR-71 surprised me is that it seems like it doesn't have that much wing area (which is probably somewhat counterintuitive given the length), and it wasn't flying at a significant upward angle like those foamies.
Ahhh, if I remember right, the whole thing is basically a wing, and will fly at some slight positive angle of attack.
As far as the model goes, it is probably constructed to be extremely light. It certainly appeared to have quite sprightly performance, implying lightness, since ducted fans aren't known for their especially high thrust.
$100 (US foam kit, order electronics etc., straight from HobbyKing in Hong Kong) or so and few evenings work and you can make something like this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPATzx-Nx-4
Just google for 3D foamies, I have one and it's enormous fun. Can be flown like a regular r/c aircraft also, not just for stunts, and they will carry keyring cameras easily, just tape it on.