FT Bushwacker - Build

by FliteTest | September 2, 2015 | (46) Posted in How To

FTScratchBuild

Say hello to Peter's 3rd FT design, the FT Bushwacker! This rugged little plane is based off of multiple popular full scale bush planes such as the Highlander! 

and as always, the free plans are also available at the links at the bottom of this article.

The Bushwacker was one of those fun designs that emulated a lot of planes in one. Derived from Alaska STOL planes, the primary function of this design was to be able to land and take off from extremely short distances! 

The FT Bushwacker features a new fold-over technique on the nose of the fuselage.

The FT Bushwacker is an aerobatic super short take off/landing aircraft. For extreme 3D aerobatic performance, use the large control surfaces. For extreme super STOL performance, split each aileron in half to create flaps. 

Another bonus of this design is the foam wheels, these wheels are designed to be very light yet tough and robust enough to hold up to the many beatings of short field landings. 

The Speed Build Kit comes with large wheels and we also have some 4.3" wheels available in our store!

This plane is designed for intermediate to advanced pilots and is capable of most aerobatic maneuvers with the Power Pack C. With the Power Pack B, the Bushwacker is capable of basic aerobatics and is a little more docile.

The Bushwacker isn’t much of a beginner plane, however with just a few hours under your belt on the FT Tiny Trainer or the FT Storch, flying the Bushwacker will come very naturally to you! 

So what are you guys waiting for?! Stop beating around the bush because that’s wack! Grab your foam and let’s start building!

New to the R/C hobby?
Here's some resources to help get you up to speed!

Beginner Series: WATCH HERE!
Electronics Setup: WATCH HERE!
First Flight Quick Tips: WATCH HERE!

Got glue?? Get Some Here! 

FT BUSHWACKER PLANS

STORE LINKS

FT BUSHWACKER SPECS.

WEIGHT WITHOUT BATTERY: 1.15 lbs (521 g) 
CENTER OF GRAVITY: 1.75” (44 mm) from leading edge of wing
CONTROL SURFACE THROWS: 16˚ deflection - Expo 30%
WINGSPAN: 45 inches (1143 mm)
RECOMMENDED MOTOR: Park 425, 1000 kv minimum
RECOMMENDED PROP: 9 x 6 - 10 x 4.7 prop
RECOMMENDED ESC: 18 - 30 amp
RECOMMENDED BATTERY: 1300 - 2200 mAH 3s
RECOMMENDED SERVOS: (4 - 6) 9 gram servos


- Find this article & others like it at www.FliteTest.com -

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COMMENTS

SHolman on September 3, 2015
Any chance you guys could make the landing gear (wheels, supports) a separate pdf for us to print out. I would like to use something like this on the Old Fogey.
Thanks.
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 11, 2015
You can click on the "tiled plans" link and print selected pages.
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sueppel on September 5, 2015
perhaps it would be a good idea to attach VG's (vortex generators) on the wings? This would certainly improve the stall behavior a lot.
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grifflyer on July 28, 2016
seems like a good idea to me try it out it might help a little
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jeffrey.lent on September 5, 2015
build almost done need to know CG and recommended battery placement

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johnnyjiujitsu on September 9, 2015
Hey Peter, great job on the Build design. I just finished building. I noticed on the video, you say to glue servo horn on flush side of rudder but picture and plans have slot on beveled side. No big deal. Just thought I'd mention it. I was able to over come : )

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areford on September 24, 2015
Overall the scratch build was great and i really like how it flys! Another homefun and a good companion for my Storch! I used foam wheels from a horizon apprentice and the powerpack C with a 2200 maH battery. My only feedback is that I had to move the rear wing hold down skewer back about 3/4" or so to make sure the wing mounted flat against the fuselage. The center section is a little curved after construction and needs to flatten out, else the ailerons get out of adjustment as the wing flexes and wants to curl up due to the rubber bands. Other than that this thing is a riot!
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Planiac01 on September 8, 2015
Sorry to bother you, but I would love to design my own planes but don't have software to draw out the plans like you guys. I also noticed that the plans for this plane are different than all of your other planes. Could you let me know what software you use for both? Thanks!
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 11, 2015
Josh Bixler uses Corel Draw, I think.
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grifflyer on July 28, 2016
try this I watched it now im building
http://flitetest.com/articles/part-1-how-to-design-dtfb-planes
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jeffrey.lent on September 5, 2015
found CG SORRY

