The $200 profile
07-31-2003, 01:58 AM
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I've been working on a foam 3D e-flyer that's loosely based on George Hicks' Tribute. There are several different designs floating around along this same general theme.
This one's powered by a relatively inexpensive GWS EPS300C motor with D gearing. It's got a 12x6 prop and is powered by an 8x720AAA NiMh pack. I get 5-8 minutes on this pack and have hover-power until the last minute or so. Other's have used E-tech LiPo cells and even the Razor brushless motors for increased power and flight times.
The design I used is the "Trident" developed by Derek Bergener. I used 6mm depron for the wing and fuse, reinforced with thin CF strips. The control surfaces are 3mm depron. Wingspan and length are 36".
Berg 5 DSP rx, GWS ICS-400 ESC and PicoBB+ servos round out the electrics. I have 2 aileron servos so I can mix for flaperons. It weighs in at approximately 11.5 oz.
It's been a lot of fun to fly so far (I'm still getting used to it) The only drawback is that now I have to build a bunch of others for all my flying buds
I've also started work on a 24" version.
There's also a short vid of some of my lame flying here (10mb):
Trident Flight #5
You can get the general idea though.
This one's powered by a relatively inexpensive GWS EPS300C motor with D gearing. It's got a 12x6 prop and is powered by an 8x720AAA NiMh pack. I get 5-8 minutes on this pack and have hover-power until the last minute or so. Other's have used E-tech LiPo cells and even the Razor brushless motors for increased power and flight times.
The design I used is the "Trident" developed by Derek Bergener. I used 6mm depron for the wing and fuse, reinforced with thin CF strips. The control surfaces are 3mm depron. Wingspan and length are 36".
Berg 5 DSP rx, GWS ICS-400 ESC and PicoBB+ servos round out the electrics. I have 2 aileron servos so I can mix for flaperons. It weighs in at approximately 11.5 oz.
It's been a lot of fun to fly so far (I'm still getting used to it) The only drawback is that now I have to build a bunch of others for all my flying buds
I've also started work on a 24" version.
There's also a short vid of some of my lame flying here (10mb):
Trident Flight #5
You can get the general idea though.
07-31-2003, 02:57 AM
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Wing test today: Tried a couple Blenders. I really need to remember to start higher up. Flattened out pretty nicely though for the short period before panic set in. I-beam spar held up fine. 
I re-built the motor mount with some right thrust in it. Also changed my rudder horn to get more throw. Seemed to help hovering. It just parked in the sky and T/Red 4 or 5 times around as it drifted with the wind. Too much fun.
I re-built the motor mount with some right thrust in it. Also changed my rudder horn to get more throw. Seemed to help hovering. It just parked in the sky and T/Red 4 or 5 times around as it drifted with the wind. Too much fun.
07-31-2003, 04:44 AM
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Hey Kat,bro spread the word about Derek's great design.I have built the 24" version and I can vouch THAT IT FLYES AWESOME,with an EPS 100cD gearbox(11x7hd prop) and M100 motor,pico bb servos gws pico receiver.I just started to get into electric 3d and as you've seen you don't need $600 to have some awesome 3d fun.I fly nine with a 730 mah Thunderpower Lipoly,and 3d for over 20 minutes.I probably spent a little over $200 on mine.Hey Kat just in case you have not figured it out I'm Sentella 
.
Here is a video that way you can see what the baby Trident can do,and in the hands of a better pilot it could do a lot more,ENJOY!.
http://www.rcsites.net/sentella/Trident_0004.wmv
.Here is a video that way you can see what the baby Trident can do,and in the hands of a better pilot it could do a lot more,ENJOY!.
http://www.rcsites.net/sentella/Trident_0004.wmv
08-03-2003, 05:22 PM
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Don..The plans are located in This Thread
All the construction details are in there, plan download, etc.
All the construction details are in there, plan download, etc.
08-05-2003, 03:08 AM
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Sorry guys, been on vacation and away from a computer for 4-5 days....
Don- Thanks, I do OK I guess for a beginner. Check out that thread, and there are also a few more that cover the same types of construction. Search on "3DX" and "Foamtana" over on E-Zone. Plans are free to D/L, and they are pretty easy to build.
PaulS- It's called SolarTrim. Supposed to be pretty lightweight, but I got carried away and added almost 1/2 oz to an 11 oz model. Looks nice though, and went on pretty easily. It's self-adhesive stuff. You can get both 6mm and 3mm Depron in white and gray from http://www.depronusa.com Somewhat pricey, but it's great stuff.
