FT Swappable - Power Pod Build

by FliteTest | February 13, 2013 | (103) Posted in How To

This video will walk you through the complete build for the swappable series Power Pod.



Here are some more great building tips! 


Build Plans: 
POWER POD BUILD PLANS 

Recommended Electronics: 
Power Pod ELECTRONICS AND COMPONENTS  


Full List of Links to the Scratch Build Series: 
SCRATCH BUILD SERIES.

 

FT ScratchBuild - Beginner Series

FT ScratchBuild - Intermediate Series

FT ScratchBuild - Advanced Series
 

ALL The Flite Test Scratch Build Articles

- Find this article & others like it at www.FliteTest.com -

COMMENTS

Adib Vahedi on February 15, 2013
Cool thanks for the walkthrough!!!

Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
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x3mperformance on February 15, 2013
Nice. And you actually made it a bit stronger.
I used these during winter and indoor flights.
Can highly recommend it. Fun, educational and entertaning.
That's it.
Keep up the god work.
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Sonicg on February 16, 2013
What is the size of the foam board that is used, LxWxH?
We don't have dollar tree here, so I am not familiar with their boards.
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Bolvon72 on February 16, 2013
It is Adams Readiboard which is 20x30 inches and 4mm thick.
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twan1997 on February 16, 2013
i dont know about the length and width, but according to the plans, dollar tree foam is jst about 4mm thick, i built everything out of 6mm depron, so some minor adjustments was required :)
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ottoangel on June 25, 2013
What adjustments was needed?
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danield on May 13, 2015
The notches for the folds will be wider which will change cut dimensions easy to do, but a must.
Weight will be different, adjust CG.
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Robr0924 on February 16, 2013
Built a nut ball today
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wanabeRCexpert on November 30, 2016
nut......ball...........really?
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RCmaniac on February 17, 2013
I am going to buy some foam and build all three swappables!
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tramsgar on February 17, 2013
Good to see the new plans, I had serious scale issues with the old one (differed in size between the different swappable airframe plans) which affected the whole line... Thanks!
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jsp0112 on February 19, 2013
Can you show a diagram of how all the electronics are hooked up?
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RCbacon on May 1, 2013
The Battery goes to the ESC and then the ESC goes to the motor and the servo wire on the ESC goes to the receiver :) Then you plug in your servos to the reciver :) If there is something you wonder about let me know :) Hope i helped!
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wcsli994 on August 28, 2013
Newbie (sympathy welcome and appreciated). We built the pod, bought the electronics kit. Confused about the electrical hookup as stated above. We have a Fly Sky FS-R6B receiver. Does the "servo wire on the ESC" go to the battery slot on the FS-R6B receiver? The ESC wiring is brown, red, orange. Which side is positive, which is negative so I can plug it into the receiver correctly. thanks so much.
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RCbacon on August 28, 2013
Brown and black wires are usually ground(aka negatvie), red is usually positive and the white or orange is usually signal. On my receiver(Turnigy 9X rx) ch3 is where you plug in the esc, i think its ch3 in general. Usually the signal wire should point inwards or up depending on your rx. And for your information the "battery slot" is used if you have a battery just for binding, which i think is kinda useless in my opinion. Fast tip: Buy a lot of props, you're gonna need them(i know that from experience) :)
Hope i helped!
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Drezed on September 17, 2013
The battery slot can also be used for a separate receiver/servo battery, or to use a "stand alone" BEC. :-)
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EpicScandinavian on March 1, 2013
Hey how about a swappable glider? You guys have made a swappable airframe for many types of aircraft and flying styles so adding a swappable glider would round out the group.

