Foam Conversions

[pilot0059]

I recently saw an article at www.ezonemag.com (http://www.ezonemag.com) about how Robart makes some good sized foam airplanes. It had a large article on how the guy converted an F-117 stealth foam jet to speed 400 power. I recently tried it but on a smaller Foam plane that we sell in the store I work at and it flew great, it was the small 24" wingspan guillows foam planes. You can most likely find them at any Hobby Town USA.

[Jason Nowell]

Pilot:

Here's a 24" foam glider that I converted. I used 2 B-2 motors from Wattage with stock props. 6 cell 50mAh battery pack, and HiTech Feather flight pack. It flies well enough that I'm going to put some landing gear on it and take it to the next Indoor meet here in Dallas.
http://www.millenniumproductions.com/ebay/twin.jpg

[pilot0059]

I found some Cox Battery Powered airplanes that you charge then let go and they are free flight. I am thinking about converting one to r/c. I think the Cessna would work good. And I am thinking about actually trying the motor that comes with them since it must have enough power to make it fly but I dont know. I will probably use a DC 17-17 or something of that matter.

[pilot0059]

Oh yeah, Jason your plane looks good I am thinking about trying something like that soon with a larger version of the Guillows plane that has a 4 foot wingspan, I was thinking about using 2 speed 400 motors.

[pilot0059]

I recently found a new plane when I was walking around in the store I work at. I work at a hobby town usa and we stock these Sky Cruisers by Cox. I looked at the specs on the box and it looked like a good project. So I bought and now I am in the process on building it. It is good plane and I think it should work well. I will post a picture on it once I finish it.

[jimwalker]

I think I saw that same 4 ft wingspan foam glider at Hobby Lobby and thought the same thing. It doesn't weigh anything and only costs $4.99. It would be an quick and easy project to convert it and it looks like it might even thermal.

[frankenfoamy]

The Sky Crusier motor will not work with a 4 cell and above battery pack. It is designed for high amp draw. A 6 volt mabuchi 130, 140 or 180 would be a safer bet. Not much room for gearing except for inline. Watch the wing loading on those under chambered wings. They do not want to go fast.
I have a Viper already to go except for motor.
I also converted a rubber power bf-109. There is a construction article here: http://phreak.mine.nu/drblott/RadioControlProjects.htm

[This message has been edited by frankenfoamy (edited 03-06-2001).]

[pilot0059]

I found a 4 foot wingspan airplane at where I work and I bought it and when u pull the wings out they look like enlarged versions of the foam wings that come in a Zagi 400 kit. I am going to try them very soon. I think it should work pretty good. And if you run across any Robart Foam gliders, take a second look at them. They make really good conversions. They are big but not to big and have nicely molded wings. And if u just want a glider buy it. They are the best foam free flights I have ever seen. The seem to just float threw the air.

[Jason Nowell]

Pilot: Gary Jones here in Dallas did the 4 ft. one, he only used one S400 and it hauls butt. You might think again before putting two S400's on it, unless you are Pylon Racing with it. 8-)

FrankenFoamy, I just ordered one of your BF-109's, looks great and I can't wait to get it!!!!

Jason

[Jason Nowell]

Pilot:

I have recieved a few correction from Gary about his Wal-Mart glider. It has a 52" wingspan, and uses 1 S280 motor, not a 400. I have seen it fly several times and it has PLENTY of power.

Just thought you should know, plus Gary get's violent if I mis-represent his aircraft.... http://www.rcmicroflight.com/ubb/smile.gif

Jason

[pilot0059]

hey jason I downloaded the video of the bi-plane of yours. It works great from what I saw. If you wouldn't mind could tell me how exactly you built and the hardware you used. thanks so much.

[Jason Nowell]

Pilot:

Short and sweet version of the building procedure for the little bipe. I plan to write better documentation with pictures either for Microflight or the NIRAC web site soon.

When you get the airplane, there are several mods that need to be done. First of all remove all plastic from the airplane except the cabane struts, canopy, and tail skid. Then cut out the foam from the lower wing saddle. The fuse is already hollow and the foam is about 1/8" thick, so leave about an eighth around the inside of the saddle. This will create your Radio compartment.

I mounted a HiTec Feather reciever in the top of the fuse between the rear of the center cabane struts and the front of the cockpit, it was almost a perfect fit. Then I just used two balsa rails across the fuse for servo mountin rails, I used 2 HiTec HS-50 servo's with the small arms trimmed down to one side a piece pointing outwards. You must dent a channel for the arms to move back and forth in.

In the control surface, I just creased the rudder back and forth a few time about 45 degrees and it made a nice hings. The elevator, I removed the plastic mount from the horizontal stabilizer and glued the two halves together. The I bent a U shaped piece of very small piano wire to connect the two elevator halves, much like you would on a regular RC model. I used small piano wire to bend standard pushrods for the prototype, but I may go to a Pull / Pull system in the future to save weight behing the CG.

For Power, I used a GWS DX-A motor (the one that comes with the lite Sticks. This was direct drive with a 4" prop, the prop looks like about a 4 or 6 pitch, but it came from another electric free flight model, so I'm not really sure. I used a GWS speed control and 7 or 8 cell 50 mAh battery pack.

I cut a hatch into the front just behing the motor for battery charging. I have it held down using a balsa tab on the back, and a small lexan sheet tab on the front. You can bend the lexan down and it snaps into place firmly, but pulls right off when it's time to re-charge.

Notes:
Make sure to get as much dihedral as possible in the bottom wing when you glue it to the fuselage. The small peice that goes under the wing sets the dihedral, but if not pushed FIRMLY on during glueing, you will get less dihedral, and a harder to turn plane. Use 5 minute epoxy (very sparingly) for all glue joints. I have tried the GWS glue and foam friendly CA and niether stuck very good, I have video of one of the wing struts coming off in flight and the plane doing a skateboard grind down the side wall of the indoor rink.

Everthing is glued together in my model, the only thing I think i left out is that the plastic peices that held the Rubber band on in the back need to come out, and thos make great pushrod exits if widened a little. just make the airplane as light in the tail as possible. With eight cells, it balances just a little nose heavy 9good for this plane) and with 7 it's questionable, probably a hair tail heavy, but still flys good. 6 cells will not fly this plane, 7 will comfortably, 8 is a lot of fun.

I will eventually do one with ailerons, and Pull Pull controls are definitely on the list.

Good luck, I'm working on a distribution deal to sell these planes, so if you can't find one, I may have them available shortly.

Jason

[pilot0059]

I found another good airplane when I was walking around in the store I work at. Its made by hobbico it is already rc but it has big standard servos. I plan to put micro servos in it and put an ESC. It comes with a cut-off switch instead of an esc. And I want throttle so I have to add an esc. It looks like it has potentional.

[Graham]

I have converted the Flying Styro Corsair.

It look a Brilliant machine. I am using 8x 110mAhr NMh. GWS motor A, radio, and servos and ESC GWS PICO too. Flew with plenty of power indoors on 7 NMh 110mAhr cels. About 145 grams including batteries.

I may need to add ailerons to cope with the torque! Not very easy on the built wing.

[This message has been edited by Graham (edited 02-05-2001).]

[frankenfoamy]

Did you use the geared GWS A or direct drive?
What prop did you use?