Spa3d

[TLAR]

Plans are here
http://www.spadtothebone.com/SPAD/SPA3D/
As a rookie funfly pilot, I wasn't ready to put a lot of time and money into my first hovering experience. This plane is getting me good stick time...I can actually hover now...it's been drilled repeatedly, and comes back for more. It's on it's second fuselage and vertical, and I've gone through a set of rudder servo gears learning tail touches...but man what a blast!

[Ulf Rieder]

I think I have to build me one of these. I have all the coro for it, but always another project first. :D
Will get to it still this year......maybe.
This could be a good intro 3D plane for our electric fliers here who want to explore and try the world of 3D glow powered planes but don't want to spend big bucks.

Ulf

[t_predator90]

Wow! looks cheep, um, I meen, great! Seriously, that looks dead cool! What engine does it take?

[TLAR]

I've got a GMS .47 on mine!

[t_predator90]

Is it possible to make a different fuse? i.e edga profile? Or will this affect the stability or somthing?

[TLAR]

The fuselage is purely cosmetic (a lot of guys don't even put them on)...and you can make it any shape you want!

[t_predator90]

How does it handle?

BTW
Did you build your's exactly like on the site? No fixes and strengthening later on?

[TLAR]

Did you build your's exactly like on the site?

Yes...absolutely exactly! ...and she's a little beat up now...but still going strong!

[t_predator90]

Cool. I definatly think I'll "buy" myself one...

[JohnVH]

Check out my site for movies of mine, one has a Magnum .75 on it too;)

Video site (http://www.rcsites.net/johnvh/)

[Alfster]

Build one Ulf. You will get a kick out of it !!

I just took mine on it's maiden flight this evening. Although it was a short flight, it was fun. hehe I put an older OS 46FX on it that I had taken off of a Hanger 9 Aresti.......Engine used to be a great one, but hadn't been ran in ages....... The plane flew well, did nice harriers, and even hovered quite well.

During one of these such hovers, at about 25 ft up, my engine decided to be stubborn. It just quit, and then the fun started ! LOL I knew these things had the glide ratio of a nice sized cinderblock, and that proved to be true. I pointed the nose down to try and gain some air speed, but I didn't have enough altitude. Within 3 seconds of engine flameout, she made contact with Mother Earth at about a 45 degree angle. The tank flew off, which was good.......and once I got to her I discovered that the only damage was a broken prop, and the poly cutting board that I had made the engine mount out of had cracked in two. I was amazed.......... The crash looked bad.....made quite a bit of noise, but very, very little damage, considering.

I can have her back in the air in just a couple hours work, and at no expense, as I have extra materials from the original build.

Of course, that engine may very well go into the trashcan. I have ZERO patience with an engine that causes me grief......Since 85 I have never owned an engine that wasn't 100% reliable, and I will not have a cantankerous one now.... hehe

I'm thinking I need a couple Irvine 53's anyway.....seems like a good time to order a couple ! :o)

[novabillss]

Hello all, I just finished my SPA3D Sunday will maiden her tomorrow morning before hurricane hits (isabelle or someone). Mine has M.D.S. 68 on it, built pretty mutch to plans except more rounded fuse and balanced elevator and rudder. After first flights I'll decal her yo and try to post pics and flight report.

Is anyone here from Columbia S.C. area?


KEEP ON SPADDING!!!

[nate 1001]

this is a very crash resiliant plane. I came out of a flat spin a little low and when I pulled out the wing started to bend and I hit the ground. The only thing that happened was the landing gear broke off. I power mine with a 46 fx on a macs pipe. hovers at 1/2 throttle.

[TLAR]

Check out some of Dave McDonald's videos...incredable!

Here are some videos of my McDDD in action. (TT 42GP, MA 11x4, 3lbs-8 oz.)

(Note: If the videos don't play correctly, try right clicking on the links, then saving the files to your hard drive before playing them.)