Gator- Higher wing loading, less extra power than the Sukhoi3D, but then again, you're powering it with a smaller, brushed power package, and not the Hacker. It does surprisingly well for what it is. Folks are putting the Razor 300's and 350's on them, and getting the performance boost you would expect from a brushless.
Sentella/Angelo- Thanks, I made the connection.
Karl
Don- Thanks, I do OK I guess for a beginner. Check out that thread, and there are also a few more that cover the same types of construction. Search on "3DX" and "Foamtana" over on E-Zone. Plans are free to D/L, and they are pretty easy to build.
PaulS- It's called SolarTrim. Supposed to be pretty lightweight, but I got carried away and added almost 1/2 oz to an 11 oz model. Looks nice though, and went on pretty easily. It's self-adhesive stuff. You can get both 6mm and 3mm Depron in white and gray from http://www.depronusa.com Somewhat pricey, but it's great stuff.
Gator- Higher wing loading, less extra power than the Sukhoi3D, but then again, you're powering it with a smaller, brushed power package, and not the Hacker. It does surprisingly well for what it is. Folks are putting the Razor 300's and 350's on them, and getting the performance boost you would expect from a brushless.
Sentella/Angelo- Thanks, I made the connection.
Karl
08-05-2003, 02:38 PM
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Thanks Chuck!!
I found a lot of info ! I'm getting the GWS gear and the batteries
in a couple of days for the Mini GB.
I'll have to build a 24 in version., so I don't have to buy more equipment for a while.
Karl,
Thanks for posting your plane looks great. Did you use the I beam or a carbon fiber rod for the fuse and wing? Have you used the Zepron on smaller planes 24- 30in. range. do you think a carbon fiber ribbon on both sides of the fuse and wing would be strong enough?
I couldn't conect with Depron USA so I found this address.
Thanks again. Don
http://www.depronusa.com/Store.asp?m...6mm+GreyDepron
I found a lot of info ! I'm getting the GWS gear and the batteries
in a couple of days for the Mini GB.
I'll have to build a 24 in version., so I don't have to buy more equipment for a while.
Karl,
Thanks for posting your plane looks great. Did you use the I beam or a carbon fiber rod for the fuse and wing? Have you used the Zepron on smaller planes 24- 30in. range. do you think a carbon fiber ribbon on both sides of the fuse and wing would be strong enough?
I couldn't conect with Depron USA so I found this address.
Thanks again. Don
http://www.depronusa.com/Store.asp?m...6mm+GreyDepron
08-05-2003, 04:11 PM
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Don-
Sorry about that, I think the period at the end threw it off.
I did use the I-Beam method. To me, this is the key to success of the Trident. It adds incredible strength and very little weight to the foam. If you read through the threads, you will see where Derek (who has a structural engineering background) did some actual weight vs strength tests. The center of the I-beam is somewhat important if you want maximum strength, as it keeps the CF strips from buckling inward. If you are going with a brushless motor power system, you could go ahead and use the cheaper and simpler arrow shaft or CF rod for bracing.
I've tried sturdyboard, but have never used Zepron or blucor myself.
Sorry about that, I think the period at the end threw it off.
I did use the I-Beam method. To me, this is the key to success of the Trident. It adds incredible strength and very little weight to the foam. If you read through the threads, you will see where Derek (who has a structural engineering background) did some actual weight vs strength tests. The center of the I-beam is somewhat important if you want maximum strength, as it keeps the CF strips from buckling inward. If you are going with a brushless motor power system, you could go ahead and use the cheaper and simpler arrow shaft or CF rod for bracing.
I've tried sturdyboard, but have never used Zepron or blucor myself.
08-05-2003, 04:47 PM
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No problem Karl!!
I've just bought a GWS IPS A drive with a 10x8prop and 2 cell lipo pack for the Mini Gee Bee I just put together.
So I'm thinking of building a 24in. Trident plane using the same set up.
I'm not sure what foam to use. I have fan foam but it might be to heavy. I could order some zepron, it would be lighter and stiffen it up with carbon fiber ribbon that I already have.
Do you think, would this be strong enough?
Don
I've just bought a GWS IPS A drive with a 10x8prop and 2 cell lipo pack for the Mini Gee Bee I just put together.
So I'm thinking of building a 24in. Trident plane using the same set up.
I'm not sure what foam to use. I have fan foam but it might be to heavy. I could order some zepron, it would be lighter and stiffen it up with carbon fiber ribbon that I already have.
Do you think, would this be strong enough?
Don
08-05-2003, 05:04 PM
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Karl,
I just noticed that Depron USA sells 2mm, 3mm as well as the 6mm depron. I read you're using the 3mm and 6mm for the fuse and wing.