And thank you, all of you from flitetest, for all your hard work in creating such a great platform to get into the scratchbuilding hobby on a budget.
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kah00na on May 24, 2013
I'd like to see some gliders too. My kids would love some easy projects ending with something they could throw around outside.
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lolodotkoli on January 6, 2014
A swappable glider would be perfect!
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Jaxx on March 6, 2013
Josh,

I may have missed it in the video, but what size is the wire that you used for the landing gear?
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Royalstar05 on March 15, 2013
Josh
I love all the work you are putting into the plans and videos Just a thought if you could put on the plans as to where the paper needs to be removed this would be a big help
keep up the great work
Thank you
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Skipp2Maloo on March 19, 2013
Should I build in down thrust and right thrust into my power pod? I know the nutball called for some.
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bstarkey54 on March 21, 2013
I've started building my first power pod. I noticed that the video shows the firewall covering both the sides of the foam fuselage with it's width. The firewall in the plans shows 2 inches wide and the distance from the insides of the bodys foam is 2 inches. This means the wood fits inside the foam body and not over it as shown in the video. Is this a mistake in the plans or did I do something wrong??
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RCbacon on May 1, 2013
The first thing that came to my mind is that you did a "B" fold instead of an "A" fold! "A" fold is where you fold the "cheeks" on the bottom plate and a "B" fold is when you fold the "cheeks" besides the bottom plate. Hope i helped!
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Velmurugan Pravin on March 24, 2013
Hey may I know how to center servos? A complete newbie here :)
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kah00na on May 24, 2013
Connect the servos and ESC to your receiver, turn on your transmitter, and then connect the battery. The servos will move a little and then center themselves.
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canterburyflyer on April 1, 2013
Do you guys know how much of the Hobby King items required for this build are back ordered? I have this feeling that your Speed Builds are the reason. But that's a good thing for the hobby. Boy what a chore, I have open shopping carts on three different suppliers sites. Cant wait until all the components are finally here. Good on you guys, if it weren't for you I would know nothing of this.
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P_Lane_Planes on April 12, 2013
What are the finished dimensions supposed to be for this pod? Excited to get started! Thanks!
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Mr-Leo on April 24, 2013
What size is the wire that is used for the landing gear?
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Discos_Dead on July 18, 2013
Here is the link to the plans for the Old Fogey landing gear. However, I don't know if all the swappable landing gear(s) use the same diameter. Good luck!
Link:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDUQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.flitetest.com%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D7036%26d%3D1354761836&ei=PWvoUc6dKo3B4APmoYGYBQ&usg=AFQjCNH200P0Ew0dA7vnFy8YGRsw0cBOiA&sig2=GiP88BFfy-_n66zz-vyQ8w
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ftwingnut on May 1, 2013
A couple of you asked what size wire they use for the landing gear. They are using 2mm wire. I don't have metric sized wire here, so I use .074 inch wire, and it works perfect.
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FPVxplorer on May 4, 2013
Can the firewall be made from MDF?

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kah00na on May 24, 2013
If you can get it thin enough. It would probably be alright. The firewall acts as the mount for the motor so as long as you are confident that the screws won't pull out of it, then it should be alright.
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Rcairplanenoob on June 3, 2013
How do you mount the turnigy 28 26 propdrive motor?? The shaft is set
Up to be mounted behind the firewall. Please help
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tekgeek on June 6, 2013
which motor did you buy? the list of recommended items is on this page
http://flitetest.com/articles/swappable-fuselage-speed-build-kit

the best motor for this would be a 1300KV blue wonder type
http://www.lazertoyz.com/2712-12-24g_p_10.html
especially if you are new to flying you don't want something fast

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srconner@yahoo.com on October 29, 2013
You ever get an answer to this? I also have "the beef" power pack and it appears the shaft needs to be swapped.
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Jim Bridger on June 7, 2013
Love to see a video of the laser cutter in action.
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jim0020@me.com on June 8, 2013
Great Site!

Noob question...sorry...but how did you attach the prop? I have a collar that came with the motor, but I don't see how it fits with the prop...hot glue?
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jim0020@me.com on June 8, 2013
Ah ha! Figured it out...prop saver...collar goes on first, then prop, then black band loops aroumd bolts on collar and over prop.
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The Alpine Ace on July 16, 2013
*sigh* mine looks less... pretty.
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Discos_Dead on July 18, 2013
Ah, but the prettier it is the more nervous you will be about flying it.
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karb0n13 on July 30, 2013
Two things..
1st, would it be possible to get these as un-tiled images for those of us who have access to plotters?
2nd, Would there be any benefit to building the swappables out of corrugated plastic? It seems that while you'd lose a bit when it comes to weight it would become darn near indestructable.
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Chrismatte on February 23, 2014
I like that idea!!! Im going to test this this coming week, ill build a nutball, ill keep the foam swappable pod, but everything else will be corrugated plastic, ill let you know how it works, it may be three weeks as i am waiting for materials to come in.

