first rc plane build help.

sierra_bravo

New member
Hello,

I am new to the rc world coming from the pcmasterrace world. I wanting to build my first plane and I always loved drones so I want to buy the FT versa wing kit from the FT store. I love the design and I also would build it as a pusher so i can mount a gopro to the front of it. I have some questions before I buy.
  1. what material is the versa wing kit
  2. if i break part of the kit while build where can I buy replacement foam.
  3. how hard is it to build the plane body
  4. is this a good first plane
  5. could i mount a gopro to it
  6. do I need landing gears
  7. if I crash(which i will) how hard to repair it
  8. can I fly it at a park
  9. can I paint the foam


I have already found all the parts and wanted to know if all the parts will work together.

Motor
turnigy D2826-6 2200kv Outrunner Motor
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__65231__D2826_6_2200kv_Outrunner_Motor_AR_Warehouse_.html


ESC
hextronik HXT900 9g
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...9g_1_6kg_12sec_Micro_Servo_AR_Warehouse_.html

transmitter+receiver
Hobby King 2.4Ghz
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...2_4Ghz_6Ch_Tx_Rx_V2_Mode_2_AR_Warehouse_.html

battery+charger
battery:turnigy 1800mAh 3S 20C Lipo
http://bit.ly/1whoCB6

charger:IMAX B6 50W
http://bit.ly/17RygWw

prop
Master Airscrew propeller 8x6
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__70799__Master_Airscrew_propeller_8x6_AR_Warehouse_.html




Thank you for the help in advance. I want to be 100% sure that everything will work before I make the purchase.


Also if you have any building tips that would also help.

Thanks.
sam
 
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quorneng

Master member
sierra-bravo
The hextronik HXT900 9g is a servo not an ESC (electronic speed control)
As a servo it is ok but you will need an appropriate 40A ESC.
Your prop is too big for that motor. HobbyKing recommend a 5x5 for a 3s LiPo.
This motor has a lower kV (750) will handle a 9x6 on a 3s.

I hope this helps
 
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sierra_bravo

New member
thanks

Sorry thats my fault The ESC I found is this one http://bit.ly/1uaHSWF. Also the motor you recommended me would that also be able to power the plane with a gopro which ways 3.9 ounces on the front of the plane and do you think I need landing gears.
Thanks it's does help
 

sierra_bravo

New member
new parts list

I was looking at the kit designed for the versa but it is out of stock sadly.
I am also going to be building the plane from scratch.
I looked at my part list and changed a couple of the things because I don't have a large budget about $130 for everything

This is the new parts list

Motor+ESC

motor
turnigy D2826-10 1400kv Brushless Motor
http://bit.ly/15jVdQO

ESC
hextronic HXT900 9g
http://bit.ly/1xgi5Ia


Battery+Charger

Battery
Turnigy 2200mAh 3S 20C Lipo Pack
http://bit.ly/14P29Vg

Charger
IMAX B6
http://bit.ly/17RygWw


Transmitter+Receiver
Hobby King 2.4Ghz
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html


Prop+Servos

Prop
Master Airscrew propeller 7x5
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__70791__Master_Airscrew_propeller_7x5_AR_Warehouse_.html

Servo
hextronik HXT900 9g
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

Thanks again for all the help. It helps alot.
Also I bought The foam board which I read everyone uses which is Adams Readi-Board Foam Boards plus the hot glue gun that was recommended in the flight test hot glue tricks video. I am going to see where I can get the planes for the plane printed in full size.

Thanks again.:confused:
 

PhenomPilot

New member
list looks good! I couldn't view the transmitter but as long as it has channel mixing for the wing, it will work.
Don't bother getting the plans printed full size for this plane. There aren't too many parts. Just print the tiled plans and tape them together. If you can find the extreme packing tape, it is great for making a tough leading edge.
 

sierra_bravo

New member
thank you everyone

Ok thanks for verifying that everything will work and I already found a store that will print both pages in full size for 6 dollars Which is less then I will spend on paper and ink if I use my printer. Also the transmitter does have servo mixing. I have a problem that when I launch the plane I will have to launch it my self. I am wondering if that is possible or of I will have to get a landing gear for take off.

