Gabe's Darkside Stryker Build

[Gabe]

That's great, Kent! You're only a few steps behind me. As of now I had to start from scratch do to some super floppy balsa on one of the ailerons. I just happened to catch it two days ago right as I was starting to move forward with my build.

I ended up buying a new fuse and starting from scratch. Got the ailerons on and glued in place. Just centered the servos and drilled in my aileron horn. I'll get some pics up for you soon.

Keep moving forward with this! You just might finish before me!

[Gabe]

I finished installing the CF tubing, centering the servos and installing the monster Heavy Duty Servo Horns from DuBro. I also was able to get the servo pushrods and clevises on there. Have a look:













I decided to get a jump on painting the top of the Stryker too. The remaining white foam on top will either be gloss black or another dark color. I located some clear coat from Testors at the LHS and will try applying that after I slap some decals on there. I'm hoping that will hold them on there for good and also give an extra layer of paint protection if I add some Extreme Packing Tape here or there:

[Gabe]

Got the black done today too:





Clearcoat goes on tomorrow.

[19000rpm]

That's one serious aileron set up.

I don't think you'll have any failures with those components. They look like you could pull a Mack truck with them. ;D

[Gabe]

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FIBERGLASS AND ELECTRONICS
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Last night I used some Minwax Polycrylic and some fiberglass mesh as stuck them to the bottom. After 2 hours, I gave it a quick wetsand and then gave it one more coat. Black gloss paint was applied today.

I used Gary's 28mm motor mount from www.customrcparts.com along with a 28mm full heat sink from Lite Flite and set the Mega 16/35/1.5 Combat Motor in its permanent home:



Next, I soldered the 6mm bullet connectors to the Phoenix ICE Lite 100amp ESC. The bullet connectors are from Neu and are rated above 100amps.



You can see I forgot to install the AR7000 receiver in the wing prior to epoxying and painting the top of the plane. I used Extreme Tape to cover them just in case I wanted access in the future. I may end up peeling off all the paint and re-epoxying the top and re-painting her so she looks clean. At a minimum she will get a fresh touch up job with the paint.



Finally, the electronics covers. I glued the front two pieces together, and then glued in a DuBro Hinge between the nose and the fuse. Next, I slid the vented cover forward a little bit and drilled some new holes. About 3/4" was removed with dikes from the back of the vented electronics cover due to the length of the Mega Motor. I used a little hot glue and shoved some #4 drywall anchors down the holes. I followed that up with the screws in the package. Then, I drilled two final holes in the battery cover where it meets the vented electronics cover (one on each side, drilling through both pieces). Now, those two screws hold down the front of the cover and secure the back part as well. It ain't going anywhere:







I would have slapped on the vertical stabs and glassed them, but one had a major piece missing out of the front where it joins the fuse. I didn't feel like it was worth the trouble. I may just use plywood for these bad boys.

I can use my current 6S and 4S Zippy's, but the C rating is only 20-30. I am ordering 3250mah 6S Thunder Power batteries next week. They are rated at 90C-100C. This should be fun!

ITEMS REMAINING:

Vertical stabs

Prop adapter for 5mm shaft

Props (7" and 8")

TP Batteries

[akent]

That's one serious machine!!!

It will be fun to hear what it sounds like when you fire it up!

[Gabe]

Glassed the vertical stabs last night and installed them. Total weight without battery: 2lbs 4oz.

A little heavy for my taste. I think its the Mega Motor. The same exact setup with the Six Series only weighed 1lb 6oz.

Sitting on props and batteries...

[19000rpm]

Looks like there will be a maiden in the near future. I think you're going to need a lot of sky and the eyes of an eagle for it.

[Gabe]

Just picked up my prop - 8x6E! No pushers, by the way. Waiting on the batteries and collet and spinner. Getting close!

[Gabe]

Heading out for a maiden on the 4s 3000 mah zippy. I won't hit my target speed, but I'll be able to trim her out.

Wish me luck!

[Gabe]

Well, one massive torque roll and a faceplant later I called it a day. I had to re-glue my battery hatch back on and that was about it. After some discussion with the darksiders, we came to the conclusion that since I throw left handed, I probably dipped the left wing pretty hard on the launch, aiding in the torque roll of the 8" prop.

The boys said to throw level and straight, and to give it some serious right aileron trim and up elevator trim on the launch, then trim her straight once she's in the air.

I topped off the lipo and I'll try again tomorrow.

[19000rpm]

Did the darkside guys say to launch at WOT? I'd think toning it down to about 3/4 might help with the torque roll.

I use an over-hand, right handed, toss on some planes. No matter how much I practice; if I'm tossing a plane really hard my wrist seems to rotate left some. So, I tilt the right wing down a little. That seems to help compensate for both my natural twist of the wrist and the torque that combine to rotate the aircraft to left.

Hope the next trial is a success.

[Gabe]

3/4 to WOT was the suggestion. I think that left handed throw is gonna get me. I throw with the left so I always have a hand on the right stick.

I ordered the Co-Pilot CD4 this morning and I'm gonna wait until it gets here before another attempt. This way I don't wreck and blow all my hours of hard work.

[akent]

I would think that even less than 3/4 throttle for launching! I'll bet yours has unlimited vertical at way less than that. You might try finding the weightless point on the throttle and use that.

I launch my Funjet at 1/2 throttle. I just give it a gentle toss up at about a 45 degree angle. It hardly torque rolls.
But your prop is almost twice as big as this little guy!!!!!
Kent

[Gabe]

Good point Kent!

However, it weighs 2lbs 6oz without the battery. Its almost a 4lb plane with the battery. I'm gonna find that weightless point like you suggested. I may get adventurous tomorrow.