BabyBrit
Fly jacRC
Intro:
After building 2 of my own designs, flying one… and failing, I decided that it would be an excellent idea to try my hand at redesigning an original FT design. After watching the success of Mighty Mini cruiser, and the speedster, I couldn’t help but wonder how the war birds would fair. After watching the FT FliteFest video [again] and seeing the 200% Mustang, I knew that would be the best design to miniaturize! So I downloaded the plans and imported them into SketchUp to begin the conversion.
A trend that seemed to be emerging for most of the mini airframes was a reduction to about 55% of the models original size. So, after investigating what the wing size would be settled on 56%. The area that needed the most adjustment was the under cambered wing which was increased by around 15%. I sketched the side panels of the fuse and allowed the inside to accommodate the MM PowerPod (Download the model here!). The Mustang had originally been designed with down thrust dialed into the original power pod, and I had a feeling that this design also did. The model also uses the MM PowerPod with the 6 Degrees of thrust built in. I was also amazed by the fact that the entire airframe can be cut from a single sheet of DTFB!
The original plans that I used did not have any references marks or lines so as I was going through the build I added the reference lines that will be needed for the build. I also encountered a small issue not allowing me to access the servos from the way the fuse was originally designed so in order to access the servos I will be adding an optional access panel in the same way the front hatch works for servo access and maintenance. Just like the FT planes, there are no reference lines on the plans for aligning the PowerPod, and will allow each person to custom fit the PowerPod placement to the motor.
Electronics:
Current configuration;
Specs:
Plans:
V1 Shown:
View attachment Foam.jpg
Build:
1 Sheet DTFB
3 BBQ Skewers
2 Zip Tie’s
1 Sheet of Shrinkie Dinks ThermoPlastic
30” of .062mm Music wire
15” of .2mm Music Wire
1.5” diameter Landing Gear
Build Level: Intermediate
Build Log:
The first thing I began to put together was the fuselage, as many of the reference marks I made needed to be aligned by hand. Going by the last couple of FT MM designs I placed the servos just behind the CG [which sits about ¼ ” behind the first bend on the wing]. I also decided to recess the servos into the foam to allow space for a linkage stoppers, this is optional.
The next step was to fold out the wings. Just like the FT MM Cruiser, the wing only requires a spacer to give the correct Armin wing for lift. Using the lines of the wing I had copied this component straight out of SckethUp without allowing any room for the folded foam [oops]. Instead I beveled the corners of the spacers and glued them in place and the wing folded without a hitch.
The fun part came when installing the servos, I recommend using 5g servos, they will be much easier to install rather than fighting with a 9g. They did fit nicely on the wing, it just looks way too big for the little wing. Setting up the alignment is very simple, about 2”/5cm off the under cambered tip is where the servo aligns best.
The final modification to the design [which will be added to the plans v2.] was the hatch. Made by simply using a hot glue joint on the 50% score cut. Once it dries, reinforce with packing tape on the paper side of the joint. Next, remove the paper on the front portion of the hatch, and cover with packing tape. Using the BBQ Skewer, close the zip tie, and then cut the end at an angle. Once complete measure on the plane the location for the holes (in the plans there will be references for holes.
The new plans will be coming out soon, I have also added a landing gear and will add the reference marks for that as well as the "servo access hatch for changing the servos mounted in the fuse.
Review:
Coming Soon
After building 2 of my own designs, flying one… and failing, I decided that it would be an excellent idea to try my hand at redesigning an original FT design. After watching the success of Mighty Mini cruiser, and the speedster, I couldn’t help but wonder how the war birds would fair. After watching the FT FliteFest video [again] and seeing the 200% Mustang, I knew that would be the best design to miniaturize! So I downloaded the plans and imported them into SketchUp to begin the conversion.
