Some of you might have seen my recent thread trying to determine which air frame to use that will be a great all rounder AND handle the wind well. The winner (thanks to Blue's input) was the Skyhunter.
This won't be the quickest of builds as I am still awaiting parts, but I will just update it slowly as I make progress.
Anyway, here is a list of parts:
-RMRC 1800 Skyhunter
-SunnySky 920kv motor
-12x6E APC
-HobbyKing Plush 60a ESC
-MyFlyDream Autopilot with airspeed sensor
-RMRC 400mw 1.2/3 Vtx
-Bluebeam Mad Mushroom tx antenna
-Dragonlink Micro RX
-I have 5 x 5000mah 4S batteries, will start by running 2 in parallel
-Sureveilzone 600tvl Sony FPV cam
-360 degree pan servo holding Gopro 3+ Black and FPV cam.
-Quanum and Turnigy UBEC's
Will be using the same tripod GS as I use for the SW:
-MFD AAT
-VAS Crosshair 1.2
etc
My plan is to mount the Vtx out on one wing, and the rx out on the other wing. ESC will be mounted on the outside of the fuse for cold air flow, and the GPS will sit in the little space on top of the fuse just in front of the wings. The rest of the gear such as UBECs, AP, Current sensor ets will all sit on the ply shelf, leaving the entire base of the plane free for LiPo :D
I think I am going to laminate the wings and tail, It makes eveything feel more solid and more damage resistant (mostly for when im moving it around the house being clumsy :P I think I will also add some carbon fibre spars to stabilise the tail.
There will be a little bit of spray paining on the wings before laminating them, and I may use a small amount of carbon fibre wrap on it somewhere.
First impressions are that its bigger than it looks in pics! there is so much space inside it makes the Skywalker feel small :o pic below shows width difference, the pod sat next to it is off my SW 1900:
(http://s12.postimg.org/ko0xm6dfd/IMG_3631.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ko0xm6dfd/)
The 12" prop looks like a monster, especially when i offer it up to my Falcon EVO:
(http://s10.postimg.org/yru3fhn5h/IMG_3632.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/yru3fhn5h/)
To get a new UHF receiver i'm counting on winning one of the DL contests, if you haven't already viewed my entry for this week, please take a quick look here ;D Many thanks:
http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,48538.0.html (http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,48538.0.html)
Wow that is huge, I didn't realise either - I thought they'd be roughly the same size.
Cool, will watch this with interest.
Wow, thats a Batcave Fuz.....Will be interested to see this one fly....:)
:vulture:
Quote from: Steve W on March 03, 2016, 02:26:15 PM
Wow that is huge, I didn't realise either - I thought they'd be roughly the same size.
Cool, will watch this with interest.
Me too! There is a ton of space, I think I could fit 40,000mah in this thing! (but won't haha). Mt SW holds 10,000 and I would struggle with much more.
YES! I love a good skyhunter build. The great thing about this aircraft is it's sheer simplicity. ailerons and elevator, big belly for lipos, big wings for lift, big prop to push it along.
It amazes me to see how overly complicated some people make their builds. By the sounds of it, Adam's got this one nailed!
If I end up getting one it'll be exactly the same config as that guy who fitted landing gear to it from a FinWing Air Titan, I love the look of it with wheels.
Quote from: BlueFlyer on March 03, 2016, 07:45:05 PM
By the sounds of it, Adam's got this one nailed!
Mostly because I practically copied your setup :-[ ;D
Quote from: Steve W on March 03, 2016, 08:46:30 PM
If I end up getting one it'll be exactly the same config as that guy who fitted landing gear to it from a FinWing Air Titan, I love the look of it with wheels.
Really not a fan of the landing gear look :-X just personal preference. Also wouldn't work for me practically as i tend to land on longer grass fields rather than concrete or cut grass.
