Coyote`s X8

[Coyote]

So after reading the rave reviews I thought I should take the plunge and buy an X8. I loved the load carrying ability and thus the ability to stay airborne for up to 3hr.

So, here is my build :)

Airframe : X8
Motor : Turnigy SK 35-42 1000Kv
Prop : Graupner 11x8 Folding Prop
ESC : Turnigy Plush 60 Amp
BEC : Turnigy 5 - 7.5 Amp Low RF Bec
Lipo`s : Either 1x 4S 5000mah or up to 4x 4S 5000mah

RC Control : UHF

FPV Camera : WDR 600
Gopro : Yes
Vtx : ImmersionRC 5.8ghz or ImmersionRC 2.4ghz dependant on mood
Antenna : Cloverleaf
Autopilot : FY31AP
OSD : Hornet OSD
Antenna Tracking : MyFlyDream Telefly OSD

We have all seen the pieces in the box etc so Ill skip straight to the building. First I Poly Tunnel taped the wings up, then added FPVUK stickers :) naturally. I also took the red and blue from the FPVUK logo and made stickers for the winglets then dry fitted it to see if its OK :



It was at this point I knew Donna would go nuts at the size of it......................... She did ........................... Next step :)

I started cutting ply bases for the inside so I could mount my gear better, I had already decided to use straps to keep lipos secured so needed a solid base. Poor Ali should have thought about this idea before his X8 river landing because he relied only on velcro on the base only



I marked the CG line and set about putting all the FPV gear along this line. After that I cut holes to take the velco straps for lipo`s number 3 and 4. Then were equal distance from the CG so as long as the CG was ok with 2 in they would have no effect



I also had to cut the two pieces of ply that join the wing after the factory neglected to send me mine :(

Things are starting to look filled but neat by now



I'm a stickler for neat wiring, so half of mine ( power ) is routed underneath the bases keeping them away from signal wires, I made looms for the FY31AP and Hornet etc while keeping slack cable to the units so vibrations should not be a problem



I then moved onto the other battery bays fitting wires, velcro on the bases and straps to keep them secure



Same with the front, but I also fitted the Gopro case in place too



Im in three minds for motor prop combos, so I`ve ordered three motors and ill try each then decide which one I will keep on her, first up is the Turnigy SK 35-42 1000kv



Here is a better view of all the hours wok that gone into it so far :



FPV camera will be pan with no tilt above the Gopro on a 360 degree servo :



And this is how it look as from tonight

[FPVSteve]

Excellent work mate. Looks the business.

[Dizzy]

awsome beast :) sweet build coyote, I  love the accessable  space too  ;)

is she watertight?  i can see room for a gas filled life jacket in there too :D

seriously,  a nice build coyote with out a doubt

Looking forward to seeing it at the september meet

dizzy

[Coyote]

Cheers guys, I forgot to add the pic of the removable foam that goes underneath and behind the gopro ( no big holes which allows me to A) Get the back open to get the GoPro out and B) adjust the tilt of it

Still waiting on an Rx to fit and 360 degree servo so I can mount the camera.

[Pr][nCe]

Like it, some work gone into that nice one

[Zeeflyboy]

that thing is cool... no two ways about it.

I see they are making an X6 and an X7 this year.... I could see the X6 with my name on it

[MarkLincs]

Very Very nice  :thumbsup:

[dogzilla]

wow that thing is HUGE. 5 batteries?

How much flying capacity have you got?

[bignose13]

Awesome mate, cant wait to see this Floating flying I mean  :D

[pk-surfing]

Looks nice and tidy Ian, what does it have on the underside to hold onto for launching ?

PK

[markvanhaze]

I was going to ask about this in a skywalker thread: How do you usually attach the lipos? I only have velcro on it over the full length on one side and the opposite piece of velcro is simply stuck to the fuselage. I think the idea of using a balsa wood flooring is actually pretty nifty - that way it wont make the lipo eject as easily on a crash.

[electricmick]

Good job Ian, I like the way you have mounted the GoPro and batteries.

[Shikra]

Are floats and buoyancy aids removable/hidden? :)

Mines still sat in box 6 months on. Just not had time.....
But real nice to see build log. I'll probably follow your lead to save me the time!!

Looking ace!

[FPVSteve]

Recommendation:


:laugh:

[Coyote]

Thanks for the kind comments, and mickey taking lol :)

wow that thing is HUGE. 5 batteries?

How much flying capacity have you got?

It will only carry 4 lipos, but a was not sure how the CG would work out, but had to have the bases fitted, so the front two bays are actually three possibilities ( in between the two ) to get it right.

I did late last night though get everything in so I could check the CG and found with the lipo in the furthest forward bay and one at the furthest back the CG is perfect :) Great news because I can run two or four lipos with no change in the CG because the two bays exactly the same distance from CG are both free ( Pure fluke ;) )

This would give me ( 4 lipo`s ) 20 amps per flight

Looks nice and tidy Ian, what does it have on the underside to hold onto for launching ?

PK

It has three molded inserts for hand launching Paul, right on the CG so hand launching will be extremely easy ;)

I was going to ask about this in a skywalker thread: How do you usually attach the lipos? I only have velcro on it over the full length on one side and the opposite piece of velcro is simply stuck to the fuselage. I think the idea of using a balsa wood flooring is actually pretty nifty - that way it wont make the lipo eject as easily on a crash.

The lipos are velcro`d down first, then I have fishing rod velcro bands that come from behind the ply wood base to make them super secure. There is nothing worse or normally fatal then having a lipo come loose and changing CG in flight or worse

PS I`m not going near the sea with them so no floatation devices required cheeky buggers lol

Oh Skywalker 1900 turned up today so two builds on the go now, I`ll finish X8 first I think though