Derek_S Skywalker Build Thread

[Derek_S]

Here is my build so far. Stealing ideas from all sorts of folks here and on RCG.

1st thing I did was paint it. I couldnt resist!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0031.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0030.jpg

Gorilla glue in the tail support. I moved mine forward a little so it als is the tube for the tail servo wires.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0041.jpg

Improved the motor mount a little, thanks Scrape.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0042.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0044.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0045.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0003.jpg

Strengthened the vert stab a little.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0046.jpg

Servo mounts.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0047.jpg

Ready to seal up. I think...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0004.jpg

Sealed! Not too hard. I used thick CA and accelerator.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0006.jpg

I went ahead and added 4mm hollow CF spars to the existing ones to just incase.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0049.jpg

Cut some extra holes for wires and stuff.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0011.jpg

Cutting the wings at the saddle area. Similar to Sander's build. I like this idea.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0007.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0008.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0009.jpg

Mocked up. Thats enough for tonight. I hope to be maiden ready in a week or 2.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0016.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0015.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0013.jpg

[Derek_S]

More progress:

The routed hinges in the tail were just too inflexible, so I replaced them with floppy disk hinges. These are much better and strong. I almost just used tape, but I think this is lighter.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_00012.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0002.jpg

The TLRS LR Rx came in, so I installed it. I used Boopidoo's 'Drunken Rabbit' polarization scheme (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16610751&postcount=6455)for long range.
Notice I also cut the hatch at an angle on the sides. This helps it seat well, and it wont fall in!
The BEC, DOSD, and LC filter will go here in this area too.

I put the RX here as it puts it basically in between the VTX antenna (near tail) and the GOPRO (nose). I hope this is a decent distance.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_00062.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0005.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_00032.jpg

[Derek_S]

Reserved 2

[Derek_S]

Last one to be reserved.

[recep]

Like the colors and neat built

[Avenger GBU-1H]

Nice work. I like the motor mount idea. Gonna do something similar to that on my next revision.....

[Derek_S]

Scrape did that on RCG.

Thanks guys! More to come.

[Badlands]

Love the fluorescent green colours Derek, gonaa watch this one as its on my wanted list.

[Derek_S]

Bump for a little progress. Really waiting on some servo extensions then the wings can be mounted. Once I go and get bolts motor can go on, and the ESC is in the mail. I could use one I have on hand, however if everything else is ready before it is here.

Still trying to decided on flaps. I kinda dont want them, but It will be hard to do them later! I may pre-wire them, as removing wires is easier than routing them. I will fly it without flaps 1st, then decide.

[arch001]

Paint job looks awesome. I may have to steal your design and try it in emergency-red-orange.. I guess you'll be asking for royalties. :) Also, it's nice to see another Lebbeus Woods fan. I wonder how an rc-rig built by him would look?

[SENTRY]

I hate you. Give me my plane back. I gave you the wrong one, MINE is the one that you have ... and YOURS is the one in the box in my garage. Simple mistake. We can switch them out in a few days (after your maiden).

[Derek_S]

Paint job looks awesome. I may have to steal your design and try it in emergency-red-orange.. I guess you'll be asking for royalties. :) Also, it's nice to see another Lebbeus Woods fan. I wonder how an rc-rig built by him would look?

he's already done them earlier in his career...but they might have actually been control line now that I look closely.
http://66.162.125.229/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=293&d=1299880503
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[Derek_S]

I actually may add some flourescent orange to mine as well, maybe at the wing tips. I really like it bright so I can find it if needed!

[arch001]

he's already done them earlier in his career...but they might have actually been control line now that I look closely.]

Haha, well if you hadn't showed me I never would have believed it. By the way, I think the orange wingtips will make it look even better.

[Derek_S]

You an arch student? I am at a state university here in the USA. I like it ok, but have much more interest in mechanical engineering feats! i will be graduating in 1 more year with a 5 year degree... :)

By the way I am using the project in my avatar as a bit of a precedent in my design of a battered/homeless womens' recovery clinic. I plan to adaptively reuse a near-historic, abandoned mediacal building and use soe Lebbeus style to make it pop.

http://66.162.125.229/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294&d=1299882153

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[arch001]

Well, it's a small world. Yup, I'm also an arch-student. I'm working on my thesis project and will be done with my 5-year masters degree in june.

