I've built quite a few foamies in the last year and a half and am always looking for something new and better. After building three of 3D Foamy's designs from free plans and being very satisfied with the way they flew I decided to try one of the laser cut kits offered by the company. The kit I will do a build thread on will be the Cap 232.

The kit came packed in a strudy box with very nice graphics.

Here's a shot of the main parts and the hardware pack. The laser cutting of the kit is exceptional and I found the hardware pack to be very complete.

My work started with the lamination of the motor mount/nose brace and the layout for the motor cut out in the nose. The motor I chose for this project is a Himax 2015-4100/GWS EPS gearbox with "D" gearing. Epoxy was used on the motor mount.

The fuselage parts were fitted and joined. A unique feature I found all through this kit was the extra tight fit of all the parts. I like having the option of fine fitting the parts of a model instead of having to figure out the best way of filling in sloppy fitting parts with extra glue and weight.

Here I'm setting up the wing to cut the groove on the bottom side for the included tubular graphite spar. I use a Dremel with base and 3/16" router bit. You just lay out the location as shown on the plans, tape down a straightedge, and guide the tool along. Easy and neat. Much better than cutting a groove with and Exacto knife. Another shot shows the finished job. I've used every known adhesive on foamies and what I'm happy with now is to tack glue, if needed, with foam safe ca and then glue with Formula 56 canopy glue. I holds like mad and unlike ca it will flex without cracking.

With all the parts mocked up I'm now ready to start the hingeing operation. You get a nifty little tool with the kit. A control surface beveling tool. I'ts all laser cut as well, just glue it up, install a number 11 blade, and get after it. Cool!

Also shown is my hinge of choice. I use the canopy glue on these as well.

Here's another cool little feature included in the 3D Foamy kits, servo corrals for the aileron servos. It really dresses up the servos. Glue them at the proper location and use servo tape on the servos.

A shot of the included control horns. All control surfaces have a laser cut slot to glue the horns into.

Everything is all fitted and glued and it's time to head to the paint shop for some color and flash. I'll be back soon with some finished pictures and a flying report.

If you haven't already done so you can check out the place to get one of many different 3D kits[link=http://www.3dfoamy.com/] here.[/link] Lots of very cool stuff.

These kits can be built in a single evening they are so well engineered, and I'm sure that the Cap will perform as well as the other 3D Foamy planes I've built.

Great Build Thread!! Seems like my Cap 232 is the only one with a straight through wood stick as opposed to the curvy one.

I've noticed that this plane is soo stable in hovering! Its probably becuz of the the way the rudder and elevator are located. Not a lotta foamies like that.

Have Fun!!

TTYL,
Andrew T.

And for the Aussie, these models will soon be available here at about the $AUD equivalent of the $USD price, so only local post to pay extra.

pre delivery orders will be taken soon.

I ordered the 232 also, plan on using a Nippy motor for it, HS 55's and Pheonix 25 esc.
Cant wait to fly it.

I was also impressed with the kit and the way Levi runs the "business". Seems like a stand-up guy.

One question, What is a solid way to join the elevators with this plane?

The kits all have the .125 joiner rods (f glass) and I use med oderless CA and accelerator to just build up a bead of glue around it. Epoxy is great too. Never had one seperate, even in crahsed/totaled planes. (Ya, I crash em all the time too!)

and heres the Aussie contact info

www.nex.net.au/users/rwood

Extreme 3D fomies in Australia
Contact Richard
Phone 0418376855
Fax 0359951818
[email protected]

I'm sorry to say that I ruined the Cap trying a new painting technique which is why I have taken so long to finish this 3D Foamy build thread so...I did the only sensible thing, I built an Extra. Here are some shots of the finished model taken after the first flight. I know, you're supposed to take pictures first in case the plane dosen't survive the shake down flight. The deal is, I have so much faith in Levi's designs, having built a few before that I was assured sucess. The Extra flys maybe a tad better than the others I've tried, or maybe it's just the red white and blue scheme which stands for so much. I'll be back shortly with some action shots. Dang these foamies are fun.

I don't know why the color came out looking so yucky in the posted pics. The scheme really does look better in real life.

Dang I love it so much Im going to copy it on my next plane if you dont mind!??

Knock yourself out Ned.

Anyone installed an AXI 2208/34 on one of the 3Dfoamies? How did you improvise with the kit's motor mount?

Was it a good match in power?

What did the dry weight come to?

Ive seen that motor in a 3D Foamy extra. It flew very well, plenty of power,, What I like the most about the Axi's is they are so quiet. The mount I saw was just a 3/32"ply circle mounted like a firewall, recessed back just the right distance so that the setup looks right. Just layout slots in the foam for the circle mount, clear out the foan thats in the way of the motor and glue it in while assembling the ribs to the fuselage. The shockflyer webpage used to have a diagram of how to lay it out. It was a little different for the shocky but the same basic principle. It worked really well in the 3D Foamy I saw because of the horizontal foam ribs that run the length of the fuselage that create a + to install the motor mount into. Id ask Mr. 3D Foamy he may have some plans on how to do it also.

All ready thought of it for you... The motor mount is 1.95 and laser cut (free shipping) Ready for the mounting srews. No need for a back plate mount ($24)

wow, i really like ur paint scheme! I dont think it looks bad at all! Im new to foamies, and I just built mine from a kit made by Mike Hammel. Its awsome! Im still learning to fly it and get use to 4 channels. I mostly do loops and just flying in circles and figure 8's for now. But, im practicing on a flight sim, so I should be better next time I go flying.... But awsome job on that plane!!

Crazy Texans... Always gott have that lone star out there.... Looks awesome!

Awesome Tashely![8D]

I think I might go for a Patty Wagstaff theme on my Extra. I just hope I don't use too much paint on it and make it too heavy[8D]

Levi,

OK, I am weak I decided not to get an AXI for the Extra cause I felt bad looking at the box in my workshop. I have ordered my stuff so it should be here next week. And then I can fly
Zimbo