A trend that seemed to be emerging for most of the mini airframes was a reduction to about 55% of the models original size. So, after investigating what the wing size would be settled on 56%. The area that needed the most adjustment was the under cambered wing which was increased by around 15%. I sketched the side panels of the fuse and allowed the inside to accommodate the MM PowerPod (Download the model here!). The Mustang had originally been designed with down thrust dialed into the original power pod, and I had a feeling that this design also did. The model also uses the MM PowerPod with the 6 Degrees of thrust built in. I was also amazed by the fact that the entire airframe can be cut from a single sheet of DTFB!
The original plans that I used did not have any references marks or lines so as I was going through the build I added the reference lines that will be needed for the build. I also encountered a small issue not allowing me to access the servos from the way the fuse was originally designed so in order to access the servos I will be adding an optional access panel in the same way the front hatch works for servo access and maintenance. Just like the FT planes, there are no reference lines on the plans for aligning the PowerPod, and will allow each person to custom fit the PowerPod placement to the motor.
Electronics:
Current configuration;
Basic:
EMAX 1750 250 Quad Motor
APC 6x4 Prop
10Amp Plush ESC
800Mah 2S Nano Tech Battery
Tactic 625 Rec/ TTX650 Trans
4 5g Servo’s (Initial set up: 2 9g, 2 5g)
Speed setup:
6x7 Prop
2210 250W motor or Equivalent
25Amp Plush ESC
1000Mah 2S/3S
4 5g Metal Gear Servo’s
EMAX 1750 250 Quad Motor
APC 6x4 Prop
10Amp Plush ESC
800Mah 2S Nano Tech Battery
Tactic 625 Rec/ TTX650 Trans
4 5g Servo’s (Initial set up: 2 9g, 2 5g)
Speed setup:
6x7 Prop
2210 250W motor or Equivalent
25Amp Plush ESC
1000Mah 2S/3S
4 5g Metal Gear Servo’s
Specs:
| Length: | 18" |
Wingspan: | 22.75" |
Anticipated Learning Level: | Beginner/Intermediate (first 4 Channel) |
Build Level: | Intermidiate |
# of Sheets of foam: | 1 |
AUW: | TBD |
Plans:
V1 Shown:
View attachment Foam.jpg
Build:
1 Sheet DTFB
3 BBQ Skewers
2 Zip Tie’s
1 Sheet of Shrinkie Dinks ThermoPlastic
30” of .062mm Music wire
15” of .2mm Music Wire
1.5” diameter Landing Gear
Build Level: Intermediate
Build Log:
The first thing I began to put together was the fuselage, as many of the reference marks I made needed to be aligned by hand. Going by the last couple of FT MM designs I placed the servos just behind the CG [which sits about ¼ ” behind the first bend on the wing]. I also decided to recess the servos into the foam to allow space for a linkage stoppers, this is optional.
The next step was to fold out the wings. Just like the FT MM Cruiser, the wing only requires a spacer to give the correct Armin wing for lift. Using the lines of the wing I had copied this component straight out of SckethUp without allowing any room for the folded foam [oops]. Instead I beveled the corners of the spacers and glued them in place and the wing folded without a hitch.
The fun part came when installing the servos, I recommend using 5g servos, they will be much easier to install rather than fighting with a 9g. They did fit nicely on the wing, it just looks way too big for the little wing. Setting up the alignment is very simple, about 2”/5cm off the under cambered tip is where the servo aligns best.
The final modification to the design [which will be added to the plans v2.] was the hatch. Made by simply using a hot glue joint on the 50% score cut. Once it dries, reinforce with packing tape on the paper side of the joint. Next, remove the paper on the front portion of the hatch, and cover with packing tape. Using the BBQ Skewer, close the zip tie, and then cut the end at an angle. Once complete measure on the plane the location for the holes (in the plans there will be references for holes.
The new plans will be coming out soon, I have also added a landing gear and will add the reference marks for that as well as the "servo access hatch for changing the servos mounted in the fuse.
Review:
Coming Soon
So many planes to build, so little time.
