Andre's Durafly SkyMule

[Andre]

The Durafly™ SkyMule Twin FPV Sports Model EPO 1500mm (Kit) arrived today.

I'm always a little worried when planes come by regular mail but this one was perfect.
Credit to HK for actually taking the time to wrap it up very nicely.

They flipped the outer box inside out so the contents would not visible.
Added extra layer of bubble wrap, cardboard and air packs.

Nothing was marked or damaged.



My wife actually picked the Mule. She liked the skis and felt I would enjoy well this winter.

 

[themajik1]

Sweet Andre! I will be waiting for a full report on build and flight after you get it done!

I have looked at this one for a while for a FPV plane.

Subscribing to this one for sure!

 

[Johnskis85]

I to am curious to know your thoughts, I really have been eyeing this plane since it came out patiently awaiting flitetest's thoughtthoughts on it as well as the forums opinion. I think I may get a vapor first as winter and bad weather is quickly approaching and short of of my large living room I wouldn't get to fly much during the winter.

 

[Andre]

Thanks Mike.

I'm thinking this plane is worthy of the LRS 433 gear, T1000FC RTH module and my FPV gear.
Load her up with a 3S 4000 and have some fun.

Working out how to load the motors and actually build the kit but good mental exercise.

I'm going to use the 2830-11 motors I've been flying most of my scratch builds with.
These motors moved the old cargo plane along very nicely. They check in at almost the same weight as well which is nice.

 

[Johnskis85]

If you dont mind document your build i really want this plane and id like to see how easy it is to put together guessing you bought the kit version of this plane?

 

[Andre]

Yes it is the kit. So I'm indeed doing a bit more building.

Right now looking at how to mount the motors I have here vs buying all new ones.

 

[Andre]

Motor Mounts

The RTF version of the SkyMule which would have cost me another $100 with the extra parts and shipping uses a 1100KV bell style motor. A DT-750. I'm sticking with my trusted 2830-11 motors.

They handled the cargo plane which checks in at 1900g. Now the issue is the motor sits on an X mount and are much shorter.

No worry.


- The centre wing section. I've been told to make sure the engine pods are glues on well.


- Here is the solution for using the 2830 motors. A small wooden bulk head I can screw the X mount and motor onto.


- Small down in the back. I've since opted for a wider one.


35Amp ESC. I'm going to have cut a hole in the screens or not use the screens at all.


HTX 900 9g servos for the flight controls.


- Sorry Mike a messy bench again.


- The old cargo plane. If I can keep it active I might just for kicks.
It has the big green bomb in the belly which my son loves.


- Better shot of the new mounts.


- I have 10x6, 10x4.5 and triple blade 9x5 props. The ones which came with the plane won't fit these motors.

 

[Andre]

Have to decide on the power Y cable.

Tempted to remove the XT60s from the ESC and put on some 3.5mm bullet connectors allowing me to use the stock harness.
I have Y connectors if I decide to run x2 3s 2200's but also have some 4000's now.

 

[Andre]

Wiring Harness & ESC Bullet Connectors

This evening I removed the XT60 connectors from the ESC and installed 3.5mm bullet connectors allowing me to use the stock wiring harness.


- A little different with the male and female bullets.


- There we go. I can use the stock harness. I have a Y setup if I want to use 2 batteries.


- And the UBEC to power the flight controller.


- T1000FC in progress.


- I'm going to have to trim the covers for the ESC.

 

[Andre]

Started gluing parts last night. I wish the kit came with more glue to be honest.


- Glued on the aileron servos and wheel pants.
- I did noticed the tabs into the wings that the control rod hooks to is moving around. I'm going to CA that. I don't need that coming off.


- MULE. Big wing but nice that is goes into 3 pieces.


- The motor pods with nav lights on the outside and landing on the inside to light up the fuse.


I'll glue them in this evening.

 

[makattack]

Nice Andre! Looks like it's coming along really well. I like your mods to it and look forward to seeing the flight on video!

 

[Andre]

I'm going to look this evening to see if I can set the motor back a bit more but not to worried.

Andre.

 

[Andre]

Assemble & Glue

Good session this evening.

I did get out for some quick flights with the Sukhoi but then the weather came and dampened everything.


- The elevator and rudder servo installed.


- The fuselage cracked opened.


- Prepping the nose gear.


-The wing centre section now with the motor pod glued in.


- Installed, routed and locked in ESC.


- Nav lights installed.
- Red beacon on the nose.
- Red left, green right and landing lights on the motor pods.


- Strobe lights on the belly, rear tail and top of the wing centre.


- You can see the landing lights.


- Now to let the glue setup over night.

 

[Andre]

Almost Ready

The weather is rainy and cold today.

So the Mule will have to wait.
Gives time for the glue to cure nicely and I still need to do all the trim/setups.

Still she is almost ready.

Showed my wife the plane for the first time. Thumbs up.
I'd mentioned I was tempted to change the paint to RCAF SAR Yellow and was told "NO".
She said she likes the colours and that was one of the reasons she picked it.


- 10x4.5" Props.


- 9x5 Triples. I'll have to test both setups.
- Also have some 10x6's on stand by as well.


- Beacon lights


- Strobe lights.


- More lights in the belly than on tops.


- But the plane should still be very visible.


- I've been flying for a year now.


- The fleet has grown and changed a little.
- Really love every aspect of these planes. From the scratch builds, to 3D, gliding, multi rotors and FPV.

 

[Andre]

8 Channel controls

Working on what needs to be done to control this beast.

Looks like I'll be filling up a 8 channel receiver very easily.

1 Ailerons
2 Elevator
3 ESC/Motors
4 Rudder & Nose gear
5 Flight controller mode selection
6 Camera or nav light switch
7 Pan FPV camera
8 Tilt FPV camera

 

[themajik1]

Nice Andre!
I will say the SkyMule looks really good! Really like the light setup you have made for it. Can't wait to hear and hopefully see the maiden flight of this new plane!

Good Luck!

 

[Andre]

Thanks Mike.

I'll do a full video capture job when she does take to the sky.

 

[Andre]

She's ready to fly

Glue cured nicely.


- All systems checked out.


- Will try with the 10" props first.


- 3S 4000 battery.


- Cleaned up the nav light wires. So I can pull the centre wing off if needed.


- Just loaded the gear in for now. Things will change as I apply the LRS, RTH & FPV.

 

[Kenbow]

Weather stinks here in Michigan also, better coming soon, I hope! Have a good maiden flight!

 

[Andre]

Maiden Flight A Success

So this morning the SkyMule took to the sky.

I used the 10x4.5 props and had plenty of power.

The winds were very high and the temp was only 10C!

Still pointed the Mule into the wind and she did a beautiful short take off.

In the wind there were no issues. I could park her and the landing was great.

I was so nervous I forgot to record a video.