FT Racer Narrow Fuse/Speed wing

[Grifflyer]

Looks sharp!!

 

[FoamyDM]

good work. This one has been on my list for a while. Please do a comparison for us.

 

[Sero]

Getting close real close. Just need to miniwax it. Deciding if I should paint it before its maiden.... should I?

Nose skin on, the NACA duct blows directly onto the ESC.

These are for......

...this. Wish I had a 3D printer...one day.

Dorsal extension and ventral fin installed. I feel the fin is a bit big, but I can always trim it. Still need to add a fillet between the turtle deck and the horz stab, may leave it open for more fuse ventilation

Weighing in, no battery. Miniwax and paint will add to that.

Battery tray.

Bottom of battery tray and wing tip fences installed.

Battery tray installed. It also locks the power pod in, not pictured here.

Balances about 3/16" behind CG marks with out the battery installed.

V1 was orange and grey, thinking V2 should get orange and blue. going to do similar paint scheme as V1. Thoughts?

 

[Grifflyer]

I would wait until after the maiden to paint it. Something along the lines of this would look cool.

 

[BATTLEAXE]

Getting close real close. Just need to miniwax it. Deciding if I should paint it before its maiden.... should I?

View attachment 142131
Nose skin on, the NACA duct blows directly onto the ESC.


View attachment 142132
These are for......

View attachment 142133
...this. Wish I had a 3D printer...one day.

View attachment 142134
Dorsal extension and ventral fin installed. I feel the fin is a bit big, but I can always trim it. Still need to add a fillet between the turtle deck and the horz stab, may leave it open for more fuse ventilation

View attachment 142135
Weighing in, no battery. Miniwax and paint will add to that.

View attachment 142136
Battery tray.

View attachment 142137
Bottom of battery tray and wing tip fences installed.

View attachment 142138
Battery tray installed. It also locks the power pod in, not pictured here.

View attachment 142139
Balances about 3/16" behind CG marks with out the battery installed.

View attachment 142141

View attachment 142142
V1 was orange and grey, thinking V2 should get orange and blue. going to do similar paint scheme as V1. Thoughts?

Clean build man. You should paint it before the maiden. You have already made improvements to it over V1. I am goin to steal your control rod deflector things idea for my P-40 build. Can't wait to see the maiden

 

[buzzbomb]

I came into this thread late, but I am seriously impressed! You're design is inspired! It's also inspirational. You make me want to build one, just to see it fly by! I mean I REALLY want to build one! Thank you for that!

I love your solution in the powerpod for the aft facing motor shaft. I'm just using foam to try to keep the battery from hitting the shaft. You've absolutely nailed a simple and elegant solution to the problem. I'll be stealing that. Thank you very much.

I want an FT Racer! I'm mucking around trying to get a modified Mini Scout to fly fast with an F-pack. It's a worthy journey, and I'm not dropping it. It would be fun to experience the goal that I'm shooting for, though.

I'm curious. You may have have said so early in the thread, and maybe I missed it. Why are you modifying the Racer? It seemed to fly great in the FT video.

 

[Sero]

I came into this thread late, but I am seriously impressed! You're design is inspired! It's also inspirational. You make me want to build one, just to see it fly by! I mean I REALLY want to build one! Thank you for that!

I love your solution in the powerpod for the aft facing motor shaft. I'm just using foam to try to keep the battery from hitting the shaft. You've absolutely nailed a simple and elegant solution to the problem. I'll be stealing that. Thank you very much.

I want an FT Racer! I'm mucking around trying to get a modified Mini Scout to fly fast with an F-pack. It's a worthy journey, and I'm not dropping it. It would be fun to experience the goal that I'm shooting for, though.

I'm curious. You may have have said so early in the thread, and maybe I missed it. Why are you modifying the Racer? It seemed to fly great in the FT video.

Thanks! I'm glad you're inspired. And please use any ideas shown, that's another reason we share here.

I built and flew the stock Racer an few years back and I loved the way the plane flew. There were a few things I didnt like about it; the poster board turtle deck/canopy and the installation of the power pod was a pain. I modified that plane with a removable canopy which alleviated both of those problems, I also added flaps.

For my current Racer I wanted to clean the plane up cosmetically and aerodynamically and add more power. I just want it fast and sleek!


Below is my first Racer. I crashed this on in the middle of a huge blackberry bush, I couldn't even see it it was so far in. I was cutting my way through and when I located it I got stung by a wasp only to find there was a nest right by it. The plane was intact but I knew it didn't have much life left as the wings were getting soft, it also had good creases in the foam near the root and I'm pretty sure I could see some extra dihedral when flying. So i just braved it, charged in grabbed it and tore it out.

 

[buzzbomb]

Thanks! I'm glad you're inspired. And please use any ideas shown, that's another reason we share here.