So yesterday evening I finally started the build! A couple of hurdles... first off I get a knock at the door, 3 police officers to inform me my car has been broken into... great! 2nd hurdle, I had planned to spend all of Sunday building, but last minute visitors arrive to stay with us for a few days. Progress has been slower than i'd hoped.
Anyway, gear on the table ready to begin:
(http://s30.postimg.org/v2y7j1eml/IMG_3736.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/v2y7j1eml/)
Then spent a few minutes working out where the huge pile of carbon rods went:
(http://s17.postimg.org/qaqeh6qt7/IMG_3239.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/qaqeh6qt7/)
Marking out the channels for the vtx and Dragon link Rx:
(http://s28.postimg.org/7wu5uqycp/IMG_3738.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/7wu5uqycp/)
(http://s28.postimg.org/9tqvzbp0p/IMG_3740.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/9tqvzbp0p/)
Parts now fitting nice and snug. Used a Dremel style device:
(http://s10.postimg.org/p6emjk3n9/IMG_3741.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/p6emjk3n9/)
Side profile:
(http://s13.postimg.org/npyd1ld83/IMG_3742.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/npyd1ld83/)
(http://s13.postimg.org/985r7cbar/IMG_3743.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/985r7cbar/)
I've also done some painting but will show you once all done. :)
Looking good so far Adam. Did you use some kind of burr in the Dremel to make the channels?
Wish I had thought of that when building my Hornet as I wanted to make nice smooth bottoms to the recesses. I ended up with the usual 'chewed by a rat' look.
Cheers, Mark
YES! Build time :)
There's a new Skyhunter shown flying over on Bruce's Xjet channel and it flies extremely smoothly.
It's in the airgate carnage video if you want to see it.
Cheers, Mark
TBH Mark it didn't turn out smooth as I used the Dremel to cut a grid and then pulled it out with some tweezers I have. Not fussed about it being super smooth under each component as its rough stuff glues better and won't be seen. Its really useful for cutting the channels though, gets the job done well, easily and nice and quick.
Checked out the video of the Skyhunter on that channel. I thought you meant it was a Skyhunter 2 or something, but I'm glad it wasn't :D Its just another standard Skyhunter, was an enjoyable watch though, flies nice and smooth.
Had a bit of spare time last night so did a little painting. All done apart from the canopy which I will be painting black once I have the 360 servo hole cut out. I wanted to give it a bit of colour but keep paining to a minimal, using only the paints I have left over laying around.
360 Servo arrived today after a near 2 month wait from Goodluckbuy \0/
(http://s17.postimg.org/hzk74km0b/IMG_3770.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hzk74km0b/)
(http://s17.postimg.org/glsk99mqz/IMG_3771.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/glsk99mqz/)
That's a familiar paint scheme... I love it :)
Quote from: BlueFlyer on March 30, 2016, 06:57:40 PM
That's a familiar paint scheme... I love it :)
What does the BF stand for in BFFPV ? I've come up with various suggestions - none of which I can believe are correct !!
Surely it can't be as clean as BlueFlyer !
Quote from: BlueFlyer on March 30, 2016, 06:57:40 PM
That's a familiar paint scheme... I love it :)
Hehe no matter how many different mock ups i did, this was my fave. I was thinking about doing it blue... and then a day later you posted pics of the Skymule exactly like that haha :laugh:
Quote from: wgt40w on March 30, 2016, 07:40:34 PM
What does the BF stand for in BFFPV ? I've come up with various suggestions - none of which I can believe are correct !!
Surely it can't be as clean as BlueFlyer !
well its definitely not Butt Fart lol
Quote from: AdamG on March 30, 2016, 09:38:30 PM
Hehe no matter how many different mock ups i did, this was my fave. I was thinking about doing it blue... and then a day later you posted pics of the Skymule exactly like that haha :laugh:
Great minds eh? :)
So I did some work on this on Saturday. Coming along nicely but a package I should have received Friday is holding me back a little.
