Well its been a big build so far but here it is in all its current glory!
Specs
Plan: “The Champ” available from the Outerzone along with many other plans.
Material : ABS plastic
Weight: 132g
Wingspan: 850mm
Build time: Approx 10 hours over a couple of weeks
I have not used the full model dimensions listed on the plans as I printed them out to suit an A1 sheet (4xA3 taped together)
Trials
The aim of this build is to end up with a 3Doodled RC plane so there is still plenty to do yet (control surfaces, skin, motor, servos, controller, battery). To get to this point I made a trial build, take a look if you haven’t already seen my first Plane model . Just to see how I would go about making a plane from the plans.
I also wanted to try out a couple of methods for making a larger wing with a bit of structural integrity. I tried making a bit of a mould to make sure each rib was identical and I compared this to just tracing the rib detail free hand. There wasn’t much difference in the quality and it was actually easier and quicker to just trace the model plan. I also wanted to try out a couple of different structural forms to see what would be the best method to use for a much bigger wing.
Structure
From these trials I found that making a simple cross braced structure (the red model above) was stronger and easier to make than the more complicated and weaker method (the black model).
THE BUILD
It took a while
Finished Pictures
Next Steps
Well I think I need to find out if this thing is in any way capable of flight. So I need to cover it with something. I might try cling film or foil or something like that just to see if it will glide or plummet. If those don’t work then its a proper job with Monokote. Then onto the more tricky stuff like making the control surfaces and finding suitable RC bits and pieces but it might be a while before I get to that point. If you want to keep upto date with my progress please follow my blog or add me on socail media.
Thank you
Follow @MattBishere on twitter or add me on Facebook
UPDATE
Tried covering the wings with foil, with a bit of extra weight at the front. Im counting this as a flight!
UPDATE 2
Second Flight !
Pingback: 3Doodler Plane | MattBdreaming
Pingback: Vampire Rabbit Doorway | MattBdreaming
You covered your plane in foil 😦
Did you know you can get a special shrinkable plastic that is used on standard model planes?
For example:
http://www.hobbyexpress.com/covering_materials_404_ctg.htm
it weighs less than foil, looks nicer too 😉
You need to read on. Already using purpose made super light heat shrinking plane covering 😉 foil was just for the throw test since I knew there was a lot of weight to add in the controls, the foil didn’t really matter at the time so long as it flew.
😀 Apologies, I was skim reading while watching the test filght video’s
Pingback: 3Doodler Plane Actually flies | MAKE
Pingback: L’avion issu du 3Doodler a pris son envol - imprimeren3D.net