Buffalo FX-79 Build - maiden/re-maiden crash, 3rd time lucky

CurryKitten · October 20, 2014, 03:38:59 PM

I got this new plane delivered on Friday. I'm going to be a while before I can actually start putting it together properly, but thought I would start a thread here and share some pics - as I'd quite like some opinions about gear/layout etc.

My main idea here was to get a plane that can stay up for a long time, and cover a lot of ground, so for me something sizable that could carry a good amount of lipo

First off, this is the PNF version from HobbyKing (which is the only version they sell) http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__64681__FX_79_Buffalo_FPV_Flying_Wing_EPO_Airplane_2000mm_PNF_UK_Warehouse_.html It's pretty expensive for what you get really, but hey it was a present, so I'm not complaining :)

It comes in a big square shaped box, so big a cat could easily perch on it

When it gets put together (just a dry push fit) it looks like this

If you want to know how that looks in scale to a person, here's a silly picture of me holding it

Here's a view from the top showing one idea for the layout

On the little wooden platform I'd stick the flight controller (I'm thinking about the MFD AP right now) and so obviously route the GPS to the outside of the plane. As I need to be able to take the wings off for transport, I'd like to keep everything on the main fuse, so under the side flaps I'd put a Dragon Link (thanks Rich !) on one side and then route a dipole out to where the wing section joins, and on the other side route the VTX out (used here for display purposes only)

I wasn't sure what counts in separate terms simply the rx to the VTX, or where the dipole is to the VTX. Worst case scenario gives me about 20 inches, best case about 28 inches.

I'm showing the pic with a single 5000mah 3s lipo, but I'd intend to fly with 2 of these (although possibly not for the first throw)

The flight camera is a bit more of a dilemma, in the pic I have my Mobius as my flight/recording cam, but aside from having the route some foam out for it to fit properly, once that nose section is glued in, getting it in and out looks like a pain.

The alternative is mounting on the nose section itself. There's a wooden big to bolt onto the foam section in order to mount a GoPro, so I was thinking about putting the Mobius on a servo at around this point.

Angle seems quite crucial here though, I feel I'll need to be pointing down a bit, but would like to spin around a look behind myself... so not too down, and I don't want to effectively add a big air brake to it. Can anyone recommend a servo that will give me a 360 view, but has a stop point so won't just go continuously ?

Comes with a 12x3.8 prop, which I've heard size wise is ok, but advised swap that supplied one with an APC. The prop felt massive, but seems to shrink once I stuck it on the motor. I'm sure it'll grow again when it starts spinning and I have to chuck it without severing my hand.

Once annoyance that I found is that one of the capacitive nuts on the fuse that the wing screws into is missing a thread, so one wing can't be secured right now - so waiting for HK to respond on that >:(

More when I have it

Coyote · October 20, 2014, 03:47:10 PM

That`s a fair bit bigger than I thought it really was. The scale photo really put that into perspective there. A strange shaped compartment but plenty of room to get two 5800`s in there by the looks of things.

I like it, looks great Wayne :)

Brucey · October 20, 2014, 05:08:24 PM

That things huge! But Im sure you hear that a lot :D

BlueFlyer · October 20, 2014, 05:45:40 PM

Quote from: Coyote on October 20, 2014, 03:47:10 PM
That`s a fair bit bigger than I thought it really was. The scale photo really put that into perspective there

maybe wayne is a dwarf like warwick davis lol

bignose13 · October 20, 2014, 06:37:48 PM

Looks good mate,
Look forward to the build

Brucey · October 20, 2014, 08:14:40 PM

Out of interest, why 3s?

CurryKitten · October 20, 2014, 08:23:36 PM

Quote from: Brucey on October 20, 2014, 08:14:40 PM
Out of interest, why 3s?

That's what the motor is rated for and I already have them. I was a bit concerned here, but a youtuber in Oz is flying this config and getting nice results

krikey · October 20, 2014, 08:37:36 PM

What sort of flight times are you expecting from this? It looks lovely and I wonder if it might lend itself to a couple of camera mounts with a video switcher rather than a 360 pan. It actually might make more sense to have a cam facing backawards and one facing forwards, the forward facing one on a 180 degree pan for example.

CurryKitten · October 20, 2014, 09:07:13 PM

Quote from: krikey on October 20, 2014, 08:37:36 PM
What sort of flight times are you expecting from this? It looks lovely and I wonder if it might lend itself to a couple of camera mounts with a video switcher rather than a 360 pan. It actually might make more sense to have a cam facing backawards and one facing forwards, the forward facing one on a 180 degree pan for example.

Between 40 mins - 1 hour. Should have room for that, but I want to keep things off the main removable canopy if I can for simplicirty. It's not a particularly friendly shape for looking backwards, the canopy goes up towards the back and has a big ridge in it. Not sure how much I'd be able to see

iPeel · October 20, 2014, 09:07:45 PM

Has your wife always made you stand on bubblewrap in the living room, or just since you repurposed her egg timer?

CurryKitten · October 20, 2014, 09:12:16 PM

Quote from: iPeel on October 20, 2014, 09:07:45 PM
Has your wife always made you stand on bubblewrap in the living room, or just since you repurposed her egg timer?

Ran out of adult nappies, so we improvised with the bubble wrap just in case I had an accident :)

That was the literal "just unpacked" picture, with bubble wrap and other packaging around. It was my egg timer, I actual bought it specially. Although I spent her £2 on it

krikey · October 20, 2014, 09:16:15 PM

How about a couple of mobius with the lens extenders? he mobius could then sit inside the fuse. Theres a nice bit of foam like a small fin that runs towards the prop.

Brucey · October 20, 2014, 09:29:27 PM

Quote from: iPeel on October 20, 2014, 09:07:45 PM
Has your wife always made you stand on bubblewrap in the living room, or just since you repurposed her egg timer?

Pmsl!

Quote from: krikey on October 20, 2014, 09:16:15 PM
How about a couple of mobius with the lens extenders? he mobius could then sit inside the fuse. Theres a nice bit of foam like a small fin that runs towards the prop.

Yeah good idea

Gundummy · October 20, 2014, 10:14:50 PM

I love that cat ;D

MarkLloyd · October 21, 2014, 07:53:31 PM

I'd looked at the FX79 about a year ago but it was only available overseas so I didn't bother. I hadn't realised it was now available from HK UK so thanks for the info. I think next plane will be either the Z3 or maybe this, but definateley has to be something that breaks down small-ish.

Anyway I've just been looking online for info and saw this guy had some good ideas for his FX79 build - may be of interest.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwoqSrLI4rU

Regards

Mark