FT Mini Speedster Build (Mighty Minis)

by FliteTest | November 5, 2014 | (25) Posted in How To

FTScratchBuild

If you are looking to scratch build this plane, you can find the plans at the bottom of this article.

Or, if you want to help support and save yourself some time, go ahead and pick up a Speed Build Kit from our store!

Before you build this you will need to assemble your Mini Power Pod, which you can see below. 

Here are all the pieces that create the wing. 

Be sure to use the gauges to get the proper angle of your wing.

The larger dihedral gauge is the most important tool to use when gluing your wing together. Proper dihedral give the Speedster self stabilizing abilities and allows for proper coordinated turns.

If this is your first time building one of our designs you may wonder what this symbol means.

There are two types of folds used to construct our kits, the A-fold and the B-fold.

An A-fold means that the side cheeks are going to rest ontop of the bottom plate.

A B-fold means that the side cheeks are going to rest beside the bottom plate.

An easy way to remember is that an A-fold is "above" and the B-fold is "beside". 

The symbol etched into the fuselage shows that this part of the kit needs a B-fold.

When folding the side cheeks, make sure they are perpendicular. This is another reason why the dihedral gauge is an all-star!

If you don't want to use a razor blade to cut your bevels....

...you can always staple a piece of sandpaper to a wood block to get the same effect, just a bit more messy!

Always check your angles!

When instaling the servos, ALWAYS center them first. It's much easier to do it now then to try and get to them while they are in the fuselage. 

You can get a Servo Tester for less then $10, and trust us, it's worth it. 

Another super handy tool is a pair of Z-Benders. These will crimp a perfect z-bend into your push rods. These are not necessary by any means but do make the bends extremely clean to do it extremely easily. 

Speaking of push rods, we use .039 in (1mm) diameter wire. Get two wires that are 13 in (33 cm) long each, but you will end up cutting them to size. If you pick up a Speed Build Kit these are already included. 

Try to mount your servos as close to the CG (Center of Gravity) as possible while still leaving room for the wing to pass through.

Always test fit before you glue!

Once your wing is in, sight it to make sure it's straight. 

One optional step is to assemble the wheel pants. 

These will not affect the way the plane flies, but boy they are cute! 

The landing gear wire is 15.5 in (40 cm) x .063 in (1.6 mm). Also, already included in the Speed Build Kit

The last step is to install the Mini Power Pod. If you need additional help hooking up the servos correctly, check out our Connecting Electronics article. 

The throw gauge shows you precisely what angle you need to adjust your control surfaces to. The L is for low rates and the H for high. 

All that's left is to check the CG (Center of Gravity). Josh recommends that the plane balances just a touch nose down.

Remember: "A nose heavy plane may fly poorly, but a tail heavy plane flys only once."

If this is your first build then it might also be your first flight. If this is the case, CONGRATULATIONS! We know that your first flight can be intimidating but we are here to help you. We strongly recommend that you check out our First Flight Quick Tips video. It's a great resource for first time pilots and will help to take the edge off that first maiden. 

We hope that you have as much fun with these Mighty Minis as we do!

Be sure to let us know what designs you might want to see shrunk down in the future!

 

 

FREE PLANS

FT Mini Speedster [Tiled Plans]

FT Mini Speedster [Full Plans]

  

RECOMMENDED ELECTRONICS

All In One Electronics Kit: Lazertoyz - FT MINI POWER/ELECTRONICS PACK

MOTOR (Option 1) -  EMAX MT1806 Brushless Motor

MOTOR (Option 2) - RTF Mini Motor X2204 v2 2300KV

4 Servos (Option 1) - Towerpro SG50 5g Micro Servo

4 Servos (Option 2) - HXT500 6.2g / 0.6kg / .08sec Micro Servo

ESC (Option 1) - Dynam - Dectrum 12Amp ESC w/ 3A BEC

ESC (Option 2) - Suppo 10A Brushless ESC

Battery (Option 1) - Turnigy nano-tech 460mah 2S 25~40C Lipo Pack

Battery (Option 2) - Turnigy nano-tech 460mah 3S 25~40C Lipo Pack

Battery (Option 3) - Turnigy 800mAh 2S 20C Long Lipo Pack

Prop (Option 1) - Direct Drive HQ Prop - 6x3 Black

Prop (Option 2) - Direct Drive HQ Prop - 6x4.5 - Black

COMMENTS

jrvalentin62 on November 5, 2014
This is going to be great for my Godson and I. He's in the fifth grade and I teach at his school this year. So we'll be flying in the gym this winter. Hope to get the Principle involved. Hmmm, Club maybe?
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Yogenh on November 5, 2014
I really think this is a great one to start the little ones easy to make and not much money!!!

