Finwing Penguin - Build, review and testing

[mjc1970]

Please see in-conjunction with the other running Finwing Penguin thread:

http://www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic,7531.0.html

Having had a great year flying the Graupner Elektro Rookie in an FPV configuration; I wanted to try my hand at something slightly bigger, more stable and with a bigger payload capacity.  The obvious choose was the tried and tested Skywalker, but when the FPV forums started discussing the new Finwing Penguin, I decided this was the route I would take for my next build.  Some would argue it's not the prettiest of planes, I guess it's like Marmite, you either love it or hate it!

The first hurdle was obviously getting hold of one and I was delighted to learn that DesireRC.co.uk was going to stock them in the UK. As I've written before, yes they're probably cheaper if you buy them in from the States, but once you've paid the shipping and the lottery of whether you'll be charged import duty or not, you're not going to be a million miles apart. Plus, ordering from DesireRC, I had it delivered the next day along with the brilliant communications from Simon to check everything was ok etc. Plus I got one of his very nice pens thrown in too  :D

DesireRC.co.uk FinWing Penguin options
http://www.desirerc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_jcommerce&pgn=index&cPath=40&64bd02346a5c709de15be352826b4d93=0188ec2912fdd2c64fd42ba2a5cfe103

First impressions.....

Well, the large box duly arrived next day after ordering and all I can say is how well it's all packaged up. There are different configurations  one can go for and I went for the Penguin and the upgraded M2815 motor package. I didn't go with the ESC and Servo options, again electing to source my own.  Often when buying an ARTF, the supplied servos etc are not always up to scratch, but reading feedback on other Penguin threads, the consensus is that the supplied electronics in the other Penguin options are good...time will tell... 

Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the plane in the box, but trust me, it's all very well packaged up. Here are a couple of pictures showing the Penguin components.  As can be seen, a 3S 2200 battery looks lost in the vast cravenness front section.  Inspecting the plane after, it's apparent that a lot of thought has gone into this plane with the FPV flyer in mind. There are lots of little touches which constantly remind you that yes, somebody has really thought about this model and its target market.  The manual was ok (although it's obvious it's been translated into English with some errors). The supplied stickers are ok, but not brilliant. I'm going to decorate mine in my own way.





In terms of electronics, I opted for a 60amp ESC Black Mantis Speed Controller, and Hitec 82MG for the Ailerons & Elevator. I used a smaller 9g MG servo for the rudder as the manual suggests.  Given the motor and ESC combination is rated to 4S, I installed a voltage regulator to restrict the power down to my VTX, FPV camera and Eagle Tree eLogger down to 12V, thus I can either use a 3S or 4S configuration (more testing and results on this to follow).  It was my plan to go with a pan configuration for the FPV camera too.


 
The build was very straight forward, install the servos in the two wings and rudder and mount the servo for the elevator. The next thing was then installing the ESC, motor mount, motor and the Eagle Tree suit (OSD Pro, elogger V4, GPS and Guardian). Given the space inside, I built all the components into one half of the fuselage before joining the two halves together with 3M Scotch-Weld 90 glue. For now, I have elected to install the VTX inside the fuselage with the antenna sticking out of the air intake for the ESC. I should still get sufficient airflow through there to keep it cooled.



Given I'm going to use this plane as a camera ship using the GoPro, I'm still undecided whether I will use the big canopy or not.  I feel it's inevitable that you will get some form of glare with the GoPro filming inside. For the early flights, I will fly without the canopy and house the GoPro in its protective case. The Penguin comes supplied with a couple of different camera mounting plates and I've screwed this in place and secured a GoPro mount with two screws which have been counter sunk to allow the GoPro to slide on. Finally, the FPV camera has been installed on a 260 degree pan servo which I've programmed into one of the sliders on my Futaba 9C radio. 



All the Eagle Tree Gear has been setup and RTH has been programmed in now, so all that's needed now is for me to go and fly the thing!!  I just need some decent weather now!!    I'll report back with more and videos once I've flown her.  My plan to start with, is try the plane with a 3S configuration using two 3000mAh batteries in parallel.  I will later try the 4S configuration using two 2200mAh batteries which I use on my Venturi.  I'm going to try the supplied 3 blade prop to start with and compare how this performs against a standard APC 9*6 prop.