Cut Pan sevo hole and sprayed canopy black:
(http://s13.postimg.org/92lraipib/IMG_3775.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/92lraipib/)
(http://s13.postimg.org/p24eu2lk3/IMG_3777.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/p24eu2lk3/)
Stuck velcro in the entire base of the fuselage to hold LiPo, and glued in the belly carbon spar. I also glued in the 8 carbon spars into the wings (yes! 4 per wing!):
(http://s29.postimg.org/no5io7ncz/IMG_3779.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/no5io7ncz/)
Super glued nuts into the wing mounts, and glued them into 1 half of the fuse using slow cure epoxy:
(http://s8.postimg.org/ilv9hreep/IMG_3780.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ilv9hreep/)
(http://s8.postimg.org/rfm5yv1dd/IMG_3781.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rfm5yv1dd/)
(http://s8.postimg.org/stdsu60mp/IMG_3782.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/stdsu60mp/)
Glued the 2 halves of the fuse together using UHU POR. Used the cocktail stick method to get it lined up before the 2 surfaces touched and stuck together forever:
(http://s8.postimg.org/3rkws6pwx/IMG_3783.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3rkws6pwx/)
(http://s8.postimg.org/agrg87b8x/IMG_3785_JPG.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/agrg87b8x/)
Glued in the carbon boom brackets into the wings and the round bolt 'things' in the top of the wing using the epoxy:
(http://s28.postimg.org/sgpuv7lax/IMG_3786_JPG.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/sgpuv7lax/)
(http://s28.postimg.org/hjoj6fyjd/IMG_3788_JPG.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hjoj6fyjd/)
(http://s28.postimg.org/90558oq6x/IMG_3789_JPG.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/90558oq6x/)
Used a sharpie to draw a line and tidy the edge of the paint on the rear stabilisers. You can see the difference here as one is done and one isn't:
(http://s13.postimg.org/rgwqxviqr/IMG_3790.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rgwqxviqr/)
Next I cut the plastic boom holders for the tail using the Dremel. This is required for the carbon part to fit properly:
(http://s18.postimg.org/bdmhc0a51/IMG_3787_JPG.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/bdmhc0a51/)
Then i went through the steps to build the tail section:
(http://s23.postimg.org/ebzkh7bx3/IMG_3791.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ebzkh7bx3/)
(http://s23.postimg.org/4deluq2hj/IMG_3792.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4deluq2hj/)
I then used the Dremel to make some indents for 3 magnets on the canopy and fuse where they meet:
(http://s23.postimg.org/i4noaogt3/IMG_3800.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/i4noaogt3/)
(http://s23.postimg.org/4mgrye4nr/IMG_3801.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4mgrye4nr/)
I prepared my motor mount with BBQ skewers. Drilled 4 extra holes and epoxy them in. This gives the mount some roots in the fuselage for a stronger connection. This method worked well on my Skywalker:
(http://s27.postimg.org/shshqr1cf/IMG_3802.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/shshqr1cf/)
(http://s27.postimg.org/4s32222z3/IMG_3803.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4s32222z3/)
And finally a couple of pics of it assembled:
(http://s24.postimg.org/xiwipxiwh/IMG_3793.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/xiwipxiwh/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/y75d8vhm9/IMG_3794.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/y75d8vhm9/)
Looks smart mate
Looking good Adam, very clean :)
Gets 10 likes from me 👍
Looking very good so far Adam.
Thanks guys ;D
I'm happy with the progress. Time to get busy with the electronics after I've done some laminating.
It's already a much better put together skyhunter than mine was... awesome work so far. Cant wait to hear how much you love it when you get it flying
Nice build !!
What brand of paint are you using for your Skyhunter ?
I'm trying to find good paint for my MTD and i live in France so it's hard to find Krylon paint.
