SPA3DT

[TLAR]

Well, my original Spa3d only lasted one summer, maybe only three or four hundred flights, and survived possibly 50-70 dirt-naps. Not bad for about $15 invested, and I'm getting a ton of 3D experience! Well, I decided to try and make my next one a little tougher :cool:

http://www.spadtothebone.com/misc/spa3dt.htm

http://www.spadtothebone.com/misc/3d02.jpg

[therotund1]

Another one to play with, looks fantastic!

Do you ever sleep?:D

Dave,
I need more coro...

[gordo-plast]

Looks Good Tattoo, I printed the plan today. I'll start a new one soon, as my current one won't last too long. last night I was doing what I call the "Kangaroo" - basically tail touches (elevator crushes) down the runway, one after annother. FUNNY!

As to the longevity of your first one, you have me WAY beat. It's simply not natural for a 3D plane to last a whole season! At least not for us beginners. I just wish I could get my props to last longer! I have to find an alternative to $4 APCs!

Gordo

[lomcevek1]

Yeah Great one on the SPA3DTank 6 club member asked me to build one of the SPA3D's and I was about to get started when I saw the SPA3DT so I will be getting some tubing if I can find some. I checked on aircraft grade 6061 T-6 but that stuff is $$$$$ we will look for another source.

[TLAR]

We are finding out from some feedback that all 1" aluminum "tube" is not created equal, so it will be interesting to hear what you guys find in different parts of the country and different countries. Mine is built from tubing I found at TSC's with a wall thickness of .0625 (1/16") at a weight of 8 1/2 ounces per 36". Kraut just built one from tubing he found at LOWES on the other side of the city (Wichita Ks.) with a wall thickness of .070 at a weight of amost 15 oz. per 36". Heavier...but man...you aint gonna break that fuselage!!! And then I've gotten reports that guys are finding it at Home Depot with a wall thickness of .050 (no weight report on it though, but I'm assuming lighter than mine). I've also heard that ACE hardware has it, but I don't know the wall thickness...but it's 9 ounces even for the 36" piece. Very interesting stuff! BTW, I also don't see any reason that rigidity would be comprimised if someone had the desire to drill lightening holes in it...lots of choices and directions to go with this.

[Bizzaro Bill]

Well I did it, Yep built me a SPAD3D had a blast to. Can't wait till I get to go fly again :D


B Bill

[lomcevek1]

You know now that winter is upon us (well at least us up here) I am going to try to make up a set of coro skiis to see how that will work.

[rlt55]

Got my old Du-Bro skis off an old LT-40 and I'm going to put them on my QHOR.
I think the QHOR will handle the skis (and winter winds) better than my SPA3D.

Boston just gets a cold snap compared to Fairbanks, but it's way too cold for this Texan :)

[springcreek]

That's just my luck. I finally get around to building a SPA3D (it's half-way done) and TLAR already has plans out for the next generation. Looks great! I'll wait with building that one until I absolutely destroy the SPA3D. I hope it lasts awhile but as one of our club members has noted, "You guys flying those SPADs are definitely tempting fate." He made the comment with a grin that didn't quite hide his jealousy at how our skills are improving while flying dirt cheap airplanes.

[TLAR]

Sorry man... :)...but just think, it only took an entire summer, hundreds of flights, and 50+ dirt drillers to take out my Spa3d...this one should last twice as long :D...and yes, not having the profile on there is buggin me, it just looks too cool on the Spa3d, just gota figure out how to add one to the model-T! :)

[nate 1001]

cut slots in the tubing and drop the fuselage in at a couple of spots. Put a bolt through from the outside and it should look preety good

[therotund1]

The slots would work well with some 2 mil coro or maybe even some thin lexan. How about whittling a fuselage piece from an old, cheap, styrofoam cooler lid? You'd have to fuel proof it but, it'd definately be light...

Dave,
groggy

[nate 1001]

I just got finished turning my spa3d into a biplane. I made the top wing 2 inches longer and made it with a short aluminum channel down the center u shape down. I added 2 1" wide struts from aluminum from the top uchannel down to the bottom held with bolts. I made coat hangers to hold the wing tips from moving. I tried to fly but way too tail heavy and just did a loop into the ground. Gonna try again tomorrow with some weight added.

[Bud Morrison]

Just a note for those who want to build a Spad3DT.
I went to both Home Depot and Lowes today to get some Items needed.

I found that niether carry the square PVC downspout anymore used to make control horns and other things. Luckly I still have a small hunk from when I put some on my deck roof. Glad I wasn't planning on building a spad with a downspout fuse :) If anyone knows of a place in south eastern Pa that stocks the square PVC downspout drop me a PM and let me know as I need to grab a few lengths to have around.

Second the square alum tubing at Lowes was like $11.00 for a 32 inch piece. Same stuff at Home Depot was like 6.95 for a 4 foot piece. Think Im gonna stock up on a few pieces from Home Depot next trip.

I solved the issue of the servo screws pulling down on the servo ears. If you look in the section of the store where the pop rivets are sold you will find some 1/8th inch aluminum washers I use one of these under each servo grommet. Now they dont pull the servo ears down when I tighten down the screws. Right now im looking into using machine screws with a lil blue locktite on them and tapping the holes with a real tap to hold the servos down with. Putting normal servo screws in that square tubing is a royal Pain. I have a dual servo aileron setup on mine connected to the main fuse tube. When I finish it ill post some picts.

Also while Im posting :) Help me get a Combat forum going. See this thread. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=157804

[nate 1001]

shelly's in bucks county sells 10 ft sections for $7 don't know how close you are to there

[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.