FT Bloody Wonder - Scratch Build

[roversgonemad]

I also had to build another BW. I finally stuck it in the ground enough times that the nose was no longer repairable with hot glue and tape... This second version I added some masking tape to the top and bottom of the wing to help me better differentiate between top and bottom when it's in the sky rolling like a drill bit. I also added some reinforcement similar to what Bolvon did above. So far, no tweaked vertical stabilizers (but it's only had about four landings so far).

This is definitely a must have plane, if only just for the fun factor.

 

[roversgonemad]

I'll try this one more time and see if it will actually post. I finally smashed up my first BW to the point that it was not worth repairing. Fortunately I had some foam board (the local DT has been sold out lately...) The new version has some masking type stripes on the bottom of the wing tips and a sunburst pattern on the top of the wing, also from blue masking tape. What a great plane!! This is one of my favorite Flitetest designs. I love how agile it is. Even without rudders, it's great fun to fly! A video of a recent flight with version 2.

 

[FlyingMonkey]

Test

 

[Joker 53150]

I built them 6 months ago, but I finally got a chance to give my Bloody Wonder a maiden flight, along with the maiden flight of my FT Delta.



I didn't know what to expect on the Bloody Wonder since I modified it a bit from the FT plan (notice the extension on the nose). I also didn't use the airfoil design from FT and instead went with the standard Bloody flat top/bottom.

Throws were set up about "medium", and I used my old Spektrum 4 channel since I'm having some issues with my ER9x or the Orange module. No expo for me! For the first flights of both planes I went light-weight. No landing gear and 2S 500mAh batteries with a slow-fly prop.

I was completely amazed with both designs and how well they flew! Both were very docile and easy to fly with this setup, although I'd consider both of them under-powered as well. Limited vertical travel and somewhat sluggish, but for the maiden flights that is what I wanted. Flight times with the 500mAh packs were around 4:30 to 5:00 minutes.

I had a 3S 1000mAh pack with about 75% left on it after flying a different plane so I put it on the Bloody Wonder to see what difference the extra power would make. It certainly helped performance, but the extra weight also made it extremely responsive to down elevator. It still glides well, but tell it to go down and it goes down FAST!

Now that I know both fly well I'll spend some time checking a few different props to see if I can get better performance with the 2S. I don't want the extra weight of the 3S 1000mAh if I can avoid it - maybe I'll pick up some 3S in the 750mAh range if needed.

The combination I have now would work great with the NutBall or FT Flyer. I still need to maiden the NutBall I built a while back - this should be a fun setup for it.

Here are the planes taken out for some fun today: Bixler 1.1, FT Bloody Wonder, FT Delta, Red Swan (HK balsa glider kit), Mountain Models Switchback Sport, and the Hobby Zone Super Cub.

 

[roversgonemad]

WOOHOOO!!!!! Is it really working again?!?! Can I really post?!?! Many more flights on the BW2. What a great plane!!! The guys at the flying field are astounded how well DT foam can fly. I know it's not in the spirit of FT, but I almost don't want to share, so I can hog the foam at DT. Just recently I went to buy some foam and it was GONE!!! Completely sold out because of kids buying it to waste it on crap like school posters Why would you ever waste good foam on some crappy poster when you can use it for planes!!! Great to have things working again!!

 

[sparkyz]

Hello, I just built an FT BW, however the measurements were slightly off because I realised too late that my plastic 24" ruler is no longer straight but slightly curved (I know, should have used a metal one!). Because of this, and some dodgy marking of measurements, my spacer doesn't fit into the green lines for the spacer, I had to move it back 1-2cm (around half an inch I think). Will this adversely affect the airfoil or do I need to build another wing? Thanks in advance!

 

[roversgonemad]

It's already built! Just give it a shot and see how it pans out! Worst case, you are out some foam and a bit of time.

 

[sparkyz]

Oh I meant I've only built the wing, I haven't cut out the other pieces yet. I think I'll build another wing before continuing as my spacer is also slightly crooked and it'll probably save me more time in the long run if I just build a new wing now. This is my first, more-complicated scratch build (I've built the Nutball, FT Flyer and the Delta) so accuracy in plans matters a lot more, therefore does anyone have any tips on accurately cutting out plans, taping them together and transferring them on to the foam, because I can honestly say that the cutting/taping/transferring plans process is the hardest step for me because it's a challenge for me to get the edges cut off and stuck together properly. Thanks.

