My Fleet: Bixler, Bloody Wonder, Blunt Versa, Tricopter

[lankyjames]

Everyone started somewhere and my dad's been trying to get me into RC for years - I just didn't have the patience to build with balsa for the eventual crash to destroy your hard-work. He also flew mostly noisy IC control lines, spinning round in circles not-my-thing.

Finally returning with a new found love thanks mostly to the guys on FliteTest, quick cheap and near indestructible foam planes, electric setups, 2.4ghz transmitters and an interest with FPV.

Started with a DX6i and some stick time with Phoenix 4, picked up a Bixler and shortly after received a V911 clone (from Reddit Secret Santa) and a Blade MQX to learn quads;



Then started with a basic camera panning mod for the Bixler, figuring out how to do select-able panning or rudder control and finally receiving a 180 degree servo;






I've only flown the bixler a handful of times but absolutely love its gliding characteristics and beginner friendliness. Here is my first video with the camera attached, I need to sort that jello!

My first foray into foam scratch-builds was the FliteTest Bloody Wonder, a lot of fun but I had difficulty with orientation - needs some more colour. Met its demise but shall be rebuilt again in black;




While I had planned to rebuild the Bloody Wonder this weekend I struggled with time but did manage to build a Blunt Nose Versa Wing, in black, with grey underside, still missing it's motor (need to build a mount) and electronics but looks nice so-far;

[lankyjames]

And finally my latest project to complete (as of successful short-maiden last night), my tricopter.
Based on rcexplorer designs with;

• G10 Body
• Carbon booms (35,35,37cm)
• SunnySky V2216-12 800KV
• HK f20a simonk escs
• KK2.1 with Steveis V1.12S1
• 11x4.7 props
• some custom cnc work for motor mounts and tail adapter plate
• solid wire-hung battery tray
• All up weight; 850g incl 3s 2200mah battery

(Click pics for big)
Building the frame; legs were replaced for solid ones my zip ties cant handle the weight.

Delrin Legs; my big zip-ties just can't handle the weight

Motor Mounting; custom delrin plates for zip tie-ing to the boom and adapter for the yaw mount. To prevent slipping I used heat-shrink under the motor mounts.

Electronics; A pain and I ran out of heatshrink. Planning to go back and sleeve my wiring to look a bit tidier. Apologies for the not so great photos.


Here's the first (very short) flight from last night;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aeMGfsDVvw

Next up; I need some FPV gear!

[iwan_canobi]

Nice setup, tricopter looks good! I've got a similar fleet, and also in the process of a blunt nose build as well!

Get yourself into FPV, it takes it to a whole new level!

[lankyjames]

It's my next step I just need to stop hovering and click the buy button already!

[iwan_canobi]

It's a slippery slope once you do, but well worth it!

[lankyjames]

It's a slippery slope once you do, but well worth it!

I did it...just don't tell the girlfriend ;)

[lankyjames]

And finally finished off my soldering - only slightly nerve wracking that I would be able to pull this off or something would fry as soon as I plugged it in!

FPV test setup

[Dizzy]

Lol slippery slope indeed Fpv is something akin to a virus once its in the system theres no hope for a normal life again  ;D

or any sort of bank balance worth having rotfl  ;)

dizzy :)

[MichaelBNA]

That's a nice blunt nose Versa, I am in the process of building one myself.

[Coyote]

Nice collection you have there :)

[lankyjames]

Cheers all for the responses, looking forward to a day of good weather to get out and test it now!