Verdict

A very well thought out plane with the FPVer in mind. The packaging  is first class and the build quality is very good too. If it flys as well as it looks (some would disagree with this), then Finwing are onto a winner as a very serious contender to the tried and tested Skywalker. Where the Penguin beats the Skywalker in my opinion is the shear ease of access to set your gear up pretty well where you want it.



Watch this space for the maiden flight test...

[Asomaro]

Hi dude,

very nice write up, thanks for posting - it really is a nice plane, I look forward to you maiden comments.

Cheers,

[mjc1970]

Hi dude,

very nice write up, thanks for posting - it really is a nice plane, I look forward to you maiden comments.

Cheers,

Thanks Simon. I'm really looking to fly her now. A few more finishing touches and she's all ready to go.

[electricmick]

Hi Matt, it looks really good, what is the view like from the GoPro in that position? Does the FPV camera get in the way?

[wgt40w]

PLEASE NOTE

Readymade in the States have developed and are selling a thicker replacement Penguin Canopy designed to have a Gopro mounted straight on top of it.

[mjc1970]

Hi Matt, it looks really good, what is the view like from the GoPro in that position? Does the FPV camera get in the way?

Thanks Mick.  In answer to your question. If you set the GoPro to record in 1080p in Wide FoV then you can just see the top of my FPV camera. Set it to medium FoV (GoPro 3 BE only) and you don't have a problem. It's easily solved in Wide by just angling the camera up slightly.  Where the GoPro 3 BE really kicks ass ( :-*) here is that if you have an iOS or Andriod phone, you can download the app and see the preview of what the GoPro is seeing before you even press record!  Great little feature which I've come across :)

PLEASE NOTE

Readymade in the States have developed and are selling a thicker replacement Penguin Canopy designed to have a Gopro mounted straight on top of it.

wgt40w.  I think you're referring to the V2 canopy which Simon from Desire is already shipping the penguins now. As can be seen from the picture below, the canopy will already allow for the GoPro to be mounted on top or just at the back. Personally, I think it would cause too much drag up there and alter the flight characteristics.  That's my opinion however.

[wgt40w]

PLEASE NOTE

Readymade in the States have developed and are selling a thicker replacement Penguin Canopy designed to have a Gopro mounted straight on top of it.

wgt40w.  I think you're referring to the V2 canopy which Simon from Desire is already shipping the penguins now. As can be seen from the picture below, the canopy will already allow for the GoPro to be mounted on top or just at the back. Personally, I think it would cause too much drag up there and alter the flight characteristics.  That's my opinion however.

I agree with your aerodynamic thoughts - I just thought it was worth mentioning !

[Coyote]

Nice review Matt :)

[mjc1970]

Thanks Ian.

As apposed to writing about the maiden of the Finwing, I thought I'd so something different and do a narrated (albeit narrated afterwards) video.

Find out how the maiden outing turned out on Boxing Day.

http://youtu.be/vvaWPHkVnuk

[3DJIM]

Matt,

That was a very very very nice video review m8, loved the narrated flight it adds so much for the viewer and allows your thoughts to come across. The pengu looked real good in the air and I look forward to many more vids from you!!.

Cheers

Jim.

[FPVSteve]

Very nice video, it really does handle the wind nicely.

[Coyote]

Very good video Matt, well narrated, the GoPro 3 performed well in the low light as well

[Asomaro]

Hi Matt,

Excellent and very informative vid - nice job dude and I really appreciate the plugs! Would you mind if I incorporate it in my Desire RC web site?

Cheers,

[Gav]

Relaxed, informative and intetesting video.   Sat down with a cup o tea this morning, clicked on the youtube link and watched the whole vid through.  Nice.
Cheers
Gav

[mjc1970]

Many thanks for the feedback guys, glad it's been well received. Given this was the only FPV flight/video which I did in December, I may just enter it for the December Video contest!  Hopefully there are a couple of nuggets of info that people may find useful in relation to FPV and it's a change to the fast packed action flying videos!

Looking forward to getting out again with the Pengu and trying her on 4S.

Once again many thanks and Happy New Year and Happy flying all.

Cheers
Matt

PS. Feel free to use the video Simon on your site. Hopefully it won't be the last!