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

[Derek]

Velocity 50.png (53.2 KiB) Viewed 6385 times

I think this is going to be my first scratch build project for 2015. My friend, Deano, in the UK flies one of these speedy beasts for the team. Deano and his father, Pete, drive around their area to the fun fly events and they take awesome pictures and flight videos. I first saw the Weston UK Velocity 50 over a year ago and I knew that I wanted one. However, I don't run anything but electric. So, for many months, I just sat back and continued to watch Deano and the team fly their Velocity's.

Last month is when I decided that it's time to make one. I spoke directly with Alex, at Weston UK, and he informed me that they have been testing an electric version of the Velocity 50 and Alex was kind enough to share with me the electronics that they were testing. I have that parts list here. Most of which I can get here in the US, with the exception of the beasty motor they were using. I only found that specific motor available in the UK. No worries, I found http://www.edfhobbies.com, here in the US. They have a monster motor that I believe will work very well. Before we get into any further details, I'd like to share with you a video.

Check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsiTCYfXmc4

JUST AWESOME!!!

Here is the motor that I plan on using:

http://edfhobbies.com/index.php?route=p ... uct_id=307

That motor, teamed up with a CC 100amp esc with a 6S 4000mah lipo and no less than 40C

10x6 APC propeller

I'm sure I'll probably have a CC 10amp BEC installed.

I haven't decided on the servos yet. I want something strong and metal gear. Still considering options.

I think my "Velocity 50" will have a foam board core with a thin plywood skin, then covered with either epoxy or fiber glass and then sanded smooth.

Some simple specs on the Weston UK Velocity 50:

Wingspan - 930mm/36.61"
Length - 830mm/32.67"
Weight - 1.83kg/4.03lbs


So, I'm hoping to start this project soon...after my holiday is over, of course, lol.

[murankar]

Now that looks like a winner. Good luck on the design.

[Derek]

Thanks Matthias! I'm looking forward to getting started.

[Vipertech13]

That looks like a fast machine! Happy building!

[Derek]

That looks like a fast machine! Happy building!

Thanks Gerald! Yes...the gas version of the Velocity 50 has been clocked at over 150mph. I'm hoping my electric version will push those speeds, too. Granted, the first couple of flights, I do plan on having the throttle curve top out around 60-70% and then I'll work my way up from there. I just can't see trying 150mph, right away, as a good idea, lol.

[Tony]

Wow, nice Derek, think you should limit the speed to 120 maybe for the first time...haha... That vid you showed me the other day was awesome...

[Derek]

Thanks Tony! This should be quite exciting!!!

[Lee]

Looks like a nice machine. I need a fast plane again

[Derek]

Youtube is littered with videos of the Weston UK Velocity 50. The more and more I watch those videos, the more and more I want one, lol. I've sent an email to EDFHobbies, here in the US. I gave them the specs of the plane and I told them I wanted an electric edf that would run on 6S and put out at least 2000 watts with a 10x6 prop. I'm waiting for them to respond but I do believe the motor that I've selected, as listed above, will be 120% suitable for what I want.

Should be a lot of fun!!!

[Graham Lawrie]

Man that was fast:) cant wait to see the build:)

[Derek]

Yes, this thing is wicked fast and I want one so bad, lol. I haven't fully decided on how I wanted to start the build. I may go to my Dad's this week and see if he and I can bounce some ideas off each other. I am very excited about this and I want mine to look just like the Weston UK version. Absolutely gorgeous!!!!

[danhampson]

Looks like a fun project Derek. I'm looking forward to this build thread.

[Derek]

Thanks Dan! I appreciate the continued interest in this idea from everyone.

[murankar]

Sorry i like the fuel based version. Those things sounded awesome in the air.

[Derek]

Sorry i like the fuel based version. Those things sounded awesome in the air.

Matthias, you've got nothing to be sorry about.....without a doubt, those fuel based versions do sound awesome in the air. Absolutely!!! I'm just not interested in fuel powered rc's, at least not at this time. I like the simplicity of the electric setup. Who knows...although the fuel version DO sound amazing, my electric version may sound good, too.

I did speak with Alex, a rep for Weston UK, and he did tell me that they are currently working out the details on an electric version of the Velocity 50 wing and it should be available for sale after the new year. Alex did not let loose the price tag of the electric version but I can be very sure that I don't really want to pay the price tag for the electric version AND shipping from the UK to my door.

I know that my build will cost less. No, my build will not be perfect. None of my builds are perfect, lol.

[murankar]

Perfection is what you want it to be. Besides its relative in the end. If perfection is the fact that it flies and flies well then you achieved your goal.

[Derek]

Perfection is what you want it to be. Besides its relative in the end. If perfection is the fact that it flies and flies well then you achieved your goal.

Yep, true enough! I'm thinking the sound won't be quite as cool as the fuel version but it should still produce a pretty cool sound as it flies by.

[murankar]

The prop I think wasnliadee than the motor. You should still get sounds wicked sounds anyways.

[Derek]

I'd like to ask for the opinions of the Hangout.

I've found several motors that I think will work very well for this project. I've narrowed down the options to two possibilities. One inrunner is from www.edfhobbies.com and the other is a "Dr. Mad Thrust" inrunner from Hobby King. I'm going to list the specs below and i'd like to hear your opinions. I think that most of us here are more "helicopter/multi rotor" guys but I'll give it a go.

EDF Hobbies Inrunner Dr Mad Thrust Inrunner
Outside Diameter 36mm 36mm
Total Length 60mm 74mm
Weight 244 grams 317 grams
Motor Shaft Diameter 5mm 5mm
Poles 4 4
KV 2100 1600
Power 2200 watts 2400 watts
Voltage 5-6S 2-6S
Both are listed around 100amps

The end goal is to have the motor, at the nose, pull the plane around at massive high speeds on 6S with a 10x6 APC prop. I'm saying a 10x6 APC prop because thats the prop that the guy at Weston UK told me they used in their "electric" testing.

I'm guessing that this plane will weigh in around 4 lbs....hopefully less.

As I look at the specs for the two motors, there are few differences. The Dr Mad Thrust is a bit longer and heavier than the EDF Hobbies motor. The EDF Hobbies motor states a higher kv and a little less watts Both are 6S capable and both will work with the esc that i've selected. The EDF Hobbies motor is $75 and the Dr Mad Thrust is $50.

I've heard some great things about the Dr Mad Thrust motors. I've not heard of EDF Hobbies until just recently. Now...given that the plane will NOT weigh more than 5 lbs, I'm actually thinking that either of these two motors will work and I'll probably get the same amount of performance. I'm saying that mine will not weigh more than 5 lbs because even the actual "Weston UK Velocity 50" nitro plane only weighed 1.83kg or 4.03lbs.

So...what do you all think? Give me your thoughts and opinions.

[Derek]

I've been able to accumulate 12 hours of overtime last week and by the time this week ends, I'll have another 20 hours of overtime racked up. Once I get a few loose ends tied up, I'll be ordering the parts for this project and I'll head to the hardware store for the foam for the airframe. I'm really stoked about this.