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3DFoamys F-18 - 7/29/2005 3:39:43 AM   
under_par_00


 

Posts: 120
Joined: 5/25/2005
From: , ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I think I will buy this plane in the future, but I just wanted to start looking at what the total cost will be. I am 15 so I will need to work a lot to save for the kind of money I will be spending, so I want to get a rough estimate now. I have only ever flown RTFs in the past and have never built my own plane or bought the radio, servos, etc. seperate. I want to make this plane the best possible, fast, aerobtic, and also capable of slow park flying.

I know that I will need at least 4 servos. Would this give me rudder control also? I will need 1 servo for elevators, 2 servos for flaperons, and Im guessing 1 servo for rudder...but there are 2 vertical fins, so wouldnt I need 2 rudder servos?

I was thinking of going with the Himaxx 2015-5400 brushless. That motor would be better than the 2015-4100, right?

I do not have motorcalc so I have no idea what type of gearbox or prop will be good.

Also, I wanted to get the Great Planes Silver Series 25A Brushless ESC, would this be good, here is the link: Great Planes 25A ESC

Now for the radio, I was thinking of going with the JR Sport 6-Channel MD2, which have 10 model memory, includes 4 ST47 servos, has exponential, flaperon, duel rates, etc. Would this be good? Is it too much? Would a normal 4 channel JR be ok? Heres the link: JR 6-Channel Computer Radio

Finally, I want Li-pos...Ive never used them before, so I have alot of learning to do. Which li-pos would be good, and also which charger (cheapest possible).

Thanks a lot for your help!!

_____________________________

Wow, I guess gravity does work.
       Post #: 1

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 7/29/2005 7:14:16 PM   
jwalsh1


 

Posts: 191
Joined: 10/22/2003
From: Batavia, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Just a rough estimate Im finding Ill spend around 250 for all the radio components/radio/battery etc with essentially the same set up as you, with rudders. I think the kits around 40 bucks or something, so youre looking at around 300 bones without the transmitter. Any 4 channel transmitter with some programming functions will be fine.

Hope this helps.

Jason

(in reply to under_par_00)
       Post #: 2

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 7/30/2005 4:06:18 AM   
ram3500-RCU



Posts: 1872
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: n. canton, OH, USA
Status: online 		Lots to think about, isn't it. I just got done outfitting mine and i think i am at about $230, plus the plane, for the RX (hitech park flyer type), Apogee 1570 LiPo, Highmax 2015 5400 with gear reduction unit (all in one) and their C-drive gearing. I only used (3) servos. No rudder. I am flying mine with out one and i really don't think it is necessary. No flaperons either and it goes into high alpha just fine. A lot to be said for simple here. Keep it simple. It will be cheaper and you will still have a ball.

As i recall.....about

RX............................10.00
motor with drive.........54.00
battery......................65.00
Castle Creations 25A..65.00
servos.......................30.00

< Message edited by ram3500-RCU -- 7/30/2005 4:07:10 AM >

(in reply to under_par_00)
       Post #: 3

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 7/30/2005 2:19:25 PM   
hypersoniq



Posts: 128
Joined: 1/30/2005
From: Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA
Status: offline 		the longer I collect parts the more I think I should just get an rtf while waiting...
Tx = Futaba 9CAPS w/ 9ch Rx (no servos)
Sx = 6 Hitec HS-55 + 1 fut. s-3151 digital
Batteries = 8 hour Tx upgrade with an upgraded Rx batt.
Handheld Foam Cutter
Bundle of BlueCor
Adhesives (Liquid Nails Perfect Glue#1)
Carbon fiber rods (4)
Fans (2) GWS EDF-75's
Cheap Laser Level
Soft sanding block and paper in 180/240/400/600 grit.
Dremel tool (5k-30k w/flex shaft)
Minwax Polycrylic
3 sq. yd. of 3/4 oz. Fiberglass cloth

got a killer deal on the Tx (slightly used) was $45 with nothing (not even a freq. module) from a person getting out of RC to get into custom choppers ;-)
everything else... around $400 so far.

Still Needed...
1. LiPo Charger... looking at an Accu-Cycle Elite (~$140) because it doesn't need a separate power supply (can plug it in)
2. LiPos. (still figuring out which ones, probably 2s for 7.4v and as many Ma as needed for decent flight times)
3. Brushless motors for the GWS fans (~$70 each for good drop-in replacements @ 4700kv)
4. ESC CC phoenix25 w/ programming USB cable
5. CorrosionX for waterproofing since I want 2 water-based aircraft along with an edf twin

will also need more lipos/motors/Rx/Sx for more planes in the air than just one...

some stuff will be reuseable and all will be recoverable (unless badly mangled in a mishap)

then there's the learning curve for building with foam... bending, shaping, sanding, filling, painting
and for designing... learning to use AutoCad and SolidWorks THEN figuring out how to build what you drafted
and for setup... CG, incidence angles, thrust offsets, airfoils, trim

but I can't afford everything at once and I am patient... waited 36 years, a few more months won't be that bad...

_____________________________

There are 10 kinds of people in the world...
Those that understand binary and those who don't.