Thank you very much.
-sam
 
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PhenomPilot

New member
Self launching is definitely possible but can be tricky to learn. There are several videos showing some different methods. I can't offer any suggestions on which is best. The blunt nose versa that I built was a failure as the elmers foam board was too heavy to get past the launch. I would add some extreme packing tape to the leading edge and give it a throw.
 

sierra_bravo

New member
thanks everyone

ok I try self launching when I build the plane.

I really dont have any more questions as of now if I do I will ask them on this same thread.
Thank you everyone who answered it is a huge help. I will make sure to post photos when I build the plane. I am going to get the plans tomorrow but not build the frame as i do not have the servos for the inside of the wing.

Thank you.
-sam :cool:
 

BankNYank!

New member
Mentor
Hey sierra_bravo, welcome to the forum!

I want to start by saying that the FT Versa is my absolute favorite FT plane! I have built several including an EDF version and a blunt nose double pusher.

I'm excited to see you diving right in here and getting some good advice but I have a couple questions/comments for you.

My first (and most important) question is, have you ever flown an rc fixed wing aircraft before? The reason I ask this is because the FT Versa is not really a beginner plane mainly due to having to hand launch it (though you can put landing gear on it) and the fact that it doesn't self right like your average high wing trainer.

I only ask this and want to caution you because sometimes people will try to build a plane they aren't ready to fly and the subsequent crashes, added cost and time for repairs and lack of or short lived successful flights can be very discouraging and in some instances causes people to give up on the hobby.

I most definitely don't want to discourage you from diving into this amazing hobby! I just want to make sure you can swim first. ;)

What are you wanting to do with your Versa?

You mentioned putting a GoPro on it, are you planning on using it mainly for aerial video? What you want to use the aircraft for can change the motor you want to buy. I just skimed the posts but I think I saw you were looking at a bigger prop lower KV motor. This would be good if you want to fly slower with some heavy (GoPro or FPV) gear on your aircraft. Flying slower will give you better video footage if that's what your looking for. Also the lower kv bigger prop combo generally equates to longer flight times as long as your running the right size motor.

One suggestion I have is that you mount the servos vertical so the whole top of the servo is sticking out. This doesn't give the aircraft that smooth low profile look on the wings but it sure saves you a lot work and sadness (have to cut into your plane the other way) when it comes time to replace a servo.

I prefer the Turnigy 3s 2650 over the 2200 for the FT Versa. They give you more capacitance for just a couple more dollars and they are heavier. The FT Versa always needs nose weight and this helps balance that out a little. I always prefer more battery over dead (lead) weight since at least with a battery you are getting a little tradeoff with the added weight whereas adding dead weight reduces flight times.

As for a first transmitter I recommend the Turnigy 9x. It's pretty inexpensive and is highly mod-able which means it can grow with you for a while. Also there are a lot of people who like the 9x which means there are a lot of articles and people out there that know the transmitter and can give you help or advice. I linked the mode 2 version (most in the US use mode 2). Deciding mode 1 or mode 2 depends on which stick you want the throttle on; right or left accordingly and nothing more.

I hope my advice helps in some way and I can't wait to see your build photos! And a video of the maiden? \ :D /
 
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sierra_bravo

New member
bankNYank

Hello,
To adress your first question I do (or had) experience in flying fixed wing aircraft but I have not flown for almost 2 years. I stopped flying because I got interested in computers and computer building. I started practicing my flying with flight simulators 2 months ago but I wanted to start flying for real again.


I am planning to build a versa to practice flying for real and later on build a more powerful one for FPV. But as for this versa I plan to build it as a pusher and practice. Definitely not going to mount a gopro any time soon until I can fly again.


