Well here we are! FT has been very kind to be teasing us with some balsa building and I just HAD to get back to my roots and do another build using balsa.
We are sponsored again by HobbyKing so many thanks to them to provide everything we need.
I chose this subject because I wanted to show something that was a step up from the foam building of FT airplanes but not so unapproachable that it would seem like it would never get completed. This kit tabs together without ANY plans to speak of. This is a fairly new thing with the advent of CAD aircraft. The downside is that you do not have plans to re-build should you crash. If you have a scanner, it would be good to scan these parts as you go. Having an archive to rebuild is a smart thing to do.
ENOUGH of my yammering. Let's go!
Here is the overall look of the airplane and what you are getting into. The kit came in a box, that was in a box..., that was in a box with some other parts. Needless to say the kit arrived in perfect condition with ZERO damage.
SPECS!!!!!
The assembly manual is smartly done using the CAD drawings to illustrate the assembly. While my build log here will walk us through some of the trickier parts, it is nice to know that HK has come a long way with their instruction manuals. The CG is clearly noted as well as control surface throws, something missing in kits I've purchased in the past but no so here.
I deviated from the recommended Kv for the motor... I wanted something a little more zippy so I opted to go with a few more Kv, slightly smaller prop, but a but more wattage than what was recommended. The 60A YEP ESC will keep a nice a linear throttle response and I was extremely happy with how they performed in the Bugatti.
These are standard size servos. Rated to be quite quick in response and they are digital. This SHOULD translate to better precision but we shall see. They draw more current but I'm not worried. A separate BEC can be used if I have any hesitation.
LIGHTS! Yes, I'll be putting navigation lights on this one. As I build, I'll see if this one will be suitable for some LEDs for night flying as well. Spinner should allow adequate cooling of the motor. As there is little intake on the cowl, I wanted to ensure that the motor will be cooled effectively.
Covering. This stuff can be a mystery for some but its really quite simple. I am using HK branded stuff and first observation shows that it seems to be no different from the competitors. Look forward to using it.
We are sponsored again by HobbyKing so many thanks to them to provide everything we need.
I chose this subject because I wanted to show something that was a step up from the foam building of FT airplanes but not so unapproachable that it would seem like it would never get completed. This kit tabs together without ANY plans to speak of. This is a fairly new thing with the advent of CAD aircraft. The downside is that you do not have plans to re-build should you crash. If you have a scanner, it would be good to scan these parts as you go. Having an archive to rebuild is a smart thing to do.
ENOUGH of my yammering. Let's go!
Here is the overall look of the airplane and what you are getting into. The kit came in a box, that was in a box..., that was in a box with some other parts. Needless to say the kit arrived in perfect condition with ZERO damage.
SPECS!!!!!
The assembly manual is smartly done using the CAD drawings to illustrate the assembly. While my build log here will walk us through some of the trickier parts, it is nice to know that HK has come a long way with their instruction manuals. The CG is clearly noted as well as control surface throws, something missing in kits I've purchased in the past but no so here.
I deviated from the recommended Kv for the motor... I wanted something a little more zippy so I opted to go with a few more Kv, slightly smaller prop, but a but more wattage than what was recommended. The 60A YEP ESC will keep a nice a linear throttle response and I was extremely happy with how they performed in the Bugatti.
These are standard size servos. Rated to be quite quick in response and they are digital. This SHOULD translate to better precision but we shall see. They draw more current but I'm not worried. A separate BEC can be used if I have any hesitation.
LIGHTS! Yes, I'll be putting navigation lights on this one. As I build, I'll see if this one will be suitable for some LEDs for night flying as well. Spinner should allow adequate cooling of the motor. As there is little intake on the cowl, I wanted to ensure that the motor will be cooled effectively.
Covering. This stuff can be a mystery for some but its really quite simple. I am using HK branded stuff and first observation shows that it seems to be no different from the competitors. Look forward to using it.
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