FTFC20 Wind Puff designed by Dr, Looping Looie

Dr. Looping Looie

Elite member
The build continues with installing the elevator and the flaps.

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I glued this to the two plywood parts and then I glued it to the rest of the airframe. Its surprisingly sqare and it should also hold up very well.

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These parts will hold the flaps.

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Vimana89

Legendary member
This is looking super nice. Enjoying watching it come together! Looks like a pretty gentle and stable design. The shape of the fuselage how its set up for the pilot to sit is definitely a different twist. Nice touches and attention to detail on the rudder, and the whole scheme of the wing is very nicely done and I can see a lot of effort went in to get the aerodynamics and look maxed out.
 

Dr. Looping Looie

Elite member
This is looking super nice. Enjoying watching it come together! Looks like a pretty gentle and stable design. The shape of the fuselage how its set up for the pilot to sit is definitely a different twist. Nice touches and attention to detail on the rudder, and the whole scheme of the wing is very nicely done and I can see a lot of effort went in to get the aerodynamics and look maxed out.
Its not going to be the looks thats going to be maxed out...its going to be the landing gear! There will be semi-independent suspension with oil filled shock absorbers coming right from an 1/8th scale truggy! Of course gigantic home made tires and sway bars, because why not.
And its going to have wing foldback mechanism just like a real ultralight!
 

Vimana89

Legendary member
Its not going to be the looks thats going to be maxed out...its going to be the landing gear! There will be semi-independent suspension with oil filled shock absorbers coming right from an 1/8th scale truggy! Of course gigantic home made tires and sway bars, because why not.
And its going to have wing foldback mechanism just like a real ultralight!
That sounds awesome. Can't wait to see the landing gear with real suspension(y)
 

Dr. Looping Looie

Elite member
Boom!
One of the planes coolest features works!
It turns the windpuff in a more compact form, so that it takes less space. Just check out the pictures:

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Of course, this is just optional. But Im very happy with the way it works. Wing struds will help to add strengh. Time will tell If it holds up to classic bushplane adventures.

Quick question:
If you would build this plane, would you build this feature in or would you just glue the wings on?
 

Dr. Looping Looie

Elite member
Started installing the electronics!

Elevator and rudder are moving and motor is installed!

I went with pushrod on the elevator and string on the rudder. Motor and prop are C pack, running on a 4S 2200 LiPo. I didnt use a powerpod because the fuselage is too short and you have easy access to the motor screws.

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Dr. Looping Looie

Elite member
Update!

Aileron and flap servos installed!
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And I made the wing struds:

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I drilled holes into the wood to hold the pushrod

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Then I wrapped paper around to hold it in place.

I ordered this foam yoga block, I want to make the tires out of it.
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I also attached the wing to the fuselage. This is the result:

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Im qiute happy with it so far, but it feels a little heavy, and the fuselage has a bit of flex because of its shape.
 

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
I'm very impressed with this so far. I'm eager to see how this will handle flight and landings. (now, where is that darn Popcorn eating emoji... I don't need the poop one.)
 

FoamyDM

Building Fool-Flying Noob
Moderator
two additional things. add some plastic card collars at the latch hole on the wings... to distribute the wing impact load at the hole. (not that you'll crash)
and the Chair reminds me of something :unsure:

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Dr. Looping Looie

Elite member
two additional things. add some plastic card collars at the latch hole on the wings... to distribute the wing impact load at the hole. (not that you'll crash)
and the Chair reminds me of something :unsure:

captkirk-1.jpg

I reinforced everything with with wood. The main force is on the wing struds anyway.
 

Dr. Looping Looie

Elite member
Ready for maiden!

Adding the pilot makes all the difference!
For the maiden, I quickly made a Aces High Eddie from Iron Maiden. The Pilot will of course be upgraded and I want to add a moving stick.

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Final Dimensions:

At 1.55m wingspan and around 1.6kg all up weight its the same size as an E-flite Timber. But having more chord length and a different profile, I think this will create more lift and be a little slower. The Timber will outperform this in speed and aerobatic capebilities, but this will have more of a scale appearence and better STOL capebilities.
 

Dr. Looping Looie

Elite member
Maiden successful!

And im not gonna lie, this is the BEST landing airplane I have ever flown! This thing is slow, feels heavy and looks ugly, but it lands like no other airplane.

Video coming soon!
 
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