FT Pun Jet Build

by FliteTest | April 15, 2015 | (20) Posted in How To

FTScratchBuild


This is the step by step tutorial for building the FT Pun Jet, the Mighty Mini airplane designed with optional folding wings. 

The FT  Pun Jet  was first featured in our FT Guinea Pig episode (Watch Here). After it's debut in that episode, viewer comments requesting that the swing wing experimental plane become a Speed Build Kit lead us to make it available for you!

FT PUN JET PLANS

The FT Pun Jet is available as a Might Mini Speed Build Kit in our online store HERE!

This foam build kit is made up of just a few foam board peices.

Code named "the cupcake", this 'swing wing' plane went through many changes before its final design.

You can create your own Z-Bends with a pair of Z-Bend Pliers: Available Here!

Peter came up with an easy way to magnetize his screwdriver by placing this Neodymium Ring Magnet around it which helps keep the tiny screw attached when installing servo screws!  

The OLFA 5003 L-1 18mm Ratchet-Lock Heavy-Duty Utility Knife is our new favorite blade.

Designed to offer a servo-operated 'swing wing' but can also be flown as a straight-wing or glider!

Powered by the Maxx - MT1806. (Available in our Mighty Mini Power Pack A)



SPECS

  • WEIGHT: (w/o battery) 4.1 oz (166 g)
  • CG: 7.25 in (184 mm) from nose
  • THROWS: 12° - 16° deflection; 30% expo
  • WINGSPAN: 14.5 in (368 mm)
  • *MOTOR: 2200 kv 250 size motor
  • *PROP: 5 x 4 minimum
  • *ESC: 12 amp minimum
  • *BATTERY: 500 - 800 mAH 
*recommended


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 PUN JET PLANS



STORE LINKS





 



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

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COMMENTS

pintokitkat on April 16, 2015
I find it's easier to push the glue gun along when joining wings and tails to fuselages. That way you push glue into the crack rather than pulling it away, and it has the added advantage of rounding the glue profile with the curve of the glue nozzle. No more burnt fingers or sticky scrap pieces of foam.
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slappySF on April 17, 2015
How critical is it to build it with the folding wing feature? Will it fly just as well without it?
Not sure I would ever use the folding wing, so thinking I would just build it with a solid wing. Any issues with this?

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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on April 17, 2015
You can build it with a folding wing or without one. Not utilizing a folding wing will increase strength, reduce weight, and simplify the build process.
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nebulous on April 18, 2015
Built one. Need calm weather. Please add to Flite Test store.

I don't like gluing in the motor mount with these motors, as this makes them non-removable. I fixed that as follows:
- Make two firewalls, both with tabs (left and right would probably be better, top and bottom is easier to install)
- Drill M3 or 1/8" holes through all tabs, so that the firewalls align.
- Glue and/or tape one to the back of the plane as usual, no motor.
- Mount motor on other firewall.
- Use M3 bolts to hold the two firewalls together.

The drawback is that the weight shifts back a bit, and you add a firewall. The plus is that you can now replace the motor, switch wires or disconnect the ESC for another plane without it being awkward.

A 1000mAH battery fully forward balances it out nice.
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nebulous on April 20, 2015
Well, she ain't a maiden anymore. And required a nose job.
Motor mount held up though.

Not a beginner plane, speaking as a beginner. Going to add some LEDs to the bottom for orientation.
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Fairmont Flyer on April 22, 2015
I attempted to counter the torque with some throttle to aileron mixing, but obviously I need more work with mixing, I also needed a nose job because when I was banking to the right and pulling up at the same time, it just flipped over and I couldn't pull out of it. Would LOVE for Peter to do a mixing episode for this thing. It held up amazingly even though there was an audible *THUD* upon impact and the foam even compressed so much in the nose, I can't move it back. Great design though, just needs some work on mixing to fix the torque.
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Del-Dredd on April 25, 2015
When using a 5 inch prop you should have little to no torque to worry about, definitely no need to mix Throttle to aileron due to it.
Peters build used 0,0 for down and side thrust as stated in video and flew fine.
Maybe yours is not square a needs a little side thrust.

When launching try 1/2 to 2/3 throttle and only go full once flying.
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bmosinski on May 1, 2015
I know you said the CG is on or just aft of the rods that fold the wing. I built mine without folding wings and I don't see it clearly marked on the plans as CG. Peter can you give us a measurement from the leading edge of the wing back along the body. I want to make sure it is right before I chuck it for its maiden. Thanks!
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umairf on May 3, 2015
Hi Guys.
Can i use 1200kv Motor for this ?
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bobby41 on April 16, 2015
Finally, i'm hoing to build it with 3mm depron, seeing how it turns out
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TomcastHD on April 26, 2015
I printed out the plans and went together smoothly. Being my second build, after FT Flyer, it went much better than expected. I am still a beginner and don't think I can handle it yet, hopefully I will try it in the future.
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rallekralle11 on April 16, 2015
sadly i already spent all of my spare money on another plane, so this'll have to wait
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brooti on April 16, 2015
Okay, my first comment here:
I just want to say that this little plane looks great and you guys are doing a great job.
I really like Peter's Designs , and i can't wait for his next great idea.
I just finished my first scratch build on foamboard (FT Delta) , but unfortunately i can't peel the paper off that easily, because here in Germany you can not get DTFB. What can i do to create such smooth bends anyway?
*wave*
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The-One-Who-Never-Crashes on April 17, 2015
You can use poster board or photo paper, or you can take a brush or a spray bottle and saturate the paper that you want to remove.
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TacomaD on April 17, 2015
I have not tried this, but perhaps you could cut several parallel score cuts in the sections you need to bend... similar to kerf bending wood parts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g49H35ie2eQ