:)
Quote from: BlueFlyer on April 04, 2016, 11:53:46 AM
It's already a much better put together skyhunter than mine was... awesome work so far. Cant wait to hear how much you love it when you get it flying
Cheers mate :D I can't wait to fly it either, I feel like its going to be my favorite! :rocks:
Quote from: Relaxincherry on April 04, 2016, 01:43:17 PM
Nice build !!
What brand of paint are you using for your Skyhunter ?
I'm trying to find good paint for my MTD and i live in France so it's hard to find Krylon paint.
:)
To be honest its just some standard multi purpose spray paint from a tiny DIY shop near me. They only had 1 brand. I've never purchased any special paints and they've all worked fine. Just make sure you test them on a spare piece of EPO before going ahead.
I can check the brand for you later when I get home.
Trick is to spray from about 12" away to ensure it doesn't melt the foam. I heard it was the propellant that caused the foam to be eaten, but people are now saying it's the cold temperature of the paint reacting with the foam as it heats up - if you do it too close, it's more liquid and can't heat up as quickly as it does in 'spray' form while it travels through the air.
Might be bollocks :laugh:
I found that when I used normal car spray on EPO foam just being a bit patient, dusting a layer on first seemed to help, then letting it dry then doing it again. When I tried to get the colour solid too quick then it didn't eat the foam at all but just caused the cells to kind of rise up, to leave a bubbly effect on the surface just like it does when you do the hot water trick to get it back into shape after a crash.
Well the build is progressing slowly with me doing 30 mins here and there. So I used MPX connectors to simplify the connection between the wings and the fuselage. On one of the wings i required 9 cables to connect so added a servo connector too:
(http://s28.postimg.org/h8afe7pvt/IMG_3831.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/h8afe7pvt/)
(http://s30.postimg.org/3n3sotff1/IMG_3834.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3n3sotff1/)
I had to dig out more of the tail to fit the servo in flush. In stock form the servo is only 50% inside the tail. Once i'd done this I added an extension and laminated the entire tail setup:
(http://s23.postimg.org/hvomnuq0n/IMG_3825.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hvomnuq0n/)
(http://s23.postimg.org/3zgebytrr/IMG_3837.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3zgebytrr/)
(http://s23.postimg.org/cvr6fwkdz/IMG_3838.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/cvr6fwkdz/)
Both main wings now laminated. Love the extra strength it gives:
(http://s21.postimg.org/82ndclplv/IMG_3839.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/82ndclplv/)
(http://s21.postimg.org/ufv3zeqjn/IMG_3840.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ufv3zeqjn/)
Next I had to work out how to mount my GoPro mount to the pan servo. The pics below show the process:
(Oh and thanks to Blueflyer for kindly posting me some servo horns to fit the servo :cheers: )
(http://s24.postimg.org/4v4280j5d/IMG_3836.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4v4280j5d/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/56likrzld/IMG_3844.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/56likrzld/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/oaeu14cfl/IMG_3849.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/oaeu14cfl/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/d5pvfuepd/IMG_3850_JPG.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/d5pvfuepd/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/k0065j7ch/IMG_3854.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/k0065j7ch/)
Painted motor mount which is now fitted along with motor. And now playing with electronics:
(http://s23.postimg.org/6x4mxk3lj/IMG_3856.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6x4mxk3lj/)
Looking good. It still amazes me what laminating does to foam.
Yeah its great stuff! I haven't done the fuselage though as I think it'd be hard work and end up looking messy :-[
Quick update on the Skyhunter. I basically finished it last weekend and haven't had chance to touch it for over a week since.