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RedheadBarron on October 2, 2015
What about the plane would make it an intermediate to advanced? I'm no advanced pilot by any means so would it be a good idea to build it? I thought high winged planes were easier to fly than lower winged planes? Is it just capable of more than some other planes?
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grifflyer on July 28, 2016
i belive it is but until you get better (which im sure you will)
try the simple storch it is a very good plane

hope this helps
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mmiller1 on September 15, 2015
I might be blind, but it was not clear where to place the battery. Perhaps in the power pod, but that was never shown in the vid....I don't believe. Hopefully, there is a place to put it without having to
remove the P.P. each time.
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seansgrandad on November 5, 2015
Also puzzled on battery location and fixing missing in video......"Obviously" velcro on cabin floor, and would suggest velcro strap up through floor round battery and tied outside?? I've lost a few batteries in the past :((
Great plane....Many thanks again for all the free plans :) and helpful video support.
YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A BRILLIANT JOB IN ENCOURAGING THE HOBBY
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Hauk on September 16, 2015
Same here, nothing shows in the build were to put the battery. I cut myself a hatch just underneath the front and put some velcro under the P.P. The CG is ok. Flies great.
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Budair on September 4, 2015
I just ordered my Bushwacker kit ( I was going to scratch build) but I though maybe my first one ought to be as right as possible. I am puzzled about the small verticals on the horizontal stab, seems to me they are no more than decoration and just something else to tear up, so I am leaving mine off. A great little plane though. Great job Peter!
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johnnyjiujitsu on September 8, 2015
Almost finished with my BushWacker build. Not easy but I think it will be worth it. Spent 10+ hours over the weekend scratch building this thing. Just need to attach gear, power pod and electronics installation. Thanks Peter and FliteTest for this awesome gift.
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planebreaker2000 on September 2, 2015
Great looking plane! I can't wait to build.
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ludodg on September 6, 2015
:(
Relies heavely on the foamboard where paper comes off easely.
Can not find that over here in Europe.

Tried it before with dampening it with water, window-cleaner, ... Always a mess and destroying the foamboard.
I might try to add some score-lines to make the foamboard bending more easely, in stead of removing paper
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ludodg on September 6, 2015
... Or change the plan and eliminate the bend, curved lines, replacing those with straight lines. Should be easy.
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johnnyjiujitsu on September 8, 2015
Maybe you can get some of this foamboard shipped to you from the US. I would ship you some but I would think the internet offers a solution to your dilemma.
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Radu84 on March 9, 2016
Hye! Try to peal off first layer of paper (its easy), then with a sharpe blade peal off the rest inserting the blade under the rest of the paper in an angle of 45'. I have some photos. I dont no how to put here
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grifflyer on July 28, 2016
or you could buy foamboard from the flite test store it is 50$ for 50 sheets it lasts over a year for me but it all depends on how much you use it
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Topdawg2881 on September 2, 2015
Very Awesome!!

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kennyptho on September 3, 2015
Kenny Thomas from: Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Question?? lol How do you guys peal off the paper from the foam... when i do it ... what!!! a mess.... it seems as though my foam , the paper is really good.
xThe foam I am using is ELMER"S Ross Craft Board/
508 x 462 x 5mm
(20 x 30 x 3/16 in.)
MADE IN U.S.A.
must be good stuff, its made in the US.
but when i try to peal that paper ... i shake my head roll my eyes, and new swear words are born.. haha I have tried both sides... Peter or Josh... help me out...
PUN. joke you can't help me out, casue you don't kno what way i came in haha

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dz1sfb on September 3, 2015
Kenny,
The Readiboard material that Flite Test uses has a very light paper with low adhesion.

Ken :)
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jw423 on September 3, 2015
Hi ya Kenny. Great that you bought a Speed Build, that will make it super easy. If you need to peel some paper off on another project try and mist it with some water. That might just soften the adhesive just enough. Be carefull not to spray anything you don't want to remove :)
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jw423 on September 3, 2015
Whoops, it wasn't you that bought the kit Kenny I followed the comment lines down wrong :( sorry. Try that water out.
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Damig on September 3, 2015
Hey Kenny, I have great luck peeling if the foamboard is from the dollar store, dollar tree, walmart, and...AND if you get the color Black. nice build foam after that, yes-sir
do you paint with poly or cover with tape then Kenny?
Salute, happy flying my friend.
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Speedybee on September 4, 2015
ADAMS foamboard is available in Canada thru Dollarama stores (at least in the Montreal's area). I saw there is 4 Dollarama stores in Fredericton so you may ask them. Product name: Foamboard - White, MFG: ADAMS or R.L.ADAMS Plastics, Inc. Barcode# 82665 30525
Two years ago they were carrying ELMER's equivalent (not the heavy ELMER's 8$ sheets) I build the Spitfire, the 3D and the Bloody Wonder with it and it was perfect.
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dazks on September 8, 2015
Hi! Could you specify which dollarama in Montreal as Place Viau don't have any foamboard. True Elmer 5$ board from Walmart made my plane take crashes, concrete wall, frost fence direct hits with minor damage, but also made it seriously underpowered with flitetest recommended engine! Thank you!
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Grabiel antony huaman ranilla on March 7, 2020
hello good morning everyone a question if you can explain to me about what you want to say and how it is configured on the radio:

  CONTROL SURFACE THROWS: 16˚ deflection - Expo 30%
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Adman on September 7, 2015
Where is the cg point at