McDDD video #1:
http://www.eldonmo.com/McDDD/mcddd%20fun%20flying.wmv

McDDD video #2:
http://www.eldonmo.com/McDDD/mcddd%20in%20action.wmv

McDDD video #3:
http://www.eldonmo.com/McDDD/mcddd%20inverted%20flat%20spin.wmv

McDDD video #4:
http://www.eldonmo.com/McDDD/mcddd%20lightning.wmv


Here are some videos of my Big McDDD doing some tree trimming. (ST GS-45 w/MCP, MA 11x4, 4lbs-5oz)

(Note: If the videos don't play correctly, try right clicking on the link, then save the file to your hard drive before playing.)


Big McDDD tree trim tailslide:
http://www.eldonmo.com/Big%20McDDD/big%20mcddd%20tree%20trim%20tailslide.wmv

Big McDDD tree trim:
http://www.eldonmo.com/Big%20McDDD/big%20mcddd%20tree%20trim%2002.wmv

Big McDDD tree trim landing:
http://www.eldonmo.com/Big%20McDDD/big%20mcddd%20tree%20trim%20landing.wmv

Big McDDD tree trim crash:
http://www.eldonmo.com/Big%20McDDD/big%20mcddd%20tree%20trim%20crash.wmv

Big McDDD tree trimming at night:
http://www.eldonmo.com/Big%20McDDD/big%20mcddd%20tree%20trim%20night.wmv

Big McDDD torque rolling in the tree:
http://www.eldonmo.com/Big%20McDDD/big%20mcddd%20torque%20roll%20in%20tree.wmv

[Up&Away]

Wow! It's almost a shame I bouhgt the Dazzler...;)

[t_predator90]

Originally posted by Up&Away
Wow! It's almost a shame I bouhgt the Dazzler...;)

Oops... That was me.... I posted while Up&Away was signed in....

[4 stroken ron]

Originally posted by TLAR
Check out some of Dave McDonald's videos...incredable!

I thought the lightning in the background in video #3 was a real nice touch.
Ron

[gordo-plast]

Well guys and Dean, me and Bizzaro Bill toasted our Knifes today. We decided on SPA3Ds before we left the field. I got the stuff a long time ago but was too busy. I gues now's the time!

[TLAR]

Looking forward to the reports!!! :D...BTW, as for mods, it seems the most popular mods guys are going to are music wire landing gear, and duel aileron servos. Oh yeah, and Gordo...since you have a ton of PBF flying experience...put your CG at 6 1/2" instead of the recommended 6" ...and if you aren't all that concerned with higher speed forward flight, but want really radical 3D...you can go as far back at 7" :D

[gordo-plast]

Flew mine today. Great design Dean, as always. I followed your plans to the T except used Profile gear (Hey, I'm a ProBro!), and did a Pull/Pull on the Rudder. Oh, and I didn't have anything to stiffen the wing, so I didn't bother. I didn't see your post 'til now, so I have the CG @ 6". It seems fine. Some of the best 3Ders I have met don't do the "way aft CG" thing, but then others do. We'll experiment.

Hover was easy (OK, REAL easy) Harrier was simply awsome! I did a tailtouch that crushed the elevator, flew away, no prob. One good nose in crash, no damage at all!

This thing only weighs 4# 2oz, and with my OS .50sx it's ballistic straight up! hover is less than 1/2 throttle! I didn't fly very fast level for obvious reasons, but it was very easy in all respects!

More later

Gordo

[TLAR]

Rock on Gordo! :D:D:D

[gordo-plast]

So how about others weights? This is sorta a hangup of mine. I'm always interested in weight, how it affects things, how different planes compare.

I see there is a post in the ProBro section that mentions it being heavy, but mine was very light and the .50 rocks it. I was only gonna put my .46fx on it, but I decided to make sure th .50 wasn't hurt in the crash of my Knife. I'll put the .46fx on it to see how that performs.

Gordo

[nate 1001]

my spa3d has a 46fx with a 12x4 and hovers very good. haven't been able to really test it in regular flight but falls right into a hover at a little above half throttle

[t_predator90]

I've seen some people put 2 aileron servos. Why? What are the benifits?