I built and flew the stock Racer an few years back and I loved the way the plane flew. There were a few things I didnt like about it; the poster board turtle deck/canopy and the installation of the power pod was a pain. I modified that plane with a removable canopy which alleviated both of those problems, I also added flaps.

For my current Racer I wanted to clean the plane up cosmetically and aerodynamically and add more power. I just want it fast and sleek!


Below is my first Racer. I crashed this on in the middle of a huge blackberry bush, I couldn't even see it it was so far in. I was cutting my way through and when I located it I got stung by a wasp only to find there was a nest right by it. The plane was intact but I knew it didn't have much life left as the wings were getting soft, it also had good creases in the foam near the root and I'm pretty sure I could see some extra dihedral when flying. So i just braved it, charged in grabbed it and tore it out.
View attachment 142201

View attachment 142202

Damn if I'm not smiling ear to ear with that story! I just chuckled thinking about it! Yep. I'd do the same. "Plane down! Plane down! "Oh shoot, wasps! Frack it, Plane Down! Screw the wasps, save the plane!" Soul brothers, you and I. I'd have done the same.

"Clean it up aerodynamically and add more power." Heck, but YEAH! Ok. Please tell me you're going to have video of this beast in flight!

 

[Sero]

Well the plane is miniwaxed and assembled. Powered everything up and did my checks of all the functions. My elevator was reversed! Pretty sure I set that, but hey, that's what checks are for. I set my throws and the elevator was at 20 degrees, too much! Put it at 12 degrees on low, even that will be too much, but should be good for the maiden. I'll adjust it down mechanically at the servo horn later.
I'm going flying this evening but I'm going to leaver the Racer at home, I'm going to the club and I'd rather maiden it at the family farm as its more open and accessible.

Time to clean up the bench!

Encountered a problem, I have no space on my rack, Bushwacker is in bad shape, so I'll strip it of its electronics and trash it. Plan was always to make a new one anyway.

 

[BATTLEAXE]

Well the plane is miniwaxed and assembled. Powered everything up and did my checks of all the functions. My elevator was reversed! Pretty sure I set that, but hey, that's what checks are for. I set my throws and the elevator was at 20 degrees, too much! Put it at 12 degrees on low, even that will be too much, but should be good for the maiden. I'll adjust it down mechanically at the servo horn later.
I'm going flying this evening but I'm going to leaver the Racer at home, I'm going to the club and I'd rather maiden it at the family farm as its more open and accessible.

Time to clean up the bench!

Encountered a problem, I have no space on my rack, Bushwacker is in bad shape, so I'll strip it of its electronics and trash it. Plan was always to make a new one anyway.
View attachment 142305

Quite the plane collection you got goin man. Do you mostly fly the racers now or do you get airtime on the others too

 

[buzzbomb]

Well the plane is miniwaxed and assembled. Powered everything up and did my checks of all the functions. My elevator was reversed! Pretty sure I set that, but hey, that's what checks are for. I set my throws and the elevator was at 20 degrees, too much! Put it at 12 degrees on low, even that will be too much, but should be good for the maiden. I'll adjust it down mechanically at the servo horn later.
I'm going flying this evening but I'm going to leaver the Racer at home, I'm going to the club and I'd rather maiden it at the family farm as its more open and accessible.

Time to clean up the bench!

Encountered a problem, I have no space on my rack, Bushwacker is in bad shape, so I'll strip it of its electronics and trash it. Plan was always to make a new one anyway.
View attachment 142305

I can't wait for video of that racer! I wanna see it SCREAM!

I'm working at designing a 3d capable profile plane that'll fly off the F-pack (link). Your picture has made me curious. What biplane is that? It's not an FT design. Are there plans somewhere for it?

 

[bracesport]

@Sero - which minwax do you use, and how do you apply it?

 

[BATTLEAXE]

Thanks! I'm glad you're inspired. And please use any ideas shown, that's another reason we share here.

I built and flew the stock Racer an few years back and I loved the way the plane flew. There were a few things I didnt like about it; the poster board turtle deck/canopy and the installation of the power pod was a pain. I modified that plane with a removable canopy which alleviated both of those problems, I also added flaps.

For my current Racer I wanted to clean the plane up cosmetically and aerodynamically and add more power. I just want it fast and sleek!


Below is my first Racer. I crashed this on in the middle of a huge blackberry bush, I couldn't even see it it was so far in. I was cutting my way through and when I located it I got stung by a wasp only to find there was a nest right by it. The plane was intact but I knew it didn't have much life left as the wings were getting soft, it also had good creases in the foam near the root and I'm pretty sure I could see some extra dihedral when flying. So i just braved it, charged in grabbed it and tore it out.
View attachment 142201

View attachment 142202

On your original FT Racer is the white stuff sanded out on top foam filler? I have some of that, does it adhere well to FB?