Cheers,

Chris
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karb0n13 on March 12, 2014
I look forward hearing of your results. it only took my son about 30 minutes of trying to fly to mangle the dart to a floppy unrecognizable mess. Hopefully going to plastic will make it a bit more durable.
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tinkerbill on February 22, 2015
Covering all foam with clear packing tape makes it pretty durable! That plastic you are referring to is called "coroplast" and it's pretty heavy!
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HighFlight2k2 on August 20, 2013
Any way you could make a single PDF?
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capt_ks on September 15, 2013
I have searched the Internet high and low for a building board like the one you use in the videos. Where can I find one?
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Crashandburn on September 15, 2013
I live in San Diego and I found at a store called Michaels some foam board packs of 2 made by Elmer's L24"×W18"×D3/16". in CM. approximately
60cm×45cm×4cm. I hope this info is help full all so try WWW.Elmers.com Good luck and happy landings
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joann69 on September 15, 2013
You can get your building board at any Michaels craft store, they have different brands and sizes. Sometimes hobby stores carry them, but I think Michaels would be the first place to look. Wish you luck.
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capt_ks on September 19, 2013
Thanks. After searching and searching, I discovered it's called a cutting mat! No wonder I couldn't find it!
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Bedrock on October 11, 2013
Does anybody have any tips on some free software, so I can edit the plans a bit (just tweak the slot sizes etc.) in order to use 3mm foamboard. (UK 5mm seems to heavy for indoor flying...).
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Okie on October 12, 2013
what size of wire is that I know that he said 15,in, long but how thick?
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pakelika1 on October 25, 2013
Okie 2.5 mm but I used 2 mm but to be correct with josh its 2.5 mm I suggest that my 2 mm is a little weak/flimsy
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daleyflyer on November 6, 2013
Found that I had missed a step!! Signed RedFaced
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jackthursby on November 12, 2013
what thickness ply is the fire wall made from?
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tinkerbill on February 22, 2015
It's called hobby plywood, is about 2mil thick, and is 3 ply.
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Re-experienced64 on November 19, 2013
Hello. What about thurst angle with the power pod ? how to manage it with differents planes ?
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Javieruriel on November 22, 2013
Look i bougt the versa kit and i have this speed control 25-Amp Airplane Brushless ESC by E-flite (EFLA325A) but. I dont know witch motor i need
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zryanz on December 26, 2013
is there a reason why all the batteries are placed outside of the powerpod?
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Pilotx1 on February 20, 2014
Just build the duster with the powerpod and the front tabs don't engage the fuselage, looking at the design the skewer plate glued into the fuse prevents the front tabs from engaging... anyone else have this problem?
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Chrismatte on February 23, 2014
I built my fire wall out of polycarbonate, its amazing, i got it from the top of the gopro packaging, it works great!!!
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xellosshugo on April 18, 2014
Hey guys, how do I actually make a plain foam board into these plane part? Do I cut according to the plan or there's some more feasible way?
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tinkerbill on February 22, 2015
Download plans and use the templates to cut out your own or buy a speed-build kit!
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zephyrrc on May 14, 2014
hey guys, just wandering about the wheels, after you showed us how to make the wheels, when you where showing us how to put the ESCs in, I noticed at the bottom at the pod where the landing gear is, there where different wheels not the foam board wheels, do you get them in the speedbuild kits or did he use his own wheels?

great video keep up the good work! :)
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tinkerbill on February 22, 2015
You can buy wheels from flitetest store or most online hobby stores
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Kingroy1993 on May 27, 2014
good day, where can i go to purchase the FT Swappable Power Pod Build?