 

[Eugene king]

Last time I killed one running into the phone lines behind my house I built two at one time. Its not much extra work when your already set up. Building the second plane guarrentied I'd never use it.

 

[jhitesma]

Broke the firewall in my "big pod" today crashing my spitfire. Didn't even break a prop but bent the motor mount in two directions, smashed the firewall and broke one of the pod mounting pins. Still wanted to get the bloody wonder in the air though so gave it a try on my 24g "little pod".

Wow, way better than I expected. Not as fast, but just as maneuverable and had no problems in the light wind today. Even with the smaller motor the BW was a blast to fly. And since the smaller motor has a prop saver on it I finally was able to fly the BW more than once on the same prop

I really expected it to feel under powered with the little pod...but really it felt more like it would have been a better intro to ailerons than the delta with the little pod.

I really need to try one of the rubber hacks on this. It's fun but I keep finding I wish I had a rudder. And it's a simple strong enough design it should survive some mistakes playing with a rudder

 

[Mchavezx7]

Just finished my first build, found out the the center of the tail and the center of the wings don't match...does it matter much to make the tail smaller so that both are centered or does it have to stay wide?

 

[Okie]

just wondering if the turnigy park 300 1600kv motor will work with the bloody wonder it the motor I have in my power pod

 

[roversgonemad]

@ Mchavesx7, the center of my tail and wings also do not line perfectly. A little aileron trim and it's all good. You might have some yaw in there, but it's manageable.

Okie, I'd bet the 300 will get the Bloody Wonder around just fine. It probably won't be a slow flier with that motor, but will definitely still fly. There are Bloody Wonders flying on the 24 gram blue wonder from Lazer Toyz, so I am pretty sure the 300 will work. You will just have to be sure to use the right propeller.

 

[Jaxx]

Okie,

I fly mine with a hexTronik 24 gram motor (pretty much the same as the one roversgonmad is talking about). I started with a GWS style 8X4 prop, but now I run it with a GWS style 8X6 prop (I don't run it at full throttle for very long with this prop). The 24 gram motor provides more than enough power to fly this plane, so I assume Park300 1600kv would be okay. Keep in mind, an 8" prop might be a bit much for the Park300. Unfortunately, I don't own one, so I am unable to test it.

 

[BrownEyedFool]

Chavez I trimmed mine so the "neck" at the rear of the wing portion and at the front of the tail section are the same width. It doesn't hurt anything, I commented about it back on about page 7.

After doinking mine on maiden on a windy day, I moved the battery and everythign else as far forward as I could internally and re-launched this week. Awesome! Flew like a dream at my club field, nimble as hades and stable enough to do 80% throttle runs 3 feet off the ground into the wind the length of the field. Getting the CG forward made a huge difference. Suppo 2208/17 with a 9" prop and a 1300mah zippy compact pack is a sweetheart.

Took it to the Warbirds over Gerritson Beach event yesterday, it's not a warbird but they did have a short streamer combat event with 4 people flying. A flying buddy was on the sticks of my Wonder, he flew against an SEMFF warbird, a flatfoil funbat and a mini gremlin. 2 streamer cuts and he flew circles around everyone, very nimble very responsive, people were asking about it after. I think I need to make a few more, mixing the black and white foamboard for variety.

 

[wga22]

Version 1 - Red Wonder

My first version, used a swappable power pod. I lost the pod in some brush, but the plane glided nicely to the ground. After that, I just improvised a nose cone/firewall with a cap from hairspray can, and got a bigger motor. love the plane so much, not sure why I would swap anyway!

Used park 300 first but upgraded to park 480 now and 1000 3s battery on 20 amp esc

 

[wga22]

Version 2- Yellow Wonder

Version 2. This version I used tape to cover, and skipped power pod from the start. The fuselage is not dollar foam, but pink insulation foam, wire cut to a teardrop shape.
The second version of mine has a insulation foam fuselage with cut out for electronics in underbelly. I leave it open so battery and esc can breath.

Running on 480 park turnigy with 30 amp ESC and 1000 mah 3s battery.

 

[Eugene king]

how much does each version weigh?

 

[wga22]

how much does each version weigh?

I am not sure but would think second is heavier sine I used wing covering.

 

[Eugene king]

I bought a 20 dollar scale at a close out store called Ross's.

Its pretty close to my fish scale. With the micro receiver and a small 850mah lipo I'm below 400g

Around page 20 or so is my weight and somewhere before that is my micro receiver.

I must go fly some. Its been a while. Shift coverage for vaciations, cutting firewood, and grass are keeping me busy.