Kitbashapalooza on a HK predator
 

After being talked into building a nightflyer, I wanted to do something diferent and cool. The predator definatly fit the bill. I bought the HK predator, and 12 strips of lights. It would be recovered in white. I also was convinced I would stick my spiderweb infested .15 size eflight retracts in it for a nicer plane. The bottom of the plane will be filled in flat for scale lines, and also happen to help hide the gear when retracted. The Predator's build was as cheap and poor as I had read and thought it would be. One out of 6 ribs were actually glued in. The rest were held together via ultracoat. I see now why broken wings are common. I decided to use my park 480 with a 3 blade for scale. The plastic was sanded for weight and repainted. The plane is almost done now, but I intended to start the build when I started the plane. With an hour of ups showing up, it was just a skeleton.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-10-14_833.jpg
Started cutting a hole for the nose wheel to fit.http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-46-04_953.jpgFitting the main retracts http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-17-42_365.jpghttp://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-23-20_403.jpgAdded a carbon spar to make the wings removable. Also glued the garolite spar that came with the kit into the fuse to give the center of the fuse the strength it would need.Also started adding lights http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-01-28_654.jpgTailsection recovered with lights installed under the covering.http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-01-18_720.jpg

RE: Kitbashapalooza on a HK predator
 

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-05-23_922.jpgFirst light test.http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-02-34_782.jpglights in wings and covering going on.http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-26-25_880.jpg
I ignore the wrinkles in the covering. Not going to streach anything til stabs are glued on. Going to add washout to the tips also
.http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-26-13_188.jpg

RE: Kitbashapalooza on a HK predator
 

Decided to add a rudder.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-49-48_759.jpg
Some internals
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-49-30_334.jpg

Added a hatch for access to the reciever and rudder/steering servo. Its really tight up front with the retract and batt.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-17-18_193.jpg

Finally starting to come together
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-46-42_366.jpg

more light testing
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-45-18_857.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-45-38_388.jpg

I will eventually build a new canopy hatch withthe proper bubble to it to finish the standoff sale apearance, maybe some dropable bombs, and a camera turrett up front. Will post more pics in next few days.

RE: Kitbashapalooza on a HK predator
 

Wow! That lights up very well, great job!

Let us know how it looks in the air when flying at night...

RE: Kitbashapalooza on a HK predator
 

Great thread start.  Build is awesome, so custom and love the lights.  Can't wait to see it fly.

RE: Kitbashapalooza on a HK predator
 

Almost done. Need to add nose weight, so I will start on the new scale canopy, and fix the canopy hatch that fell off[:@] Have to shape the temporary foam spinner, and May start the camera turrett also.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-28-29_880.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-28-40_397.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-52-29_123.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...-53-13_223.jpg

RE: Kitbashapalooza on a HK predator
 

WOW  Subscribed.   I have had one of these for a while just haven't got around to starting it. Are you going to strobe those lights? Is this for FPV or AP?  I wanted to use mine for FPV, and lipo's in the wings.