Flying wings Venturi build thread... A beginners perspective

[ROVguy]

Well, I've just received a Venturi fpv wing from flying wings. Delivery was prompt from order... Always a good start and the wing arrived relatively well packaged. First thing I noticed, although you receive assembly instructions, they are vague to say the least, certainly from a beginners point of view, my first bit of feedback to flying wings would be to be more detailed with each assembly stage. I will progress through the build and post on here when I can. I had initially given myself 5 days to complete the build. My initial thoughts are that I was being ambitious in completing the build in that time.

[Dakluit]

It does say "for experienced wing builders" in the description;)

But just take your time and you will be ok. Good luck!

Btw, the wing does look good. Enjoy it.

[Brucey]

Any questions about the build, just ask. I can't guarantee the right answer, but I can tell you what I did!

[philf]

It's a very straightforward build and goes together quickly.....I'm building my third.
The other two were for a couple of mates. :laugh:

[ROVguy]

Yeah I did see that experienced builders statement and to be fair I've never built a plane so I am throwing myself in the deep end.

Thanks for the offer of assistance guys.

Anyway, the morning after gluing the wing together it appears to have glued up well. The overall look of the wing looks very sleek, I'm looking forward to seeing it complete. Now according to the instructions you attach the skid plate and motor mount plate, this is where I get a bit confused. How do I attach the plywood/balsa plates to the EPP? Do I use UHU, hot glue or CA? Also, do the plates overlap or am I suppose to chop them down to fit? Does the motor mount plate overhang the back end of the wing or does it go over the split on the wing? This is what I meant by the instructions not being clear, even the diagram does not explain this part of the build.
I will contact flyingwings if no one can help with this.

P.s I have the go pro version of the Venturi. 

[CurryKitten]

Don't forget the pics - I'm really to see how it goes together.  Also interested to know that if the Venturi is for "experienced" wing builders - then is there a similar wing that's for non-expereiced wing builders ?

[ROVguy]

I'll try and get some posted when I can CK.

A quick question for everyone, is it worth taping over glue joints with strapping tape?

[mjc1970]

ROVguy it certainly won't hurt. You will just need to apply some cyno to get the tape to stick however as the EPP foam is not the best for getting things to stick to it.

Just plan out where you want everything to go and it should be relatively straight forward from there. The first question to ask yourself is whether you're going 3S or 4S and plan around that and where the batteries are going to be sited.  Not sure if you saw this build thread I did, but it may help.  Good luck!

http://mjc70.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/a-new-british-made-fpv-rc-wing-called.html

[Brucey]

Yeah I did see that experienced builders statement and to be fair I've never built a plane so I am throwing myself in the deep end.

Thanks for the offer of assistance guys.

Anyway, the morning after gluing the wing together it appears to have glued up well. The overall look of the wing looks very sleek, I'm looking forward to seeing it complete. Now according to the instructions you attach the skid plate and motor mount plate, this is where I get a bit confused. How do I attach the plywood/balsa plates to the EPP? Do I use UHU, hot glue or CA? Also, do the plates overlap or am I suppose to chop them down to fit? Does the motor mount plate overhang the back end of the wing or does it go over the split on the wing? This is what I meant by the instructions not being clear, even the diagram does not explain this part of the build.
I will contact flyingwings if no one can help with this.

P.s I have the go pro version of the Venturi.

I used UHU Por for the ply plates and attatched them like this one.


Before I glued them down I used hot water on the front edge of the long ply plate so that I could form a curve so it matched the curve on the underneath of the foam. That way I could get the ply plate as far forward as possible to protect the foam 'lip'

[ROVguy]

Ok, time for an update on the build and for some photos. Im afraid I was a bit over zealous with starting the build and forgot to take a photo of the package contents before starting. Oopsies.

Anyway, heres an image of the Venturi after gluing. I used UHU Por as indicated in the instructions. In regards to gluing the wing together the instructions are quite precise so it went together quite well.

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ROVguy/media/IMG_0165_zpsa369cbed.jpg.html?sort=3&o=10

Heres an image of the remaining contents

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ROVguy/media/IMG_0170_zpsbcdab7a6.jpg.html?sort=3&o=7

I chose to get a selection of tape and some lam film.

When gluing the wing together you have to make sure that the centre section sits correctly and protrudes slightly underneath the bottom of the wing.

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ROVguy/media/IMG_0167_zpsc761021f.jpg.html?sort=3&o=9

Whilst waiting for the adhesive to dry on the wing I assembled the Go Pro mount, also from Flyingwing. I am very impressed with this. It arrives in a flat pack and you have to twist the peices apart as if it was airfix model. Once separated its advised that you file the remanent tags from the G10. It goes together quite easily and once the CA is dry the mount is very solid.

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ROVguy/media/IMG_0172_zpsd3b54a6b.jpg.html?sort=3&o=7

[ROVguy]

Right, the wing has now dried, after consulting Rob at flying wings and some advice on here Ive mounted the skid plate and motor mount. Ive bent the tip of the skid plate using hot water so it fits more snuggly. I also used strap tape across the front of the skid plate to give it a bit more strength.

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ROVguy/media/IMG_0171_zpsc77b91cb.jpg.html?sort=3&o=8

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ROVguy/media/IMG_0174_zps57da2332.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5

[ROVguy]

Heres a quick mock up some of the gear that will be fitted to the wing. Doing the cut-outs will be the next challenge and one that Im not looking forward to or have any idea on how to do.

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ROVguy/media/IMG_0178_zps3487776d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ROVguy/media/IMG_0179_zps64c92ce8.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

Heres a close up of the motor, is it normal for the shaft to stick out like this?

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ROVguy/media/IMG_0181_zps2f2ec95c.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

[mjc1970]

Rov, yes it's fine for the motor shaft to stick out like that.  Here's a picture I have just taken of mine for reference.  As you can see, I've mounted the speed controller and vtx as far back as I can and they're outside of the bay. This way you will get good airflow over them and hopefully keep them cooler than if they were inside the bay.

I'd just add a bit of thin ply down the walls of the bay just to give it a bit more strength.  Try and site everything and then check the CoG.

At this rate you'll have it all built up well within the 5 days!! 

[Brucey]

Looking good, its not so hard is it;)
As for cutting slots for batteries etc, buy a solder gun and use copper wire to make the shape that needs cutting out. Its a real neat way of doing it.
Like this http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php?topic=5131.0

[philf]

Hi Rov, don't forget to put servos in will you..... :laugh: