Specter V2 Wing Build Video

by spencer | April 12, 2013 | (17) Posted in Projects

I've had a lot of requests for more information on how I built the wing for my version of the Specter V2 by IBCrazy.  This is my first attempt at a build video, and I don't explain much, but I hope this helps.  I've also uploaded an image with all the dimensions I used for the 40" version of the wing.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the plane and it's design, you can find a great thread in the fpvlabs forum.

http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php?2769-Specter-V2-My-best-FPV-plane-yet&highlight=specter

The wing design using the foam board technique is by Experimental Airlines.  You can research more on his work on his youtube channel.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ExperimentalAirlines

The foam spar I used was 20x3/4" with an 8" double thick section.  The connecting spar is 12" long and is placed ahead of the main spars.  Both wings are thoroughly covered in hot glue before joining.

 

 

 

Here are the dimension for the tail section.  I will adding video once I finish this build.

 

This is the fuselage dimensions.

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

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COMMENTS

Jaxx on April 12, 2013
Awesome! I've been waiting for this. Thanks Spencer!
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jupakos79 on April 12, 2013
I might have to build this one too.
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Ebuzz on April 12, 2013
hi nice like to build one is the a full plan ? pdf
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spencer on April 12, 2013
I don't do printable plans. When I build a plane, I like to use referrance points and draw straight lines. I will be finishing the build video for the rest of the plane shortly.
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Jaxx on April 12, 2013
Spencer,
Could you check the measurements on the image again. Should the 6 3/4" and 5 3/4" measurements be reversed? Thanks
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spencer on April 12, 2013
Nice catch... it was a late night, haha. It's been updated and should have correct dimensions now.
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Orcoz on April 12, 2013
Great job on the video! Looking forward to this, thanks Spencer
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mipi on April 13, 2013
Did you use any additional support between wing parts (like wooden boom)? I'm afraid the wing might collapse with sharper turns.
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spencer on April 15, 2013
Just foam on this one. I've put the bigger one through some paces and it has worked fine (and it has smaller spars), although it wouldn't be a bad idea. If you're hard on your planes or do some heavy yank and banks, I would say, add a spar.
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Carmatious on April 13, 2013
Okay, I give up how on Earth did you not made a mess cutting that board? And where did you purchase the Xacto knife cause its not on HobbyKing...
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spencer on April 15, 2013
It was purchased on hobbyking actually.

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9332__X_BLADE_Precision_knife_with_replaceable_SK_5_blade.html

Thanks for the comment. This wing design doesn't create much scrap, the rest of the plane makes up for it though.
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Phantom65 on April 16, 2013
Great job! I am building a swapable version too. I haven't decided on what airfoil to use yet KFm2, KFm3 or EA's. I think I'll try all three. I am using the Specter smaller version(36") to learn 3D solid modeling software and computational fluid dynamics just for personal development. It will also incorporate the power pod. Looking forward to the Tail section vid! Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing this with us!
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spencer on April 16, 2013
Thanks for the input! Hoping to get the tail section video up tonight. I've got it recorded. I just need to compile it like the last one.
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Dexy on April 21, 2013
Hi. This is a great build. Well done. How does the fuselage come together. I am missing something
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spencer on April 22, 2013
I'll be posting more pictures of how the fuse comes together, as well as a short video of the build proccess. It's quite simple once you see it.
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peacefulhill on April 25, 2013
Thanks for the plans for this nice looking plane! I had a go at building one of the wings last night, and i had one issue that made me wondering about the dimensions. There is a 1.5" difference between the upper and lower part of the wing which in my case 1.75" flat surface behind the airfoil. That seems to me quite large, and in your video it looks smaller. Also on the larger version there is only a 1" difference. Am I missing something? Can you please clarify? Thanks again, the fast forward videos are really helpful!
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spencer on April 25, 2013
I will double check those meassurements. Thanks for pointing that out. I let you know as soon as I look at it.
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spencer on April 29, 2013
Looks like you are right. There should only be an inch difference between the top and bottom half of the wing. By the time it rolls over it should leaving room for a 1" aileron, with about a .25" gap between the hinge joint and the top wing half. Sorry, I will update the plans tonight.
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Meerkat on May 15, 2013
thanx for the tip

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Kamu on December 24, 2013
You build your wings slightly differently to the ExperimentalAirlines way. You bevel and crease where as the Armin videos make no mention of this step. Any reasons behind it?

