Originally Posted by gbmarsh

That's awesome, I really want to dress up my SC now!! This night flying thing could get addictive.

By the way, sounds like you have done the brushless mod to your Super Cub, what motor?

Cheers,
Geoff

It sure is a blast to fly at night.
Yup it's a brushless motor and esc out of a wildcat that crashed on me due to a faulty dx5e last year.

No more rushing home after work to sneak a quick flight in now I can fly all night

Burned Retina @ HHAEFI

Originally Posted by bsbauman

Burned Retina @ HHAEFI

What plane is that? I don't recognise the bones. Nice job!

Looks like the larger PA Addiction to me. but without cowling

Originally Posted by JimTMich

What plane is that? I don't recognise the bones. Nice job!

Originally Posted by ALEX HEWSON

Looks like the larger PA Addiction to me. but without cowling

That is Correct Alex! It is the PA Addiction X. It was fully rebuilt after LVC'ing at the bottom of a blender and into the trees I documented most of the build and conversion to a night flyer here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1502256

The cowling was a difficult issue for me, as I like a clean looking plane. However, in the end, access was more important for this project as it is far less noticeable when flying at night. For me to be able to use the cowl, I would have to remove nearly 40% of the fiberglass. This is because it was so difficult for me to bring the CG forward to within 4-5 inches of the recommended range- the lights, wiring and repairs had destroyed not only my wing loading but also my CG.

Solution was to mount both the 3s 2650mAh flight battery and the 500mAh LED battery on the nose, and also move the ESC as far forward as possible. With these changes, the cowl is not very practical unless I cut out a significant portion of material...

How is the performance affected?

Well Vertical is almost nonexistent, but it will claw its way out of a hover at a walking pace. Despite over 50g of lead on the nose of the motor mount (in addition to the relocated batteries), she is still extremely tail heavy and simply prefers to be vertical. The tail heavy CG is so extreme, this plane requires pulling up elevator during inverted flight- otherwise the tail just sinks back into a hover.

Despite the lack of decent tracking, 3d characteristics are superb. She excels in post stall flight and hanging from the prop. Something about the design of this plane allows it to get into some extreme positions without dropping a wing. Harriers both upright and inverted are effortless and nearly handsfree. Waterfalls are very tight.

While I have preformed numerous spins with this airframe, I am very cautious of high energy moves like snaps and spin recoveries. I have put so much weight into the wings and out to the tips, that I am very concerned they might one day fold a wing.

Originally Posted by bsbauman

While I have preformed numerous spins with this airframe, I am very cautious of high energy moves like snaps and spin recoveries. I have put so much weight into the wings and out to the tips, that I am very concerned they might one day fold a wing.

No way... that wing is ludicrous strength. Much more likely to snap the tail or break an aileron off (I have done that). The CF rod in the wing is super strong though.

Originally Posted by jasmine2501

No way... that wing is ludicrous strength. Much more likely to snap the tail or break an aileron off (I have done that). The CF rod in the wing is super strong though.

time will tell but it really does feel as if the wings will be ripped off at high speeds...

Originally Posted by bsbauman

time will tell but it really does feel as if the wings will be ripped off at high speeds...

Oh yeah, maybe at high speeds... I forget the thing can probably do 50mph if you want to. I like to fly mine slow

I kinda misspoke: it tracks like poop in a level attitude and does not like speeds much faster than 25-30mph. I need to get some vids up already...

I have to say.......Even sitting still the Burned Retina still looks awesome!! I would love to see it in action sometime.

It does look awesome! Would look even better with a night prop. .

Did a bit more work on my night quad.

Comments?

Quadcopter LEDs Tx Control (3 min 32 sec)