Hello Friends...
I would like to share my labor of love with you. I call her the Raiden ( Japanese god of thunder).
History
For the past 3 years I've been kicking around the idea of a forward swept pusher plane with canards, why? Cause it would look awesome!
Like everything else, it has been sitting on the back burner. Until I saw pictures of the Cuda from Laines Planes. It's a forward swept balsa build. That shape inspired me to create my Raiden.
While doodling in SketchUp I took the FT Versa wings and rotated them backwards on a straight fuselage. Then added canards that looked like the right size. Then I pulled a line here, added a curve there. I had just created the first prototype.
I found the CG with adamone's canard calculator
The prototype was hard to balance. I had to use 2 - 2200mah batteries to balance it.
It was time to maiden her. So I throttled up and tossed it. She flew pretty good fast, slow and inverted. After 10 minutes of carving up the sky with what looks like the Klingon bird of prey. I folded the main wing. When the wing folded I lost all elevator control. The prototype met its untimely death.
The design was very promising, so I took what I learned and changed a few things. I lengthened the hull, added a cross spar in the main wing and added strength in the nose and forward hull.
I finally landed on version 2.5
The Build
Here are some build pictures and explanation. I have included detailed PDF's with the plans that should be easy to follow.
Below, Align bottom halve of wing to top halve of wing using reference line then tape join.
Below, Cut double bevel on leading edge.
Below, Tape bottom halves together, then glue seam.
Below, Squeegee off.
Below, Glue in spars, note short side of the spar goes out.
Below, Glue in center spar.
Below, Wing laid out.
Below, Glue leading edge and spars. Then fold over wing, then lay the wing upside down on a flat table. Hold bottom halve parallel with table top.
Below, Make sure back center of the wing lines up with its other halve. They should be strait and flush.
Below, Glue trailing edge then hold until cool.
Below, Cut elevon relief in the wing, not the elevon.
Below, Picture of main wing complete.
Below, Forward hull with the doubled spars for reinforcement.
Below, Another picture of double spars.
Below, Picture of the nose with nose doublers and the forward reinforcement spars and electronics deck installed.
Below, Another picture of nose assemble.
Below, Main wing attaching to the fuselage.
Below, Another view of the main wing attaching to the fuselage.
Below, This is the way I do control horns
The CNC
The only reason I mention the CNC is that without it I wouldn't of had the flexibility to make changed to the Raiden and try them so quickly. Adding this to my shop has been great. Anyone that is on the fence about owning one, just get one and you won't be sorry.
More options (Todd Optional's Video) Here.
Light Weight Versions
The light weight Viggen is one of my favorite planes, so why not try a light weight Raiden.
This one is with a blue wonder 1300KV motor, 8X4 prop.
This one is with a 2300KV miniquad motor, 6x4.5x3 prop.
I think a light weight Raiden would be a great indoor flyer in a large field house or arena. It really slows down and still maintains excellent maneuverability.
Raiden LED (Night Flyer)
We like night flying. People will come from miles to see what you're doing..lol
FPV
I havent flown this on yet. Not enough hours in the day...lol I have no doubt this will be a nice FPV ship, it slows down nicely and is super stable.
Blooper Reel
I had a lot of fun developing the Raiden.
The Plans
Hardware
1400kv motor like this.
20 inch motor lead extension
2- 9 gram servos
25 - 30amp ESC
2200mah 20c battery
8 X 4 Prop
Your favorite 3 channel receiver ( Radio must be elevon capable)
4 sheets of DTFB or RossFB + hot glue
This is not a swappable. The hull isn't big enough to accommodate the FT power pod. It does use a standard FT fire wall.
Wing span - 40 inches
Length - 38 inches
I hope you enjoy my unconventional plane as much as I do.
I'm crossing my fingers, maybe FT will consider this one for a community build.
Thanks for looking.
Enjoy the hobby as cheap as you can my friends.
Kevin Matusik
aka Blackkrystal73
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