Sounds like an interesting project you've got there, but also difficult. The polarity between the crude industrial style of lebbeus and the need for a rehabilitating environment could become very interesting if done in the right balance.

Your idea makes me think of some reference building that you've probably seen;

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The Nuremburg Documentation Centre
Very Lebbeus-like. Adding a parasitic structure to an existing building.

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Herzog & De Meurons CaixaForum
Also a parasitic structure on an existing building.

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Centre for Contemporary Culture in a Former Slaughterhouse, Madrid by Arturo Franco and Fabrice van Teslar

New interiors in an old slaughterhouse. They have really made an interesting environment by tearing everything down leaving only the bare minimum. More info can be found in Detail-Magazine Jan-Feb 2010.


My thesis project is building a quarry museum in norway. I'm far from finished but here are a couple of early test renderings..

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It's a really beautiful location so I'm kinda in a hurry to get my Y6 trimmed out so I can bring it when I go there.

[Derek_S]

Thanks a ton for the references. I will look at the closer, I dont think I am familiar with any of them.

BTW! Some parts I desperately needed came in! Now I can continue the build

[arch001]

Good luck and I look forward to seeing more of your build. Don't be surprised if you see another skywalker with a very similar paint job sometime in the future. :)

[Derek_S]

Ok, so of course as indicated by other SW builders, the SW is very nose heavy despite my efforts to avoid this.

There is 2 easy solutions
1. Put more weight in the nose.
2. Extend the nose.

I am seriously considering #2 in order to keep this bird ultralight (comparatively at least). Crist did it in this thread post (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15470942&postcount=1255) and it looks quite awesome.

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[GoldCraft]

Nice work derek....you and sentry need to get up to the dustbowl and fly with me some time!

[SENTRY]

I'll be ready this weekend if the weather permits. :) I think my spot is much better than there... but we'll have time to launch from different places this spring / summer. :)

[GoldCraft]

Hey ....Im all for flying in different places.....Ive got a few cool places in mind.

[Derek_S]

I am ready :) I really like your bridge idea. Have any in mind?

[GoldCraft]

Ive got a couple of bigger objects in mind;)

[airbagit13]

Looks great man, the paint looks fantastic.

[Derek_S]

Ive got a couple of bigger objects in mind;)


Like what? Are tehy secrets? I think it would be cool to plan a little trip to visit some structures to video. Especially abandoned ones.


Looks great man, the paint looks fantastic.

Thanks. Sometimies simple is better. So I kept it simple. The idea is teh belly is left white so the strapping tape will stick well and not stick out too badly.

[Derek_S]

I decided to extend the nose a bit. I may shoot for about 4", as Crist did. I decided to do it behind the canopy as I think it will more 'stock' and cooler.
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[Derek_S]

Basically, I will use the CAD template to create hotwire guides to cut the extension. It will be 2 layers of 2" Pink EPS foam, and I will use several coats of paint to get it white, I think..

It would be a good time to ad landing gear mounts incase I wanted them in the future....:confused::confused::confused:

I think I will, it won't add much weight. Just a plywood plate for gear to bolt to later.

Actually, it is a perfect time for that...
368

[airbagit13]

Landing gear for sure.

That is going to be one fat "L" in FPVLab

[Derek_S]

yes it is!

Here is the nose extension. It now balances with the 5000mah pack, and that is before landing gear and camera, which will also add nose weight. It should be fine now. Looks a little funny, though. I think once I repaint it green it will tie it back together. Still dont know how to fix the FPVLAB. It will nver sand off... Gotta think a little more.

As soon as I install the ESC and wing servos it is ready for 3rd person maiden.
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[Avenger GBU-1H]

Nice work! Really want to see how that will fly.

