70mm EDF VersaWing

by Phatjax | January 23, 2015 | (15) Posted in Projects

So after destroying my Viggen (always a great way to start an article!), I decided to put the 70mm Grayson hobby EDF to other use. Let's build an EDF Versawing!  I recently finished Rev 2, which includes a polaroid cube in the nose, and is now plasti-dipped flat black.  Here's a video!

I started by creating a CAD model of the VersaWing in SolidEdge off of Josh's drawings. From there I plopped in a model of the EDF, and started building ribs that would support a surface reminiscent of the X-47 or B-2:

From the beginning, I wanted to use this as an experiment with putting compound curvature into Adams foamboard. If you take both sides of paper off, it will actually take some compound curvature, but much more in one direction, as there is a bit of grain to the foam.

For the first plane, I just glued the skins onto the wings, and then faired it with tape. On Rev 2, I cut out parts of the wing skins, so the curved pieces would meet up flush with the wings.

It flies very well, and I can get about 8 minute flights by powering up to a couple hundred feet and gliding around. A bit heavy for a sailplane, but has a suprisingly good L/D, and does not want to come down. Probably my favorite plane to date, with it's ridiculously large flight envelope.

If you want to try this yourself, here is a PDF of the laser file I used for the ribs:

EDF Versawing Internal Structure

I do not have CAD files yet for the top and bottom skins, as they were built in place. Hopefully when Rev 2 is ready to retire, I will be able to make some reproducable drawings.

Enjoy!

COMMENTS

jrvalentin62 on January 23, 2015
Great job! Haven't tried EDF yet but love the craftsmanship. Very cool
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Phatjax on January 23, 2015
Here's a new video, entirely in third person. Rally Fighter cameo at about the 2 min mark:


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akmk10000 on January 24, 2015
Okay, I take it back. It isn't faster than Josh's "speed wing" version where he did 108mph, but still your EDF version looks very respectable in the speed department. Good job.
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RickN on January 24, 2015
That is really impressive. I was watching the high-G turns expecting a wing collapse that never happened. You managed to get some pretty strong wing roots going there.
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akmk10000 on January 24, 2015
Nicely done! It seems so much faster than the original. I guess I will have to go back and watch the FT video again. I cannot imagine trying to build the same airframe with TWO EDFs as power. Maybe a Krakken?
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cretin45 on February 1, 2015
So cool! I made a scaled down version for my son Isaac. It really screams around. https://www.dropbox.com/s/dk7sz74lkgm02m2/2015-01-31%2014.16.43.jpg?dl=0

Video here: http://youtu.be/Dkv4_wcftB4
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Phatjax on February 2, 2015
Wow, that's flying great in the smaller size! I had to do a bit of digging to find the video, your link does not work.
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Good Kebo on January 25, 2015
Nice job! A twin turbine Horten Versa would be pretty cooooool. I like the black paint job.
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Phatjax on January 25, 2015
Thanks... that's what my office mate said too. I have an A-10 powered by two 50mm EDFs... and I think I know what to do with the motors when the plane bites the dust.
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Phatjax on January 25, 2015
I like the Cube a lot. I have been through 3 goPros in the last year, and it was just getting a bit too expensive, so I decided to give the Cube a try. all the FPV in the video at the top of this article was taken on a cube. I've mounted it on several planes now, just securing it with a velcro strap, and haven't had a problem.

In this particular aircraft, I built an L shaped foam support between the longitudinal stringers in the front, and put a velcro strap through it. The camera never moves.

The audio isn't great, and you can't get video out to transmit through an FPV system, but the video quality is fantastic, and you can fit it just about anywhere. As for the magnet, it is fairly strong, but I haven't used it on a plane. I put it on the tank of my motorcycle and blasted up to 90mph without a hitch though.
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sailorJohn on January 23, 2015
Sweet!
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xcragex on January 26, 2015
i just recently crashed my viggen, and I'm currently building a fpv versa. I planned on making an edf versa as my first build moving away from plans. Your idea using the peeled foam to make compound curves is way better than what I planned. Very nice!
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EdwardLarson on January 28, 2015
Love it, fun mod. great break down in the article.
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Yogenh on January 23, 2015
It looks great. Would love to see it flying
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Phatjax on January 23, 2015
If the First person in the video wasn't enough for ya, I'll get some more footage from the ground, now that it's plasti-dipped. It does looks pretty scary in the air.
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Yogenh on January 23, 2015
I like the video from the plane it was great. Was it hard to fly and control? I have 2 oh the 70mm fans and I think that a wing like that with 2 of then would really be something. I am not good at doing the plans for things like that.
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Phatjax on January 23, 2015
It handles as easily as the original Versawing... but with a bit more power, and the sound of a hair dryer.
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nevenelestate on January 27, 2015
I have thought about plasti-dipping a foamie, how well does it hold up? How many coats did you do? And did you have huge weight gains?
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Phatjax on January 27, 2015
It was like 3 thin coats, then a heavy fourth one. You have to make sure that it doesn't hit any raw foam. I trimmed the edges of the stabilizers with glue, and covered everything else with packing tape first.

I did not weigh the plane before or after, but I cannot tell any performance difference, other than it holds up much better to abrasion when I land in the parking lot... because there isn't much grass around Phoenix.
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ohitstarik on January 24, 2015
How did you get the cut outs? Laser cutting?
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Phatjax on January 25, 2015
Yep. A laser cutter makes doing this stuff way too easy. I am lucky enough to have access to one at work. I'm getting addicted though, and may have to buy my own soon.
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ohitstarik on January 25, 2015
I have one at school. I should get used to using one of those. Do you just make these in autocad/solidworks and then export as what the laser cutter needs?
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Phatjax on January 25, 2015
I designed them in SolidEdge, then exported each rib as a .dxf. Lasers require vector files, so it has to be translated through illustrator or Inkscape. I used Inkscape because it is free, and aranged all the parts so they would fit on the largest sheet the laser could take.
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webbhm on January 25, 2015
What are your thoughts on the Polaroid Cube? From reading about it, it doesn't have the software capabilities of a GoPro (stabilization), nor does it have a replaceable battery. However, the price is way better.
How have you attached it to the plane? I am not sure I would trust it with just the magnet.
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AkimboGlueGuns on January 28, 2015
Great mod. Have you thought of heating the foam that will make the compound curve? If you use a heat gun and heat it LIGHTLY, you might be able to get the foam to be a bit more pliable.
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Phatjax on January 28, 2015
Yeah! I had experimented with that before, and even tried squishing the foam a bit in an english wheel. When putting together this model though, I completely forgot about adding heat... was too excited to get it together.
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70mm EDF VersaWing