Hi, Just thought I would take you on my journey building an FPV'd Drak - mainly because I will be using different gear to other builds on this forum.
At present i have a Phantom wing (rebuilt after a total crash landing) a mini skywalker (FPV) and a nicely spec'd DJI quad.
When i saw the Drak, I just wanted one - so after hovering over the 'buy it' button several times, i finally hit it and it was duly delivered last month :D
So, at present, i have
Ritewing Drak
Ritewing motor
Ritewing esc
Ritewing servos
Ritewing rod and horn set and....
Ritewing housing for cameras
I bought all of the above as they are all purpose made for the Drak - no brainers
I will use my Turnigy 9XR radio with a
Dragon Link UHF System
Autopilot is My Fly Dream with air speed indicator
Runcam 2
Sony Mini FPV Cam
My video transmitter is a Ready Made RC 1.3Ghz 400mW
Receiver is an RMC 900Mz - 1.3Ghz with comtech tuner
Standard whip antennas as supplied
Ground Stn - On the drawing board, but will be tripod mounted
Started with two Turnigy 5s 4,000 30c Batteries (will fly with both)
Prop size - Not sure yet
Adhesives -
Goop (tubes) x3 (if like me you thought 'goop' was US slang for glue, its not :D - its made in the US - not cheap (?)
Marine goop x1 (you'll see why later)
Gorilla glue
PVA
Two cans of black Plastidip paint
Ritewing laminating film
Some match pots in my chosen colour from Homebase
Carbon Fibre look vinyl wrap
all of the above will make Drak look fantastic (i hope)
That's my set up so far, pics, videos and word to follow
Hi Adam's Dad :)
Always good to see another build :)
Hi Adam's mate, thanks very much, I look forward to many encouraging comments and helpful tips :D
Well its looking good so far! Think you made the right move with the RunCam2, seen a few videos from them recently and quality looks great!!
Quote from: AdamG on March 03, 2016, 09:59:33 PM
Well its looking good so far! Think you made the right move with the RunCam2, seen a few videos from them recently and quality looks great!!
I'm holding out for the runcam 2.5
Quote from: BlueFlyer on March 03, 2016, 10:06:12 PM
I'm holding out for the runcam 2.5
Any eta on it?
Looking forward to another Drak build :)
(http://s27.postimg.org/mmh0qy7sf/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/mmh0qy7sf/)
My Fly Dream Autopilot
(http://s27.postimg.org/h9s6ctjvz/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/h9s6ctjvz/)
Rite wing camera holder/protector
(http://s27.postimg.org/lhmylklbj/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/lhmylklbj/)
It's arrived!!
(http://s27.postimg.org/ggfkk7dv3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ggfkk7dv3/)
Let's get glueing
Quote from: Billy_boy_2010 on March 03, 2016, 11:19:58 PM
Any eta on it?
Nope, I just read a post on RCGroups where someone was annoyed he'd just bought a 2 only days before runcam said they will need to release a runcam2 v2 (aka 2.5)
Good luck with the build, it's a straight forward build with loads of room for gear, have a look at the main centre spar EPP cap as mine was a little short. The prop for the SS motor is 11x7 APC if you are using 5s.
Quote from RCG:
Dear Runcam-representive, I notice the 2S model with 16mp is stated in the details ' at some of your resellers like BG..
do you got any info on the 2S model? new hardware, firmware..?
wondering about purchasing the R2, but first and foremost would love to get some insight into if an R2S model is on the stairs in the nearest future..would be a shame to have an R2 on the slow boat from China and see the R2-stocks getting promited to the R2S model..
Runcam reply
FYI, there will be NO RunCam 2S.
Quote from: mutley2 on March 04, 2016, 09:04:03 AM
Good luck with the build, it's a straight forward build with loads of room for gear, have a look at the main centre spar EPP cap as mine was a little short. The prop for the SS motor is 11x7 APC if you are using 5s.
Thanks Mutley, my centre spar was spot on, my hot glue skills were slightly lacking is all :(
Thanks for the prop advice, I'll get a couple (or more) ordered 👍🏻
Looks like a nice build. TeamLegit on YouTube published a good maiden flight video of their RW Drak about two weeks ago, it looks awesome in the air. I was surprised at how fast it was considering the size of the thing.
I hope that RiteWing decide to manufacture their prototype "Mini Drak" though as that looked equally cool and better for people like me with small aircraft hangars!
The centre cap for the main spar was a little short on mine too. About 1cm short or so. I warmed it up on a radiator, and then stretched it by hand to try and get it to fit nicely. It worked sort of okay...
