New foamies-sneak preview

[EDFrules]

Here's a few foamies we've been working on lately. Jumping on the Yak-55m craze is a good thing! The 36" and 42" size versions are extremely fun to fly. Just a few more tweaks and it's time to get them on CAD for prototyping. Blake flew the 42" Yak in a downtown Orlando park(Lake Eola) the other day for fun and had a few hundred people hanging around gawking and cheering. I think his girlfriend got a pic or two, will post some pics and an aeromusical routine shot with the 36" version(Foamy in the Mist LOL). We also tried electrically igniting some smoke bombs in flight and it's a hoot! Going to have to make some decent smoke bombs though-the commercial ones leave a little to be desired. He also flew the 42" in the local rec center, and they have since changed the rules to 2oz and under planes-hmmm... wonder why? I thought they meant 20oz. As soon as I get the video transferred and posted, you'll see why hehehehe.
MicroVizion is an attempt to make a decent 3D/F3P style micro flyer. Sorry, you just can't overcome Reynolds numbers and air molecule size with anything less than 20+ inches. Current bare airframe weight is around 17gr. If I can keep it around 1.5oz I'd be happy with the first prototype at that weight. It's got larger area than most, and with some proper airbrakes it won't be a downline missile. Flown some of the other micro 3D'ers and they just don't do anything but hover. Not what we're looking for. Worse comes to worse, I know a 24"-27" version flies well so we might just have to settle for that. Flying ability is everything, not just making the smallest plane that flies like crappola=that's my story and I'm stickin' to it! More later...
Here's the 36" Vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHhMgcSrtL8

[smokejohnson]

Subscribed

I need something smaller than my Slofly 28 to fly indoors.

[EDFrules]

Finding the right servos, batteries and power systems for these small guys is the biggest challenge. Going to have to go 2s on it to get the desired power. The geared brushed approach isn't going to work for durability judging by the number of replacements we sell at the store! And that's not even using them for 3D work. So a 5gr brushless outrunner gets the nod for power and durability. Might have to go to 22" or 23" to get it right but that should just make it fly a bit better if need be. I'll keep everyone updated as soon as I get all the necassary bits and pieces in and get it flying.

[EDFrules]

A couple of pics taken at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. Think the swans are in love with the Yak LOL.

[smokejohnson]

Nice pics.

[EDFrules]

His girlfriend Heather took those. What a sweetie-letting him fly on a date and taking pics! When the new HD cam arrives she offered to video over the lake next time. Blake said there were a few hundred people gathered around by the 4th pack LOL

[smokejohnson]

He better marry that girl.

[EDFrules]

Nah, she's too smart for that hahahaha

[surfer dude]

At first I didn't see the plane, looks like Blake is taking a leak in the lake.

[EDFrules]

Entirely possible, there was a wine fest going on that day.

[surfer dude]

Ed are you going to be selling these Yak's? If so when do you think the kits will be ready? How complete will the kits be? will they include all carbon, conections etc... And what would the cost be?
The 36" looks like the One!!!
I'm getting ready to build another indoor bipe, and I have a question. The last one I built I used 2mm depron, it used a lot of small carbon for cross bracing to stiffin it. I still kept it AUW under 6.5oz. I thought that was pretty good for a 30" bipe. However, I'm not sure I saved any weight by using the 2mm, over using 3mm milled. My target weight is 4-4.5oz.
My real question is when milling the wings on a bi-plane, which surfaces are milled? Both Bottoms? The Inside Surfaces? Or the Outside surfaces.
I was'nt sure if a slow 3D indoor model would see the effects of aerodynamics. If so both Outsides, Or both insides would make the most sence to me. If not both bottoms would look best.
Thanks!
Brett

[EDFrules]

I'm just getting the basic design down now-got a couple of minor changes to make. In the future plans are to market a whole line of foamies. Vizion 34", MicroVizion, Bipe-X, Yak-55m 36", Yak-55m 42" for starters. It will be a few months having the parts speced out overseas and manufactured. Least that's the plan. Also working on getting some planes done domestically. Takes a lot of programming and machine time to get just a basic foamy done. Kind of kills the pricing initially.Not sure what costs would be but they'll be a little more expensive than your average foamy. Then again I don't want an average foamy-plenty of those already on the market. Idea is to have a precise flying, well thought out design with quality parts including optional carbon landing gear. Emphasis is on flyability, not making the cheapest kit possible.