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Miracle Air on November 5, 2014
Is there going to be a separate video for the Scout?
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j4ck4 on November 5, 2014
Love these, are the plans available for the Scout yet? I looked but didn't find them.

Jack
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j4ck4 on November 6, 2014
Got it, showing now. Thanks Josh.

jack
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SP0NZ on November 5, 2014
Ordered both SBKs on Monday, but I can't wait that long to start with these so I downloaded the plans and I'm starting to scratch build the Mini Scout tonight. Is there going to be a separate build video for the Scout?

Can't wait to fly these indoors.
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91shadowrider on November 5, 2014
What is the white plane hanging in the left behind Josh?
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jrbemis on November 6, 2014
Great production. Good job on design.
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thenated0g on November 6, 2014
Awesome already have them ordered. Would be nice if you also posted some profile pic to practice paint schemes
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RMS on November 6, 2014
You should really consider making both of the minis into biplanes. Shorter chord and wingspan on bottom wing, shorter chord on top wing. Dihedral on bottom wing (no polyhedral). Please do it!!
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Anand on November 8, 2014
why are there 4 servo's needed? (shopping list) ;)

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nizzamms on November 9, 2014
maybe for another mighty minis ...each plane is different flying style because wing shape..
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nizzamms on November 9, 2014
i already done build one with el cheapo ZMR@RCX 1804 motor with Afro ESC 12amp and 5x3 prop ..here my video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgUjmLwqM0s
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tophe75 on November 9, 2014
For thoes of you with a 3D printer: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:535811 control horns and firewall
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Allen2688 on November 10, 2014
Just printed mine, Works great thanks for the awesome part!

Do you mind if I print these for other people?
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tophe75 on November 10, 2014
Not at all
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Kevinjt4 on November 18, 2014
What % of fill did yo use when printing?
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vrabac on November 9, 2014
What motor from Hobbyking could be resonable alternative?
I've had to assemble Mini Scout. Now I'm looking for electronics.
Thanks.
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Bellows on November 11, 2014
I like the wheel pants. They also look like a good start toward skis for this winter.
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flyer135 on November 13, 2014
hey guys, I need some tips on that thrust angle, it kind of tips to the side and only turns the way of the thrust angle. can I make it without the thrust angle or am I missing something. If you could tell me something that would be helpful

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Bellows on November 17, 2014
Hi, I just maidened mine yesterday. My first 2 attempts resulted in nose dive and fast turns to the left (opposite thrust angle). I added some right turn to the rudder (via trim on radio), rechecked my COG and tried it again. It flew very nicely after that. I only flew for a couple of minutes because I wanted to quit while I was ahead and had broken a couple of pieces of the fuselage near the trailing edge of the wing. I am just saying that maybe you can trim the problem away. It made a huge difference on mine. BTW, I made this one as light as possible by removing all of the paper except on top of the wing. With a 260 mAh 2S it only weighs 120 grams. Also make sure your wing is straight.
LooseBruce
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flyer135 on November 17, 2014
I trimmed it and trimmed it and it still won't go straight, I tried straightening things out and it still wont fly straight, I'm going to made the powerpod so that the motor is at a straight angle, and if it flies weird I'm just gonna buy the speed build because my dad made a few parts by just eyeballing them so I don't know how straight things are, and I'm using a 5 in. prop and a racing quad motor, not sure what the voltage is or anything since I used parts I already had but I don't know that that has anything to do with it, so I will try fixing it till it dies.
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Caleb73 on March 21, 2015
what receiver/radio should I use on this model
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hipeoples on November 28, 2014
which way does the motor spin if it spins clockwise the thrust angle will be counter productive. being that its from a quad this may be the case and its an easy fix just switch two wires.

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Kevinjt4 on November 18, 2014
Does it matter what thread type i get when buying a motor? If the prop is to spin CCW, then I would guess that the threads for the spinner should ALSO be CCW as if to continue any tightening while spinning? The EMAX 1804 has both CCW and CW and I want to make sure.
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donald.sayers on February 23, 2015
This confused me no end.

The motor must go in the correct direction, the mini power pod has a thrust angle built into it to account for the rotating propwash hitting the rudder and causing yaw. So the motor has to go the right way.