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heatvent on August 26, 2015
If you use one of those extendible blades like in the build video, extend it really far and "fllet" the paper off. Just cut as close and straight as you can to the paper and you will leave a bunch of foam still glued to the paper on the other side. Bends just like in the video. I had to do this with the Walmart Ross paper because like yours it doesn't peel off.
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CJGFX on April 17, 2015
Silly question I'm sure but is the EMaxx - MT1806 motor your using on this plane CW or CCW??

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benp101 on April 20, 2015
Hey what thickness foamboard do you use?

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bmosinski on April 16, 2015
Fantastic job Peter you made that build look simply.... I mean easy Josh... lol. What a great design, I should have one done later today. Josh give Peter a few FT t-shirts and bill me. What a great addition to the flIte test team you are Peter. I am excited about the Punjet, but I think more excited
for new plane designs Peter will create for us Flite Test Junkies. Keep up the great work all of you talented people and much success. Flite Test Junkie that sounds like a T-Shirt... wink wink.
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Del-Dredd on April 20, 2015
They use 3/16" (4.5mm) which is thinner and lighter than stuff available outside the US, so depends where you are.

The 5mm stuff I got in UK is actually 5.5 - 5.8mm thick and heavier, so requires adjustment of plans to get slots and folds right. CoG usually needs bigger Motor and battery to achieve due to heavier foam behind the CoG.
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rcflyer729 on April 16, 2015
Thanks cant weight to build but your plans are a mess as usual
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xmimothegreatx on April 23, 2015
PDF IS DAMAGED
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FliteGreg on April 16, 2015
Yes! Thank you guys for releasing this pun project. It seems like my Stryker-180 now has a successor. Good work Peter!
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Del-Dredd on April 17, 2015
Going by the Red prop nut I would say CW (on mine Red is for CW Black for CCW).
It relates to the screw thread in any case not the motor turning direction, brushless motors can run either way.
The CW thread is for use with normal rotation props as the nut would generally stay done up.
Bit of threadlock would prevent it coming lose if rotating in other direction anyway.
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CJGFX on April 17, 2015
Many thanks. I just wanted to check before ordering a motor... Loving this plane...
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heatvent on August 26, 2015
I have a few CCW motors and CCW props left over from a quadcopter I was planning to build. Any chance if you used a CCW motor and CCW prop that would still work? Not sure why rotation of the proper would matter as long as air is blowing the right direction.
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Milliester on April 17, 2015
Hey FliteTest, you guys should throw a discuss launch glider in the air and attach an Estes rocket engine to it. When you throw it, it fires and goes farther into the air. Just like in your Guinea Pig video and your Rocket Glider episode. Great build guys. I might have to get this little jet. Cheers.
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Countrymlb on April 22, 2015
Glad to see the plans and the build. One question,,,,,when Peter is dabbing the CA on the control horn to limit slop,,,,,,he dabs something else on after the CA,,,,what is that?

Thanks
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nebulous on April 24, 2015
Accelerator. It hardens the CA almost instantly. If you don't have it, no biggie, just leave it for 30-second intervals and jiggle it a little over the course of 5-10 minutes (depending on your glue). It actually works really well.
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karl0508 on August 29, 2015
Hi guys

Love this build :)

I would like to do this however would like to change it a little ...... if thats allowed, i would like to do an EDF version :)

Is there a way to get a DXF or Cad file for this???
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slipstream on November 9, 2015
flite test. yet again you have kept me sitting on the edge of my seat with builds. my first was the racer. this has been my second build. and what a little ripper it is. I have made two versions. the first was a standard pun like in the vid minus the fold wing. the second has a fold wing but......ive made the nose pointed. I did make the fuse 10mm wider and lowered the canopy as much as possible. ive also thrown on an old 2200kv motor rewound to around 3000kv, 40A esc, it swings a 5x5 prop on a 1000mah 3s lipo. used a metal gear servo for the wing fold to prevent servo stall and so far so good. the only down fall to date is the flight time at about 3 mins full throttle. thank you a heap for the work you guys do. hope to see more new plans soon. keep up the great work.
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abiranam on December 3, 2015
what if i useTurnigy 1300mAh 2S 20C Lipo Pack

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mearlon on September 25, 2016
Noon here, is CA = clear acrylic? Went to Walmart and got that bit didnt work.
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Spacemonkeykj on March 31, 2016
I have been waiting forever to build the Pun Jet, and now I finally have. It did not disappoint! Peter did an amazing job on the Pun Jet. Thanks Flite Test!
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kaighn80 on May 14, 2017
hi guys, thanks for the build vid and free plan download. its a great simple build. unfortunately im in the uk so getting bits is a little more difficult. having downloaded the plans and built the plane i needed control horns and a bulkhead, being really resourceful (read as cheap!) i modelled them for 3d printing. as the plans are free would you like me to send the files so you can have them on your site for free download?

also could you recommend a budget control set please?
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FT Pun Jet Build