Thanks for your plans and videos, I am making one at the moment.
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spencer on December 24, 2013
I mixed the two styles of wings between the at Josh Bixler builds and Ed at EA. I find the score and food a little easier to build. I imagine EA's design is a little more efficient though. I've lived my specter, I've built five if them now. They have all flown great. And I've built the wings both ways.
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scottavey on February 3, 2014
Pardon me if I missed it somewhere else.... But how much did you have to trim off the wings to get the amount of forward sweep you wanted. From the plans you supplied, the wings will be completely in line (parallel) with no forward sweep. Did you just eye ball and repeat?
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spencer on February 5, 2014
I measured on my board about 1-1.25" back as used that as a reference. I then, as seen in the video, swept the winge back and put wind haning off the board (make sure the board is square) and marked and cut. Pay close attention at the video starting at 3:45. Should have taken picture, but i didn't.
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wolfpackt99 on February 19, 2014
so is the fuse for the 40" and the 48" the same size? I see IBCrazy on FPVLabs mentioning that the fuse is 24 inches. I am bulding a 48 but only found one size fuse mentioned. I did build this to accept the power-pod and have already built the tail, wings, and fuse. About to install the booms. Couldn't find cheap graphite so for now have wooden dowels or aluminum rod. decisions.... Also build the wing with 2'6". Oops. cut them down to size. hopefully it will still fly.
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spencer on February 19, 2014
The fuse was designed for the smaller wing, but can be adapted for the 48". You may just want to make it a little longer to accommodate the more battery and to get the cg right. Mine sticks out 12" from the front of the wing, and with my camera and a 3300 3s, it balances out just right.
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wolfpackt99 on February 27, 2014
I ended up rebuilding the wing and the tail to be the 40" variety. Everything is setup. I see that you have 1" ailerons how long are they and were do they start from. I cut mine already guesing from various photos. Just wondering. Same thing for the tail. Hoping she will track straight otherwise rudders? Where is the CG supposed to be. Maiden will be today.
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spencer on February 27, 2014
I beleive I made the ailerons about 8-10" long. As far as CG, it should be 1" from the leading edge at the fuse. Keep in mind, if the CG is too tail heavy, it will be very likely to tip stall, and is very hard to recover. If anything, make it nose heavy. I've flown it as far aft as on the leading edge at the fuse.
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wolfpackt99 on February 28, 2014
man it was windy out there yesterday. Went fairly well. the glue came off on one of the spars to the tail. May have to build bigger ailerons. I think mine are 6. at first she seemed too sensitive. so i dialed back the rate a bit. then had hard time to turn right. Will try again soon. CG was set to about inch in. I have "The Beef" and a 2000 3S in there now. Seemed quite powerful.
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serv@ on March 11, 2014
1'8''=??? cm
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spencer on March 11, 2014
50.8cm, if you google "unit converter" there is a nice built in unit converter to show you what you need.
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fmasso on June 30, 2014
Hi

which is the angle of swept forward wing?

Regards from Venezuela
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spencer on July 18, 2014
Pay close attention at 3:50. I just use a square and measure back 3/4-1" back from leading edge.
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HeliGuy101 on August 20, 2014
What is the all up weight with fpv gear? What motor did you use? Great job!
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spencer on August 20, 2014
The 40" version can be flown with something as small as a blue wonder style motor, with a small battery and no fpv. My 48" was much heavier (not sure on AUW), but ran a 480 turnigy w/ a 30amp and 3300 3s. I've moved all of my FPV stuff over to my new plane that is a FPV rendition of the Simple Soarer. I call it the FPV Soarer. I've got some info on it in the FT Forum.
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HeliGuy101 on August 20, 2014
Would this work? It is what I had laying around. http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLM1500
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spencer on August 20, 2014
Using one with almost the exact same specs, only from HK. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19037__Turnigy_Park480_Brushless_Outrunner_850kv.html
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HeliGuy101 on August 24, 2014
What prop do you reccomend?

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spencer on August 24, 2014
I used an 8x3.8 on mine, running a blue wonder style motor on 3s.
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HeliGuy101 on August 25, 2014
Thanks, I can't wait to build!
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nickschaos81 on October 10, 2014
Hey Spencer is there a chance I could get you to help my compile your build here. It seems a bit scattered to me and I'm worried that I might be mixing measurements between the two planes. Plus I would really like to maybe do a step by step build video for you (bixler style). Let me know if you can help and if your okay with that. Also wondering if there have been any updates to these plans and if so where do I find those. Hey thanks for the awesome build and to all the people that make DTFB planes what they are
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spencer on October 13, 2014
I have no problem with that at all. Which one will you be doing a write up on. I will get you all the files. I'm not the kinda guy that likes talking to video, so would love to see this put together. I'm sure other would as well.
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nickschaos81 on October 27, 2014
Hey Spencer. I went ahead and started messing with your plans and also managed to have the ability to get the new plans that are almost finished laser cut :). I have made a few small modifications to make assembly easier. Granted It is not as fun as the ruler and exacto approach like in your video's , but i think it will be really cool to have this bird laser cut. I would love to talk more about design changes that me and my small group are thinking of. So if you would like to correspond more Nickschaos81@gmail.com . Thanks again spencer for the inspiration.
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nickschaos81 on October 14, 2014
I would like to do one on the 40 inch one. I would also like to make a pdf version , i have access to a laser cutter and want to see how well that works. I'm wanting to compile everything so that it can all be found in one place. How do you want me to get the files? Dropbox? Email? Up to you man, and again thank you for the foam conversion on ibcrazys design. Awesome plane
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john2030 on June 5, 2015
Just a quick word to let you guys know this info is still doing work for you. Built this and it's one of my favorite aircraft to fly. Building another as I made some minor errors on the first and I'm likely going to beat it up as I attempt FPV for the first time. Thanks guys.
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Specter V2 Wing Build Video