FT... Thresher?
- Thread starter Namactual
- Start date
Namactual
Elite member
@UCChris You are about to start down a road that will take your RC hobby to the next level my friend. Modifying and building your own is the most rewarding part for me. Especially when they actually fly when I am done.
Honestly, I did the Flite Test kits for a while until I was comfortable with DTF. Once I started playing with changes and then went on to scratch building I was hooked. I pretty much just design and build my own now. That said, there are a few FT designs I really like. The Racer being one of them. The Thresher was kind of a blending of the two.
Although I do not buy the speed build kits anymore, I try to buy what I can through the FT store. I really wish they still sold the white DTF though. I am not a fan of the browns stuff.
Honestly, I did the Flite Test kits for a while until I was comfortable with DTF. Once I started playing with changes and then went on to scratch building I was hooked. I pretty much just design and build my own now. That said, there are a few FT designs I really like. The Racer being one of them. The Thresher was kind of a blending of the two.
Although I do not buy the speed build kits anymore, I try to buy what I can through the FT store. I really wish they still sold the white DTF though. I am not a fan of the browns stuff.
@UCChris You are about to start down a road that will take your RC hobby to the next level my friend. Modifying and building your own is the most rewarding part for me. Especially when they actually fly when I am done.
Honestly, I did the Flite Test kits for a while until I was comfortable with DTF. Once I started playing with changes and then went on to scratch building I was hooked. I pretty much just design and build my own now. That said, there are a few FT designs I really like. The Racer being one of them. The Thresher was kind of a blending of the two.
Although I do not buy the speed build kits anymore, I try to buy what I can through the FT store. I really wish they still sold the white DTF though. I am not a fan of the browns stuff.
I reckon you're probably right! I fired up the modeling software this morning and I'm designing a 60" wingspan sloping glider right now.
No problem Bud!
@DamoRC , you got me thinking about wings now. Depending on how well my NAMA airfoil works on the new Phantom, I might migrate it over the the Thresher as an option.
Big thanks to Damo for the NAMA tag as well. It just kinda rolls off the tongue.
A NAMA foil to accompany the NAMA Duct would be cool! Interested to see if you are going to make it a 4-digit NAMA foil?
DamoRC
Namactual
Elite member
It's funny you mention that, I was just thinking of doing the Red Bull Challenge with this.
I just have so many projects I need to finish I really should not be starting another one no matter how much I want to.
I am going to say after FF, but who knows. I have been getting a lot of work done on the Phantom so it may be sooner.
I just have so many projects I need to finish I really should not be starting another one no matter how much I want to.
I am going to say after FF, but who knows. I have been getting a lot of work done on the Phantom so it may be sooner.
Namactual
Elite member
Bad news.
I went to get started on the prints for the Thresher and they are gone.
I must have forgot to back them up when I had to roll back the MacOS on my iMac.
The good news is, although it took me most of the day, I got a good start on redrawing it.
I just finished up the base FT-Racer frame and I will get started on the Thresher modifications tomorrow.
My plan is to make the basic Thresher using the stock Racer wing and fuselage first. Like the one in the original post. Once the plans are done and uploaded I plan to redesign a more complicated build that will most likely not use any FT parts. It will resemble the base Thresher, but be a lot more polished and streamlined. Consequently it will be a more complicated build as well.
The base model should go quick, but I can not say when the complicated one will be done.
I went to get started on the prints for the Thresher and they are gone.
I must have forgot to back them up when I had to roll back the MacOS on my iMac.
The good news is, although it took me most of the day, I got a good start on redrawing it.
I just finished up the base FT-Racer frame and I will get started on the Thresher modifications tomorrow.
My plan is to make the basic Thresher using the stock Racer wing and fuselage first. Like the one in the original post. Once the plans are done and uploaded I plan to redesign a more complicated build that will most likely not use any FT parts. It will resemble the base Thresher, but be a lot more polished and streamlined. Consequently it will be a more complicated build as well.
The base model should go quick, but I can not say when the complicated one will be done.
Bad news.
I went to get started on the prints for the Thresher and they are gone.
.
What the heck! And starting from zero you got to this? In a day? The rendering is great.
DamoRC
Namactual
Elite member
Could not sleep...
I remembered I did in fact change the fuselage before. I had to chop it down to get the lower profile. If I did not chop it, it looked too chunky.
Anyway, I am just about back to where I was with the first design. I enlarged and exaggerated the tail. The lower part of the tail is not final, it's just a stand in to get the overall lines balanced.
It's getting there.