[Derek_S]

It shold fly very light! I bet/hope AUW will be about 3-3.5 lbs. I might get to finish it for 3rd person maiden tonight... Almost there.

[Moose]

I extended the nose by 3". Was going to do internal reinforcing with thin ply but opted for an external layer of fiberglass with an extra layer on the bottom for landings.

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[Derek_S]

Wow, very nice! I wish I had that fiberglass layer like yours.

Its funny, you extended yours exactly as I did. Cut in the same place and all. I even used pink foam, but it of course was coated in a later of 1mm white depron in the pics.

I think I may actually do like you and glass mine in that area.

[Sgt. Schultz]

Nice work guys, great thread. Like how the green stands out and good ideal on leaving the bottom alone so tape will stick. I like the fiberglass deal too. Good luck with the maiden

[Moose]

It just made more sense to me to make the cut there- it gives you a larger adhesion area, larger bay and you can still use the original cockpit deck.
btw- I like the landing gear idea.

[Derek_S]

How did you make that fiberglass cover? I racked my brain last night and couldnt figure out how to do it easily

[Derek_S]

Well here it is ready for standard maiden. Paint touchups and stuff will come later.

I am a little concerned at how flimsey the tail is. I am not sure how this will affect flight.

AUW 3 lbs 7oz with 2 x 2200mah 3s batteries (NO FPV gear).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0008-1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0007-1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0006-1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0004-1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/corvettecris/Skywalker/DSC_0003-1.jpg

[Moose]

Thought I had some pics when I was doing the actual glassing but guess I don't. Did find a few more tho.
I used PressNSeal to cover the fuse sides before glassing. Although it worked it made it a b*tch to remove the glass- the glass sticks to the pressnseal which sticks to the foam fuse. Tried using compressed air, that didn't work. Finally just used a long thin blade to work it off. In retrospect I should have tried rubbing some talc on to act as a release agent.
I made a slightly smaller plug so I could pull the glass around the edge and pinned the glass to it. Need to wear latex gloves so you can work the glass into some areas as its curing. Takes a lot of time and patience.
You really need to do this before joining the halves so you can trim it to shape. Really don't know how it could be done afterwards. 405406407408

[Derek_S]

Your build looks really nice. If it werent such a trouble, I think the glass shroud would be a marketable product!

[Derek_S]

Maidened her yesterday. She flew ok, but needs some stiffening of the tail I think.

[Moose]

I saw your post on RCG yesterday and was wondering how your maiden went. How did the landing gear work? I like how you did it.

[filipinto]

Maidened her yesterday. She flew ok, but needs some stiffening of the tail I think.

You can do this.
Light no wind drag and easy to mount and dismount
436

[Derek_S]

That looks really good and I may do it, but i also need to stiffen the boom. It really is the bigges concern for me, as it doesnt resist torsional stress very well...

[Moose]

Good idea for stiffening the tail- only thing I'd change is push rods vs wire.

[filipinto]

That looks really good and I may do it, but i also need to stiffen the boom. It really is the bigges concern for me, as it doesnt resist torsional stress very well...

Thanks.

Did you glued both sides of the carbon tube?

For stiffening the boom you could do the same i did in my EZ, it worked very well.
I dont know if have the tail servo wires going trough the carbon tube?! if not you could make a few holes side to side, slide in carbon rods with some CA. It worked for me!

You can find where is the tube by using a needle
sorry i dont have any pictures here but made this drawing.437http://fpvlab.com/forums/images/misc/pencil.png

[Derek_S]

I did glue both sides...

That looks great, but I did run the servo wires through the carbon.

I think I will just try wrapping it in bi-directional tape 1st and see what happens.

[arch001]

Build seems to be going great! Does she fly like you want her to yet?

Some questions about your build: How small can your plane be made for transportation?
Can the wing be detached into two pieces or is it permanently glued on?

[Meez]

Now i hate to look at my Skywalker................:rolleyes:

[adamchicago]

Here one of my favorites so far...a little somber, but good;)


http://www.vimeo.com/24961942

[Derek_S]

Build seems to be going great! Does she fly like you want her to yet?

