DART VADER - a scratch build SKYWALKER adversary
I have always wanted a SKYWALKER for FPV, it just seems to be a very good allround FPV platform. So eventually I decided to build myself an aircraft, that would compete with the popular SKYWALKER model. The clichè name for my plane came later as a joke, but after I made the logo I decided to stick with it anyways :).
Here is a PREVIEW of The DART VADER
Please note that i used SFX ( soundeffects ) there is no magic mini cessna 157 engine
The DESIGN IDEA
The general idea wasn't to make a foam board copy of the SKYWALKER, but rather a scratch builder friendly "Adversary" to the well known and loved SKYWALKER FPV platform.
I tried to keep the frontal shape aerodynamic, but it will never be better than a front mounted GoPro case anyway.
There are some trademarks which I think is a MUST HAVE on a good FPV platform. And they are all implemented in my platform.
+ Strap on Wings (sounds sexier that way, and it makes me able to transport them in a normal car)
+ EASY accessible MAIN battery (the FPV/control bat. under the wings can go for 3 times longer than main bat.)
+ EASY accessible ON connection for MAIN Battery.
+ EASY accessible camera mount.
+ a fair Distance between RC RX & Video TX.
+ Pusher configuration (nothing in view of camera)
+ You can build it from scratch yourself, and you can rebuild it from scratch again.
+ LOTS of space for FPV gear & APM + accessories
The areas where it does not compare to its EPO adversaries.
- It has the aerodynamics of an open sausage wagon, compared to the finish of any semi good EPO FPV platform.
- It is heavier, at least with the tape cover.
- Wings can't be disassembled halfway (and the top of the ends are a little fragile, which makes transport even more fun)
- Not as water tight as EPO models (or forgiving when it "lands" on water)
Im sure that there is many other minuses with DART VADER compared to the mighty SKYWALKER, BUT its made from materials we all have access to (all so in Europe ;D).
There are NO plans for it yet, but
There are NO plans for it yet. If there are people enough out there that has an interest in building one I will of course make them and share them. wait until I have maiden the platform first.
Here are some pictures.
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PARTS & SPECIFICATIONS
Plane Specs.
Wingspan. 1.7m ( incl. winglets ) wing calculations http://j.mp/1mjXxOB
Length. 1m
weigth. 1.4 - 2.5kg.
Foamboard 5mm: 2 x ( 700mm x 1000mm ) or 4 x ( 700mm x 500mm )
12mm x 12mm wood tail boom
Plane Parts.
Motor: Turnigy 3010C 1310KV
Prop: 10x7 MASTER AIRSCREW
Motor Battery: Zippy 3S 5000mah 20C
ESC: HK 50A
Servo: Turnigy 9g. & HEXTRONIC 900 9g. ( bla bla bla, buy better ones if you want )
HK LOST plane alarm.
FPV.
GoPro 3 Black. + 10 pin mini-USB w. 100k resistor.
5.8ghz 1000mw tx BOSCAM w. clowerleaf.
2 x RX 805 5.8ghz w. skewplaner and 7 turn helical.
EASY DIVERSITY.
A/V USB for PC (blackbox).
FatShark BASE SD video headset.
Car jump-starter 12V power for ground-station.
Control.
AMP 2.5 w. UBLOX GPS + Minim v1.1+ voltage & current sensor
FPV / APM / servor Battery: Zippy 3S 2500mah 3C
UBEC: 3A 5V
Futaba T8FGs. w. Orange RX. + 1W wifi booster.
General building tips for Beginners
When i first started scratch building RC I thought that some kind of rocket science was involved when starting with the design and the overall aerodynamics, and with a background as a Toolmaker I know that most things that gets mass produced has been well thought through. Meaning that any kind of Molded aircraft has a lot of engineering hours behind it, and they are therefore hard to compete with in terms of aerodynamic design and surface smoothness etc.
Having that in mind I started investigating what the minimum requirements for an object, that should be able to maintain flight was. I ended up with a short list compared with what I thought I would have.
My magic Guidelines for scratch building
* Use a Wing Center of Gravity calculator: http://j.mp/1mjXxOB (remember it is a wing CG calc not a flyingwing CG calc only difference is the CG position percentage)
* Make it push or drag itself through the center of mass
* Minimum 3/5 thrust to weight ratio (this is all up to the individual pilot to decide what he/she wants the aircraft to do)
*Let the airfoil do the work. Let the wing and tail flux. (for some reason I build my first planes with the main wing in like a constant flap DON'T DO THAT, unless you want to fly like a dolphin swims)
If these things are are OK you can make just about anything fly.
If you read this then that means that you have read my article and I thank you for that, and when you are at it let me know what you think.
Will it FLY or will it DIE?
And like always rate, comment, share
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