Hercules (extended version) build thread

[pk-surfing]

Should be tomorrow, we were geared up to maiden it this afternoon but 28mph wind so decided against it.

I'll post some pics up tonight showing the bays I've cut out for the gear and the Corex hatch covers, I've fitted my FY21AP into it mainly for the Return To Home feature.

PK

[martink1974]

good luck Pk , hope all ya hard work pays off looking good

[pk-surfing]

Hi Chris,

I've just put it back on the scales now I have everything installed and wiring hidden away and bits of colour trim added, a bit disappointed that the weight has crept up to 7 lbs 9 oz, part of it is due to the separate 1300mah 3S lipo added as my flight battery (receiver, Vtx, camera, FY21, OSD) but I was trying hard to keep it under 7 lbs so I missed that target by a country mile  :(

PK

[chrisallen649]

fingers crossed mate i hope all goe's well. We are due some none windy weather these next few days so make the most of them :-) i know i will

[pk-surfing]

Hercules update.

Depending on the wind this will get in the air Saturday or Sunday for it's first flight.

I've just taken some photo's with my phone and they all look a bit soft focus so apologies. (reckon lens needs cleaning)

I've cut out some equipment bays and fitted Correx lids, hinged with tape and held closed with spring loaded canopy catches.

Front bay has current sensor, lipo for rec/cam/vtx, the bec for supplying the rec and FY21AP etc.

Rear bay has the FY21AP and AP117 osd.

Scherrer 12ch rec is in a third bay on left wing but I've taped the lid down on that.

2.4 Vtx is out on the right wing and fitted with a cloverleaf.

Camera is a WDR600 fitted on a ply plate which is big enough to fit my GoPro when it arrives but I will probably mod this lot once I have the GoPro to look at.

Top of plane only has reflective red and blue trim on outside of fins and winglets, underside has red tape stripes but no trim on the top yet until I know it's going to fly ok.

Motors are fed from 2no 4000mah 3S lipos.

I've added some dead weight under the nose (a 100mm woodscrew into the foam) to mimic the missing GoPro and it gets the C of G just right.

I've fitted green LEDs along the leading edge and have them rigged to an electronic switch (from HK) so I can have them on or off.

Hopefully the maiden this weekend will be ok then my only problem is working out where to park this huge wing up when I'm not out flying it !

PK

[pk-surfing]

In the car... just.

Audi A6 and it just fits in, this is a very antisocial size wing unless you have a Transit van.








PK

[6lennn]

mate, just strap it to the roof and you got yourself a flying car

best of luck for today, seen one of these on youtube and it looked fab

[Coyote]

Good luck mate, I want to see a hand caught landing on video ;)

[FPVSteve]

That's fantastic Paul, looking forward to a video.

It's a shame you're not on the way to Bardney for me as I'd have stuck it in my Chrysler Voyager for you to bring down, would love to see this fly.

[pk-surfing]

Too windy today (having got it loaded into the car first thing)

Seeing as it had nowhere to live back in the house I set too sorting a space for it in the garage.....





PK

[FPVSteve]

Love those wing lights.

Is that bigger than the X8?

[pk-surfing]

78" or 1.98m for this big lump of foam.....

I think the X8 is 79.2" or 2.01m so the X8 is bigger (does the X8 have removable wings... hope so)

Tomorrow morning is showing light wind so me and John are planning to be at the field for 10:15am  :)

PK

[Funky Diver]

Looking good Paul, really good :)

It was a tad too blustery today up Aycliffe... I know I was up ladders up there!

does the X8 have removable wings... hope so

Yes it does mate, they come away from the body.  You could obviously stick them on if you REALLY wanted too, but you'd need to trade your Audi for a Hearse to fit it in.

[g.collins]

looking great PK, good luke if you do get her up tomorrow.
;) G

[pk-surfing]

Short Version..
The Herc had successful first flight today.

Long Version..
The lads at the field were well impressed with the size, we got the electric fence down from around the patch (here's an artistic photo of the cobwebs and dew drifting off the fence in the sunlight)



I decided to do a take off from the ground, fed in throttle and it started across the (small) mown patch accelerating like a tractor, after about 2 secs I thought
"this isn't going to get enough speed and will need a hand launch"
then when it got to about my fast running speed (so not v fast !) it just lifted off, no one could believe how slow it was moving when it lifted off, majestic and Dumbo like spring to mind. (about 10mph headwind)

It lifted off after just a 14m ground run (we paced it out the track mark in the dew)

I took it round for a circuit LOS and I had about 90% up on the elevator stick (bear in mind though I had really dialled my endpoints down on the servo throws so I only had 1/2" up and 1/2" down on elevators and ailerons)

No problem, told the lads I was going to do a couple of circuits at different throttles and then land and adjust to add more up reflex on bot elevators and ailerons.

It flies sooo nice and steady and slow and...... barge like !
This is NOT a speed machine, the wing is very thick and using that physics thing about doubling speed and drag goes up by 4x is it ? but in my first flight I can see it being a fun big wing for slow FPV flying and low level mooching around.

I brought it round to land and cut the throttle, it glided in on rails and really nice to watch, settled onto the mown patch and then as soon as it touched down (was going slow) it was hit from underneath by an invisible spring that punched it up in the air about 6ft, levelled out one wing slightly down and landed.

Walked over to the plane and John said "just try the throttles cos I saw something fly off", he was right as one prop had lost a blade.

AND I HAD NOT BROUGHT A SPARE PROP    :shrug:

It uses 2 props so I bought 6 props but didn't take one to the field so you can imagine I was not exactly feeling well pleased with myself.




The Herc is fine absolutely no damage cos it wasn't ever going to be a damaging landing, it was a low energy touch down but this thing has kangaroo blood in it !

Looking at the Youtube videos of Hercs landing they always seem to bounce, when I saw them I used to think 'clumsy'.... well I'm now christened in with them as well.

I need to make a point of loosing all the airspeed and almost stalling it onto the ground from knee height.

So.. watch this space for next time boys and girls.

PK