The build is nice, laminating the centre section of the fuselage is a bit of a pain though. Too many curves!
Andy
Quote from: Andy Sayle on March 04, 2016, 10:07:03 AM
laminating the centre section of the fuselage is a bit of a pain though. Too many curves!
Andy
Yep it was pain, I used the thick stuff underneath and some thinner lam I had left from the Z3, it was sooo much easier.
Quote from: Andy Sayle on March 04, 2016, 10:07:03 AM
The centre cap for the main spar was a little short on mine too. About 1cm short or so. I warmed it up on a radiator, and then stretched it by hand to try and get it to fit nicely. It worked sort of okay...
The build is nice, laminating the centre section of the fuselage is a bit of a pain though. Too many curves!
Andy
Hi Andy, I was lucky with my spa covers, they fit fine, i wouldn't have thought about the radiator ploy - nice one. As for laminating, my plan is to laminate the rear two sections of the wings and use a vinyl wrap on the front third - and on the main body, just the underside, it feels tough enough to survive without total lamination - fingers crossed
(http://s11.postimg.org/kn7t96bgf/IMG_4563.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/kn7t96bgf/)
Engine mount in first, ready for a full days glueing ahead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8hPQ1Il4qw&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8hPQ1Il4qw&feature=youtu.be)
(http://s28.postimg.org/grr7w4uo9/IMG_1645.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/grr7w4uo9/)
Cans of beans, tomatoes and bottles of red wine make decent weights ;)
(http://s29.postimg.org/m0xz7amhf/IMG_4318.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/m0xz7amhf/)
Dressmakers pins are good for holding the fibreglass rods in place
(http://s22.postimg.org/trlzd8ut9/IMG_1841.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/trlzd8ut9/)
....and it all fits together perfectly :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut893uFOo70&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut893uFOo70&feature=youtu.be)
Whats with this invalid URL rubbish? Just click the Youtube button and paste the link in:
Quote from: AdamG on March 04, 2016, 05:59:17 PM
Whats with this invalid URL rubbish? Just click the Youtube button and paste the link in:
I did exactly that. Even though it says invalid URL, the link still works. Think my Mac must have been having a grey moment :'(
Quote from: AerialAdventurer on March 04, 2016, 10:04:07 AM
Looks like a nice build. TeamLegit on YouTube published a good maiden flight video of their RW Drak about two weeks ago, it looks awesome in the air. I was surprised at how fast it was considering the size of the thing.
I hope that RiteWing decide to manufacture their prototype "Mini Drak" though as that looked equally cool and better for people like me with small aircraft hangars!
Cheers AA, there are some super videos of the Drak, (some pretty hard landings too) I can't wait to get out there - although I'm gonna wait for the good weather.
I pondered for ages over the Drak, didn't know a mini Drak was on the drawing board :o If I were you, I'd go for the big brother, it's already gone up in price by $50 since I bought mine
Quote from: Dave G on March 05, 2016, 10:01:53 AM
I pondered for ages over the Drak, didn't know a mini Drak was on the drawing board :o
Its not really, Chris made a prototype and posted a video of him flying it... I don't think there are any plans to make it available to the public yet.
He said he would if there was demand for it. I guess that's because it costs a large amount to make the EPO moulds.
Quote from: Steve W on March 05, 2016, 12:37:19 PM
He said he would if there was demand for it. I guess that's because it costs a large amount to make the EPO moulds.
I will buy one in a shot.
But I suspect the airframe won't be massively cheaper with the mini Drak. If a big cost is the mould then the money saved on a little less raw material won't be that significant. 200-250 USD is my prediction. He won't have to spend much on R & D I suppose but it won't be cheap. He's aiming for 43" which is a damn good size IMO.
Hey Dave, glad to see the Drak coming on, just wondered if you tried hot water on the dent in the Drak, most of them will come out with a little bit of hot water :-)
When posting vids, copy and paste but knock off the "S" in https
Quote from: mutley2 on March 06, 2016, 07:09:23 PM
Hey Dave, glad to see the Drak coming on, just wondered if you tried hot water on the dent in the Drak, most of them will come out with a little bit of hot water :-)
When posting vids, copy and paste but knock off the "S" in https
(http://s15.postimg.org/kfcqfgnc7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/kfcqfgnc7/)
Hi Mutley, thanks for the advice - had no idea about the hot water ploy, I'll try that first in the future 👍🏼 - I'll lose the 's' too 👍🏼 pretty new to this hobby, technology, terminology, thread editing, etc 😨 but love it! 😃
Ive spent two or three days now painting my Drak. The black paint is 'Plastidip' spray paint, its very forgiving, end of can splatters and over painted areas soon blend in on drying. I used three cans to do the main body, all four red fins, the rear third of the wings and the ailerons.
