Finished my Firstar 2000 FPV Sloper

rob.thomson · February 13, 2015, 09:52:14 PM

Finally finished this one.

It's kitted out with a cyclops storm, 5.8 video, pan tilt camera.

I am hoping it will make a half decent fpv slope glider.

Coyote · February 13, 2015, 09:59:55 PM

Looks nice :) Looks very much like a raptor as well to me

benitoculito · February 13, 2015, 10:02:31 PM

Looks cool, I have fancied one of these myself for a while. Be good to see how you go

rob.thomson · February 13, 2015, 10:02:54 PM

Very similar.

But all up a better model.

- larger wing
- thrust line fixed

I have already had a short flat field flight with it. No issues at all :)

skyscraper · February 13, 2015, 10:05:36 PM

Yep.. Looks nice ! Will be interseting to see it working as a Slope Soarer...

regards
Andy

rob.thomson · February 13, 2015, 10:06:18 PM

What I can say about this model...

The plastic fuselage is good - but also a pain. Nothing sticks to it! If you want to do any neat arrangement you need to resort to ply trays, and screws to secure them. No big issue - just not as easy as foam.

I have also modded mine. I have installed two dowels, and now retain the wing with bands. Just quicker to get up and running. The stock method is a little cumbersome for quick flying sessions. (4 bolts)

Billy_boy_2010 · February 13, 2015, 10:53:21 PM

Looks nice. Must be a wonderfully relaxing way to fly.

FPVSteve · February 13, 2015, 11:10:29 PM

It is an FPVRaptor V2 rebranded to Firstar 1900

FPVSteve · February 13, 2015, 11:11:57 PM

Quote from: rob.thomson on February 13, 2015, 10:06:18 PM
I have also modded mine. I have installed two dowels, and now retain the wing with bands. Just quicker to get up and running. The stock method is a little cumbersome for quick flying sessions. (4 bolts)

Probably the best modification you can make to these, and the previous FPVRaptors.

The bolts on the wings are a major weak point, and the very first thing to give way in a crash - it ruins the wings in the centre. Plus, like you say, it makes getting the wings on (and off) much quicker.

Gundummy · February 14, 2015, 10:49:03 AM

I like that idea....... I have some carbon rod kicking about....

rob.thomson · February 16, 2015, 05:40:34 PM

Managed to get the first proper flight in with the Firstar today.

Pretty much a non event.

I launched... climbed away.. checked RTH worked, then took a beeline down the runway to 1000m.

Kicked in RTH, and back she came.

- I find that when climbing, 2-3mm of flap input really increases the climb rate.
- there is a small tendency to dip the node on launch. but way better than the older Raptor. I launch with around 50% throttle and it still climbs out.
- landing - I have 80 degree flap to act as a brake. Works really well.
- gliding. superb. not as good a a proper streamlined ship, but not bad for what it is. certainly enough ability to thermal it.
- cog.. I have mine setup to the middle of the wooden joiner. The instructions would tell you to put it to 1cm behind. This is fine.. and it flies well at that position, but it also has a nasty tip stall tendancy. Moving the cog forward makes the model fly fast.. and as a result mitigates the effect.

Am I happy? Yes. Still a bit of tweeking to do, but it looks to be a half decent FPV rig.

Rob