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Kingroy1993 on May 27, 2014
i really would like to build the FT Spitfire
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tinkerbill on February 22, 2015
You should just download any of the tiled plans. They all have the power pod template!
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sanskar on June 10, 2014
do you know any websites which ship to India and do you ship to India
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tinkerbill on February 22, 2015
Sanskar, This is Will. If you have a verified Paypal email address, I can possibly help out if you need items from USA. Can't you get stuff shipped from China?
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bougui on June 13, 2014
Hi,

just got my 2 3 planes flite kit, from lazertoy with the power kit. Now on both kit the motor mount are round (different then the video) and the hole are too big for using servo screw. But can you tell me how to fit the motor into those motor mount, they seem just a little too small. Do I need to sand the motor shaft that goes into the motor mount ?

thanks
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bougui on June 18, 2014
I finally got it,

Just sand the 2 pieces and put some oil !

Voila
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dslyr1 on June 25, 2014
How do you install the power pod in to the plane with the skewers that are holding the landing gear on sticking out the sides of the power pod
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sasoahe on July 22, 2014
how can i recharge the battery???
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jeffeb3 on August 6, 2014
Couple of questions/comments:

1) What's the advantage of the "A" fold? If I do it the other way (another commenter called it a "B" fold) would it still be as strong? I'm planning on putting a Multiwii inside the pod, and I need the extra width. I think the dimensions would work out as long as I made the firewall the right size, and also folded the plane parts in a "B" fold.

2) You should sell stiff templates. I would like the advantage of a laser cutter, but I will probably ruin a few parts, and don't want to buy several kits for one cheapo plane. If you made good, stiff templates, I could buy one of those (for hopefully about the same price as a kit) and then remake parts when I destroyed one.
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Traveler_67 on March 31, 2016
The 'A' fold is so the pod fits into the fuselage correctly. If you do a 'B' fold, the pod will be to wide and will force the fuse sides to bow out.. As for the templates, I print tiled plans on cardstock, then cut the parts out of that to trace on the foam board. Taping the card stock together and then cutting the parts out is a PIA, but you have a semi-durable template that can be used for multiple planes. Others trace the parts onto poster board, and cut those parts out for templates, but that would take up more space that is already at a premium for me.
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fblast on August 25, 2014
May I know what material is firewall made of ? Wood ? Aluminum ?

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awesomedirt5 on August 31, 2014
Its made from hobby plywood
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Bored Amish on September 4, 2014
If you don't have a hobby store and don't feel like ordering some...head over to Wal-Mart.
in the crafts section there should be some wooden door hangers. You can make 12-18 firewalls with a pack of six for $4. While you're there, pick up BBQ skewers 100 for $.97!
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tinkerbill on February 22, 2015
Also, in craft stores they have cheap items mouade of this hobby plywood. I picked up some at the dollar store recently. If you have access to a 3D printer, you can download a file to make them from plastic!
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RCYrahcaz on November 26, 2014
I have a Turnigy 3632 Brushless Motor 1500kv and it weighs 97g, I have a feeling that this is too heavy, can someone confirm this?
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RcNoob123 on December 18, 2014
I think you guys should make a new craken and put a bomb drop on it, but instead of dropping foam you should drop rocks on to a sheet of glass. It would be epic!!
Regards RcNoob123
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david198005 on February 19, 2015
What is the firewall made out of or where did you get it?


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tinkerbill on February 22, 2015
This question has already been answered. Check answers given to "fblast" back on August 25, 2014
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awshima on April 8, 2015
Newbie question...
Is it a SunnySky X2212 KV1400 (56g) with 8x4.5 props too much for this pod?
I have a SimpleCopter with such motors and some 3S 2200mAh and one 3S 1500mAh, and I'm wondering If I can use the same motors and these batteries in a FT Swappable.
Is this configuration too heavy for the swappables?
I'm planning to add a HK FPV Kit (Skyzone Plug-N-Play FPV 500-Set With TS58500 TX, RC832 RX, Sony 700CCD and C/P Antennas), no GoPro or Mobious, just the FVP cam.
About this matter, is there a some kind of swappables' Pod for FPV?
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Hoagen on May 1, 2015
I had grown bored with flying and quit for about 4 years when I found you guys. Now, with your videos, I have started to fly again and am having lots of fun building using foam board. I wish you guys would do a video on batteries, voltage, current drain and all about electronics.
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wrayman on May 4, 2015
Check out the Beginner Series videos
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arovillard on May 4, 2015
For anybody interested in a 3D printed version, please visit my thingiverse version of the FT Powerpod. It comes with a built in firewall! (if you have ideas to improve it, please let me know)

