Did the FT Duster build together with my son!

After seeing the FT Duster clip I knew I had to get myself some foamboard and parts and build this one together with my son Tim, who is a big fan of Planes :)

Normally, I am busy building and flying my FPV quadrotor and plane, but the experience of doing this scratch build with my son was just great. We went to buy two foamboards and next to some electronic parts I already had, I ordered a few extra things to get us going. "Dusty" had one short flight but it was really too windy (and still is here in mid autumn) to take it out for a few spins more.

Since the pictures tell more than I can write down, I'd say take a look at them and enjoy them as much as we did while building!

-- Jeroen and Tim

The build plans printed out and arranging them on the foamboards.

Children's glue stick, great for sticking the plans on the foamboards.

Approved by Dusty, let's get cutting!

Tim watching closely at how a power pod is put together.

I ordered a prop & spinner from a Hawker Hurricane at HobbyKing, they match the original one very closely.

Cutting, cutting and more cutting.

Tim enjoys taking pictures too ;)

A tape dispenser and coffee cup seem to be excellent tools for getting the wing dihedral right.

Checking the build video by Josh in the meantime to see how the fuselage is put together.

These white analog servo's from HobbyKing seem to be perfect for the job.

Creating the holes for the wing to pass through.

That looks just perfect :D

It's already starting to look like a real plane!

Had some wide orange tape laying around, it is even re-stickable without tearing the paper cover of the foamboard. This makes it perfect for trying a few times until it is aligned as it should.

Getting close! The landing gear including the tail wheel is the one for the Bixler 1 and 2 planes, it fits this FT Duster like a glove.

The FT Duster is ready! Put some blue masking tape on it and used a waterproof black marker to add some detail. I spray-painted the spinner grey like the real one.

That is one fine looking FT Duster!

A closeup of the cockpit with the distinctive eyes.

Here's the Turnigy 8 channel receiver. Maybe a little overkill, but I had a few spare ones and it does the job.

As you can see, the Bixler landing gear is made for this plane! I reinforced it at the top with a barbecue skewer and hot glue. After the first flight, I'd suggest putting a ziptie around there as well because the glue comes loose easily (it did for me and the wheels flew off!)

The tail wheel. Since it is connected to the rudder, you can even steer on the ground while taxiing :)

The motor is a Turnigy D2826/10 1400 KV outrunner; I think a little too small for this prop. A slightly bigger motor with less KV would fit better, or just use a smaller prop (8" APC or similar).

I used a 25A Turnigy basic ESC. Nothing wrong with that one, works like charm.

Here are the two tail servo's. They actually work great; I also used them for the ailerons.

I had ordered a set of Bixler servo horns, nice and very easy to install since they work like zipties. You basically insert them through a slot that you cut with an X-acto knife and clip on the fixer plate. Cut the excess plastic and use a drop of hot glue while you're at it. 

Closeup of the tail wheel. Also from the Bixler landing gear set; highly recommended!

Job done! My son and I liked the end result very much and all the kids on the playground immediately recognized their hero from the movies :) Waiting for the stormy weather to clear so we can take it up in the air!

Thanks for reading :)

-- Jeroen and Tim