That's beautiful work right there Damo. You've got a knack for building great looking airplanes.
FF2017 Int. Racers: Caudron C.460
- Thread starter rockyboy
- Start date
Thanks everyone! To be fair, there is a reason why I take the pics from a little distance away...
...they are not quite as pretty up close.
Sure. Here is a close up of the canopy.
There were a couple of things with the original plans that I wanted to modify (typical scratch builder, if you gave me plans for a 6 inch square piece of foam I would probably modify it!). Mostly I wanted to avoid the formers approach for the fuse. I never seem to get these and the poster board just the way I want them. So I imported the original SVG files into Blender, exported them from there to Collada files, and imported them into Sketchup. I could then use the original formers from the plans to model a fuse in foamboard.
While I had that done, I also tried to model in the canopy. The rear part of the canopy fit okay with a lot of bevelling to match the decking curves. The front was a disaster, so I resorted to making a screen from some thin flat plastic. Then I painted her up, masking the screen. I didn't realize at the time that when you looked through the screen, the interior would be pure white. I added some metal tape strips as additional "windows" on the canopy.
I'm in a bit of a quandry over this. I don't really want to wait until FFW to maiden as I would prefer to have some time to trim and tweak if I need to. On the other hand, there is a strong possibility that I will maiden her this weekend and trash the plane. On top of that, DamoRC Jnr, who is officially entered as the pilot and who also takes all the videos, is away this weekend. So he won't have time to fly her until next week.
All that being said, these are first world problems. So I'll probably chuck her up this weekend.
DamoRC
...they are not quite as pretty up close.
Sure. Here is a close up of the canopy.
There were a couple of things with the original plans that I wanted to modify (typical scratch builder, if you gave me plans for a 6 inch square piece of foam I would probably modify it!). Mostly I wanted to avoid the formers approach for the fuse. I never seem to get these and the poster board just the way I want them. So I imported the original SVG files into Blender, exported them from there to Collada files, and imported them into Sketchup. I could then use the original formers from the plans to model a fuse in foamboard.
While I had that done, I also tried to model in the canopy. The rear part of the canopy fit okay with a lot of bevelling to match the decking curves. The front was a disaster, so I resorted to making a screen from some thin flat plastic. Then I painted her up, masking the screen. I didn't realize at the time that when you looked through the screen, the interior would be pure white. I added some metal tape strips as additional "windows" on the canopy.
I'm in a bit of a quandry over this. I don't really want to wait until FFW to maiden as I would prefer to have some time to trim and tweak if I need to. On the other hand, there is a strong possibility that I will maiden her this weekend and trash the plane. On top of that, DamoRC Jnr, who is officially entered as the pilot and who also takes all the videos, is away this weekend. So he won't have time to fly her until next week.
All that being said, these are first world problems. So I'll probably chuck her up this weekend.
DamoRC
I would HIGHLY suggest that if you plan to make these go around specific point, like pylons, You should not delay in getting the airplane in the air to get as much stick time as possible.
Agreed! Get her in the air!
So this is how she looks after the maiden today...
She survived! No video - sorry.
Got four flights in, building up from light and slow to heavier and faster
(1) NTM28-26 1000kv, 9x6 prop, 3S 1600mAh (AUW 25 oz).
(2) NTM28-26 1000kv, 10x6 prop, 3S 2200mAh (AUW 27 oz).
(3) NTM28-26 1200kv, 9x6 prop, 3S 2200mAh (AUW 27 oz).
(4) NTM28-26 1200kv, 9x6 prop, 4S 2200mAh (AUW 29 oz).
Flew well all flights. Launch was a little rough with the 10 x 6 prop. But once she is up to speed it was nice flying. Fastest was obviously (4) but its still way under powered in comparison to the competition (and the motor was hot after ~4 minutes, 9x6 4S is too much for this motor). Now that I know she flys well enough I am tempted to see if I can get a beefier motor in time for next weekend. Can't trust HK to have it here on time and I don't see anything great on Amazon. Any suggestions for a quick turnaround supplier?
DamoRC
She survived! No video - sorry.
