Building My First Plane/Starter Kit Feedback

[meatay]

Hi all,
I've been lurking here for a while and wanting to get involved in this hobby even longer. I've finally decided to dive in and I've already purchased a RTF high-wing trainer to get my feet wet. I'm waiting for my local club to have their next gathering so that I can go learn a little bit from some more experienced people.

But, assuming I crash that plane I would love to have a simple (easily fixable alternate). Plus I would love to build my own plane! So I've decided to try building the Old Fogey or the Bloody Wonder (or maybe both). I've looked around and tried to find all the bits and pieces that have been recommended to get started. Since I'm starting from scratch, I've had a little trouble figuring out just what I needed to buy. Would you guys mind reviewing my first round of buying spree below to let me know what else I may need to go out and find for building my own planes?

TX/RX/Servo	Quantity
HobbyKing HK6S 2.4Ghz FHSS 6Ch Tx & Rx (Mode 2)	1
HobbyKing HK6DF 6 Channel 2.4ghz Channel Receiver	2
HXT900 9g / 1.6kg / .12sec Micro Servo	10
Motor	Quantity
hexTronik DT750 Brushless Outrunner 750kv	1
TURNIGY Plush 25amp Speed Controller	2
NTM Prop Drive Series 28-26A 1200kv / 286w	1
NTM Prop Drive 28 Series Accessory Pack	1
NTM Prop Drive 2826 Series Replacement Shaft	1
NTM 28 Carbon Fibre Motor Mount	1
Battery	Quantity
Turnigy 1300mAh 3S 20C Lipo Pack	2
Turnigy 2200mAh 3S 20C Lipo Pack	3
Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger w/ Accessories	1
HobbyKing HK-010 Wattmeter & Voltage Analyzer	1
Accessory	Quantity
SF E-Prop 10x4.7 / 254x119.5mm w/ Adapters Black (5pcs/bag)	3
3.5mm 3 wire Bullet-connector for motor (5pairs/bag)	2
XT60 Male w/ 12AWG Silicon Wire 10cm (5pcs/bag)	1
XT60 Female w/ 12AWG Silicon Wire 10cm (5pcs/bag)	1
JR Type Male Servo Lead 26AWG 15CM (10pcs)	1
Simple Prop Balancer	1
Lithium Polymer Charge Pack 18x22cm Sack	1
Linkage Stopper D1.8mm (10pcs)	2

 

[earthsciteach]

That is certainly a very thorough list! Honestly, at the end of the day on a Friday, I can't see any major gaps. But, there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on here who might. Since it looks like you are going for the "Deluxe Starter Package," do you have a soldering iron and solder? If not, it is an invaluable tool. Also, pick up some heat shrink at a local store or online. Good stuff to have around. Also, clear packaging tape is important. Its the duct tape of the foam RC world. Got hot glue gun? Again, invaluable.

You are obviously a very thorough person. You'll be adding all kinds of odds and ends in short order. One day you will look around your work area and realize that you have no more space. You might want to consider putting a larger sized work-shop on the list. Maybe even a new house. If you don't own a trailer to haul all of your stuff in, you might want to start looking around.

Here is a great article on getting into rc: http://flitetest.com/articles/getting-into-flying-rc-aircraft-on-a-budget
and another: http://flitetest.com/articles/the-hidden-costs-of-rc-flying

Welcome to the forums, meatay! Have fun with your new hobby. Let us know how it goes!

 

[TEAJR66]

Meatay,

Welcome to the forum. You have assembled a pretty comprehensive list there. Here is what I notice. Keep in mind that these are strictly my opinions and there are much more experienced folks here that will help above and beyond my input.

1. For the two scratch built planes you mention, the DT750 is a little bit overkill. The Old Fogey fly's wonderfully with the hextronic 24g 1300kv motor http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=68557

2. I did not see an ESC listed. This one will work well with the 24g motor, http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__4312__TURNIGY_Plush_18amp_Speed_Controller.html and this one works well with the NTM 2826 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__2164__TURNIGY_Plush_30amp_Speed_Controller.html I recommended the 30A over the 25A because the 30 is a few cents cheaper and it will leave you room to grow for when you want to start pushing that motors boundries.

3. Both of those motors perform very well with APC 8X4E props. You can save time, expense and a little frustration by ordering the same size prop that works on multiple aircraft.

4. The 1300mah battery is at the upper end of the weight that you want to use in the fogey. It flies best light and slow. If you stay between 500-1000mah in that plane, you will be more satisfied with its flight characteristics.

5. The 2200mah will work with the Bloody Wonder. But that is a little heavy and will require faster flight, plus it will be a tight fit if you try to put everything inside the pod. The NTM 2826 will power that setup just fine. The 1300mah battery will let you slow down when you need to.

6. I don't see a need for the jr type male servo leads. The servos you have listed will plug into that receiver just fine.

7. If you decide to go to the 500-1000mah batteries, you will notice that the discharge plugs change style. You will need some of these for the ESC that you use for those batteries. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...T_battery_pigtail_12cm_length_10pcs_bag_.html
You could also change the discharge plug on the batteries to XT60, but I think that is overkill (I would rather tamper with the ESC).

I hope that helps. Feel free to ask more questions. If all I have done is add confusion or doubt, then disregard what I have said. Your list indicates that you have a decent handle on what you are doing.

By the way, if you crash and destroy the RTF to the point where you need to build and or fly something else, the bloody wonder would not be a good choice for that plane.

 

[meatay]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm hoping to have a nice variety of gadgets available.

TEAJR66 I will definitely take a look at your suggestions. Only seeing these planes on the videos, I appreciate the feedback on the motor/battery/weight issue.

 

[PhenomPilot]

Welcome to the forums Meatay! The list looks pretty good. I would also suggest a smaller motor instead of the dt750 which can be difficult to mount props to on. Try a 24gram or 2210 motor with a prop saver at first. Both motors can be used on the old fogey and I know the 2210 can be used on the bloody wonder as well. They are cheaper than the dt750 and can still use the 30esc listed for when you want a bigger motor. Get a prop saver or prop adapter for the shaft size of the motor you get, most likely 3mm or3.17mm. The 2210 motor works well with a 9x5 gws prop but you will have to look at the reviews for the recommended prop for the 24g motor.
Additions to list might be control horns, wheels roughly 38-50mm and 2mm wire for the gear. Zip ties, extreme packing tape and gift cards are also great to have around.

 

[meatay]

Thanks for the continued feedback. With your notes and a bit of further reading I've changed my order around a little bit and placed it. I added/swapped out the below motor/ESC/Battery with the Old Fogey in mind as the best candidate for the backup trainer I need at this stage.

http://cdn.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...rushless_Outrunner_1300kv_USA_Warehouse_.html
http://cdn.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ush_30amp_Speed_Controller_US_Warehouse_.html
http://cdn.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...y_800mAh_3S_30C_Lipo_Pack_USA_Warehouse_.html
http://cdn.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._8_3_8SF_w_shaft_adapters_USA_warehouse_.html

 

[TEAJR66]

Looks good. That batt has the XT60, so you are tracking there. Just need to solder the other XT60 to the ESC.

Keep us informed on your progress.