Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
11-01-2004, 02:20 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
Hi,
I loved the new Scorpio [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/lipol-one.htm]Lipol-One[/link] design from Hobby Lobby. The idea of a slow-flying, single-cell Lithium-powered plane is fantastic!
To create a dedicated indoor plane that would litterally crawl around the gym got me excited to try some design changes...or a kit bash.
I loved the new Scorpio [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/lipol-one.htm]Lipol-One[/link] design from Hobby Lobby. The idea of a slow-flying, single-cell Lithium-powered plane is fantastic!
To create a dedicated indoor plane that would litterally crawl around the gym got me excited to try some design changes...or a kit bash.
11-01-2004, 02:22 PM
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
To reduce weight, I decided to used fixed flaps instead of servo controlled. I figure that once I get a setting I like for the gym, it can stay put. I started out with about a 30-35 degree flap.
11-01-2004, 02:28 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
Instead of using the stock Nippy Black motor and single Kokam 1500mAh cell, I decided to reduce weight and use the LensRC motor from [link=http://www.toddsmodels.com/lensrc.htm]Todd's Models[/link] on either a 2-cell Kokam 340mAh pack or 2-cell ThunderPower 830mAh pack.
The left photo shows an Astro Flight FireFly motor in one of the two supplied motor mounts that comes with the Lipol-One. The FireFly won't have enough thrust for this application but the LensRC motor should provide a 2:1 thrust to weight ratio (10oz thrust / 5oz flying weight). The smaller rotating can on the LensRC motor can easily fit inside the Lipol nose...unlike the Nippy Black motor.
The left photo shows an Astro Flight FireFly motor in one of the two supplied motor mounts that comes with the Lipol-One. The FireFly won't have enough thrust for this application but the LensRC motor should provide a 2:1 thrust to weight ratio (10oz thrust / 5oz flying weight). The smaller rotating can on the LensRC motor can easily fit inside the Lipol nose...unlike the Nippy Black motor.
11-01-2004, 02:38 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
I decided to start the fuselage and tail assembly while I wait for my LensRC 17t motor to arrive. I'll be using a small and very light Jeti Advance 4-amp controller from [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/jetiblue.htm]Hobby Lobby[/link].
Here are some component weights:
[ul][*] LensRC 17t motor = 0.91oz[*] Jeti JESA04 4-amp controller = 0.26oz[*] Kokam 2-cell 340mAh pack = 0.84oz[*] ThunderPower 2-cell 860mAh pack = 1.52oz
[/ul]
Here are some component weights:
[ul][*] LensRC 17t motor = 0.91oz[*] Jeti JESA04 4-amp controller = 0.26oz[*] Kokam 2-cell 340mAh pack = 0.84oz[*] ThunderPower 2-cell 860mAh pack = 1.52oz
[/ul]
11-02-2004, 03:52 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
The gear mains assembly is shown below. After the former "sandwich" is glued together, it is glued into the fuselage and aligned with the slot cut for the wire mains. The former is balsa and the other side of the "sandwich" is thin plywood. The wheels are held on by metal clips and the wire is held into the fuselage with a balsa wedge.
The whole assembly is very light and removeable. A great design!
The whole assembly is very light and removeable. A great design!
11-04-2004, 09:21 AM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
To install my LenRC motor, I first wired it up to the ESC via a 3-pin Dean's connector and then created a "sandwich" by gluing small balsa pieces between the two plywood moto mount formers. I used CA and accelerator to glue the wood assembly and then UHU Por to secure the motor to the wooden formers.
The whole assembly was then placed into position in the fuselage and glued in place with Aileen's tacky white craft glue. I set it aside to dry for several hours.
The whole assembly was then placed into position in the fuselage and glued in place with Aileen's tacky white craft glue. I set it aside to dry for several hours.
11-04-2004, 09:26 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
The tail section assembled very easy. The horizontal stabilizer is reinforced in the middle with a thin plywood stick. The thin plywood control horns were glued into place. The control rod tubing was glued at both ends; where it exits the foam fuselage in the tail and where it enters the balsa servo tray inside the fuselage.
11-04-2004, 09:28 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
After the motor formers were installed, I could then install the gear mains former.
My LiPol-Two can now stand on its own.
My LiPol-Two can now stand on its own.
11-05-2004, 03:41 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
My LiPol-Two is almost ready to fly. I need to install the tail dragger, decals, and then check the CG.
Additional thin plywood pieces were glued onto the wing LE and TE where the rubber bands will wrap around to the wooden dowels on the fuselage.
Additional thin plywood pieces were glued onto the wing LE and TE where the rubber bands will wrap around to the wooden dowels on the fuselage.
11-06-2004, 05:06 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
My Lipol-Two is ready to fly at 7.5oz with a 1.1oz 2-cell ThunderPower 730mAh pack. It seems to balance well with the pack up in front of the landing gear former.
I also have a heavier 1.6oz ThunderPower 860mAh pack and a 1.8oz Kokam 2-cell 1200mAh pack to try if I need to move the CG forward. It is currently in between the recommended 60-65mm stated in the manual.
Basically, my LiPol-Two is 2oz lighter than the 9.5oz LiPoly-One due to a lighter motor, battery pack, and one less servo for the flaps. A 20% drop in weight should really make it crawl! My thrust-to-weight ratio is 1.3:1 so I have plenty of power.
We have an indoor meet a week from Sunday on the 14th so i'll get to try it indoors and take some video. It should be fun!
I also have a heavier 1.6oz ThunderPower 860mAh pack and a 1.8oz Kokam 2-cell 1200mAh pack to try if I need to move the CG forward. It is currently in between the recommended 60-65mm stated in the manual.
Basically, my LiPol-Two is 2oz lighter than the 9.5oz LiPoly-One due to a lighter motor, battery pack, and one less servo for the flaps. A 20% drop in weight should really make it crawl! My thrust-to-weight ratio is 1.3:1 so I have plenty of power.
We have an indoor meet a week from Sunday on the 14th so i'll get to try it indoors and take some video. It should be fun!
11-06-2004, 05:10 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
Another option for a LiPol-Two would be the tiny [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/brushless-axi2204.htm]AXI 2204/54[/link] from Hobby Lobby.
It provide a similar power level to my LensRC 17t motor and has built-in mounting ears and a prop-saver attachment.
It provide a similar power level to my LensRC 17t motor and has built-in mounting ears and a prop-saver attachment.
11-15-2004, 03:28 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
RE: Lipol-Two - A Kit Bash Project
Talk about a floater!
RCU's Matt Kirsch demonstrates just how easy this plane floats around the gym with 30% fixed flaps. I ended up using a slightly heavier 1.6oz 2-cell ThunderPower 860mAh pack for additional nose weight. My all up weight was now 8oz and it flew forever!
RCU's Matt Kirsch demonstrates just how easy this plane floats around the gym with 30% fixed flaps. I ended up using a slightly heavier 1.6oz 2-cell ThunderPower 860mAh pack for additional nose weight. My all up weight was now 8oz and it flew forever!