Got four flights in, building up from light and slow to heavier and faster
(1) NTM28-26 1000kv, 9x6 prop, 3S 1600mAh (AUW 25 oz).
(2) NTM28-26 1000kv, 10x6 prop, 3S 2200mAh (AUW 27 oz).
(3) NTM28-26 1200kv, 9x6 prop, 3S 2200mAh (AUW 27 oz).
(4) NTM28-26 1200kv, 9x6 prop, 4S 2200mAh (AUW 29 oz).
Flew well all flights. Launch was a little rough with the 10 x 6 prop. But once she is up to speed it was nice flying. Fastest was obviously (4) but its still way under powered in comparison to the competition (and the motor was hot after ~4 minutes, 9x6 4S is too much for this motor). Now that I know she flys well enough I am tempted to see if I can get a beefier motor in time for next weekend. Can't trust HK to have it here on time and I don't see anything great on Amazon. Any suggestions for a quick turnaround supplier?
DamoRC
Have you tried an 8x8 prop yet?
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Thanks for the advice and suggestions all.
I hadn't considered going more square on the props so this is something to try.
But I also wanted to put more watts into the mix. Aloft didn't seem to have what I was looking for (~500W, 900-1000kv) or if they did it was out of stock. Ended up picking up an E-flite Power 15 and some 9x9 props (for the squareness factor) and 10 x 7s (already have a few 10x6s). I am going to have to remove the front end and do some work to ensure the new motor fits properly.
Got a couple of days but there is a lot to do between this plane and some of the others I am trying to finish for FFW (plus a cart to carry them all).
Mrs DamoRC came into the garage last night, saw half finished planes and parts everywhere and a rickety cart contraption to carry them all and stated quite clearly that I am certifiable!
Oh well - FFW is only once a year - a little craziness is called for.
DamoRC
I hadn't considered going more square on the props so this is something to try.
But I also wanted to put more watts into the mix. Aloft didn't seem to have what I was looking for (~500W, 900-1000kv) or if they did it was out of stock. Ended up picking up an E-flite Power 15 and some 9x9 props (for the squareness factor) and 10 x 7s (already have a few 10x6s). I am going to have to remove the front end and do some work to ensure the new motor fits properly.
Got a couple of days but there is a lot to do between this plane and some of the others I am trying to finish for FFW (plus a cart to carry them all).
Mrs DamoRC came into the garage last night, saw half finished planes and parts everywhere and a rickety cart contraption to carry them all and stated quite clearly that I am certifiable!
Oh well - FFW is only once a year - a little craziness is called for.
DamoRC
I couldn't agree more
But you had four good flights at FF and that's pretty awesome!! :applause:
Any ideas what caused the switch to agriculture mode? Local wind conditions a factor? Some of the vlogs I'm seeing look like there's a good crosswind at times.
It does seem somewhere between 2 and 6 flights is the lifespan of one of these so far... someone is going to have to keep one of these builds in the air longer and break this pattern!
Any ideas what caused the switch to agriculture mode? Local wind conditions a factor? Some of the vlogs I'm seeing look like there's a good crosswind at times.
It does seem somewhere between 2 and 6 flights is the lifespan of one of these so far... someone is going to have to keep one of these builds in the air longer and break this pattern!
HilldaFlyer
Well-known member
Just build 3 or 4 planes...:black_eyed:
Funny enough, I have parts cut for numbers 3 and 4 in the workshop right now. Guess I better get back to building them
PsyBorg
Wake up! Time to fly!
I am looking at the start I got on mine so far and I think I will finally be getting back to it again. I think I will redo the fuselage per the reasons I talked to you about in relation to the tail feathers. Did you get a chance to look at the width on the current plans at all Rockyboy? If you can give me a current measurement specifically the top flat section of the fuse at the furthest rearward point so I can make adjustments on my patterns please and thank you.
HilldaFlyer
Well-known member
My second plane is almost done. Just finished the extra long non-scale wings to give it a fighting chance. If it flies, I'll try the scale wings. So, I've built 3 to this point and it will probably be 4.
