ME-262 Scratch Build

[Ratcheeroo]

Found a suitable set of plans to convert to a foamboard version, This is a dream plane for me. Waiting for some parts to finish up the DH-88 build so no better time than present to get this started. The intention is to run EDFs in it so we'll see how that works out. WS is 41.5 inches

 

[CappyAmeric]

50mm or 64mm EDFs?

 

[Ratcheeroo]

50mm or 64mm EDFs?

I have 50mm so going to try with those, This will be a total effort on weight management

 

[Bo123]

Where did you get the plans from?

 

[Ratcheeroo]

Where did you get the plans from?

Aerofred I believe

 

[Ratcheeroo]

And so the journey begins, LOL. So after looking at the plans for a couple of days I' have determined that this is the best way to shed some weight and maintain a strong structure, just a couple of more pieces to place and I can move on to the wing which will be a much simpler process than this.

 

[Monte.C]

And so the journey begins, LOL. So after looking at the plans for a couple of days I' have determined that this is the best way to shed some weight and maintain a strong structure, just a couple of more pieces to place and I can move on to the wing which will be a much simpler process than this.

View attachment 203913 View attachment 203914 View attachment 203915

Wait a minute - Those stringers aren't foamboard are they? Hard to do, it's so flimsy.

 

[Ratcheeroo]

Wait a minute - Those stringers aren't foamboard are they? Hard to do, it's so flimsy.

They are mostly balsa , couple pieces are basswood. It practically weighs nothing but frame is very solid

 

[Monte.C]

They are mostly balsa , couple pieces are basswood. It practically weighs nothing but frame is very solid

Very nice!

 

[Ratcheeroo]

And we have a removable wing with landing gear, my brain hurts , LOL!! Fit is pretty good, couple of little adjustments and it will be better. Mocking up a motor pod right now, think I've got it pretty much figured out. Little messier than my normal work but hey making it up as I go

 

[Ratcheeroo]

Fits like a glove now, there will be a peg at front of wing to align and then the back gets held in with two screws

 

[Ratcheeroo]

Motor mounts worked out nicely, just waiting on a couple of 40A ESCs so going to stop with that for now. Wing mounts are in and work good, no issues. time for a tail, steerable front landing gear, aileron and elevator servos, and solder some bullet extensions for the motors as I think I want to mount the ESCs inside the fuse. Still thinking on how I want to make the canopy. Yeah just a little bit of work ahead LOL!

 

[Ratcheeroo]

Had a break from this last night, Had to give Black Bart a once over as maiden will be coming shortly and motors arrived for the DH-88 so of course they had to be mounted LOL! Anyways, I have an early start to build time tonight so I just thought I would share the progress so far and take a break. Wings are locked in nicely, battery hatch has been successfully separated, mount for front landing gear is set, and engine cowls are mocked up. My plan is to make the motor pods removable just because. Weight so far is 227 grams without the cowl piece, looking to keep it around 500 grams w/o battery which by my calculation is achievable. ESCs arrive tomorrow so plan is to have the pods ready and the tail feathers on tonight. And that is the most spacious battery/electronics space I have in any of my planes LOL!

 

[cyclone3350]

Between U and @leaded50 , I hope U guys never stop posting. I swear, I just can't get enough of watching your builds.

 

[Ratcheeroo]

Between U and @leaded50 , I hope U guys never stop posting. I swear, I just can't get enough of watching your builds.

Thanks, there's just too many of them too build! LOL! For me this plane was a must have, was just hoping someone else would have designed one first

 

[FlyerInStyle]

Thanks, there's just too many of them too build! LOL! For me this plane was a must have, was just hoping someone else would have designed one first

well flitetest did. but that sbk is expensive, really expensive

 

[Ratcheeroo]

well flitetest did. but that sbk is expensive, really expensive

I should have said somebody else besides Flitetest . Hopefully I can pull together a set of plans to share for an simpler build once I figure out the skins

 

[cyclone3350]

I should have said somebody else besides Flitetest . Hopefully I can pull together a set of plans to share for an simpler build once I figure out the skins

I think there is segment of us who would luv to build something a little bit more complicated than the standard FT type FB builds. I have done several builds where I have used foam/FB and wood combos. They go together much quicker than the old balsa built ups, and look the same when done. I too, would like to put something together where I could share plans for the readers to build. I am not sure ho to do this, so maybe U can pave the way. My first attempt at this was this Sterling Fledging. I went with all FB and added balsa to apply the traditional covering. Econkote works extremely well for this due to low heat application, but it has been discontinued. Maybe the FT team can work something out with TopFlite to bring this back.

 

[Ratcheeroo]

I think there is segment of us who would luv to build something a little bit more complicated than the standard FT type FB builds. I have done several builds where I have used foam/FB and wood combos. They go together much quicker than the old balsa built ups, and look the same when done. I too, would like to put something together where I could share plans for the readers to build. I am not sure ho to do this, so maybe U can pave the way. My first attempt at this was this Sterling Fledging. I went with all FB and added balsa to apply the traditional covering. Econkote works extremely well for this due to low heat application, but it has been discontinued. Maybe the FT team can work something out with TopFlite to bring this back.

That is a sweet build there! One of those would look good in my hangar

 

[cyclone3350]

That is a sweet build there! One of those would look good in my hangar

Thanks. I built that thing 6 yrs ago and still have it. I think i will do a build thread on it as I have enough photos from back then.