[gordo-plast]

I only have one sevo, but I can see several reasons for 2. For one thing, the ailerons are so big, the horns attached at the root end allow lots of flex, so with 2 servos you can put them in the middle of the wing. The 2 servos allow adjusting the relation of the ailerons to the wing, sometimes we use that to help in KE flight, or fix drooping coroplast. And if you want to see some wild loops and waterfalls, flaperons will spice things up, but I haven't tried that on this plane.

I am planning to change to 2 servos this week.

And after flying in the wind today, I see I need to add the wing stiffeners. It's fine without them as long as all you do is hover, and harrier around. But I was forced to really fly it today and the wing was all over! Sorta like a PBF going way too fast!!!

[t_predator90]

How does one put in 2 servos? Do you just screw them into the coroplast?

[TLAR]

I've seen it done 3 ways.

1. Stuck down on it's side with double sided tape and zip-tied

2. Cut a hole in the wing and mount with servo screws, using PVC backers on the other side of the wing

3. Cut a hole in the wing, and mount with servo screws to wood or cutting board scraps slid into the flutes

[t_predator90]

Thanx, TLAR. I think I'll go for the second option. it sound the safest and easiest

[t_predator90]

I went to ACE, and they don't have PVC pipes.... What else can I use?

[VeetV]

I couldn't find the PVC gutterpipe at Home Depot here, but I did find some PVC channel in the window/door section. All my horns and screw plates came from this channel and they're working jsut fine.

D

[t_predator90]

I think I'll try that next time.... I went round to ACE today, and all I found were the screws..... So far I have the feul tank, and screws.... I know where to get the U channel from, but I'm purplexed as to where to get the coroplast from...

[gordo-plast]

Start with sign shops or fuel stations. The most common use is for signs. The other place to check for larger pieces is a plastics wholesaler. and I would guess you will need to see what it's called there, in Europe it's Corex I believe, and I read somwhere that asian companies have yet annother name!

Keep up the fight, the reward is worth it!

Gordo

[t_predator90]

Thanx Gordo. I just wish Israel had Wal-Marts.... I think I'll buy controll horns... I know it's ageinst the SPAD mentality, but.... Tommorow I'm going to call some sign shops I found in the yellow pages, and see if they sell coroplast. I know where to get the "U" channel from, and I'll probebly get it tommorow.

Someone already built evrything, appart from the wing!:-(:-(:-(

[gordo-plast]

OK, here is my SPA3D story for the day. We had our Fall fly-in today. About 25 pilots, including several Giant Scale models, very impressive! But guees who had 'em standing in line for a shot at the transmitter? That's right, me and my SPA3D! 13 pilots in all had their way with my plastic sweety, all but one hovered! And several flew for extended periods, getting comfy and trying new stuff.

One very good pilot, and the least likely SPADDER, took almost a whole tank, and figured out the inverted flight and inverted flat spin! In the afternoon, about 4, bill showed up and together with annother ProBro, who is now gonna build a SPA3D, we totally flew our faces off, we RULED the runway!

Here's my new signature move: Straight and level, fairly slow, down the runway, not too high. Throw it into a flat spin (which involves a loop) and spin it down to the deck. Just before it touches down, neutral on Ailerons, opposite Rudder (keep the elevator in) it pulls up into a hover! Hold it for 15 or 20 seconds then Rocket out, very cool!

Spad on men, and ladies, too much fun on too little money!!!

Gordo

[gordo-plast]

Thought I'd post a pic for giggles. The top gear didn't last long, it mover the fuse around too much, causeing mayhem in the air!

[TLAR]

Rock on Gordoplast!!! :D:D Man...you've got a LOT of fuselage area...any luck with KE?

[gordo-plast]

Nah, It gets real weird with the KE, I doubt it can be done with this wing, it moves too much. It's fine as long as you ar moving in a direction that causes the same thing on both sides. But if you get dihedral on the to and anhedral on the bottom (or left and right) it gets wild.

The big fuse was in response to the realization that the fuse area was a help in hovering by adding to Yaw stability. I wasn't even gonna have a fuse but when I flew it the first time, the Rudder was slow to react, and then over reacted. with the fuse, it's rock solid, I can honestly say it made a 200% difference. Not that it wasn't OK w/o the fuse, but it is WAY better with.