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buckineer69 on September 15, 2015
Will you be making floats for this plane?
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dz1sfb on September 3, 2015
I finally broke down to buy one of the speed build kits. This one did it for me.
Ken :)
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Garreta234 on September 3, 2015
Sweet build,started printing the plans the second they came out. Seemed the hardest part for me were the tires.
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dhaakinson221 on December 26, 2015
I'm fairly new to the hobby. What 2200 mah do you recommend? I've seen there are some with different c ratings. I currently have a 2200mah 3s 20-30c rated battery
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grifflyer on July 28, 2016
For starters, the C in C Rating stands for capacity. To break it down to its simplest terms, the C rating is the maximum safe continuous discharge rate of a pack. If you see 10C on your battery, it means it can be discharged at 10 times that pack's capacity.
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pintokitkat on September 3, 2015
Surely you get maximum throws by putting the control rod in the control horn hole nearest the bottom and the servo horn hole nearest the outside - mechanical advantage and all that. Otherwise, great build video Peter and a smart looking plane.
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spreng on September 6, 2015
I didnt find foamboard where i can remove the paper
But if you take a ruler and press it in the foamboard every 2mm (on the inner side) it gives you a nice curve 😊
Dont cut the paper

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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 11, 2015
Smart trick!
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joker24458 on September 2, 2015
What's the diameter of the landing gear wire?
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SP0NZ on September 3, 2015
According to Josh B. its 34 gage or .100" (2.54 mm) diameter.
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joker24458 on September 3, 2015
Thanks!
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danield on September 3, 2015
Are the wings only taped together, or did the video miss the gluing.
Love the design, hope I don't crash it.
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Adman on September 7, 2015
What size motor is in the b pack
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on September 11, 2015
EMAX CF2822.
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Bogdan on March 1, 2016
Simply amazing!
What I suggest FT is to modify the angle of the horizontal stabilizer as they did for the Baby Blender. Reason is that the plane tends to lift the nose agressively when you push the throttle.
Waiting for v2 FT.
Cheers!
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jordy123 on February 21, 2016
This would make a good mighty mini!
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BarnOwl000 on March 7, 2016
I started this build after my son made his own Guinea Pig. After flying heli's since 2006 and gliders, DLG's etc I wanted another challenge.
So I finished my build and I must say this is a completely new ballpark you guys are letting me in.
I flies beautifully and if you're having some rough terrain to fly around this Jeep of the planes is just awesome! I gave it a five star rating.
And the best thing it is completely and very fast repairable after a crash. I have crashed it 4 or five times so far and every time I rebuild it. The build, flying it to the limit and rebuilding it is just so much fun. And it does not cost you......I spent 33 Euro's on ten 50 x 100 cm foamboard and my son and me have build three planes, Bushwalker, Guinea Pig and Sparrow so far and after a lot of repairing we still have 6 sheets left! Only the electronics will cost a bit but they will outlast the planes.

In short: thank you very much for using the plans to make us enjoy this great hoby even more!
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Travos on April 5, 2016
Just wanted to let everyone know, a very good way to get a perfect bevel is to lightly score where the reference line is, just cutting the paper, then use that as a guide while you cut the bevel. even if the foams not perfectly cut, if you let the blade follow the score in the paper you'll still get a perfect line and wont get the wavyness you see even here on Peters cuts. I'll definitely be adding a score line from now on and if you guys could always include that reference line that would be awesome, thanks!
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jordy123 on May 30, 2016
I do that, but I peel the strip of paper off too.
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jordy123 on April 25, 2016
Make a mini version, and I will be the first builder.
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CrashAndBash on July 11, 2016
I am building a scaled down version and I am currently making the wings. I haven't seen any dihedral mentioned. I am still umming & arring about whether to add 3% or leave flat like your plans.

My concern is small scale on whether it will be too twitchy. What do you think?

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Jake3dpilot on July 23, 2016
Amazing plane Peter I love it
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rickitee on November 30, 2016
I have been hearing a lot about how you can fly flitetest planes on a simulator. How do I go about doing this? I have a realflight simulator, basic and never up graded.
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wanabeRCexpert on November 10, 2016
whats a bevel? thank you
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gwlundgren on June 7, 2016
Need more info on the flap servos.
How do you get the servos to start out and stay at an extent? Seems when I power on a plane the servos want to center themselves. Maybe flap servos don’t do that?
Thanks!
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grifflyer on July 28, 2016
you have to assing those servoes to a switch
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albertomellado163 on August 5, 2016
Can i put a 3s 5000mAh? on it.
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grifflyer on August 8, 2016
probaly if you can gett the cg right
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CheeseBall on April 10, 2017
I want to build it and ad lights on it im going to do the lighting like that found on a pa18 Super Cub. Nice plane. I just cant figure out how you lay out the plans and transfer them. Can i just use normal paper or is one paper equal to one sheet of foam board? Looks fun though cant wait to get up and flying!
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manasa on April 10, 2018
I would like to build the bushwhacker plane by my own..can u please send me the measurements..
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KrisB83 on January 30, 2018
I am trying to download the bushwacker build in "tiled" but all I get when I click on the link in service error. Is there any issues with the link?
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Depthcharge on July 2, 2023
I need help. My 86-year-old father is building the Bushwacker. Where can I get a Tile "A" key ?
Thanks much!
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FT Bushwacker - Build