2015 Project #1- Electric "Weston UK Velocity 50" THE BUILD

[Derek]

Yes, very fast! The throttle curve, for the first several flights, will max out around 70-75%....so that I can get use to it.

[danhampson]

thanks for the update Derek, they are looking awesome.

[pvolcko]

Have you tried out the prop and motor on a bench stand yet? Interested to see what kind of numbers you get.

[Derek]

thanks for the update Derek, they are looking awesome.

Thanks Dan!

Have you tried out the prop and motor on a bench stand yet? Interested to see what kind of numbers you get.

Actually, no I haven't tried them out yet. Perhaps I should. I have to work a lot this week but I'll make a "reminder note" so that I can do that on my next day off. I'll get my Dad to come down and help me set up a mount.....and it would be nice to have someone else here for testing....for safety purposes.

[Derek]

After Paul's last comment, he brought up a good point. Have I bench tested the motor/esc with different props? No, I haven't done that yet. I have several prop adapters that will go onto a 4mm motor shaft, which is the diameter of the shaft on my Dr Mad Thrust motor. But...the motor shaft has a small flat spot for a set screw to be tightened up on. So, I had to order a couple of 4mm prop adapters that had the set screw....lets face it...because of the amount of power and the amount of speed that I'm anticipating, a set screw on the prop adapter is probably a good idea, lol. The two prop adapters that I ordered came in today. I picked them up. Unfortunately, I am working the next 4 nights so I won't be able to do any testing until next week. I dunno...maybe I can work out a rig in my few minutes before I leave for work and maybe bench test the combo before work.

......more to come!

[Derek]

I bought a 27"x12"x2" block of foam from my local crafts shop. I was surprised that the blocks came in 27" lengths. Just seems like an odd number. No worries though...I only needed 24" to start making my canopies. I cut two pieces, 3 3/4" wide. Thats the width of my fuselages at the widest point. Made some rough marks for the fuselage outline and used my scroll saw to cut the fat off the pieces. Then I, basically, used trial and error with a bunch of sanding, test fit, sanding, test fit, sanding, test fit. Now...I have this:

Canopy Fit.jpg (41.89 KiB) Viewed 5668 times

I imagine that the rest of the shaping will be done with some hand sanding. I can probably use one of my sharp knives, with break off tips, to cut away some of the fat and then sand it to to finished shape. Once this is done, I think I'll glue a piece of foam board to the bottom of the canopy so that the foam board will sit just inside the fuselage and help keep the canopy in place.

More work to do.....

[danhampson]

that looks really good mate.

What are you going use to use to colour/paint the foam?

[Derek]

that looks really good mate.

What are you going use to use to colour/paint the foam?

That will just be more tape.

[Tony]

Looking great Derek..nice one..

[Derek]

Because my mini quad is waiting on parts, I've been able to get back to my Velocity 50 build. Here are some pics

1canopy shaped.jpg (37.94 KiB) Viewed 5614 times

The above pic shows that I've taken the rectangular block of foam and I've shaped it. It's not as good as I wanted but it will do just fine.

2added silver canopy.jpg (40.68 KiB) Viewed 5614 times

The above pic shows the silver tape that I added for the cockpit amongst the red

3finished off with red.jpg (43.43 KiB) Viewed 5614 times

The above and below pics show that I've completed the red on both canopies

All in all, I'm seriously happy with how this build has turned out.

[danhampson]

Is there much more to do for maiden Derek?

[cml001]

Kool... Reminds me of battle star galactica for some reason.

[Derek]

Is there much more to do for maiden Derek?

Just need to attach elevons and install electronics then set the cg and it's ready to go.

[Tony]

Wow, that's come a long way since I was last on here. Looks bloody awesome....

[Derek]

Wow, that's come a long way since I was last on here. Looks bloody awesome....

Thanks Tony! I'm real happy with the outcome, thus far! If my personal life will allow, lol, I'm going to try to bench test the motor, esc, and a variety of props with my intended 6S pack.

[Derek]

latest update video. We are nearly complete!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOv_5lrWk0E

[Tony]

Can't wait to see maiden Derek, looking really cool man

[Derek]

Thanks Tony! Again I say, I'm real happy with how both airframes are turning out. If all goes well, we should see the maiden in two weeks. If all goes really well...maybe sooner, lol.

Something I've noticed....on the front of the canopy....there seems to be plenty of room for FPV, lol. Could you imagine that? 120mph+ FPV!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! I'm just concerned with getting the plane flying first, lol. Maybe we'll consider FPV later on ha ha ha

[DOG]

You go Derek! The build looks excellent. No laughing matter , If you thought about putting FPV in the plane , I can bet you will have FPV later on down the road on this plane . We know you Derek! Keep up the good work and pics/video also.

[Lee]

Shes gonna be a beauty