HobbyKing Bixler Mods and Upgrades

So as i bought the Hobbyking Bixler plane (as my first plane ever) i firstly didn't think i was going to do any of the revolutionary modifications and upgrades everyone out there did, because i thought "Hey i'm just a beginner, i don't need those fancy things!" But as i started building this plane, i realized why many of the people who owns this exact plane does those modifications and upgrades, it is the exact same reason i bought the plane in the first place, to be able to fly - even better and without worries (well sort of). I bought the plane as a kit version and therefore also all the electronics separately. This made it a little bit more tricky to put together as a complete newbie for planes. I have done several quadcopters which also can be seen on my webpage, but planes is something completely new for me. So basically what this post is a about is the modifications and upgrades i did to my bixler plane and alternatives to those modifications/upgrades. So basically all the upgrades and modifications i know of will be put together in this one article. And if i missed something or if you have anything to add to this "list" of modifications PLEASE comment and i will add to this article, so we can get a article where you can go to see all upgrades and modifications and not 400 threads/articles with one or two different modifications/upgrades. All right? Lets get started!

Hold the wings together:

Glue them (Standard)

Put velcro on the underside (or top side) of each wing and and piece of velcro on the fuselage that attaches to the wings.

Velcro on the inner edges of the wings where the two wing halves joins together.

A hook on each side of the wing and a rubber band that attaches to those hooks and thereby pushes the wings together.

Strong magnets on the inner edge of the wings so when the wings joins, the magnets holds them together.

Stiffening/ making the plane more strong and durable:

Upgrade the 6mm carbon fiber spar in the wings to a stronger 6 mm carbonfiber spar. Or buy a 4 mm carbon fiber spar/rod and glue it into the existing 6 mm carbon fiber spar.

add a 3 - 4 mm carbon fiber rod in the slid under the fuselage to prevent it from flexing when using the elevator.

Use a 3 - 4 mm carbon fiber rod to strengthen the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.

Add glass fiber tape on the underside of the fuselage to strengthen and protect when landing.

Add glass fiber tape to the front edges of the wings to protect it from tall grass and / or trees.

Cover the nose in glass fiber tape to protect it from a nose dive.

Motor Mount:

Small parts CNC motor mount.

Homemade motor mount (Watch video above of how i did it)

Other:

Bigger propeller. Upgrade to 6*4 E propeller (TGS / APC), if used one of the above modified motor mounts a 7" prop would be possibly to use. (see parts list below)

Upgrade the control horns to some 16*20 mm control horns. (see parts list below)

Pull out washers in the nose by pouring some hot water in the nose of the plane, the hot glue will eventually loosen and the washers can be pulled out. This will make it possible to fit a bigger battery (2200 mAh).

This was all the upgrades i could find and come up with. A parts list is available below for my bixler plane setup.

Parts:

Please use these links to buy.

Plane:
HK warehouse - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=16545&aff=655899
DE warehouse - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=18214&aff=655899


Upgraded Motor (Turnigy D2826/6 2200 kv):
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=12919&aff=655899

New control horns:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=8419&aff=655899

Battery (Zippy flightmax 2.2 Ah 3S 25C):
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=7636&aff=655899

Servos:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=662&aff=655899

ESC:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=18462&aff=655899

Propeller:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=7936&aff=655899