zagibond

I finished building my 3DX last night. Todat was the maiden flight. Thanks to everyone who helped me with advice on this site.
I was shaking before the flight. My experience is limited to Zagi, Sky Scooter and Slow Stick. Man is this different. I swear I checked the controls 10 times, set in EPA, differential, servo reverse.....everything. Apparently not!!!! First right bank turned out to be a left bank and Bam!!! it went into the ground hard. They are not indestructable. All three pieces will vouch for this. What a dumb *****.

The carbon rod was not broken, nor was the wing, the fuselage was in three pieces. Epoxy solved that problem. Second flight was incredible. I ended it prematurely because I was shaking and needed to chill. This is not a Zagi that you can take breaks and cruise for a while before trying the next stunt. Nope, you need to fly this baby all the time.

Here is my spec (before the extra epoxy to make it whole again).

AUW 13 ounces.
Kokam 11.1 1500
GWS 350 D
First prop was a 1180, second is a 1147.
It will accelerate verticaly. I tested the thrust, both props gave me about 20 ounces at 11amps.
3 Hitec HS55 servos
Hitec Featherlite receiver
Hitec Eclipse TX
micro push rods in sleeve for rudder and elevator.
micro horns everywhere
strapping tape hinges
coat hanger wire to join the two elevator halves.
6mm Depron

Here are two issues that I ran into:
The motor broke loose, so it now has a bolt running through the mount, the wood and the rod.
The carbon rod started twisting with the torque. Roughed up the rod and applied plenty of epoxy to join the rod to the Depron

OK, I am headed back to the field for a blast.
Pictures when I get her painted.

Galloping Ghost

My Feedback: (12)

Congrats on your maiden!!! They are a blast. The coolest thing in RC in quite some time.

I'm on my second 3DX, and have just finished an Edge 540 as well.

Galloping Ghost

My Feedback: (12)

And here's the Edge.

zagibond

Thanks.
I took it out again after my last post and it was amazing.
At least a 205 MPH breeze. Tried hovering but it was at at about a 70 degree angle.

What is the diffenrence between the 3DX and the Edage?
What did you use to paint your 3DX, It looks very cool?

zagibond

Sorry, a 15MPH breeze.

mgirard

You shoulda had your neighbor check it over

zagibond

I would have but I have heard that he is pretty good at destroying planes on their maidens.
What is a nitro doing on the electric pages anyway?

Galloping Ghost

My Feedback: (12)

Zagi,

I used Krylon spray paint on the 3DX. It WILL eat the foam. You have to use very light coats, but it looks pretty good. Testors model spray paint works better, and it doesn't seem to attack the foam. The paint added around 1/2 oz. to the plane.

The Edge is just grey Depron and Monocote trim. This plane weighs in at just under 11 oz. with an Etec 1200 mah 3S1P pack. At that weight with a GWS 350 "D", it will hover at less than half stick. [X(]

Foamies=FUN!!!

Here's my YAK in Krylon paint:

zagibond

Thanks, I actually have some Krylon.
Did you use epoxy or hotglue to stick the rod to the fuselage?

Galloping Ghost

My Feedback: (12)

I use 5 or 30 minute epoxy for everything on the foamies. 30 for the CF tubes, 5 for everything else. IMHO, it can't be beat as long as you use it sparingly. You don't need much. I've used hot melt and foam safe CA, but I always go back to epoxy.

zagibond

I need to try the 30 on my next 3DX. The 5 is just too brittle and does not handle the torque very well.

Cheech

My Feedback: (19)

I may do a 3DX, but it seems expensive for such a little plane. It looks like the only way to go is with a brushless motor & speed control w/lithium battery. Does anyone have one of these flying well on a cheaper power/motor setup?

I went flying with a group that meets in a golf dome. It was somewhat cool.

http://www.devino.org/mark/airplanep...lds/indoor.htm

Galloping Ghost

My Feedback: (12)

Cheech, you don't have to go brushless. I've been flying my 3DX, YAK, and Edge 540 with the GWS 350 "D" gearing for some time with an Etec 1200 3S1P pack. The performance is awesome!!!

I can hover anyone of these planes at 1/2 stick with the 3S1P lipoly pack. Will the motors last forever? NO!!! But at $10 a motor, if I can get 30 to 40 flights, I'm happy.

I just maidened my Backyardfoamies Edge 540, and it's fantastic!!!

I know this is a clich'e, but it flies like it's on rails. It has a groovier feel to it compared to the other foamies I've flown. Now don't get me wrong; I love my YAK & 3DX, but I can do things with the Edge better than I can with my other planes. It harriers rock solid, with little wing rock, and I can actually hover it for 15-20 seconds at a time (beginner at 3D)

I just want to thank the folks at www.backyardfoamies.com for the design and plans. Great job, guys!!!

GWS 350 "D" with 11/4.7 prop
Etec 1200 3S1P
Plantraco RX/ESC combo (love it)
AUW 10.9 oz.

Cheech

My Feedback: (19)

This is what I want to hear. I will try such a setup before getting $300 worth of gear. I have the sub-micro servos and a great charger. I'll try it, see if it's fun and upgrade.

I want a plane that will do much more than just go round and round the dome. It needs to be fun.

Galloping Ghost

My Feedback: (12)

Cheech,

If you can keep the weight around 12 1/2 oz. or less, you will have great performance with this setup. I have yet to toast a motor, but I'm only at 15 flights or so.

I, like you, couldn't justify spending $150 on a motor/esc for a $10 airplane!!! I'm a little concerned that when the weather warms up, the motor life span may suffer. []

zagibond

I have a similar setup. Tried 1047 prop but broke that and managed to burn out a motor on 4th flight. I think I was nervous and kept the throttle open too much. I am on flight 2 with a new (run-in) motor and 1260 prop. Although the bigger prop works the motor harder, I get a better feel for the throttle position. I hope to be able to keep using $10 motors. My plane weighs 13 ounces. It accelerates vertically like no tomorrow.