Thanks to Neil (iPeel) for my 3D printed pitot mount, I hot glued it into the side of the fuse:
(http://s31.postimg.org/baqfz2y0n/IMG_3866.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/baqfz2y0n/)
(http://s31.postimg.org/pbbbtka7r/IMG_3887.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/pbbbtka7r/)
I mounted all of the electronics to the ply shelf and connected it all up. It got quite complex getting everything onto the right pins of the MPX connectors. All components are joined by connectors, so that its easy to remove any part if it needs to be swapped out:
(http://s31.postimg.org/4jb1t7jjr/IMG_3869.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4jb1t7jjr/)
(http://s31.postimg.org/u9r12qe2f/IMG_3870.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/u9r12qe2f/)
I mounted the ESC on the outside to keep it nice and cool:
(http://s31.postimg.org/4ift7rjqv/IMG_3867.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4ift7rjqv/)
First of all I put the shelf where the canopy goes and connect my GPS sensor and ESC signal cable before sliding the shelf into place:
(http://s31.postimg.org/i3pxg53g7/IMG_3871.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/i3pxg53g7/)
Once in place, I then connect the ESC to the current sensor (XT60's) and attach the pitot tube to the air speed sensor... and its all ready to go :)
(http://s31.postimg.org/ors1j8a7r/IMG_3872.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ors1j8a7r/)
Swapped out my bluebeam VTx antenna for a bignose skew (thanks Simon). Interesting to note that the bignose skew is 13g and the bluebeam was 24g, quite the weight difference when its wing tip mounted:
(http://s31.postimg.org/pwdtzvfsn/IMG_8619.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/pwdtzvfsn/)
And now the plane is almost ready to chuck in the air. I was an idiot and managed to bin the control horns for the ailerons and elevator :( :-[ so new ones are coming over from RMRC now:
(http://s31.postimg.org/3jufvwcl3/IMG_3874.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3jufvwcl3/)
When wiring this all up and connecting it for the first time I had made a mistake :-[ I had gotten confused about which was the 'top' of an MPX connector on one side, and therefore reversed all connections... including live and ground (?) luckily no items were fried... its fixed and all working as it should :D
very nice build adam :)
one thing though.. Will the airspeed sensor be ok where its mounted? I remember a thread a while back and someone mentioned that the air displaced by the nose of the fuselage would mean that the sensor gave a false reading.
Im not an expert but it might be worth checking with someone who is. Might save you a stall when the autopilot kicks in!
Looking good Adam, yeah I was going to say the same about the pitot tube. It might be ok but just keep it in mind.
looks wicked mate... I havent figured out where to put my pitot tube yet... on my hunter I had it in the wing leading edge
Thanks guys.
I did consider the issues with mounting the pitot tube where it is, but I really didn't want it too far up front like I do on the Skywalker as it gets in camera shot and takes damage when landing in rough terrain. I've mounted it a bit further forward and out than some other's I've seen so I hope it will be ok. Guess I will find out when I fly ;)
Looks really nice mate. It's amazing how quick that ply plate fills up with electronics.
Good luck with the maiden.
Cheers mate. Yeah it does fill up quick, especially when you can't use the last 1cm along each length.
Well done son, great job :D I m surprised you managed to do so well without me drilling holes in the wrong place and shorting out batteries :P Looking forward to some Drak and Skyhunter chasing :o
So middle of last week the control horns arrived (replacements for the ones I accidentally binned :-[ ) I got these on nice and quick and reinforced the tail with some carbon spars:
(http://s32.postimg.org/beyo73zip/IMG_3987.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/beyo73zip/)
(http://s32.postimg.org/w95yrtnkh/IMG_3988.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/w95yrtnkh/)
(http://s32.postimg.org/4ypph0qz5/IMG_4022.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4ypph0qz5/)
I then went about setting up the MFD AP and configured the model in the Taranis. All ready to go and throw in the air but I've had visitors staying ever since finishing it... and I get married this week... so I'm just hoping to find some free time with good weather to perform the maiden ASAP. Next post should be a maiden video ;D
(http://s32.postimg.org/7j9otyc9d/IMG_3999.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/7j9otyc9d/)
Looking forward to your maiden video after you get married.
......oh ,wait,you meant the Skyhunter didn`t you :laugh: ;)
Congratulation and enjoy your wedding,best put the FPV on the backburner for a week or two at least :)
I hope the weathers wonderful and you both have a lovely day and many many days after! Looking forward to some pics and maybe a video? All the best!