Has anyone actually KEd these? I saw talk on SpadtotheBone about it, but no results. Can I say again, this is AWSOME Dean, thanks again. I think we're in for some fun teasing from the ProBro's but it's all in jest.

Later

Gordo

[TLAR]

:D:D

I was able to get about a 100 yard KE out of mine from a running start, but it took a ton of aileron and was very hard to hold. I know the guys a spadworld were talking about trying to add fuselage and rudder below the wing, but I don't think it's been done yet...at least no reports yet! BTW, if you haven't yet, check out the spad originals index for the Spa3dt plans...it incorperates some pretty good new ideas...the best being running the forward music wire through the fuselage...it REALLY stiffens up the wing a lot!

I didn't personally notice that dramatic of a difference between having a profile on them or not...but then...I'm not that good of a 3D pilot yet either...but then Kraut had one out yesterday without the fuselage on it, and it was a little less stable in a true hover. But you know...I guess being a true ProBro means it better be on there!!! :D

[gordo-plast]

I printed out the Spa3dt plans the day you posted them. When I need a new one (not if) I'll build that one for sure.

I agree, a ProBro is only a Bro w/o the fuse. And personally, I think they look a lot better with it. I'm not very good either, so I'll take whatever advantage I can get. Just wish I could quit breaking props, they cost more than the plane, fuel, and time!

Gordo

[gordo-plast]

Wow did we fly today! I got 17 flights on the spa3d today. Awsome. Hey Tattoo, have I raved on your plan yet this week? We're having so much fun!!! 2 guys I've never met walked up to me and said "OK, what is it and where do I get one?" Know how I answered? "Here, wanna fly her?" I now have logged over 20pilots that have flown my spa3d, is that a record?

Today I did flat-spins to a landing, a move I've always wanted to do. And I got the flat entry down so I can fly by at about 6', whip it into a flat spin, and spot land. very cool!

Does anyone else have a problem with inverted flight? mine rols one way and locks in there, basically trying for inverted flat spin every time. Any ideas?

Gordo,

[TLAR]

Rock on Gordo!!!
Kraut's got his CG at 7"...and by nursing rudder amount, gets a beautifull lazy flat spin with zero to whatever decent rate he wants...and his new signature move is flat spin touch and goes! I've also seen a guy wind one up in ground loops...and take off in a spin! Man...I gotta move my CG back some more! :D

My Spa3d would inverted flat spin awesome...but I've noticed my Spa3dt does exactly what you described...it won't hold inverted, but it flips into a whicked violent upright pinwheel spin rotating around the engine...it's really cool, so I let everyone think it's on purpose :)

[gordo-plast]

Thanks for the ideas. I love the touch and go idea move, I'll try that. And when I do repairs (I need a few) I'll vove the cg back too. I sometimes get a climbing spin, but rarely. With the CG back it should do it easily!

Later
Gordo

[nate 1001]

when I flip mine upside down it starts to climb which seems tail heavy but cg is only at like 5"

[CORO KID]

Well Tattoo, I built the 3D to much fun! I`m on second fuse next one is Heavy duty model.
Thanks
Coro Kid

PS whats with the TLAR handle

[TLAR]

I tried to register as Tattoo...but was told the username was already taken :( so I went with "That Looks About Right" :D

[gordo-plast]

Well Dean, see what you started? We had a ball today. We had 4 SPA3Ds hovering at once, flat spinning across the field, and Bill and I got in some formation harriers, very cool. Our 2 look alike and when they harrier by less that a wing span apart (OK, it only lasted about 30 seconds) it really looks cool!

So far we haven't hurt anyone, and we are haveing sooo much fun!!!!!

Gordo

[TLAR]

Man, you guys really rock! :D Warning, prolonged exposure to Spa3d's can cause serious dust accumulation to the other planes in your hanger... :) Great pic!!!

