Building and soon flying a CrazyBall

[rocket_jim]

I recently ordered and received a CrazyBall kit in EPP from: http://www.crazyplanesrc.com/

Why? It's really new, really different, and it looked like a lot of fun to fly.

So far I've just opened it up to see the EPP, balsa, and plywood kit parts, printed out the build instructions from their website at: http://www.crazyplanesrc.com/ebay/eb...tructions.html , and have started pulling together the equipment to build and to equip it.

Jim

[rocket_jim]

Tonight I weighed all the pieces I got in the EPP CrazyBall kit, except the decal sheet.

The total was 61.8 grams or 2.18 ounces.

I'll weigh it again after I assemble these pieces to see how much weight the glue adds. I plan to use Uhu Por for the EPP and probably some epoxy for the motor mount to EPP joint.

Jim

[kenchiroalpha]

Hi Jim
Outstanding
Pleased to meet you
Ive been a fan of them for quite some time they have some marvelous and wonderous aircraft
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...73&postcount=3
Glad to see others are trying them out as well
Cant wait to see more
Take care
Yours Hank

[kenchiroalpha]

Originally Posted by rocket_jim

I recently ordered and received a CrazyBall kit in EPP from: http://www.crazyplanesrc.com/

Why? It's really new, really different, and it looked like a lot of fun to fly.

So far I've just opened it up to see the EPP, balsa, and plywood kit parts, printed out the build instructions from their website at: http://www.crazyplanesrc.com/ebay/eb...tructions.html , and have started pulling together the equipment to build and to equip it.

Jim

Hi Jim
Just went to your link and noticed its a different site then the one i posted
The Crazy planes name threw me off
Looks pretty cool though, i will need to check it out in full
Take care
Yours Hank

[rocket_jim]

The leading Pioneer in this build effort, Ferndale Air Force, made a minor technical error in his first build; it fliew weird, and he has since redone it and re-videoed it. The guy/company making the kit has realized that it's time to update the build instructions to be more clear and hopefully avoid this logical, but still wrong, buld error.

So I'm idling my jets a little while the build instructions and figures and photos and such get updated.

I have sketched up a sort-of Pufferfish with a black body and red lipstick to Sharpie onto the fuselage sides for orientation and cuteness purposes. When I get that part Sharpied, I'll photograph it to share here. Remember, I'm an Engineer, not an Artist!

Another possibility I thought of was drawing on a simple canopy for orientation. It would not be nearly as cute. But then again, it would not risk being ugly, either!

Jim

[rocket_jim]

Here's my first-draft PufferFish!

Jim

[rocket_jim]

Got my CrazyBall mostly built. Now ready to install the gear. But realized that my Blue Wonder motors are all 1700 KV and this needs a 1300 KV motor to swing a 10 inch prop. A smaller prop would be inefficient in the prop duct or whatever it's called.

I also realized that with the servos glued directly to the control surfaces, that very light metal gear servos would be a good idea for durability reasons.

So I just ordered several BW motors and a set of light metal-gear servos from HobbyCity. Now I'll be waiting about 3 weeks till they come in.

Jim

[rocket_jim]

It took me a long time (my problem, nothing wrong with the CB), but I finally got my Crazy Ball all together, tweaked, and flying. It's Great! So far I've flown it outdoors several times and indoors one session. It can be flown in a relatively small space once you get used to it. And it can fly sooooo slow. I'm really pleased with it.

Jim

[flypaper 2]

Here's my scratchbuilt version. A buddy built one too. Great little combat plane. We sort of bounce off one another.

[rocket_jim]

Gord, if you have more photos, I'd love to see them.

Curious how you made the prop ring?

I really like your canopy and artsy pilot! Looks great, and should help on orientation, too.

What sort of combat are you guys doing? Sounds like full-contact. Cutting a streamer would be really tough with the prop in that ring.

How is the durability of your Crazy Ball scratchbuilt version?

Jim

[flypaper 2]

Hi Jim: Here's another little bit bigger pic. Being on an old pharts pension, I made this from $ store foam with the paper taken off. 20 in. dia. as that's the width of the foam. The ring is two layers of 6 mm EPP foam. The dia is a little big as I didn't know if the 15 gram Blue Wonder motor would cut it. It did so I didn't have to put the 25 gram. in it. The doublers are glued on with UHU and the rest is hot glue.
Yeah, no streamer. He did manage to slice the ring in two but nothing a little hot glue wouldn't fix.

[rocket_jim]

Thanks Flypaper 2 for sharing that additional photo. Looks Great!

It took me a while to get everything on hand to complete my Crazy Ball kit, but I eventually got it all together and flying. After some computer transmitter tweaking 125% everywhere, and adding two carbon rods to stiffen up my servos a little, I think/hope that mine is in a relatively stable, just go fly it! mode.

Enjoy your Crazy Balls!

Jim

[fun2av8rc]

Does anyone know of or has actually tried the HyperTaxi AS3X brick and servos on the CrazyBall? Trashed my HyperTaxi today and am looking for a new platform for the electronics?

[fun2av8rc]

Gerry Markgraf over on RCG seems to think that the HyperTaxi brick and servos might work on a smaller/lighter version of the CrazyBall.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1525110&highlight=hypertaxi&page= 4

Does a smaller/lighter version exist on CrazyPlanesRC.com?