Some questions about your build: How small can your plane be made for transportation?
Can the wing be detached into two pieces or is it permanently glued on?

No, it flew like poo (IMO). It now flies better, but I made major mods. I will reveal soon....

It is pretty transportable. Both wings come off. The fuse is the largers part (in one dimension) but not bad.


Now i hate to look at my Skywalker................:rolleyes:
Dont! If it flies well, then be happy!!!!!!!!


Here one of my favorites so far...a little somber, but good;)


http://www.vimeo.com/24961942

Nice scenery, for sure.

[M'ck'y]

Derek, how are the mods going? I have skywalker too, which i've had to modify pretty much everything on it. Are you all setup now?
I simply taped around the tail while keeping enough tension on the tape like pulling on the tape as I applied, and it made a huge difference. I also have a carbon tube through the tail and made holes for 2 smaller vertical carbon rods to hold the vertical tail section.

[Avenger GBU-1H]

I wanted to share a small success story. These Skywalker wings are VERY versatile and adaptive.

After losing my 2nd Skywalker, I only had a set of wings left; the fuselage was trashed.

Then about two weeks ago, I lost the wings set from my Multiplex Mentor when they flew out of the back of my truck (long story).

Soooooo.....why not join the two together? I had been wanting to put flaps on my Mentor anyway. The SW wings are very similar and about 1" longer. I used both the nylon bolts from the Mentor and the rubber band method from the SW to attach to the fuselage.

Armed with a new X-acto blade and a little faith, I did some Nip+tuck and Voila...I now have a SW+Mentor hybrid.

I maidened this creation last weekend and it flies remarkably well!
146114631462

[aaron_gx]

No, it flew like poo (IMO).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk-u3z4tVxU

[aaron_gx]

Back on topic, derek, thats a sexy looking plane.

[Derek_S]

I wanted to share a small success story. These Skywalker wings are VERY versatile and adaptive.

After losing my 2nd Skywalker, I only had a set of wings left; the fuselage was trashed.

Then about two weeks ago, I lost the wings set from my Multiplex Mentor when they flew out of the back of my truck (long story).

Soooooo.....why not join the two together? I had been wanting to put flaps on my Mentor anyway. The SW wings are very similar and about 1" longer. I used both the nylon bolts from the Mentor and the rubber band method from the SW to attach to the fuselage.

Armed with a new X-acto blade and a little faith, I did some Nip+tuck and Voila...I now have a SW+Mentor hybrid.

I maidened this creation last weekend and it flies remarkably well!
146114631462

That is a fantastic job. It looks perfect to me.


Derek, how are the mods going? I have skywalker too, which i've had to modify pretty much everything on it. Are you all setup now?
I simply taped around the tail while keeping enough tension on the tape like pulling on the tape as I applied, and it made a huge difference. I also have a carbon tube through the tail and made holes for 2 smaller vertical carbon rods to hold the vertical tail section.

My mods are pretty much done. Rebuilding the tail a little to fix a minor problem (it broke on landing this morning). Your tail mods sound similar to my tail mods. I als added 2 vertical carbon rods. It is much much more solid than stock. I will post pics of mine soon.

[Nakelp86]

Derek, love the paint color, what kind of paint is that??

[Derek_S]

It is just fluorescent spray from Home Depot.

[Nakelp86]

Hmm they don't have many foam safe paints :(

[Derek_S]

Actually most EPO foams seem to do ok with most spray paints that I have tried, as long as you dont soak the foam in it. And you shouldnt do that anyways. EPS is the foam that will easily melt away, like FFF, BLuCor, Depron, ect. Luckily almost no arf/kits commonly used for FPV are made of that.

This is what I used

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=202041119&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&PID=500871&cm_mmc=CJ-_-500871-_-10368321&cpncode=00-31150654-2&AID=10368321&cj=true&srccode=cii_9324560&locStoreNum=121

[Nakelp86]

Thx will try t again maybe with more distance when I spray.
Last time it ate my plane beyond recognition :-(