frvrngn
11-14-2005, 08:37 PM
I got bored over the weekend and wanted to try and build a plane from scratch. I still had my original Stryker fuse that was now shaped like a banana from too many "learning experiences". I thought, I am having a great time flying my other Stryker and EleBee, why not try and make something with spare parts?
Well, take one Stryker fuse and cut it down at both vertical stab slots. Glue both the wing halves back together and you end up with a 25" wing. I then cut out a motor mount area using my Bee as a guide. Made up a set of balsa elevons and taped them on. I had a 555rx, 2 hs-81's, a Zagi rt400 and 20A esc left as spares and backups from when I just made the Bee brushless. I know, they are all really too big for a 25" wing, but they were free parts I had laying around! I mounted up the motor on a spare plastic mount from the Bee, I buried the RX along the center of the wing, and buried the servos on top of the wing just to the outside of where the stock Stryker holes were. Having no idea of how to calculate CG, I guessed by using the Bee as a reference and went about 1/4 to a 1/3 in from the TE of the motor mount area. I then used a NiMh battery from the Stryker and placed that up on the nose until I got it to balance. Once I found a spot, I cut a little recess and velcroed it down inside. It still sticks out about halfway. I used foam board for the winglets and taped them on. Added minimal packing and strapping tape to stiffen things up a little and it was done. Rather UGLY looking, but done...
Took her out back and gave it a toss and to my complete shock it actually glided halfway decent! I got to maiden my FrankenStryker today at lunch and it actually flies pretty well. I am spinning a Zagi carbon 5x5 prop on it. It took a little trial and error to get the launch right. Its really really sensitive to launch angles. Any little sideways angle and it sprirals straight into the ground. If I toss it really hard into the wind and then power on, it will just skim the ground most times and then climb out once it gets some speed going. Once I have some altitude it flies great. I just cant slow down, as soon as I do it gets really sluggish and wants to death spiral on me which I am assuming is normal for a smallish wing. I have the throws pretty tame right now, but it will still roll pretty darn quick and will loop if I get a little speed up. It flies pretty fast considering the power source of a speed 400 and a little NiMh! Its probably a lot heavier than it needs to be with the larger electronics I am using too.
Overall a ton of fun and I am really happy that the little scratch build worked. I am sure there was quite a bit of luck involved, but its inspired me to try some new plans. I may have to try a FFF plane now or build one of the Zagnutz wings I read about. If any of you have an old beat up Stryker laying around, this little wing is a lot of fun to fly!
Well, take one Stryker fuse and cut it down at both vertical stab slots. Glue both the wing halves back together and you end up with a 25" wing. I then cut out a motor mount area using my Bee as a guide. Made up a set of balsa elevons and taped them on. I had a 555rx, 2 hs-81's, a Zagi rt400 and 20A esc left as spares and backups from when I just made the Bee brushless. I know, they are all really too big for a 25" wing, but they were free parts I had laying around! I mounted up the motor on a spare plastic mount from the Bee, I buried the RX along the center of the wing, and buried the servos on top of the wing just to the outside of where the stock Stryker holes were. Having no idea of how to calculate CG, I guessed by using the Bee as a reference and went about 1/4 to a 1/3 in from the TE of the motor mount area. I then used a NiMh battery from the Stryker and placed that up on the nose until I got it to balance. Once I found a spot, I cut a little recess and velcroed it down inside. It still sticks out about halfway. I used foam board for the winglets and taped them on. Added minimal packing and strapping tape to stiffen things up a little and it was done. Rather UGLY looking, but done...
Took her out back and gave it a toss and to my complete shock it actually glided halfway decent! I got to maiden my FrankenStryker today at lunch and it actually flies pretty well. I am spinning a Zagi carbon 5x5 prop on it. It took a little trial and error to get the launch right. Its really really sensitive to launch angles. Any little sideways angle and it sprirals straight into the ground. If I toss it really hard into the wind and then power on, it will just skim the ground most times and then climb out once it gets some speed going. Once I have some altitude it flies great. I just cant slow down, as soon as I do it gets really sluggish and wants to death spiral on me which I am assuming is normal for a smallish wing. I have the throws pretty tame right now, but it will still roll pretty darn quick and will loop if I get a little speed up. It flies pretty fast considering the power source of a speed 400 and a little NiMh! Its probably a lot heavier than it needs to be with the larger electronics I am using too.
Overall a ton of fun and I am really happy that the little scratch build worked. I am sure there was quite a bit of luck involved, but its inspired me to try some new plans. I may have to try a FFF plane now or build one of the Zagnutz wings I read about. If any of you have an old beat up Stryker laying around, this little wing is a lot of fun to fly!