(in reply to ram3500-RCU)
       Post #: 4

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 7/30/2005 9:52:45 PM   
flydrive rc


 

Posts: 44
Joined: 7/4/2004
From: deltaville, VA, USA
Status: offline 		as stated earlier this model really doesn't need rudder or flaperons. I have rudder installed on mine, but I never use it. The Jr controller is a great unit, but it may be a little bit overkill for this model. I fly mine with a gws dreamstarter $99 I have throttle, Elevator, aileron, and rudder. You can buy the kit precut from 3dfoamy or download and print the plans go to your local building supply store (lowes, homedepot, etc.) and buy a couple sheets of bluecore foam insulation this will run you 15 or 20 bucks max, plus you will get enough foam to make a couple planes or cover your mistakes. I have a foam cutter, but you can cut bluecore with a sharp exacto knife and sand the parts smooth. You can use testers spray paint to paint the foam, (always test on a scrap piece first though) Your power setup should be fine. Either way you go you are looking at least $250. Good luck with your model

(in reply to under_par_00)
       Post #: 5

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 8/1/2005 7:16:22 PM   
under_par_00


 

Posts: 120
Joined: 5/25/2005
From: , ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Thanks for all your help.

Would that radio I mentioned above allow me to use flaperons? I think I want that radio, even though I could save $50 with a cheaper one.

I am going to buy the pre-cut kit from 3dfoamy and gradually collect the electronics. What kind of servos does it need? That radio comes with 4, they are the JR ST47. Will they work?

Also, do I need a good li-po charger? Will a cheaper one not charge as well? I was thinking of getting the Hobbico MK-II
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCTZ5&P=0

So...heres the list with prices:

Radio with 4 servos and reciever....$160
Castle Creations Phoenix 25A ESC.$60
Himaxx Brushless Motor................$55
Hobbico MKII Li-Po Charger...........$50
Li-Po Battery (dunno which brand or mAh)..$55

o yea, and the F-18.....$60

Total: $440 USD...comverted to Canadian:

$530!!!!! Plus shipping....damn

I guess those servos wont work, they are standard, and I need micro.

Which gearbox do I need? In the F-18 manual it says with my motor to use a Gear Ratio of 5.33. Would this gearbox work:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHUV4&P=0

???

< Message edited by under_par_00 -- 8/1/2005 9:57:47 PM >

_____________________________

Wow, I guess gravity does work.

(in reply to flydrive rc)
       Post #: 6

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 8/2/2005 1:50:43 AM   
hypersoniq



Posts: 128
Joined: 1/30/2005
From: Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA
Status: offline 		they call for hitec HS-55 sub micro servos in the f-18

_____________________________

There are 10 kinds of people in the world...
Those that understand binary and those who don't.

(in reply to under_par_00)
       Post #: 7

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 8/2/2005 7:20:31 AM   
dannyflyer


 

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/27/2004
From: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Status: offline 		If you go to nesail.com they have the motor your looking for with esc combo for 100 dollers

Hope this will help



No Job No Money No Fun
Danny Stejskal

(in reply to hypersoniq)
       Post #: 8

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 8/4/2005 3:11:24 AM   
under_par_00


 

Posts: 120
Joined: 5/25/2005
From: , ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I need to know which servos are for this Jet, besides the HS-55. I am going to buy a JR Radio from Horizon, and they are probably going to package it with 4 of the servos of my choice. Which JR servos will work? Do they need to be sub-micro or just micro_

Will a sub-micro servo be strong enough with the speed that this jet is capable of with the brushless motor I mentioned in my first post?

Thanks for all your help!

_____________________________

Wow, I guess gravity does work.

(in reply to dannyflyer)
       Post #: 9

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 8/4/2005 3:40:13 AM   
dannyflyer


 

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/27/2004
From: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Status: offline 		micro will work i do not know of any jr micro sevos
Regaurds,
Danny Stejskal
Blue Eagle Aerobatic Team
Team JR

(in reply to under_par_00)
       Post #: 10

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 8/4/2005 4:02:59 AM   
vicman



Posts: 6451
Joined: 12/8/2002
From: Valdese, NC, USA
Status: offline 		Get a GWS 4ch reciever and three naro servos. You will need to make an extension wire for the battery to the Rx and a Y harness. Since you are a beginner you may want to stay away from coupling the ailerons and the stabilator till you get a little more stick time thus saving you a few bucks on a 6ch Rx. I have been using 4ch for all mine and no rudder, not needed. This thing will out fly most beginner pilots. I can send a pic of the extension wire if you need one.


_____________________________

Bigger Badder Meaner Faster!
Revver Brotherhood & NMPRA #41

(in reply to dannyflyer)
       Post #: 11

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 8/4/2005 5:23:05 AM   
under_par_00


 

Posts: 120
Joined: 5/25/2005
From: , ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I figured if I buy some decent stuff now, than I can use it all in future planes and save money in the future.

_____________________________

Wow, I guess gravity does work.

(in reply to vicman)
       Post #: 12

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 8/4/2005 5:25:08 AM   
dannyflyer


 

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/27/2004
From: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Status: offline 		thats what i did i got the gws tigher moth then used that in a 3d foamy airplane the reciver servos esc got lipos for the foamy

Danny Stejskal

(in reply to under_par_00)
       Post #: 13

RE: 3DFoamys F-18 - 8/4/2005 12:42:57 PM   
vicman



Posts: 6451
Joined: 12/8/2002
From: Valdese, NC, USA
Status: offline