F-100 Super Sabre 1/8th(ish) scratch build log

[thenated0g]

This is a build from the flitetest forums. I am going to double post from now on in both places.

To see previous log entries: http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?37285

This was originally supposed to be a project for FliteFest West 2018. Last year i did a hot cut DIY 90" flying wing and i wanted to do something a little more scale. Something that would be mainly for fpv, but be more interesting for the guy following me than just chasing a wing. So think of this as a fpv wing going more scale and not a scale plane going fpv. I am taking some liberties in the build/design. Again see above link for previous info.

 

[Wayne]

I have to say that I am bummed they are not hosting FliteFest in California this year. I knew they wanted a larger venue last year. We were talking to them about some ideas last year. One of our customer's even offered up some land for the cause, but upon looking it over, it was not a good candidate as most of it was covered in grapevines. Oh well, they will be back. Maybe we could host a mini version somewhere?

 

[thenated0g]

I have been bugging you off and on for a couple years to get some kind of little Alotf flying day going

Sounds like they had more people than they expected and the napa site wont work. They are asking for suggestions from the community. Hopefully they will find a new spot. FFW was one of the best events i have ever been too. Did more flying those 3 days than i think i have total before that.

 

[Wayne]

Yeah, we were looking forward to attending again, we had a great time. Briefly discussed a roadtrip to the Texas event, but that isn't practical for us.

We do host a few events in the local area! Sunset State Beach glider fly in May 5-6. Then the international Slope Race in Devneport May 19-20. And we will have a brand new event later this summer near Mammoth Mountain where we will fly at about 10,000 feet, again this is a glider event, but some small electrics might be fine. All of these have camping options or hotel if you like. Some bring the family, so come alone. We have not set a date for Mammoth yet, but probably Aug or Sept to give the snow time to melt. (We could not host it last year as the snow drifts on the dirt road were too high.)

 

[thenated0g]

Originally i was thinking of doing a fully moving elevator using a rod that went thru the tail. But i decided it would just be easier to do two separate elevators each with their own servos. This will also allow me to try some different mixes in the radio later as well.

Also began mapping out where i am going to add some kite rods for strength, hatch access for radio, and where i am going to cut the canopy off. For fpv i think i will make 2 separate canopies/cockpit areas. One will be a scale'ish cockpit for line of site and i will make a second cockpit specific to fpv. That way i dont need any other access hatches for fpv on the plane. I also decided that for better or for worse i will be putting the main flight battery as far forward as i can inside the cockpit access. Usually i like to put the battery in as the last step for cg.

Before sanding and finishing the fuselage i just need to make the holes where the elevator servos are going and mark the spot where the Vertical stabilizer is going. Still deciding on if i want a rudder or not.

 

[Wayne]

Rudder servo - Nice to have if you are doing rolling takeoffs, otherwise not sure you will miss it much with your intended uses. Might be worth skipping it to make things a little lighter and simpler.

LOL I see where you get your coroplast from.

 

[thenated0g]

Yeah agreed. My very first experience with RC was the flitetest versa wing (elevons) and i have never trained myself to even use the rudder actually. Probably a lot simpler to not include it. Maybe submerge a servo ext lead nearby in case i change my mind in the future.

 

[Wayne]

There you go..

 

[thenated0g]

Ready for sanding

 

[Wayne]

She is going to be getting dusty!

 

[thenated0g]

I lied, haven't been updating this build log same as the FT build long. But here are some pictures.
Plane is mostly covered. Still need to sand. Waiting until tail feathers are on to paint. Cut out the canopy area. This is mostly a FPV ship thus the large area for gear. I used an abs sheet for the canopy lid as it is a curved surface. I can heat shape it to match. After maiden (well surviving maiden) i will make a more scale canopy for LOS events.
Big plane is big.

 

[thenated0g]

 

[thenated0g]

Callie graphics #ftw

 

[thenated0g]

Ready for electronics

 

[Wayne]

Almost done!! I can smell the jet fuel from here!

 

[thenated0g]

Lots of wiring this weekend

Motor and 80 amp esc installed.


150a meter will send telemetry data to my x8 for audio notifications on my taranis. I will have it on a 3 way switch. One position will non stop announce amps being used and the other will do the same for pack voltage. This will also allow me to set automatic warnings as well so if i hit the max amps of my motor or the pack is getting low it will just tell me no matter what the stick position is. Even for fpv i personally like audio warnings over OSD for these things. I get tunnel vision when flying and forget to look. Also installed is a 12v ubec for wingtip lights and anything else like fpv gear. A 5v ubec will power the servos.


On the wingtips i am installing these 5050 leds. Meant for 16v but they are still bright enough on 12v to see them in daylight. They have 3 dip switches to change the color to whatever you want. Also used some 6 pin connectors to make a quick connection for the 2 servos and lighting.



frsky X8 receiver in place. Using 7 channels at the moment. All 4 control servos are on separate channels. This will allow individual adjustments for alignment and will allow some mixes if i want. Such as mixing ailerons into the elevators and adding flapperons and such.

While i was working i printed out this fpv pan/tilt for a gopro3 and fpv camera. Uses a 9g servo for tilt and a regular size winch servo that turns about 310 degrees or so for pan.

This morning i installed the control rods for the ailerons. They use a metal 2mm threaded clevis screwed onto a 4mm metal control rod. You cut 4mm carbon fiber tubes to size and epoxy in place. I used these on my 90" wing and they are super strong and very clean looking. Best setup i have seen yet. Being that this wing is a clark-y (bottom is flat) it was very easy to install them in the correct position as seen in the picture.

 

[thenated0g]

 

[thenated0g]

Still some work to do, but flying weight is going to be around 5.3kg/11.6lbs. Wing area is 1,112 in². Motor puts out 5.1kg, which have tested on a previous large build that weighed 40lbs and i had 2 of these motors on it.

 

[thenated0g]

 

[Wayne]

Sweet! I can't tell you how many times I drew up plans for the hardware side of my CNC project. Never did build the hardware. handed it all of to some local kids that are trying to setup a business.