P.S. Good luck on your wedding day mate too! 😀
QuoteI get married this week
... quick.. run before it is too late... :run:
All the best Adam. I hope the weather holds out and you have a great day ;D
I look forward to some aerial footage of the honeymoon... :)
Congratulations, although I hope that news doesn't mean fewer great FPV videos!
Haha cheers guys :D
The FPV videos will continue... I just have to take a break for the next week or so.
I am taking my quad to the hotel we're staying at so there might be a wedding FPV vid :P
Not had much time to be on here recently, so just caught up with your build.
I must of course add my congratulations on you getting married and wish you both much happiness for the future.
Have a great day.
Best wishes, Mark
Congratulations!
Cheers guys, we both had a great day! I did manage to get the quadcopter out to do some FPV too :D
Right, now thats out the way I'm going to try and get this plane maidened in the next week :D
Quote from: AdamG on May 24, 2016, 12:30:33 PM
Cheers guys, we both had a great day! I did manage to get the quadcopter out to do some FPV too :D
Right, now thats out the way I'm going to try and get this plane maidened in the next week :D
Now that's what I call a newly-wed with the right priorities !!
;D
Congrats!
Cheers Steve
Right people... maiden is tomorrow
Quote from: AdamG on May 27, 2016, 05:00:24 PM
Right people... maiden is tomorrow
which one? the new wife or the new plane? ;)
Maiden took place yesterday, and I took it out for 2 more flights today (all just in local park)
First launch, all good, got it trimmed, landed and centred sticks in the AP. Then tried to take off with too little throttle in stabilised mode... DOH... hit floor and ejected canopy. Oh well, no damage.
Next take off, all over the place but eventually levelled out. Test Automated modes and the MFD AP works great... been a dream even on the stock settings.
Today just another couple of park flights to get used to the OSD and plane. Quick video of me trying LAUNCH mode for the first time:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFAzEUOzfkw#)
Will put together a little footage at some point soon.
Love the MFD AP and love the Skyhunter! :sparta:
nice one... now where's it gone? lol
Mate its gone in no time :D By the time i picked up my tx and put the goggles on it was at 170m altitude i think.
Will make a vid soon :) Will also include the part where a few little Sh*ts tried to kick footballs at it as i flew past \0/
Quote from: AdamG on May 30, 2016, 12:35:37 PM
Mate its gone in no time :D By the time i picked up my tx and put the goggles on it was at 170m altitude i think.
Will make a vid soon :) Will also include the part where a few little Sh*ts tried to kick footballs at it as i flew past \0/
b*stards.
I'm yet to use autolaunch with my MFD AP, I'll give it a bash next time I take my skywalker revolution out.
oh, what angle is your autolaunch set to?
Its on the default setting, which I believe is 30 degrees. Looked spot on to me
It feels weird doing it the first time and putting your trust in the AP... but it just works so well!
I'm kinda shocked that this AP has been so perfect in its performance with very little config :)
I would imagine it also helps that the skyhunter is such a forgiving airframe...
very simple, aileron and elevator with no mixing required. Makes it really easy for any AP to stabilise :)
That's true. I can see why people like Coyote went and changed all of their AP's to the MFD after using one.
Also very nice that you just turn it on and fly, auto setting home and auto setting home for the AAT etc.
I have a couple of points for attention.
1: Its pulling up to 65amps on WOT occasionally. Not sure how much I should be concerned about this on my Turnigy 60a ESC.
2: I'm getting a little vibration in my GoPro footage. Completely unnoticeable in the live feed. Prop was balanced but I may take it off and double check.
Nice launch Adam :) The MFD AP is just that nice and easy to use the others seem over complicated and unnecessary compared to them.
It really is refreshingly easy. Moving forward it will definitely be my AP of choice.
Maiden video:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=1HgDiqvrb3E#)