Spitfire222
Not a skater
Í've been on a Flite Test aircraft building spree lately, and this is my latest effort. I had read good things about the Versa, and everyone's hangar needs a flying wing, right? I decided I wanted to make a pseudo B-2 bomber look-alike using the black Dollar Tree foamboard. The Versa configuration I would use is the pusher style without Power Pod.
However, upon looking at the design, I realized I wasn't a fan of the lack of access to the electronics for the pusher. I didn't like the idea of stuffing the electronics inside and having a battery hanging under the plane. So I decided to create a "cockpit" for the Versa with a hatch to access the electronics. I modeled it after the "One Sheet Wing", designed by user "Springer" on RC Groups, a model I built several years ago.
First of course, I had to build a Versa. I progressed until I glued the wings together.
I began creating a template for the cockpit, using Springer's design as a guide, and the Flite Test staples of "A" and "B" folds.
This took some trial and error, and had built and modified several prototypes until I was satisfied with the design. I then drew out a master template and created the final cockpit using the black foamboard.
Next, I had to carefully cut into the wing using the template as a guide. I was very careful not to cut the spars, or the servo wires.
I enlarged the open slowly, checking the fit as I went. It's easier to cut off more material, but more difficult to put it back on! Patience is key.
If this modification is planned ahead of building the wing halves, it would be better to not glue down the trailing edge for 1" on either side, to make removing the cut-out parts easier. I ended up tearing some of the paper off at the TE.
I cut out slots in the sides of the cockpit for the spars an servo wires to pass through. The cockpit will be glued to the upper surface of the bottom wing side.
Test fitting. Looks good, time to glue!
Applying a liberal amount of hot glue secured the cockpit to the wing.
I added some packing tape to the nose for reinforcement.
Next, I cut into the cockpit to create the hatch that would allow access to the electronics and battery.
(Note: If doing this modification, it is not necessary to cut out the opening on the bottom of the wing that's on the plans. It's cut out here because at the time I cut out the pieces, I had not decided to do this).
At this point, I decided to add some reinforcement to the spars. Being an aircraft structural engineer by profession, I was dissatisfied with the the joining of the spars. As the primary load carrying members, I felt that the butt-joint could be improved, so I added pieces of foam on either side of the main spar joint.
I cut the foam pieces to shape, and peeled off the paper on one side so I could form the bend. Again, I made liberal use of the hot glue to secure the foam pieces.
Motor mounting:
The aft side of the cockpit provides an excellent area to mount the firewall. A custom one was cut from 3/32" plywood (same material as Flite Test elements), and glued to the cockpit. The motor was mounted, and a hole was cut out from the bottom to route the leads.
Next, I worked on securing the hatch. I fashioned some foam pieces to mount two neodymium magnets to in order to hold the hatch shut. Packing tape was used on the aft end to act as the hinge.
Pushrods are carbon fiber tubes with metal ends for rigidity.
Custom vertical stabilizers were cut out and glued on.
A quick and dirty paint job to simulate B-2 markings.
Everything was installed, and the CG was checked. Unfortunately, it required about 3 oz of lead in the very tip of the nose to balance! In retrospect, the firewall could have been recessed a bit more forward so that the motor is not hanging off so far back. This might have alleviated the balancing problem, but likely not by much. The battery, a 1300 mAh was crammed as far forward as possible. Other sizes and weights of batteries might be experimented with, but to be honest, I was a little disappointed with the lack of space in the nose for a larger, heavier battery. If I build another, I'll likely not add the forward spar reinforcement.
Also, I will likely be adding air intake and exit holes to try and keep the electronics cool inside the cockpit.
Specs:
Suppo 2212/6 2200Kv
7x4 APC style prop
HobbyKing 25A ESC
Orange R615X receiver
1300 mAh batteries
Spektrum DX7
Ready for first flight! I'll report back with how it goes. In the meantime, let me know your thoughts on this modification. If there's enough interest, I will consider drawing up a set of plans to share with all of you! Thanks for reading.
However, upon looking at the design, I realized I wasn't a fan of the lack of access to the electronics for the pusher. I didn't like the idea of stuffing the electronics inside and having a battery hanging under the plane. So I decided to create a "cockpit" for the Versa with a hatch to access the electronics. I modeled it after the "One Sheet Wing", designed by user "Springer" on RC Groups, a model I built several years ago.
First of course, I had to build a Versa. I progressed until I glued the wings together.
I began creating a template for the cockpit, using Springer's design as a guide, and the Flite Test staples of "A" and "B" folds.
This took some trial and error, and had built and modified several prototypes until I was satisfied with the design. I then drew out a master template and created the final cockpit using the black foamboard.
Next, I had to carefully cut into the wing using the template as a guide. I was very careful not to cut the spars, or the servo wires.
I enlarged the open slowly, checking the fit as I went. It's easier to cut off more material, but more difficult to put it back on! Patience is key.
If this modification is planned ahead of building the wing halves, it would be better to not glue down the trailing edge for 1" on either side, to make removing the cut-out parts easier. I ended up tearing some of the paper off at the TE.
I cut out slots in the sides of the cockpit for the spars an servo wires to pass through. The cockpit will be glued to the upper surface of the bottom wing side.
Test fitting. Looks good, time to glue!
Applying a liberal amount of hot glue secured the cockpit to the wing.
I added some packing tape to the nose for reinforcement.
Next, I cut into the cockpit to create the hatch that would allow access to the electronics and battery.
(Note: If doing this modification, it is not necessary to cut out the opening on the bottom of the wing that's on the plans. It's cut out here because at the time I cut out the pieces, I had not decided to do this).
At this point, I decided to add some reinforcement to the spars. Being an aircraft structural engineer by profession, I was dissatisfied with the the joining of the spars. As the primary load carrying members, I felt that the butt-joint could be improved, so I added pieces of foam on either side of the main spar joint.
I cut the foam pieces to shape, and peeled off the paper on one side so I could form the bend. Again, I made liberal use of the hot glue to secure the foam pieces.
Motor mounting:
The aft side of the cockpit provides an excellent area to mount the firewall. A custom one was cut from 3/32" plywood (same material as Flite Test elements), and glued to the cockpit. The motor was mounted, and a hole was cut out from the bottom to route the leads.
Next, I worked on securing the hatch. I fashioned some foam pieces to mount two neodymium magnets to in order to hold the hatch shut. Packing tape was used on the aft end to act as the hinge.
Pushrods are carbon fiber tubes with metal ends for rigidity.
Custom vertical stabilizers were cut out and glued on.
A quick and dirty paint job to simulate B-2 markings.
Everything was installed, and the CG was checked. Unfortunately, it required about 3 oz of lead in the very tip of the nose to balance! In retrospect, the firewall could have been recessed a bit more forward so that the motor is not hanging off so far back. This might have alleviated the balancing problem, but likely not by much. The battery, a 1300 mAh was crammed as far forward as possible. Other sizes and weights of batteries might be experimented with, but to be honest, I was a little disappointed with the lack of space in the nose for a larger, heavier battery. If I build another, I'll likely not add the forward spar reinforcement.
Also, I will likely be adding air intake and exit holes to try and keep the electronics cool inside the cockpit.
Specs:
Suppo 2212/6 2200Kv
7x4 APC style prop
HobbyKing 25A ESC
Orange R615X receiver
1300 mAh batteries
Spektrum DX7
Ready for first flight! I'll report back with how it goes. In the meantime, let me know your thoughts on this modification. If there's enough interest, I will consider drawing up a set of plans to share with all of you! Thanks for reading.
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