FT Flyer Swappable - Scratch Build by FliteTest

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Posted: August 15, 2012  |  22,741 views
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FTScratchBuild-Beginner

This is the latest video featuring instructions for the FT Flyer and Speed Build Kit:

Click HERE to see the original FT FLYER BUILD VIDEO.

Click HERE to see the POWER POD BUILD VIDEO.

The plans for this build are available here:
FT Flyer Swappable FULL SIZE PLANS

FT Flyer Swappable TILED PLANS

Click HERE to see the Recommended Electronics

Click HERE to see a complete list of FLITE TEST SCRATCH BUILDS

The FT Flyer is a scratch built air frame designed specifically for our 'swappable fuselage' series (airplanes with a swappable powerpod).

The other wings in this series include the Nutball and Delta wing. This episode is a step by step build plan to show you how to make your own modified BluDart called The FT Flyer. Plans for the original Blu Dart: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=599674&highlight=bludart&page=4

Foam board swappable fuselage scratch build series is setup like this: The Nutball as a beginner flyer, then the FT Flyer as the next step up, after that the Delta wing for the more advance flying experience. 

This dollar store brand foam board is becoming available in colors!  Hopefully in the near future we'll see an assortment of color options.  The colored boards are just as lightweight as the white foam boards so it will be great if more colors become available soon!

The FT Flyer (BluDart) is a great intermediate scratch build and it consists of only 4 main foam board pieces!  

This scratch built air frame offers all the fun as the Nutball but provides a nice transition into the ability for more aerobatics and aerial maneuvers helping you improve your skills and prepare you for the Delta wing.

One of the best part of all of these wing designs is that they are constructed from inexpensive foam board, so if a wreck does happen, you're only out a dollar or two worth of foam. 

Scratch building these foam board planes is a fun way to learn more about RC flight, improving your flying and it's a cheap way to explore your creativity in designing your own airplanes as well as a great way to introduce friends into the RC hobby!


 

The plans for this build are available here:
FT Flyer Swappable FULL SIZE PLANS

FT Flyer Swappable TILED PLANS

See how to build the swappable fuselage here:
SWAPPABLE FUSELAGE - BUILD

Recommended Electronics

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Comments

akash August 24, 2012
where I'll get plans and measurements




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kenton August 23, 2012
Really great detail on this video that was lacking in some of the others, but it is really helpful to see. Also the plans are very nicely done. Overall a great video and looking forward to building one soon.
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Manuel August 21, 2012
It's a great trainer. I'm planning to build one for my nephew.
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Hal9000 August 21, 2012
Just completed this model this evening.

Now waiting for the electronics from HobbyKing.

Thanks guys for the swappable series. I am lookng forward to what you come up with next for this series.
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motoringmaniac August 17, 2012
Multi-coloured foam board is available at hobby lobby I think
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House Of Noob August 16, 2012
A dutch role eh? Did you make that up? ;)

How thick was the wire? Under 0.096?
Love the zip tie stuff. It really works.
Got a link for the speed clevis? I'm a Hobby King fan (your fault)

I can say that the foam board you use is probably going to make a difference. I went on vacation and actually found a "Dollar tree" store and the foam board they have IS A LOT LIGHTER than what I have been using. As I have an FT from the original video, I may just have to build another to see what the real difference is.

Thanks for taking the time to put this all up on the net.

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Garth August 19, 2012
This is another great plane in your series!
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akash August 23, 2012
I want to build fuselage where can I get plans

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batmat November 22, 2012
Hello! Hi Dutch. What is the correct name and manufacturer of this stuff that you did this plane and where to buy?
I thank you.
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Hal9000 September 6, 2012
I build this over the last couple of weeks and my order of electronics from Hobby King arrived on Tuesday.

There are some errors in the build video regarding measurements. I tried building the undercarriage out of .7 mm wire (14:25 in Delta build video) but it just flops all over the place. Would you recheck the wire diameter please. It has to be bigger than .7 mm!

Also you show the wheel axles being bent with the voice over saying "an inch and a half" but if you watch carefully (14:36 in Delta build) it is actually .75" I got quite confused here and bent it at 1.5" which looked really odd.

Its like the voice over was scripted with out reference to what was going on in the video.

You have in the plans "C.G. IS 20-30% BACK ON CENTER OF WING". Are you able to clarify if this is measured from the front to the back centre of the wing section. My wing is 40cm at the centre line, front to back. So is C.G. then between 8bm and 12cm from the front of the wing front apex?

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tramsgar September 14, 2012
I used 1 mm wire for my fuse, floppy and stable at the same time - very nice. Guess 1.25 mm could work also.

Second that on the CG - what does "back on center of wing" mean?
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eagle4 December 10, 2012
I wonder how this would go if you added a KF airfoil?
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mvaller00 September 8, 2012
Hey Guys,

Can ya help me out?

I'm trying to print out the plans for the "Swappable Fuselage" but there is no tiled PDF option... so when I go to print the PDF it's not to scale. How are you guys printing that PDF file to scale? Am I missing something?
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tramsgar September 14, 2012
You can choose scale in the pre-print dialog. Use 100%, 1:1, "actual" or whatever "real" is called =). Most pdf viewers offer to tile a large document for you. You'll see the tiles in the print preview. Use "print marks" and no overlap if available, do not center.
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mvaller00 September 15, 2012
@ tramsgar

Thank you for the heads up... :)

Go figure i JUST found that out the day before yesterday. But I'm glad you mentioned it here. I'm sure others might be wondering the same question. Thanks again
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Tarak August 18, 2012
Nice design, was wondering how you were getting that attached tail to jive with the pre-built fuse. Definitely going to have to build one of these just for fun, maybe even a smaller one for indoors. In case you were wondering, here's a website I just stumbled across selling the Adams Readi-Board in most of the colors they offer:

http://www.glwholesale.com/s?SearchString=foam+board

Maybe we'll see Josh Scott with a pink scratchbuilt soon? lol, just kidding.
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RCmaniac February 17, 2013
I just downloaded the plans I think it will fly good!
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Rc Mania Cyprus February 18, 2013
Great little plane.I got the electronics and today i am going to the shop to buy foam.I've also build the bloody wonder the baby blender and the f-22.I will come back to you once i finish the build!
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lostcity February 23, 2013
I am getting ready to put the FT Flyer together. I do have most of the electronics, but am wondering if I could use my Turnigy D2822/14 (1450kV) in place of the 1350kV recommended. Would it too much or too little motor for the FT Flyer?

Thanks
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weezypain March 13, 2013
I love this plane. I was doing front loops with it today in some pretty good wind.
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baronbernie March 20, 2013
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baronbernie April 21, 2013
What size wheels were used on the plane?

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entomophile April 15, 2013
OK, silly question but bare with me as this is my first plane. This plane only has a rudder and elevator correct? Do I want the actual plane rudder controlled by the TX rudder stick or the aileron stick?
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sstokes1971 April 27, 2013
Rudder & elevator is correct. I use right stick L/R (mode 2) for rudder which would normally be aileron control.
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gunntommy1970 May 5, 2013
Anyone used a smaller prop with this?...like a 6X4?
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