[Bizzaro Bill]

Just to let everyone know how much Gordo likes to fly his SPAD
that is a 12 oz fuel tank!!!...B Bill :)

[Ulf Rieder]

hmmm...... how about an electric Spa3D ? Has anybody played with that idea ? I think a brushless and lipo's would probably rock on it !

Ulf

[gordo-plast]

Ulf, I'm working on an ultra-light Glow version for a .15, using 2mm for everything, and micro radio gear. I have all the stuff, and about 1/2 done. I'll let you know about the weight, and if it would work I'll build you one and send it over (you can just trade the Spider Sledge! HAHA), and you can electrify it!!!! You'll just have to let me try it in Houston!

I keep wanting to get into the electric stuff but never get around to it.

Gordo

Oh by the way, the 12oz tank lasts forever and seems to have no affect on flying, I LIKE IT!!! If I didn't crash it all the time, I think I could fly about 25 minutes.

[Ulf Rieder]

Originally posted by gordo-plast
Ulf, I'm working on an ultra-light Glow version for a .15, using 2mm for everything, and micro radio gear. I have all the stuff, and about 1/2 done. I'll let you know about the weight, and if it would work I'll build you one and send it over (you can just trade the Spider Sledge! HAHA), and you can electrify it!!!! You'll just have to let me try it in Houston!

I keep wanting to get into the electric stuff but never get around to it.

Gordo

Oh by the way, the 12oz tank lasts forever and seems to have no affect on flying, I LIKE IT!!! If I didn't crash it all the time, I think I could fly about 25 minutes.

Sounds like a deal !

Ulf

[Sean G.]

Hey Guys I just got done building my SPAD 3DT but I can't keep it. I have an Electron 6 reciever, 3 Hitec HS-225MG's, and 1 HItec HS-225 BB for the throttel. I have a Thunder Tiger Pro .46. To power it I use a 4 cel NiMh pack and for a fuel tank I used a 10 oz. tank. I built it exactly per the planes exept i mounted the reciever and battery on the top of hte wing and made the fuse slightly longer and did the wing slightly different. I have about 250 in it and everything is brand new I would sell it without the battery and reciever or with it it doesnt matter to me, but I have no use for the servos because they are slightly smaller than a standard to save weight and I mostly fly 1.20 size planes and the 50 oz. of torque from those dont quite have enough power but I love that receiver and battery pack very light. Anyways please feel free to make me an offer either threw my e-mail SGKarter4@yahoo.com or send me a PL. Thanks.

[Aresti46]

Originally posted by nate 1001
this is a very crash resiliant plane. I came out of a flat spin a little low and when I pulled out the wing started to bend and I hit the ground. The only thing that happened was the landing gear broke off. I power mine with a 46 fx on a macs pipe. hovers at 1/2 throttle.

You mean you power your Spa3d with my .46FX and my Macs pipe?

[Ulf Rieder]

Originally posted by Aresti46
You mean you power your Spa3d with my .46FX and my Macs pipe?

Oh yes, you bet. Perfect combo.

Ulf

[nate 1001]

planes fly better when powered by someone elses motor

[Aresti46]

Originally posted by nate 1001
planes fly better when powered by someone elses motor

maybe thats why my Aresti crashed, i need to use Brandon's .46FX

[Aresti46]

Hey nate, you should've bulit rich a Spa3d for his coming home present

[Pro 3D]

Here's a shot of one that I built last year. I needed something (fairly cheap) that I could test some gear (that had been in another plane that er...a....crashed). It flew great and was a hoot to fly! I may just have to build another one some day.

[Blackhawk3D]

I have been flying an HD3D for a while and am pretty good at throwing the sticks around and making maneuvers look cool (I like Knife Edge spins hehe). I don't want to start flying real 3D with this plane without exponential rates and dual rates. I figure that, if I build a Spa3d, I don't need that! I bought some stuff a while back to build one but got distracted, but hung on to it. I have the Aluminum channel, but it is 32 1/2 inches long. I will be using a MDS .40, so this shouldn't be a problem right? Should I keep the wingspan at 34 or shorten it another inch? Thanks for the help.

[Blackhawk3D]

Anyone?