CC Edge 540
 

Thanks to Chrisspad for posting the awesome CC Edge plans a few years ago. I have built mine (second one about 6 months ago) to his plans with a few exceptions.

In Australia, we can only get 3 and 5 mm coro. I have used 3 mm instead of 2 mm coro and 5mm instead of 4mm. Mine weighs 2.5kg and I did the following to save weight. I used one piece of 5mm coro on its edge for the wing spar. I deleted the fuse's wooden brace below the "cockpit". I am using a 5 cell AAA 1000mA pack instead of 5 x AA batteries - this saved 90 grams. (On average I get 3 x 15 minute flights with plenty of battery left).

I strengthened all the control surfaces with hollow carbon fibre tube inserted length ways. I added 2 vertical braces inside the fuse for the elevator and rudder surfaces to screw into. I used small pieces of plastic inside the wing for the aileron servos to screw into. I glued 6x6 wooden braces where the wing meets the fuse after cracks began to appear (after several flights).

To increase knife edge performance I fitted wing tip stabilisers (additional 60 grams). It will now just pull knife edge loops with an OS 55AX. Recently, I have fitted an APC 12.25 x 3.75 prop which has made it hover well. I am using 3003 servos in the wing and 3010 for the rear surfaces.

Has anyone else got any tips for weight saving or strengthening this SPAD?

RE: CC Edge 540
 

I'm not sure about weight saving but there is a 10 mm coroplast available that weighs about 200g per sq. ft.  It would only need hardwood engine mounts instead of doublers and bracing spars.  The 4mm is about 70g / sq. ft.  times 2 + doublers etc.  A cheek cowl was always a must for the goodyear racer profile planes.  It made a much better motor run and a stronger joint on the profiles.  I like that design.  Looks good, gives me ideas.