New FT3D scratch build - Vinyl Covering & Tips

by Ballsy | July 24, 2013 | (8) Posted in Just Fun

Just thought I'd share my second swoppable build - the new FT3D.  The maiden was fairly uneventful and it flew great.  Actually so good that I ran my first battery down to 1% (oopps).  Rolls are very quick and it knife edges like a dream! 

My setup is as follows:

  • EMax GT 2218-09 1100KV
  • 10x4.7 APC SF Prop
  • 3s 2200ma Gens Ace Battery (Going to try a 1300ma next, but had lots of power and could go vertical with ease on the 2200)
  • 30A Turnigy Plush ESC
  • 4x Hextronic 9g servos

I used a couple tips I found in the forum as well as some of my own.  Thought it would be good to put it down in one place others attempting this build.

TIP 1

Reinforce the elevator with popsicle stick or thin ply.

TIP 2

Reinforce the area where the landing gear is attached.  Double up the foamboard and use a generous amount of hot glue.

TIP 3

I used a 5mm plywood spar instead of balsa. The other thing I battled to find was the length of the spar.  I used 10 inches and it fitted perfectly. I also battled to get the power pod on top of the spar so had to remove the top piece of foamboard.

TIP 4

I recycled a plastic ice cream container/tub instead of cardboard for the canopy, wing tips and vortex generators.  The plastic is hardier and water resistant. Being winter in the South Africa at the moment things are pretty damp at the flying field.

TIP 5

That leads me to the next tip.  Treat you foamboard with polyurethane before you start building.  It works really well to seal the paper and wicks away water very nicely.

TIP 6

Use vinyl or packaging tape for colour.  I used vinyl on mine but have used packaging tape on other aircraft in my fleet.  I actually used "fake" black carbon vinyl which came out really nice.  I got all my vinyl from a local signage shop who gave me all the their off cuts for free.

TIP 7

Make top and botton schemes very different in color and shape.  I used a high contrast checkered scheme on the bottom and bright colour on the top.  This helps when you are performing rolls.

 

 

 

COMMENTS

Skipp2Maloo on July 31, 2013
Nice color scheme!
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Ballsy on July 31, 2013
Thanks :)
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Dub on August 1, 2013
Thanks for the quick reply Ballsy. I am here in Bloemfontein so it is going to be a problem getting it from CT. I've got some 6 mm depron sheets. Can I use it to build the FT3D?
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Ballsy on August 1, 2013
Yip 6mm depron will work. Use colour packtape or vinyl to help strengthen the depron. Just adapt the plans for the 6mm. I mentioned it here in the FT forum http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?3661-FT-3D-Scratch-Build&p=56548&viewfull=1#post56548
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Grandpa on August 20, 2013
Greetings, Ballsy and Dub - I'm in Kimberley, and have just got plans for the FT3D - going to build it with my grandson - just need foamboard or Depron - Dub, where did you get yours - I got prices from Aerial Concepts in Jhb, but it pays to shop around - Ballsy, thanks for the advice - we'll talk again.........
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Dub on August 1, 2013
Nice looking plane Ballsy! Where did you get foam board here in SA to build this plane?

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Ballsy on August 1, 2013
Hobby Mania is the cheapest, but that's only if you're in Cape Town. R72 per sheethttp://hobbymania.co.za/foamboard-5mm. Otherwise Deckle Edge and any art shop but they tend to be double the price.
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lracnolip on August 22, 2013
Nice build. I like the vinyl decals and ice cream lid idea. Question about using min wax before the build, did you have trouble using hot glue?
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Ballsy on August 23, 2013
Thanks. I only min waxed the one side of the fuz and wings. The tail I min waxed both sides and had no issues with hot glue not sticking. Only issue I found was that hot glue doesnt stick to the ice cream lid wing tips. Use double sided tape instead :)
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Hansi on August 1, 2013
Nice build Ballsy! I just noticed the vortex generators are on backwards, as compared to FT. Check into it if it actually makes a performance difference.
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Ballsy on August 5, 2013
Tested this yesterday and it actually did make a difference. It flew much better with them the correct way round (ie. the FT has them).
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Ballsy on August 1, 2013
Haha thanks for picking that up. Thankfully I didnt glue them in. Will test on Sunday and see if it makes a difference.
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New FT3D scratch build - Vinyl Covering & Tips