You need a motor that rotates counter clockwise viewed from the front, with a normal clockwise thread, that as you say self tightens. the Emax 1804 is sold in CW and CCW types the CW or CCW refers to the direction of the thread. Buy a CW type.
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dflash on December 11, 2014
Thank for such an entertaining and educational show and forum. I just finished by first scratch-build. With Josh's instructions I was able to put it together without a hitch.
Completed work can be seen here: http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?14271-First-Built!-Mighty-Mini-Speedster&referrerid=16409
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GerengG on January 8, 2015
Hi, I just made the kit of the Mini speedster and now I am planning on buying the electronics.
I found this motor at a great price. Is it ok to use with this kit
http://www.banggood.com/DYS-BE1806-2300KV-Brushless-Motor-2-3S-for-Mini-Multicopters-p-933192.html
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jethrotull on January 15, 2015
What is the thickness of the foam used? I haven't found this information on the plans or in the build video.
Also, what is the sheet size needed?
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seppilin on January 22, 2015
What do folks think about adding an extra servo and having elevons? Question is where to put the rudder servo . . . not a lot of space near the CG
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donald.sayers on February 23, 2015
Under the turtle deck?
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Goose on January 27, 2015
This is my first build and the first time flighing a plane, I have a mode 1 radio, right side throttle, is the left stick rudder and elevator??
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prof.Doughnut on February 24, 2015
I think so
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prof.Doughnut on February 24, 2015
I use mode 2 but this is also my first plane
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donald.sayers on February 23, 2015
I found sticking the servos down inside the fuselage very fiddly, eventually I had to stagger them fore and aft and even then, one ended up in the wrong place. It would have taken a lot of trim to get it to fly straight. A small 6" metal ruler once heated over a lighter melted the hot glue and could be slowly forced behind the servo, allowing me to reposition the servo. Twice.
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prof.Doughnut on February 24, 2015
The number 1 tool needed to build this plane is burn cream
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Caleb73 on March 21, 2015
What radio/receiver should I use,and will the dx5 work
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Caleb73 on March 25, 2015
Does anybody actually respond on these?
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Nose Dive on November 2, 2015
Go to the forum, thats a better place to ask questions and discuss stuff.
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royw on April 1, 2015
Hi I use a DX5e with several of the minis and it works great.You might have to reverse the aileron setting on the tx. Also on the aileron the space where it passes thru the rudder is thin and doesn't transfer both sides equally. I bent a thin piece of wire into a "U" and stuck the legs into the foam between the papers the hinge joint. One leg on each side of the rudder. Hope that helps and is understandable.
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Garreta234 on May 21, 2015
This was my first build but it never flew. Now here is some nickles worth of free advise; be very careful when sliding the wing thru.Ended up building the ft mini scout because it has a much stronger fuse.

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RedheadBarron on September 12, 2015
We need a MINI-FT RACER!!! That would be AWESOME!!!
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ShaydiFox on October 4, 2015
What is the trapezoid piece cut off the turtle deck used for? I have watched the build video over and over and see it sitting on the table but never used.
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salikhan234 on January 12, 2016
Yeah I noticed that to. It seems that it isn't used at all and is just scrap.... :\
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noresponse on October 17, 2016
I think it is the windscreen. Color it with marker, fold it so you have 2 triangles on the edges and a rectangle in the middle. Glue or tape in front of the cockpit opening to give the appearance of a windshield. Yeah, it is missing from the build video and photos.
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salikhan234 on January 12, 2016
So this build requires 2 servos (rudder and elevator), but the recommended electronics give 4 servos? Can someone explain please?
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Traveler67 on April 5, 2016
That's so you can scratch build another airplane, if you want to. At least that's my understanding of Josh Bixler's explanation in another build video.

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AyoobTheBuilder on April 10, 2016
HELP!..Do I need a 6 channel transmitter and receiver or a 5 transmitter and receiver?..


Plz reply, thank you :D
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Travos on April 15, 2016
You can use a 4ch, its a 3ch plane so anything above 3ch will work.
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CanadianCadet742 on October 4, 2016
Could this plane fly with the electronics off a Horizon Hobby UMX plane such as the Champ?

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noresponse on October 17, 2016
The Champ electronics have an integrated receiver/speed controller/servo board, so you would have to change the rudder and elevator linkages. The speed controller is designed for a brushed motor, so you would also have to take the motor from the Champ or one of the other brushed UMX's. The Champ motor is likely to be under powered, but if you have one you may as well try it out. Good Luck!
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larrychambless12 on July 15, 2017
Can you check the printing I only could get 4-8 on my printer. That was with the tile plans.
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SantaCruzV10Rider on February 21, 2018
Has anyone else had any problems ordering power pack A from Lazertoyz? I placed my order and had problems and tried to contact them way over a month ago and I've yet to get any kind of response. I think this will be the last purchase I make with them.
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darby01 on January 15, 2019
What kind of flight controller and receiver do you recommend?
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jeffb1 on June 26, 2021
What is the wing span? All printer are not the same. Would like to know what the demotions are for all. These looks like it would be fun to do with my grandson if i can get the demotions that for the parts on the tiles
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FT Mini Speedster Build (Mighty Minis)