Tried milling surfaces on Bipe-X(6mm) and found that it didn't seem to matter on which side you milled except the ailerons. Found that having the milled sides facing inward toward each other was the best for 6mm+ bipes. On a 3mm Foamie I don't think it matters which side of any surface you do. Doesn't seem to have any real bad coupling effect either way. My .02
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ1Pi8nhvtE

[surfer dude]

Thank You!
Brett

[EDFrules]

Just doin' my part to instigate!

[EDFrules]

Another 42" Yak-55m. Couple of changes including adding another spar for added ridigity.

[EDFrules]

Here's soon to be Pvt. Hilson dispaying some partiotism with the Golden Knights scheme(or my loose interpretation thereof). Happy Holidays Everyone and especially to those men and women who are serving our country around the globe and can't be home with their loved ones.

[EDFrules]

Looks like we'll be partnering up with a local RC company to produce our line of foamies. Just had a flying session with the owner so he could check them out. Let a few local pilots have a go at the Yak-55m and Vizion and they wanted to be first on the list. Mo was laughing his butt off while doing on the deck inverted harriers and stationary KEs in the wind. I'll keep everyone updated as soon as these hit the market and I'll start a build thread. Should be fun. Now I can hit the CAD/CNC for some more fun designs including full fuse/wing planes. Woohooo!

[surfer dude]

I'll take one of each.

[EDFrules]

Looks like we'll be starting off with the Vizion series. Doing some tests soon on the MicroVizion with some more traditional "seperate" control components(waiting on backordered parts). Trying to have the option to use both the brick type all in one control units and standard brushed/geared setups as well as 2.5gr servos and AR6300 2gr RX and a small 2gr 5A ESC(with 5.0v servo output). Also have some 3.7v 100mah 20c and 240mah single cell packs on the way. Found a nice brushless outrunner/gearbox that weighs in @ 3.6gr that should do nicely.

The 34" Vizion flies the best with MicroDan 2505-3D motor. Will try some others out too for cheaper options. Have to say that for optimum performance-the MD is far superior to anything else performance wise. Guess the phrase "mileage may vary with power system" will have to be employed!

[EDFrules]

Here's 36" Yak-55m freestyle foamie V1.2. Made a couple of minor changes to the airframe. Made the same to the 42" version and it's just about where we'd like it to be. This ones going to be our test model for various servos and motors. Didn't really put much into the paint job, just throwing on some color for side recognition. Should have some fun wailing on it hahahaha. Might be at the Perry, GA swap meet if it lives that long. Should have a few other foamies to display there too.

[EDFrules]

Here's some more pics of my buddy Bill Clarks NiteVizion with carbon gear and LED's. He gets more UFO questions when he flies at night LOL

[EDFrules]

Congrats Blake and all the servicemen and women who graduated last week @ Ft. Jackson SC!!!! We appreciate your service to your country. Wish I could have been there, but Heather managed to make it there with Blakes' family and took a few pics. He'll be finishing up Advanced Training in Arizona where he'll get to play with scorpions, snakes, tumbleweeds and cactus' LOL. Wish him the best. And I'm sure he's jonesing for a transmitter and plane(s) right now, so I'll make sure to have his planes standing at attention on the runway when he gets back on leave before deploying. Godspeed private! See ya' soon... Hmmm, how do I duplicate the Army "pixel" camo scheme on a plane?

[EpoweredRc]

Way to go Blake, You make many proud, best of luck to you.

[EDFrules]

Thanks for the kind words Foamiesrfun. I'll make sure and pass those along to Blake. He can use any words of encouragement now that he doesn't have any planes to play with. I'm sure he'll fly,fly,fly when he gets home on leave!

[EDFrules]

Wanted to see what a flourescent color scheme would look like-quess I got my answer. Bright! Not really a chartruese fan but it does show up well at a distance. Also trying a red, white and blue scheme on the next one. Hope this one doesn't hurt anyones eyes