PHOTON Scratchbuilt Foamboard Motorglider

by ExAir | July 8, 2012 | (56) Posted in Projects

Here is an easy to build 100% Readi-Board ("Dollar Tree") foamboard motorglider for casual flying around the park.  The video list below has 10 videos detailing every aspect of planning, building, tuning, and flying this plane.  Start with "Armin Wing" and "Foamboard Fuselage Tube" building technique videos if you are not already familiar.

With a 60" wingspan, 45" length, 2200kV motor, it can fly up to 30 minutes on a 2200mAh 3cell battery pack.  All-up weight approximately 850g.  Optional folding wing makes for a compact plane for transport.

Estimated cost: $80, build time 6-8 hours

Parts: 5 pieces of Readi-Board foamboard, one outrunner motor around 200-250 watt range with suitable propeller, one ESC, 4 x 9 gram servos, 4 x 20" servo extensions, RC receiver, plastic gift cards, packing tape, hot glue (links to recommended parts are listed in YouTube video descriptions)

Please message me with any questions or if I can help you build one of your own.




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COMMENTS

Pyrofish on July 10, 2012
Ed

We really need a five star plus rating for your work.
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WizzyWiggs on July 8, 2012
Thanks for awesome planes and tutorials! Love this plane, I'll get to it wen I figure out some shelvin solution for my small basement to put all planes :) good job!
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WizzyWiggs on July 8, 2012
Ok, this was a total fail for my spelling skills, sorry :/
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John Mangiameli on July 16, 2012
You are a genius.
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Dirt Pilot on November 5, 2012
Great ideas and planes. The simplicity and ingenuity really helps get people into scratch building and to experiment.

One idea I had was to add a cross dowel for the wing attachment. A diagonal elastic band will pull sideways on the elastic band keepers. With a cross dowel (placed to butt into the side of the elastic band keepers), the horizontal elastic band force will be transferred out as compression in the cross dowel. This allows for diagonal elastic bands that add a bit more security.
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jelofson on July 9, 2012
Fantastic series. Thanks! My Noob Tube is one of my favs.
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bushie5 on March 27, 2013
You sir, are a genius! My wife has shown an interest in this hobby, and since your scratch build is very similar to the plane I learned on, I will most certainly be building this for her. As we all know, if we can get the Mrs. (Or Mr. for all you lady pilots out there) Involved, we have a great excuse to spend money on such a fantastic hobby! (The stuff we buy is "for them too". I will certainly be following you closely. Know that your work as well as passion is greatly appreciated.
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psguardian on March 27, 2013
Could this be built with flaps & still have roll authority? If so we could put a crow mix on throttle hold & really give the glider lovers something to look at.

~psguardian
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joann69 on September 25, 2013
Hi Ed, I a builder of your planes and really like them. The first one I built last year had a wing span of 60 inches and a fuse length of 42 1/2 inches and the first time she flew, it was amazing. I did have to put a spar in the wing after the first "test flight" but even without the spar SHE FLEW. I couldn't hardly believe my eyes because I had never even attempted anything like building an airplane from scratch or any other way before I saw your you tube videos. Thanks so much for getting me into the sport, however, I have yet to learn how to fly, I just build them and let someone else fly them for me. Thanks again, you are very much appreciated in this sport.
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Yogenh on February 14, 2014
I like it a lot it looks like a good one to train some with to learn how to fly. I will have to try one because I help a lot get started
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hoclea2 on July 22, 2014
I don't know the length of tubes in the video "part1:NOSE TAPER". Could you help me, please!
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catfly on April 19, 2016
nice build, can you put motor in back as a pusher
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Capt.FlyGuy on September 20, 2016
Ed, you are amazing. I have most of the Photon built, wing, fuse, tail fethers. Waiting for Motor and ECS. Can you do a vid of the tapered fuselage. I think that looks real cool ! Thanks for some great planes. You Rock !!
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ExAir

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PHOTON Scratchbuilt Foamboard Motorglider