GMalatrasi
Active member
Hello Everyone, and welcome to my first scratch build thread!
This all started when I decided it was time to build my first foam board plane and went on to order the speed-build kit for the FT LongEZ.
Once I ordered that, I began to order all the electronic components for it; and I figured it'd get extras for everything. ^_^
But... As I waited for the stuff to arrive, I got the crazy idea to build a foam board Beechcraft Starship!
Sexy ain't it... ^_^
So I started looking into it... Soon I realized that, since I ordered spares, I already had, on order at least, everything I would need for the new build.
Here's the component list so far:
- 2x iFlight iPower MT1806 2300kv
- 2x Flycolor Raptor BLS-Pro 30A ESCs
- For props, I ordered two: Gemfan Flash 6042 6.0x4.2 Bi-blades and some Gemfan 6X4 6040HE Bi-blades
- 2x SG51R 5g Servos
- FrSky V8R4-II 2.4Ghz 4CH Receiver
I'll be running this on 2S for now since it's what I have on hand.
(Feel free to voice your concerns if any regarding the parts listed for this application)
On to the plane itself!
Since I have access to professional CAD software at work, I started modeling up some study files after hours to figure out the general dimensions based on the prop size. It came out to have a 36" which seems a good size to me. So I continued on designing the whole thing.
Here's a couple of screenshots:
It'll use elevon mixing and differential thrust. I did push the motors further apart to improve yaw authority.
Currently, I'm testing the 3D-to-2D process creating scale drawings to use as cutting templates and test building the parts to make sure i didn't overlook something. Then fix the CAD models accordingly.
More Pics:
I'm also trying to find the best solution to the elevon actuation issue... I dont want to have the pushrod on the bottom of the wing, so i'm considering torque arm links through the center section of the wing.
Something like this, maybe have the tube (shown in red) going all the way to the fuselage or maybe just to the engine nacelle and do individual servos in each nacelle...? Ideas would be great!
Update#1:
I figured it was a good idea to get some stick time in before I start test flying an unproven aircraft so started building the FT LongEZ kit.
Should be able to fly this LongEZ while working on the Starship build.
Had to do some surgery to fit my bigger servos.
Good stopping point for the first night:
Got a shipment of goodies too:
After, what felt like a month of waiting for the new ESC to arrive, I finally finished the LongEZ speed-build kit.
Unfortunately, the weather is starting to get all wintery here, cold and windy, cold for me at least.
I'll see how much stick time I can get in before it gets too cold and windy. >_<
Next I'll get back to building the simple prototype of the Starship!
Anyway, I'll keep updating this post as I move along. So stay tuned, and don't hold back on the suggestions, advice, concerns, criticisms, etc.
All are welcome!
This all started when I decided it was time to build my first foam board plane and went on to order the speed-build kit for the FT LongEZ.
Once I ordered that, I began to order all the electronic components for it; and I figured it'd get extras for everything. ^_^
But... As I waited for the stuff to arrive, I got the crazy idea to build a foam board Beechcraft Starship!

So I started looking into it... Soon I realized that, since I ordered spares, I already had, on order at least, everything I would need for the new build.
Here's the component list so far:
- 2x iFlight iPower MT1806 2300kv
- 2x Flycolor Raptor BLS-Pro 30A ESCs
- For props, I ordered two: Gemfan Flash 6042 6.0x4.2 Bi-blades and some Gemfan 6X4 6040HE Bi-blades
- 2x SG51R 5g Servos
- FrSky V8R4-II 2.4Ghz 4CH Receiver
I'll be running this on 2S for now since it's what I have on hand.
(Feel free to voice your concerns if any regarding the parts listed for this application)
On to the plane itself!
Since I have access to professional CAD software at work, I started modeling up some study files after hours to figure out the general dimensions based on the prop size. It came out to have a 36" which seems a good size to me. So I continued on designing the whole thing.
Here's a couple of screenshots:


It'll use elevon mixing and differential thrust. I did push the motors further apart to improve yaw authority.
Currently, I'm testing the 3D-to-2D process creating scale drawings to use as cutting templates and test building the parts to make sure i didn't overlook something. Then fix the CAD models accordingly.
More Pics:




I'm also trying to find the best solution to the elevon actuation issue... I dont want to have the pushrod on the bottom of the wing, so i'm considering torque arm links through the center section of the wing.
Something like this, maybe have the tube (shown in red) going all the way to the fuselage or maybe just to the engine nacelle and do individual servos in each nacelle...? Ideas would be great!

Update#1:
I figured it was a good idea to get some stick time in before I start test flying an unproven aircraft so started building the FT LongEZ kit.
Should be able to fly this LongEZ while working on the Starship build.


Had to do some surgery to fit my bigger servos.

Good stopping point for the first night:

Got a shipment of goodies too:

After, what felt like a month of waiting for the new ESC to arrive, I finally finished the LongEZ speed-build kit.

Unfortunately, the weather is starting to get all wintery here, cold and windy, cold for me at least.
I'll see how much stick time I can get in before it gets too cold and windy. >_<
Next I'll get back to building the simple prototype of the Starship!
Anyway, I'll keep updating this post as I move along. So stay tuned, and don't hold back on the suggestions, advice, concerns, criticisms, etc.
All are welcome!
Last edited: