"Twitter Bip" Scratch Build Contest #3

[LipoPilot]

After flying with a plane pal who had the slow GWS Pico F stick...I wanted to make me something alittle slow and funny looking at the sametime. I like the little fat cartoon planes so I thought I would give my shot at fat little cartoon plane...the Twitter Bug. Not sure where I picked up the design idea but I thought a fish tank window and some big rubber wheels would start me.

All I have is a drawing I did.


I plan to build the Twitter Bug from different size deprons with maybe a pink foam wing. The concept is dehydral wing..elevator rudder operation and full fuse to hide my power.

By the way had so much fun with my buddies lawn chair pico...I got me one and built it up...waiting on power. Just thought I would throw that in.

[smokejohnson]

Can't wait to see more on the Twitter, sounds interesting. Love the colors on your Pico, great job.

[LipoPilot]

The drawing is just what it is a drawing..I got ideas on how I want the over all model to look but im not that great at any 3d drawing stuff. I can just tell you it will be fat, slow, and funny at the time. wife say I need two wings...hmmmm Twitter Bip. The main inspiration behind the Twitter Bug is my 2yo girls who loves aaaaaaplanes as she points to the sky. Twitter bug might just indore her fav little guy Elmo..who knows who will be behind the fish bowl window..we will see.

[fr4nk1yn]

I agree wish the the Wife. I looked at it an immediately though bi-plane.

[LipoPilot]

Well the Bip I like the idea but nobody but me knows how bad I want the wings to come off for travel. I have yet to come with that set up for bottom wing. I did think about much smaller wings on bottom to hold the wheels. Kinda like wheel pant wings or something.

Today I spent most of the day shopping around for stuff. Found me a big rubber spinner for nose, got me 3mm, 5mm, 9mm depron and alittle wood. I'm going nuts over wheels...I think I will search and make my own.

Im going to start building in the next hour but this plane has got me really thinking. Beside it looking odd I want it to have some crazy feature. Im going to build the wings and cover with film I think, I think I want to look thru this model...it is a fish bowl.

[LipoPilot]

OK questions

1. If I go bip will I be able to keep the rudder elevator operation or would ailerons be best in this?

2. CG is it done on top wing or bottom. I would assume bottom as its futher forward. I have looked at many bips in last days I see and understand wing set up, but not sure on what wing gets the CG?

3. Have not seen one but will a bip with dyhydral be trouble..im looking for this model to have the dyhydral for stable flight?

4. Next drag..two wings has more Im sure. Any tips here?

[gramps2161]

Lipo check out chellies giant bipe thread CG was discussed in detail I think it was upside down bottom wing if I remeber correctly. like the fish bowl.

[TalonOne]

Cool idea LipoPilot......hmm reminds of one I am doing now.

I have many of your same questions ...I Think Cg is as Gramps describes but still looking for where saw the printed CG on mine.

Usually on a Bipe the Top Wing leads ..it is only the midget ones that I have seen with bottom leaders. So it will be interesting to see how she flies . stalls.....how to get it balanced.???


Later Camping calls.

[LipoPilot]

Have fun camping, Im doing my biplane history set up and learning now..here we go Twitter Bip..scratch the bug.

[smokejohnson]

Here ya go...a 3ch biplane trainer with dihedral.

http://www.srbatteries.com/bantam.htm

[LipoPilot]

Yes been seeing that alot...It's going biplane, wings cut out..I have made me what I think is a great idea for removing both wings at once. should be interesting..will have photos soon. Thanks James i like that little see thru sucker..neato

[LipoPilot]

Well I have been Twittering along this Saturday between changing my poop machine and figuring out what wife wants to do tonite, since the poop machine will be at grannies...hooorah once a year nite is here...OK Twitter Bip...I've been working.













Thanks to a few friends and wife who love to throw challenge in the game..yes shes a BIP now. My first biplane actually and I have no idea what the hell I'm doing here. Wondering about my wing supports what from? I will figure it out shortly.

I think with this critter Twitter I'm going to go easy with the build, will make top wing come off, but lower will stay as they are shorter. I will start work on opening the fuse for the see thru view thingy. I'm still chopping away at thoughts on wheels and weither I want me some wheel pants...or if I like the wheels exposed..I think exposed they give that Chicken Run plane look...love that show.

Can any one tell I have no idea where I'm going with this? LoL!!! God so many ideas and wants but I got a time line right? Back to Twitter.

[TalonOne]

Looking good Lipo Pilot.

It has that clean look of all your builds....someday when I grow up I want to be as neat as you with my builds....I am so messy ans sloppy it is a wonder stuff flys..

Whats the wingspan there?? All Depron?? Looks like a great start. Ok Back to my Sky Bzby now...sanding and spakleing today. Prhaps paint tomorrow.

[fr4nk1yn]

That's it! Looking good.

[LipoPilot]

Originally Posted by TalonOne

Looking good Lipo Pilot.

It has that clean look of all your builds....someday when I grow up I want to be as neat as you with my builds....I am so messy ans sloppy it is a wonder stuff flys..

Whats the wingspan there?? All Depron?? Looks like a great start. Ok Back to my Sky Bzby now...sanding and spakleing today. Prhaps paint tomorrow.

30' inch on the WS...fuse will be 25 when done I think Yes all depron so far. Will be wood later.

I keep getting ideas you know...today Im setting a weight limit lol.