(http://s30.postimg.org/s707o4wkt/IMG_1841.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s707o4wkt/)
(http://s12.postimg.org/h5hd02mtl/IMG_4635.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/h5hd02mtl/)
I then masked up the plastidip on the rear section of the wings (this is okay to do so long as you apply gentle hairdryer heat to the tape when removing), masked the front third and applied two coats of household emulsion from Homebase - these were match pots - £1-49 each :D. This paint will scratch and chip very easily but, I will laminate it, this will stabilise and protect the paint.
I also applied carbon fibre effect self adhesive vinyl to the compartment lids.
(http://s30.postimg.org/z3ch12ga5/IMG_4639.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/z3ch12ga5/)
Finally, I applied the same vinyl to the front edge of each wing. This was quite difficult. After one failed attempt, I had to fairly accurately measure the length of the vinyl (width is not so important) and carefully apply it with a damp sponge and hairdryer, being careful not to touch the emulsion. >:( >:(
(http://s8.postimg.org/l54kr5sqp/IMG_4262.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/l54kr5sqp/)
......and underneath.....
(http://s28.postimg.org/zaibwo8fd/IMG_4648.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/zaibwo8fd/)
That looks awesome! Looking forward to seeing it fly!
Great colour scheme and well applied.
That looks ruddy marvellous! Have you used emulsion under laminate before? I'm interested how well it holds up..
Quote from: Andy Sayle on March 13, 2016, 05:59:08 PM
That looks ruddy marvellous! Have you used emulsion under laminate before? I'm interested how well it holds up..
Hi Andy, Thanks very much, pleased you like my Drak. I have a Phantom and a mini Skywalker, both painted with emulsion, both laminated, both fine. Even if you don't laminate, you just have to be a little careful plus, they're really easy to touch up (when not laminated).
Does look really good :)
Quote from: AdamG on March 14, 2016, 01:13:44 PM
Does look really good :)
Thanks son, not sure you thought all my efforts were worthwhile at first - you need to get some plastidip for your SkyHunter project ;)
Been a little busy lately, only progress is Ive completed the laminating. Quick video regarding the use of emulsion and how well the laminate works over it. The Hobby King laminating iron was set at about 60% which seemed to be about right,
http://youtu.be/SYjjjBmCQ7M (http://youtu.be/SYjjjBmCQ7M)
The peel back the vinyl plan failed, it overstretched, so i left it and cut and ironed the laminate up to it. If 'stuff' starts to peel off during flight, ill take off and re do the vinyl.
Nice to see it coming on Dave, be flying in no time :thumbsup:
Just wondered why you cut the lam into 3 sections on the wings?
Quote from: mutley2 on March 30, 2016, 06:33:09 PM
Nice to see it coming on Dave, be flying in no time :thumbsup:
Just wondered why you cut the lam into 3 sections on the wings?
Hi Mutley, think I just got carried away with Chris's instructions re the ailerons, don't suppose it was really necessary to laminate in three sections on the wings given their inherent strength - ps - great flying the other day, enjoyed the video
Quote from: Dave G on April 03, 2016, 10:02:25 AM
Hi Mutley, think I just got carried away with Chris's instructions re the ailerons, don't suppose it was really necessary to laminate in three sections on the wings given their inherent strength - ps - great flying the other day, enjoyed the video
But why does Chris do it?
Hey Adam, Chris cuts the lam into sections to stop twist in the control surface, EPP is not that strong and when you lam it in one section it can twist even with the spars.
There is a further mod of adding another spar and it's a very serviceable part but I went with the balsa upgrade, tis stronger and more stable under load IMo.
I used lam on the entire airframe and it does add weight but makes it bomb proof, worth it.
Been putting my ground station together, the video shows how i intend to layout my gear -
http://youtu.be/dJMxObWDNZI (http://youtu.be/dJMxObWDNZI)
video is private
Quote from: BlueFlyer on April 08, 2016, 10:25:19 PM
video is private
Hi Adam's mate, I've just checked the YouTube settings and I have it as 'public', Adam just checked it out and he can see it too :shrug:
I've watched it last night, worked fine.
Nice and simple GS Dave, will do the job. I`d put the lipos as low as possible to power it, the tripod looks very light so could benefit from some weight lower down for the wind.
Hi Coyote, thanks for the comments, the battery will go low, but like you, I have mild concerns about the stability of the tripod. I might have to bite the bullet and get something a little sturdier :'(