Hi all,
I wanted to share my FT Goblin project. i was recently inspired by Ran D. St. Claire's Explorer VTOL and set out to build one based on a tricopter design with articulating front rotors. My first attempt was of my own design, with a tub fuse, boom tail, and KFM4 airfoil wing. However my design was not properly thought out and had weaknesses that didnt survive hover testing:
My second attempt was based on the FT explorer, but retained a modified version of the KFM4 wing. This went better, survived hover testing, but the wing modifications didnt hold up and it folded on my second hand thrown maiden. The airframe was totaled (though it did fly ok from what I could tell, not much flight time to evaluate.) This version weighed in at 1kg:
The Goblin is attempt #3. I feel that my motor/prop/esc choice was a little small for the FT Explorer, and I wanted something more compact for transport, as well as lighter. My goal was a 25% weight reduction, which it looks like I will make. My only concern is how the goblin will fare at 700g AUW. It is higher than the listed flying weight in the build spec, but I assume that left some headroom for the FPV option. Here is how she sits now:
Ive got some videos of the first maidens and hover tests, as well as details of the motor tilting mechanism if anyone is interested. Thanks for looking!
I wanted to share my FT Goblin project. i was recently inspired by Ran D. St. Claire's Explorer VTOL and set out to build one based on a tricopter design with articulating front rotors. My first attempt was of my own design, with a tub fuse, boom tail, and KFM4 airfoil wing. However my design was not properly thought out and had weaknesses that didnt survive hover testing:
My second attempt was based on the FT explorer, but retained a modified version of the KFM4 wing. This went better, survived hover testing, but the wing modifications didnt hold up and it folded on my second hand thrown maiden. The airframe was totaled (though it did fly ok from what I could tell, not much flight time to evaluate.) This version weighed in at 1kg:
The Goblin is attempt #3. I feel that my motor/prop/esc choice was a little small for the FT Explorer, and I wanted something more compact for transport, as well as lighter. My goal was a 25% weight reduction, which it looks like I will make. My only concern is how the goblin will fare at 700g AUW. It is higher than the listed flying weight in the build spec, but I assume that left some headroom for the FPV option. Here is how she sits now:
Ive got some videos of the first maidens and hover tests, as well as details of the motor tilting mechanism if anyone is interested. Thanks for looking!