OK back to see thru Twitter...I like see thru.

When you grow up I think personally you have grown up lol... your building your own planes now...so started the neat stuff Neat tip one...when you paint sky baby..take her outside...take photos.

[LipoPilot]

Originally Posted by fr4nk1yn

That's it! Looking good.

Yea um your one of them friends who inspired this contraption...
So whats your suggestion for my wing support members...huh..I was thinking popcycle sticks, chop sticks I got a china restuarant right up the road and need lunch too..I got them fatty tongue compressors..maybe foam cut in some funny shape, but thats drag???

Oh wait till you see whats next...I found me a idea I'm sticking with...SEE THRU TWITTER...be back with photos...thanks for spending your Saturday with me and Twitter Bip.

[Slowjohn]

Lil Bipe.
These contest sure get the creative thoughts going

Standing By,
SJ

[LipoPilot]

Yes they do John...

Well Im adding sticks and twigs to the wings. As I said see thru Twitter Bip, not sure what I thinking I apperently didnt figure in the work to cut the foam out this way. But here are the wings under construction.





I'm going to add balsa to the LE and at control surface hinges to strengthen the hollowed out wing...will pick up covering tomarrow...not sure on color just yet.

Fuse is next but got more on wings.

[Larry3215]

Thats really cute LP! I like it!

For CG - it looks like the wings are pretty much in line? If the center line of the top wing is the same as the center line of the bottom wing then you can just set the CG per the top wing and you are good to go.

If the wings stagger - then determine the cg point on each wing and just average them but lean a little toward the cg point on the top wing - because its bigger and will/should dominate the lifting.

This thing is pretty close coupled so Id start with a 25% MAC CG point or its going to be very sensitive in pitch. Its going to be somewhat sensitive anyway so be prepared

Good Luck!

[LipoPilot]

Originally Posted by Larry3215

Thats really cute LP! I like it!

For CG - it looks like the wings are pretty much in line? If the center line of the top wing is the same as the center line of the bottom wing then you can just set the CG per the top wing and you are good to go.

If the wings stagger - then determine the cg point on each wing and just average them but lean a little toward the cg point on the top wing - because its bigger and will/should dominate the lifting.

This thing is pretty close coupled so Id start with a 25% MAC CG point or its going to be very sensitive in pitch. Its going to be somewhat sensitive anyway so be prepared

Good Luck!

Hey mister cool foam yourself..Larry thanks for that info man, bip is new to me and yes my wings are in line top to bottom I seen that as the easiest way to CG. Well I have got alittle done between holiday weekend and free night with wife...that was killa and granny kept the poop machine till 2 next day..was like vacation, but over now. Heres what I got done.

I decide to hollow out wings. I'm really going by the seat of my pants on this plane as I have nothing to go off of but countless planes I have looked at. After cutting out the wing and tail feather I went with a monokote covering. I did not have the option to get low temp stuff so I used transparent blue regular monokote. I found the temp needed to be around 300 on this stuff and was worried about foam. I discover that it will only melt foam if you dont move over the surface quickly. So the melting must be just over 300 somewhere. Anyhow my wing covering experiences and the finish. The control surfaces will be a different color.

Oh let me introduce Mr. Twitter the pilot...he does twitter if your crank him up.



First I painted the foam black, as I wanted the frame work black. Then cut out my momokote and applied it as instruction showed. I will wait till assembly to heat gun the film and tight up more.

















Now fuse time...be back.

[Slowjohn]

Hey LP,

Once you have shrunk "Monokote" & let it cool, you'll have to raise the temperature on your iron to get it to shrink tighter so be careful.

Good Luck,
SJ

[gramps2161]

Hey lipo that is going to look really cool flying, great color combo. Light will shine through nice. Way to go.

[fr4nk1yn]

Jeez, I'm never gonna get a badge under my name )':
I better go for the 100mph club I'd have a better chance.

Great choice on the colors, Nice combo.

[LipoPilot]

Originally Posted by Slowjohn

Hey LP,

Once you have shrunk "Monokote" & let it cool, you'll have to raise the temperature on your iron to get it to shrink tighter so be careful.

Good Luck,
SJ

Thanks John..I have let it cool and re-heated with gun to tighten up...works beautiful no foam melting. I like this new way for me.

Hey lipo that is going to look really cool flying, great color combo. Light will shine through nice. Way to go.

Hey Gramps thanks for the words. I went with blue for the fishy bowl thing. The see thru part, well fish bowls we can see thru.

Jeez, I'm never gonna get a badge under my name )':
I better go for the 100mph club I'd have a better chance.

Great choice on the colors, Nice combo.

Want me to make you a badge out of foam LoL...not sure the badge you need or want but I dont think anything I make for ya will do 100mph lol.

[LipoPilot]

Got the wings covered. This was my first experience with monokote. Although I not totally happy with my covering, I also understand it's my first shot and Im doing it on foam. I did get me afew spots that heat got to the foam but nothing of importance. I now know when to get off the foam lol. One thing I found is the foam needs inturnal supports from LE to TE because the tightening of the mono will change the foams shape, and I never really can get it tight tight...the foam curves..next wing apply supports from LE to TE. Note to self.

Looks like fish bowl is coming to life...I look at last picture and looks like the wing is suspended in the clouds...cool blue. Hot pink should set her off well...that or neon lime not sure, may try silver or chrome.