*Unofficial* FT Super Bee

[XDmToter]

After watching a number of videos of people's maiden flight of the SuperBee, and seeing that it had a tendency to nose down immediately upon launch, I decided to configure my ailerons so neutral is aligned with the bottom of the wing instead of the top wing surface.

I was happily surprised during my maiden flight when it floated out of my hand straight and true. It did not require any elevator trim, nor any up elevator input on launch. It only needed a couple clicks of left trim and she was good to go.

I know that Josh's build video says to align the ailerons with the top wing plate (so slightly down), but based on my experience, I would recommend trying it with the ailerons aligned with the Bottom wing surface.

Sorry I didn't get a video. Everyone at the field had their own planes in the air.


My AUW is about 16 Oz.

Electronics:
Suppo 2208/8 2600kv x 2
Suppo 30A ESC x 2
APC 4.75x4.75 (one E and one EP)
RCTimer TS-9018 9 Gram servos x 3
1000Mah 65C 3S Turnigy Graphene
FrSky D8R-XP
3D printed Firewalls and Control horns

 

[rockyboy]

Very nice looking build! Congrats!

 

[basslord1124]

Just wondering, is the Super Bee available as a Real Flight Simulator model? I remember I went to a site and downloaded some FT models that were being converted for RF but don't have the link with me right now.

 

[XDmToter]

It looks like there is a Phoenix model available for the Super Bee, but I don't see one for RealFlight.

http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?31653-FliteTest-in-RealFlight-7-5-(Model-Index)

http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?25278-FT-models-in-Phoenix

 

[jason51873]

 

[basslord1124]

Don't think I posted it, but here's an updated video on my SuperBee. It shows the paint scheme I'm going for:

After looking at it, I just gotta touch up a few parts.

Basically have all the electronics, just need to install them. I did manage to get the ESCs installed recently...tight fit! And I got my battery recently...Tattu 4S 1300. Getting close to time.

 

[basslord1124]

Finally got my Super Bee out for a maiden...and actually ended up crashing it.

Damage was actually pretty minimal...it's a pretty stout plane that's for sure.

I was flying in a different spot that had more obstacles to tend with and I just wasn't sure how fast this little bugger was going to be. So those things coupled with my over controlling to keep it from hitting the trees is what caused it.

Regardless, like I said, the damage was minimal so repairs won't be too bad. And next time I will try it at our main RC field which is more open space. I can already tell it's going to be a fun plane.

 

[basslord1124]

Well my FT Super Bee is now MIA. Went to fly it recently at our local RC field, around the time for sunset (which is the worst time for me to fly and should've known better), and ended up losing orientation when it started getting far away. It is now somewhere in our field's death valley which is a big drop off area behind our field. Depending on where it ended up it could be not too bad to get to OR gone forever. Probably get the wife's drone out soon to help look for it. Wish me luck.

 

[Wheelz]

Do you have to use the plywood doubler, just wondering because I don't have materials/equipment to cut that sort of thing out.

 

[XDmToter]

Are you referring to the plywood doubler where the Battery/camera goes? I used two wide tongue depressors that I got a large bag of from the local dollar store.

 

[Wheelz]

Okay, my idea was just cut it out of cardboard and shmear a good layer of hot glue all overi it

 

[XDmToter]

The purpose of the plywood doubler is to reinforce the attachment point of the velcro strap that holds your battery and camera in place. In the event of a crash, the velcro strap can rip right through the foam. With the plywood doubler it will only compress the foam a bit. I'm not sure that cardboard coated with hotglue will serve that purpose. I suspect the cardboard will rip too. It would be better than nothing, though.

 

[Wheelz]

I made sure to cut it long ways so I can push some BBQ skewers through the side holes and glue them in for extra support

 

[Wheelz]

Has anyone tried putting landing gear on this? I still have my landing gear from the ft mini cruiser ashes my super bee rose from and was wondering if I could slap those puppies into my super bee

 

[Enos Shenk]

Honestly, the Bee is probably my favorite FT airplane. I just rebuilt my scratch-built version with a proper kit version. My old scratch built I had made the fuselage out of the heavier gauge foam, it stood up great but made it a bit slower.

This one zooms though. Arris motors and ESCs, Emax Avan props and metal geared servos. It flies great, just needs a couple more flights to get the CG right.

 

[Yayat]

hello guys, I have question here. I try on differential thrust on my superbee, but when I try my rudder function it spinning, it is not making smooth turn like rudder always does. I try to reduce the value, but don't have opportunity to try it. i use Flysky and my mix is
Mix 1
master ch3
slave ch 6

mix 2
master ch4
slave ch6

mix 3
master ch4
slave ch3

Thanks,

 

[basslord1124]

I forgot to mention my Superbee was eventually found by an RC club member. Lost for a total of about 6 months in rain, snow, and cold temps. Despite a beat up airframe, all electronics still work.

 

[basslord1124]

Just uploaded a video of the remains of the Superbee and testing all the electronics...

 

[Bavarian_RC]

I have seen some discussions about whether or not it is possible to mount a GoPro on the FT Super Bee without getting into too much trouble with the CG or overall weight.
On my FT Super Bee I have managed to install a GoPro Hero 3+ and still have a proper CG with only some additional weight (approx. 15g) installed in the back. I even have a GPS logger and GPS tracker installed (placed in the back to support CG balancing).
Total weight including GoPro Hero 3+, GPS logger (31 g), GPS tracker (27 g) and a 1600 mAh battery (158 g) is 710 g. Powered with a double F-Pack it can still go almost vertical. The only thing that little bee doesn’t like is flying too slow.
If you’re interested in the GoPro mount, please check my post in the FT Bronco thread (Simple GoPro Mount). There you will find the link to the Build Video with free plans.




Flight video of my FT Super Bee with GoPro installed:

 

[mrjdstewart]

been wanting to build this for awhile. had the plans printed and taped up onto foam board just waiting. i was going to try and cut balsa base myself but instead just ordered from FT. it came the other day so i had no more excuse. plus, i need a new FPV platform since i taco'ed my arrow last week.

plan to run 2 x 2204-2300kv, 5x4x3 counter rotating props, 2 x 20A ESC, and a 3S-1300 to start. have a 4S i can use as well but really just want a nice stable FPV platform that can, if i want, go really fast. i think this checks all the boxes.

should be ready for saturday maiden.

laters,

me