 

[Sero]

Quite the plane collection you got goin man. Do you mostly fly the racers now or do you get airtime on the others too

This year the plane thats had the most airtime is the SeaDuck ( I call it the Sea Goose as somebody on Facebook Flite Test Fans called it) then the Cub, then the Mustang and finally the Goblin. Everything else I flew once in a blue moon.
I just flew the Duck and Cub tonight. I made a mistake... I flew the Cub on 4s, so much fun, problem is I may not want to fly it on 3s again....

I can't wait for video of that racer! I wanna see it SCREAM!

I'm working at designing a 3d capable profile plane that'll fly off the F-pack (link). Your picture has made me curious. What biplane is that? It's not an FT design. Are there plans somewhere for it?

Thats the 3s Bipe I haven't flown it much but it sure is fun. Here is a link. I believe mine came out about 100 grams heavier than whats listed. I'm running a Blue Wonder motor on it.

@Sero - which minwax do you use, and how do you apply it?

I apply it with cheap disposable foam brushed from the dollar store, it doesnt need to go on thick. Let it soak in for 5 minutes and wipe off the excess with paper towel.

Here is which one I prefer, but its basically oil based polyurethane. I have used a different brand before (Varathane brand) and found it to be thicker and stickier, but it did work.

On your original FT Racer is the white stuff sanded out on top foam filler? I have some of that, does it adhere well to FB?

That's pink Styrofoam from Home Depot. I made it removable to put the battery in the power pod. You can see it was off on the photo of it with the wing broken off. I also made one like that on my sons Sportster and my Mustang, but I find that making it out of foam board comes out nicer.

 

[BATTLEAXE]

This year the plane thats had the most airtime is the SeaDuck ( I call it the Sea Goose as somebody on Facebook Flite Test Fans called it) then the Cub, then the Mustang and finally the Goblin. Everything else I flew once in a blue moon.
I just flew the Duck and Cub tonight. I made a mistake... I flew the Cub on 4s, so much fun, problem is I may not want to fly it on 3s again....

Thats the 3s Bipe I haven't flown it much but it sure is fun. Here is a link. I believe mine came out about 100 grams heavier than whats listed. I'm running a Blue Wonder motor on it.



I apply it with cheap disposable foam brushed from the dollar store, it doesnt need to go on thick. Let it soak in for 5 minutes and wipe off the excess with paper towel.

Here is which one I prefer, but its basically oil based polyurethane. I have used a different brand before (Varathane brand) and found it to be thicker and stickier, but it did work.
View attachment 142343



That's pink Styrofoam from Home Depot. I made it removable to put the battery in the power pod. You can see it was off on the photo of it with the wing broken off. I also made one like that on my sons Sportster and my Mustang, but I find that making it out of foam board comes out nicer.
View attachment 142344

Yea i have used that stuff lots before on an entire build out of it. I was asking about your first FT Racer in your pics a few posts ago, the pic just before the crashed red plane, (same plane I am guessing). Is it the foam filler (pasty white foamy stuff) that is all sanded down smooth? I am looking at yours and if its the same kinda stuff I am going to use it on the P-40.

 

[BATTLEAXE]

This stuff

 

[Sero]

Yea i have used that stuff lots before on an entire build out of it. I was asking about your first FT Racer in your pics a few posts ago, the pic just before the crashed red plane, (same plane I am guessing). Is it the foam filler (pasty white foamy stuff) that is all sanded down smooth? I am looking at yours and if its the same kinda stuff I am going to use it on the P-40.

If you're speaking of the two photos in post #67, yes they are the same plane, first photo is before I painted it. The only thing I see it that photo is the pink styrofoam. I used a knife and sandpaper to get its shape. Then seal it with water based paint or mod podge and then you can use a spray bomb on it, if you don't seal it the spray paint will melt it. I made a hot wire cutter since then and used that on part of the Sportster canopy.

 

[Sero]

View attachment 142351 This stuff

Never seen that before.Where do you get it?

 

[BATTLEAXE]

Never seen that before.Where do you get it?

Oh ok I get it. It looks like the stuff I got but just on FB. I am sure it will work, just never tried it and saw yours and remembered I had some, light bulbs went on in my head. It's a filler paste made of foam (kinda like Bondo for cars) for Styrofoam plane fixes. It has the consistency of a cookie dough. You smear it into a crack or dent, let it dry for a hour or so depending on temperature and humidity of the environment then sand it smooth. Fills in imperfections. I got it at Hobby Wholesale, local hobby store. Should be able to get it anywhere. I'm going to try it and see how it works

 

[bracesport]

@Sero - you know how easily the paper comes off on DTFB - the Minwax does not unsettle the paper when it soaks in?