I remembered I did in fact change the fuselage before. I had to chop it down to get the lower profile. If I did not chop it, it looked too chunky.
Anyway, I am just about back to where I was with the first design. I enlarged and exaggerated the tail. The lower part of the tail is not final, it's just a stand in to get the overall lines balanced.
It's getting there.
Grifflyer
WWII fanatic
That's looking great!
T-Richard
Active member
I like this design a lot. I tried a ft racer with poor results. However that was early on when I started so I'd have a better time if I tried again. But the canopy, scoops elongated vs make this a candidate for me.
This was mine.
Not to put any pressure namactual, but if you complete your plans before flitetest releases the the edge 540 I am building yours next
This was mine.
Not to put any pressure namactual, but if you complete your plans before flitetest releases the the edge 540 I am building yours next
mrjdstewart
Legendary member
nice man. this looks super cool. i gotta learn this computer design stuff. i have been wanting to build the racer but might have to wait until i can get my hands on this.
laters,
me
laters,
me
Namactual
Elite member
Thanks bud!^
I think the design is done...
I am fairly happy with the overall shape.
The next step is to lay out the foam pieces and get the plans done. I will be adding a cover that will plug that gaping maw it has up front.
The way the power pod fits in this is just like my first build. Since I had to chop the fuse down, the battery does not fit in the nose like the Racer. Instead, there is a hatch at the top/front that once removed, exposes the power pod that will house the battery. As a result, the things that normally would be in the pod you mount under the pod in the nose. ESC, BEC, etc. There is plenty of room in there for CG adjustments as well as electronics mounting options. I could also make the hatch larger and encompass the canopy which would give you all kinds of room to mount the electronics, but I don't think it will be needed.
The two air scoops behind the cockpit are covering the flush mounted servos for the elevator and rudder. Those could be mounted traditionally like the Racer if you wished. You will have to route the servo and push rod for the rudder above the horizontal stabilizer though.
This bird really likes to torque roll at launch so I will be playing with the power pod and thrust angles once I get to the build. That will make the power pod for this not compatilble with other swap-ables, but it would be completely optional. I will upload the plans as soon as they are done though so you could use just a stock power pod and get started right away.
I think the design is done...
I am fairly happy with the overall shape.
The next step is to lay out the foam pieces and get the plans done. I will be adding a cover that will plug that gaping maw it has up front.
The way the power pod fits in this is just like my first build. Since I had to chop the fuse down, the battery does not fit in the nose like the Racer. Instead, there is a hatch at the top/front that once removed, exposes the power pod that will house the battery. As a result, the things that normally would be in the pod you mount under the pod in the nose. ESC, BEC, etc. There is plenty of room in there for CG adjustments as well as electronics mounting options. I could also make the hatch larger and encompass the canopy which would give you all kinds of room to mount the electronics, but I don't think it will be needed.
The two air scoops behind the cockpit are covering the flush mounted servos for the elevator and rudder. Those could be mounted traditionally like the Racer if you wished. You will have to route the servo and push rod for the rudder above the horizontal stabilizer though.
This bird really likes to torque roll at launch so I will be playing with the power pod and thrust angles once I get to the build. That will make the power pod for this not compatilble with other swap-ables, but it would be completely optional. I will upload the plans as soon as they are done though so you could use just a stock power pod and get started right away.
Grifflyer
WWII fanatic
AWESOME!!Thanks bud!^
I think the design is done...
View attachment 110035 View attachment 110036
I am fairly happy with the overall shape.
The next step is to lay out the foam pieces and get the plans done. I will be adding a cover that will plug that gaping maw it has up front.
The way the power pod fits in this is just like my first build. Since I had to chop the fuse down, the battery does not fit in the nose like the Racer. Instead, there is a hatch at the top/front that once removed, exposes the power pod that will house the battery. As a result, the things that normally would be in the pod you mount under the pod in the nose. ESC, BEC, etc. There is plenty of room in there for CG adjustments as well as electronics mounting options. I could also make the hatch larger and encompass the canopy which would give you all kinds of room to mount the electronics, but I don't think it will be needed.
The two air scoops behind the cockpit are covering the flush mounted servos for the elevator and rudder. Those could be mounted traditionally like the Racer if you wished. You will have to route the servo and push rod for the rudder above the horizontal stabilizer though.
This bird really likes to torque roll at launch so I will be playing with the power pod and thrust angles once I get to the build. That will make the power pod for this not compatilble with other swap-ables, but it would be completely optional. I will upload the plans as soon as they are done though so you could use just a stock power pod and get started right away.
