FT 3D by FliteTest

Reviews


Rating: 4.90      39 ratings
Posted: February 26, 2013  |  9,259 views
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We've heard your requests and it's finally here!  The FT 3D swappable scratch build airplane.

After a few months of testing and redesigning, the FT 3D swappable scratch build is ready to go! The original design was much smaller and didn't quite fly the way we wanted.

After testing out the original design and consulting with Arron Bates, Version 2.0 was created.  This version had a larger air frame as well as a wider fuselage.  

The FT 3D is made from a few sheets of foam board and features a removable top hatch.

Arron Bates helped us out with the review putting our final design to the test!  

Arron was able to put the swappable airplane into all kinds of cool 3D aerobatic maneuvers despite the strong winds!

The FT 3D features an airfoil wing which proved to hold its strength after many hard landings and crashes.  

We'd like to thank Arron Bates for his help with this review.  

Watch the FT 3D build video HERE.

Be sure to check out the forum post on this review for more photos and discussion about this review!

Check out the extended video from the indoor flying event below!
Watch the full conversation with Arron Bates, and see more from the indoor flying event.

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Comments

zev February 26, 2013
YES YES YES.
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JonMackie February 26, 2013
Looking forward to the build video! Will it be up within a month?
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twjones12 February 26, 2013
hey great job, cant wait for the kit
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Adib Vahedi February 26, 2013
you guys rock and great job you have done!!!!!
i hope you guys got better pay from the kits we bought!!!!!!

Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
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Dirt Pilot February 26, 2013
Great Plane! I would love to know exactly what changes you made and why. How did the changes affect the flying characteristics? What was your thought process on the proportions of the plane?
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casehatter February 26, 2013
Bixler great Job you got some talent there looks like there will be more 3D pilots coming up in the world thanks to the Bixler..!! Great Job all you guys ..!!
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Adib Vahedi February 26, 2013
Great job band also what would be great is if in the future you can make a kit for us and we buy it off you, you could make money off of that! Or start just by the build video and please do the small version and the bigger one!

Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!! ;)



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TECH GEEK February 26, 2013
Flite Test Superfortress with working bomb bay

Aka The "Scott"
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FLYitRC February 26, 2013
Looks great guys! I'm so excited to build this one! I have my foam all-ready to go and my glue gun is hot!!
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Dingo February 26, 2013
I want one of these, Ive got the Foam , can we have a parts list ahead of the build so I can get the parts on order
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Mabbs February 26, 2013
GR8888888888888888 job lad's be quick with the plans, got to have one lol.. hope the twin is as good as the 3D well done all
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dadi3 February 26, 2013
Finaly... Just can't wait till Thursday to start building! Great job guys!
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Bolvon72 February 26, 2013
What a great thing to wake up to today, looking forward to putting this one up. As always.
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MultiCopterBuild February 26, 2013
Great review and video. I got at suggestion for a new scratch built:
"FT FPV" - modular and swapable FPV-plane you can easily fold together for transport. THat would be awesome and is needed a lot of places, if you just want a simple fun FPV plane, and you don't have enough space on your bicycle to carry a skywalker or anything like that! Thanks for your inspiration and what you do to the hobby!
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cloud9photos February 26, 2013
Oh YEAH, I know what my next build is going to be
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tramsgar February 26, 2013
Excellent! Not into 3d, but still want to build one. Same upgraded power pod as the bloody wonder I suppose?
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glenn.hawkins.50 February 26, 2013
when will plans or kits be aval for this? I am an avid 3d flier and have been trying hard to find something like this to build cheaply out of foamboard or fanfold foam...so i can thrash it while practicing without worry about killing a $500 plane..
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Mirabile Visu February 26, 2013
Slow down, I can't keep up with the swappables........
Brilliant video, David's air to air photography is most impressive.
I agree with the previous comments about listing the equipment needed to complete the build. If you could list what is needed with the first video demonstrating a new swappable plane, then it gives us a head start with the order to HK before the build video arrives.
Keep up the great work.
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Arcanumskin February 26, 2013
Awesome looking plane, looking forward to adding this one to my list of planes to build. I would love to see a swappable hydroplane (flying boat) .

Great work guys!
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fburd February 26, 2013
Would your design also work with 2 mil coroplast??
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mattplaneflyer February 26, 2013
Can't wait for the plans to come out!
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AbeKatt February 26, 2013
awesome guys , its so nice that you spend so much time and effort making these great and cheap planes.
Even consulting pros!
Thank you so much and keep it up !!