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:807747

Cheers!
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linz27 on May 23, 2015
I am just building a Power pod and a FT Duster plane. But the firewall appears to be too tall.
Can some-one please give me the correct dimensions for the fire wall and Hole sizes and diameters. I am scratch building off plans. Or some clues? Thanks
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jmynster on June 19, 2015
You guys are doing a great job of promoting the hobby by providing affordable options and instructions for the average modeler. I just bought my second speed build, the Kracken, and can't wait to make it my primary FPV platform. Keep up the great work guys!
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Zarek108 on July 25, 2015
sorry for the bad question, can this power pod work for ALL the ft swappables?

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Zayar Aung on August 10, 2015
I live in Myanmar and i am difficult to order.
So, Admin can tell me what kind of foam and foam name plate.
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RedheadBarron on August 21, 2015
Someone please help me understand why the battery is placed under the power pod? Ive flown mine with it inside to save space. Just curious as to why I see Josh do this often.....
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dkruger` on August 30, 2015
No dimensions on the plans?? No instructions what to do first?. YES I watched the video but my computer is not near my work station.
ALSO, the plans print out differently on different printers so knowing the critical dimensions is critical for me to know so that everything fits together.
A step by step instruction sheet will also be very helpful, especially in the airplane kits.
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A Beginner on September 2, 2015
Is the name of the tape he uses to reinforce the powered called 'reinforced Glass Filament Crossweave Tape'. If not what is it.
thanks
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iaincg on October 6, 2015
Looking at the building power pod video there is a different motor mount than in the B or C pack. The mount for the B pack Emax CF 2822 holes are large and the extra servo screws almost go all the way through. Any suggestion? the pack C motor GT2215/09 comes with its own motor mount screws with build in washers.
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jksbusiness on December 20, 2015
The directions to build the power pod is not working. This one does.

https://youtu.be/R2hjmvyRFwU
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Traveler_67 on March 31, 2016
I like the magnets on the popsicle sticks for making sure your control surfaces are at neutral when tightening your control rods, but as an alternative, use a couple of wooden clothes pins & two plastic triangles (the same kind you use to make sure your parts are square). Put a plastic triangle on each side of the surface (to prevent the clothes pins from dimpling the foam), making sure it reaches the wing, use the clothes pins to secure it, center your servo, then you can tighten your control rod.
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Dave Brown on May 3, 2016
Great idea, I'm going to use the popsicle sticks with your clothes pins
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Dave Brown on May 3, 2016
I'm building simple soarer . I followed the advice for exstending hinge life with glue which made it stiff so I shaved the leading edge of a popsicle stick to a knife edge and placed it on top of the elevator , centered where it is notched thin for rudder so it will not fatigue and twist in the center since the control horn is only on one side of elev.. Should work for other models with this stile elev.. I was going to put it on bottom but I'm using FT wood horn that I'm waiting for and I don't think it is tall enough to get good clearance for control rod on up command and longer horn might make unmanageable travel. Noob guess work so hope it works!


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Satish on June 16, 2016
Hi flite test please make plans with 6mm dimensions it is to difficult to adjust 1mm when scratch building
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jamesclinton012 on April 3, 2017
Thanks so much for sharing this great great article here this article is really an awesome article to learn so many things i love the way you have presented your thoughts within these beautiful words and the gadget uou have promoted here is so cool as well..Cartoon hd

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fsmith2134 on April 21, 2018
I printed a set of plans for the T-6 Texan . Is there a build video for these plans. If, how can I find it?
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avrahamporat15 on May 6, 2018
Hi.
If i will put a 30A ESC instead of 25A ESC it will work?
(about the simple storch)
thanks.
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avrahamporat15 on May 6, 2018
The reason is because i can't find the appropriate one.
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357bob on July 21, 2019

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marcosalexandre on August 15, 2020

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FT Swappable - Power Pod Build