What do you think I could use for the 24in version?
Thanks Don
I just noticed that Depron USA sells 2mm, 3mm as well as the 6mm depron. I read you're using the 3mm and 6mm for the fuse and wing.
What do you think I could use for the 24in version?
Thanks Don
08-05-2003, 06:53 PM
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Donh21\
i used plain ol' sturdy board(with the paper removed),,on the 24" Trident you see on my video.The AUW was 6.1 oz.I just got some DOW Bluecor fanfold(which is the lightest fan fold available),if I were to use it the ON frame of the airplane IT would have come out 12.5% lighter or aproximately 1/2 oz lighter.As far as the best material is concerned,my first choice would be 6mm Depron and second the BLuecor fanfold.But AS YOU SAW EVEN WITH THE STRURDYBOARD IT CAME OUT QUITE LIGHT
i used plain ol' sturdy board(with the paper removed),,on the 24" Trident you see on my video.The AUW was 6.1 oz.I just got some DOW Bluecor fanfold(which is the lightest fan fold available),if I were to use it the ON frame of the airplane IT would have come out 12.5% lighter or aproximately 1/2 oz lighter.As far as the best material is concerned,my first choice would be 6mm Depron and second the BLuecor fanfold.But AS YOU SAW EVEN WITH THE STRURDYBOARD IT CAME OUT QUITE LIGHT
08-10-2003, 03:06 AM
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Karl,
What a great flying plane!!
Did you make a video of you 24in plane yet?
I finished and flew the Mini GeeBee today. What a blast!
I was flying around my wifes garden, in and around the miniature apple trees, it was a total blast!
I'm definitly hooked on 3d parkfliers!!
Don
What a great flying plane!!
Did you make a video of you 24in plane yet?
I finished and flew the Mini GeeBee today. What a blast!
I was flying around my wifes garden, in and around the miniature apple trees, it was a total blast!
I'm definitly hooked on 3d parkfliers!!
Don
08-10-2003, 05:14 PM
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My next project
I am starting on one of these next. I just finished my Foamtana, which is the same size and equipment. It flies great, but I'm still waiting on my 3 cell 1200 etec lipolys. Here is a pic of my Foamtana.
jpflyer
jpflyer
08-11-2003, 06:40 PM
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Karl and I flew ours last night.
He got some video of mine from directly under the plane while it was TR'ing and hovering. I havnt seen it yet but he says it came out pretty good.
My battery motor combination is producing close to 20 min flights with hover power right to the end.
I flew for a long time while he was filming. He got tired of filming and I got tired of flying so I gave him the sticks and he continued on the same flight for quite a while..
I am using 3x1200 LiPos
GWS EPS 300c D gearing
GWS 12x6 prop.
He got some video of mine from directly under the plane while it was TR'ing and hovering. I havnt seen it yet but he says it came out pretty good.
My battery motor combination is producing close to 20 min flights with hover power right to the end.
I flew for a long time while he was filming. He got tired of filming and I got tired of flying so I gave him the sticks and he continued on the same flight for quite a while..
I am using 3x1200 LiPos
GWS EPS 300c D gearing
GWS 12x6 prop.
08-11-2003, 11:38 PM
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Flew today
I got in several flights today. On the nimh pack I can hover early in the pack. Later, takes full throttle. Flies good, but only getting about 6 minutes out of a 720 mah 8 cell pack kinda sucks. Need Lipolys which will save two ozs. of flying weight (and maybe a Razor 350).
jpflyer
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08-13-2003, 03:21 AM
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JP,
Have you re-timed your motor?
Here's the video (24mb!!):
Wayne/Trident
Also, short one of me crashing the 24" version (6mb):
24" Trident
Have you re-timed your motor?
Here's the video (24mb!!):
Wayne/Trident
Also, short one of me crashing the 24" version (6mb):
24" Trident
08-13-2003, 02:05 PM
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retime
No, I haven't retimed my motor yet. I need to find the thread on E-Zone and do that soon, although I think the lipo's will help more than anything else.
jpflyer
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08-13-2003, 06:46 PM
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That looks like an awesome little flyer you have there Karl. Congrats. Great quality video too. Took me almost an hour to download, but was well worth watching it.
Wayne's flying skills make me look like a 6 year old on a buddy box. Dude, absolutely fantastic how you flew that thing around right in your face. Can't wait to see all those Pro's in Nashville.
Wayne's flying skills make me look like a 6 year old on a buddy box.
Dude, absolutely fantastic how you flew that thing around right in your face. Can't wait to see all those Pro's in Nashville.