I was planing to mount the servo and esc on top anyways i don't care if it is ugly but at least if I crash it will be safe and easy to repair. I have updated the parts list to be more affordable (the new list is in one of my pervious post) and better for practice I have changed the motor, prop, and battery. Also I saw the turnigy 9x but it it's a bit pricey for now (my budget is $140 for everything) but maybe for when I build a more powerful version. The battery you recommended I like better I just dont know how heavy of a battery is best. I will be sure of posting photos when I start the build. All I have now is the poster board. When I take it for the madien flight I'll film the best bits and make a video.

Thank you again.
-sam:cool:
 

sierra_bravo

New member
Started purchases

Hello,
I decided to start build the versa body. I have purchased the servos,battery,motor,ft element firewall, propeller, and control horns

The parts list in a post titled "new parts list"

I will post photos when I start the build.

Thank you every one for the help.:cool:
 

BankNYank!

New member
Mentor
The battery you recommended I like better I just dont know how heavy of a battery is best.


I like the battery I suggested over the 2200's but that is a personal preference. The 2200's are more universal but I just prefer the 2650's for my Versa's. I also use them on my scratch built H-quad.

If you wanted a battery specifically for your Versa you could probably go up to a 3s 3300 20c or so and still be okay since I still have to add weight to the nose even with the 2650's, but thats just a guess since I've never actually weighed out how much nose weight I have total in my Versa's. One thing to remember for sure is to make sure your CG is right before you fly. CG is always important in an aircraft but more so with a delta style wing.

One last thing. The spec's for the motor you listed calls for a 7x4 prop. You might get away with using the 7x5 that you listed but it may be pushing that motor a bit and decrease it's lifespan. Props are cheap, the best advice I can give is if you already ordered the 7x5's then give em a try. Fly for about 5 minutes or so without really pushing the motor then bring it down and feel how hot the motor is. Warm is okay but hot, not so much. Obviously that's not very scientific and if your deciding to get back into the hobby and building your own stuff I recommend buying a watt meter next time you have a little money saved up. I use the HK010; no frills but it does a great job.

Happy building and I look forward to your build pictures!
 

sierra_bravo

New member
I was looking at the battery you recommended but I saw that it weighs less then the 2200mah battery. Also I was looking for a 7x4 prop at hobbyking but I can not find any that are at there east US warehouse location. If you know about any 7x4 props sold by hobby king at the east ware house could you please tell me. I will post some photos of the foam when I buy the plans and start cutting the foam board.
Thanks.
-sam:cool:
 

BankNYank!

New member
Mentor
I was looking at the battery you recommended but I saw that it weighs less then the 2200mah battery. Also I was looking for a 7x4 prop at hobbyking but I can not find any that are at there east US warehouse location. If you know about any 7x4 props sold by hobby king at the east ware house could you please tell me. I will post some photos of the foam when I buy the plans and start cutting the foam board.
Thanks.
-sam:cool:

According to HK's web site the Turnigy 3S 2650 20C (the battery I recommended) weighs in at 213g and the Turnigy 3S 2200 20C is tipping the scale at 188g which means that the battery I recommended is 25g heavier.

I just broke out my scale so I can give you some real world values and weighed two of my Turnigy 3S 2650 20C's. Both came out at about 256g. I also weighed a Turnigy 3S 2200 20C just like the one linked and it came out at 174g. That's actually 82g difference. Just to give you some extra data I have a couple Zippy 3S 2200 25C's here and they came out at around 168g. The heaviest 2200 I found that I have is an e-flight 3S 2200 30C which comes in at 186g. Just weighed two brand new fresh out the box never used Turnigy 3S 2650 20C's and they are tipping the scales at 232g and 256g.

As far as props in the USA east store it looks like these are the only ones available in 7X4.

I hope this information helps and happy building!!!
 
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