FT-3D Scratch Build - My First 3D Plane!

FT-3D Scratch Build.

Motor: Turnigy NTM Prop Drive 28-26 1,200 Kv
ESC: Castle Phoenix 25 A
Prop: APC style 9X4.7
RX: Spektrum AR400
Battery: Turnigy 1,350 3S
Servos: Suppo 9g
Weight: 450 grams
W/Batt: 566 grams

This build was a lot of fun!  The maiden was even more fun, I was amazed at how easy it was to fly.  I have very little experience with such a highly acrobatic plane, but I dialed the throws way back for the first flights. Once I had a few packs through it I began dialing in more throw and a little more Expo.  Did I mention this thing is a blast? I followed the advice of a lot of the Flite Test community and built light.  I used a minimal amount of colored and clear packing tape to give good contrast between top and bottom. You may notice a slight bit of anhedral in the wing.  It's definitely there.  This was a mistake during assembly, the right wing droops about 2 degrees!  It doesn't seem to affect flight performance.

The landing gear was reinforced with a sheet of 1/16" plywood.  All exposed foam edges were skim coated with hot-glue to seal and add a little strength.

I used another trick I learned from the FT community for the color scheme. I applied colored packing tape to waxed paper, cut out the desired patterns, applied a layer of clear tape, then peeled from the waxed paper and transferred to the plane. Works great!

The poster board for the wing side plates and vortex generators was covered on both sides with colored packing tape, then they were cut out. Since I knew I didn't plan on removing them later, the vortex generators were hot-glued in place.

The 1,350 mAh battery sits right back against the front of the spar. This puts the CG slightly nose-heavy, good for training.

Hot-glue hinges, they should outlast the plane!

Real happy with this inexpensive motor from HK.

Giving proper credit to Flight Test for a great flying plane!