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doron1604 February 26, 2013
Awesome Awesome Awesome!!! My next build!!!
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flyman February 26, 2013
Looks good can't wait for the build video.
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steve69 February 26, 2013
fantastic job guy`s and awesome arial work David...... thumbs up!
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jamo February 26, 2013
The quality of the videos and content over the last few months has been second to none. I greatly enjoy logging on Tuesdays and Thursdays (Australian time) to watch, guys. Fantastic work and I am REALLY REALLY excited to see the FT Cruzr. I hope you are due to release the video for it next week. All the best from Down Under!
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csarazin February 26, 2013
Hi guys, this is great !!! If you have the hardware list, please post it when you can, Before the Build video, this way, when you post the build video, I will have all the parts ready to go :) For those of us who have to order online and wait for couple of weeks :)
Thanks
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tanner.jon February 26, 2013
My bet is that they're using the same power pod and gear they used for the Baby Blender. Check that thread. I've used a 220W 1100kv motor for all my planes, even the nutball. Works great. I bet it will do great in this one too.
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csarazin March 1, 2013
Good bet and thanks
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Skipp2Maloo February 26, 2013
I going to need a bigger garage/hanger ! But I'm lovin it
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jacob February 26, 2013
Yea i cant wait for the speed build kit to come out it loks great.
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Villalji February 26, 2013
You guys are so amazing!, my poor EZstar2 is parked, I just fly the flyer, delta, old fogey, and working on the baby blender, and here u come win a new super awesome plane!
My only regret is that with so much time focused on building I have no time to improve my flying skills! Would you do more videos on training how to fly better?
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Villalji February 26, 2013
Oh, and of course THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your gr8 work!!
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phunkodelic February 27, 2013
Awesome!!!! Can't wait to see plans.
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Hasersys February 26, 2013
SO happy to see this finally!!!! ANd to make it even better.. It looks like you may be running my favorite motor prop combo.. since I have tons of them. I use them for my quadcopter and my fun cubs. Looks like Ntm-28-30, and a 11x4.7 prop?
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Chubbs February 27, 2013
In previous episodes I think they used a 28-26, 250w motor with an 10x4.7 (that's from memory, not 100% sure). Go back and watch the Baby Blender video, I think they outline what motor/prop they used on there. I would imagine this is the same combo.
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Bolvon72 February 27, 2013
I agree, the whole idea of this line was doing it on the cheap. I wouldn't imagine it would be another motor upgrade unless it was a large leap. The Baby Blender motor is a 28-26a (1200kv). I just ordered a second in preparation for the Cruiser. It looked like NTMs on it in the last Q&A video. I am excited about this one, but I am positively drooling for that dual motor beast.
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Hasersys February 28, 2013
Oh yea forgot about that. I really like the ntm motors. I can't wait for the twin motor. May make for a good fpv platform with a clear geiw off the nose for a camera setup.
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Flyin SpYder February 27, 2013
Love the plane! Looks like fun but I'm not into 3D "yet". Really looking forward to flyin the FT-Cruzr. Coming Soon???
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Flyin SpYder February 27, 2013
BTW, the Baby Blender is my favorite plane to fly and I have 5 foamies I paid a lot of money for that don't perform as well as the Blender. FT-Cruzr has me foaming (pun) at the mouth.
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brettp2004 February 27, 2013
Who else got excited at 12:09 when they saw a build video link? Can't wait for it to be available! Awesome plane and thanks for all that you guys do for the hobby.
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jimmyslaughter February 27, 2013
I would definitely buy a speed build kit of this plane.
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Benn Gunn February 27, 2013
Cool as always two Josh's..... Arron Bates total respect.... your on a totally different level.... like it
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rcflyer729 February 27, 2013
I can't weight for the ft cruiser to come out
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Iflyjets2 February 27, 2013
This looks like an awesome plane. I'm happy to see the speed build kits, and would love to see FT Bloody Wonder added to the store. In addition, I would love to see some thing like modelaero's Polaris reviewed. I love to fly year round, and don't have a good runway that I can use wheels on and would love to see a good kit that can do touch n gos off of snow/water/grass.

I love the site and keep it coming.
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mordy February 28, 2013
You guys put so much back into the hobby, the whole flitetest crew and sponsors are awesome, I would like to especially commend Chad and Josh B. for their obvious hard work and effort, It's so refreshing to see after being 35+ years in this hobby. Keep Up the good work, I would love to put my money where my mouth is and contribute funds to partly sponsor articles and general running costs of Flitetest...
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FliteTest February 28, 2013
Thanks so much for the encouragement and kind words! It's easy when you enjoy what you do ;)
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leadpipe58 March 1, 2013
Looks great guys.A fun build and a all around plane.
Great work
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danluiz February 28, 2013
Great plane i'd like to see the same commitment to develop an fpv fixed wing plane. And Dave... couldnt u especify blades motors speeds and bateries for a tricopter like yours???
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Bolvon72 March 2, 2013
David's site is http://rcexplorer.se/ and he gives so very openly everything he has worked hard to develop. I am practically living on his site in preparation for a tricopter build. Just waiting on parts. And thanks, David, for your expertise, because of you I am about to embark on projects I couldn't fathom otherwise.
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geemannz March 16, 2013
OMG I want this sooo bad!!! When will the kit be coming out coz im already saving!

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bensieweke March 28, 2013
Hey Guys, let us know when you are going to release the ft 3d, shot :)
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hawkrc April 24, 2013
Wen is the speed build kit commin out
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gniknomis May 12, 2013
What is easier to fly, the FT 3D or the Baby Blender? I have built all three of the beginner swappables and would like to build a 3D plane next, but am not sure if I'll be able to control it very well.
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