I decided to try my hand at a walnut scale conversion of the Dumas Fokker E111, but I've never done this kind of thing before, and I was wondering if the weight of my components would work. Here's what I'm planning on using. Motor: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAETY&P=0 Speed controller: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXUTA8&P=0 Servos: http://www.microflight.com/Online-Ca...row-2-5g-Servo Receiver: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGFT1&P=0 Battery: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXBYDZ&P=0 I calculated the weight, and, all told, it should weigh about 40 grams, plus the weight of the airframe itself. Is this light enough? Will all my components work together?

Bump

I would say that your equipment will be a little too heavy, even if you'll have more wing's area than with a monoplane.
You could use 1.7g servos, a 1S motor (and thus a 1S battery), a light ESC (3g) and a light RX (2g). That will allow you to fly more slowly.

An other solution would be to build a bigger aircraft (20-24")...

I've found this a very powerful but still relatively light weight setup for my 16" planes:
Rx - orange 410 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s..._Receiver.html
Motor - brushless 4.6gm http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ht_3700Kv.html
Esc - 6a 2s http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ontroller.html
Battery - 2s 180mah http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...Lipo_Pack.html
Servos - 1.7gm digital http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...c_0_075kg.html
Prop - gws dd4025 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=10040
It is fast though! You could always try a dd3020 for extended flight times. Im not sure what the AUW is off the top of my head, but I'll weigh it tomorrow and let you know.

For a model that small I would go with the AR6400. The 8mm motor/gearbox from a um P-51 and a single cell 160mAh battery. Shoot for a ready to fly weight in the 40-50 gram range and you will have a nice flying model.
Glenn

Originally Posted by Mwalker56

I've found this a very powerful but still relatively light weight setup for my 16" planes:
Rx - orange 410 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s..._Receiver.html
Motor - brushless 4.6gm http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ht_3700Kv.html
Esc - 6a 2s http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ontroller.html
Battery - 2s 180mah http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...Lipo_Pack.html
Servos - 1.7gm digital http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...c_0_075kg.html
Prop - gws dd4025 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=10040
It is fast though! You could always try a dd3020 for extended flight times. Im not sure what the AUW is off the top of my head, but I'll weigh it tomorrow and let you know.

Awesome! Thank you! That's cheaper and lighter than my original setup. I've already got the kit on order, so I'll start with the components soon. One question, about the receiver: Will I have to buy a new radio if I don't have a 2.4 Ghz one? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm kinda new to this RC stuff. I haven't flown anything in ages!

Originally Posted by Airship Captain

Awesome! Thank you! That's cheaper and lighter than my original setup. I've already got the kit on order, so I'll start with the components soon. One question, about the receiver: Will I have to buy a new radio if I don't have a 2.4 Ghz one? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm kinda new to this RC stuff. I haven't flown anything in ages!

You can use a $15 DSM2 RTF TX or enter the 21 century and buy a good computer 2.4Ghz TX. After I sold off the extra stuff, my new DX8 was less than $175 or you can get a used DX6i for about $100.

If you go DSM2 you'll never think about buying a $27 4 channel RX again... that is crazy town.

Cheaper and lighter than all this stuff is a $20 Target Hobby AR6400... 6 Channel RX, 2 Amp Brushed ESC, + 2 Servos on board that weighs 4 grams... and its perfect for 30 - 55g planes with a Mustang motor/gearbox + 5030 prop.

yeah, you will need a 2.4 ghz radio, and the brand matters too. the AR6400 is a spektrum radio, so you will need a spektrum tx. you can get a short range (300 feet or so) 4ch radio that sucks for in the 20 usd area used. dx5e are very basic 6ch radios that are a world of difference up from the 20 dollar 'stock' radio, but the dx6i is the best, unless you got deep pockets.
the dx5e goes for the 45 dollar used and 60 new.
the dx6i is more, about the 160 are new.

unless you like to do thing the hard way, get the dx6i.
if you want super simple, the dx5e is cheap and feels nice. its what i have. its pretty limited, but simple as dirt.


edit: keep in mind the 20 dollar ar6400 comes from china, and takes in the area of 2 weeks to get to arizona (where i live).
no one can tell any difference in the 20 dollar version and the offical retired 60 dollar version.

I built the Dumas walnut scale corsair using the V1 Beast components. Came in at 64g, it flew great, but it was not really an indoor flier (quick and powerful). I think the Dumas Fokker E111 would fly really well on an AR6400 ans 1s power setup.

Originally Posted by UNGN

You can use a $15 DSM2 RTF TX or enter the 21 century and buy a good computer 2.4Ghz TX. After I sold off the extra stuff, my new DX8 was less than $175 or you can get a used DX6i for about $100.

If you go DSM2 you'll never think about buying a $27 4 channel RX again... that is crazy town.

Cheaper and lighter than all this stuff is a $20 Target Hobby AR6400... 6 Channel RX, 2 Amp Brushed ESC, + 2 Servos on board that weighs 4 grams... and its perfect for 30 - 55g planes with a Mustang motor/gearbox + 5030 prop.

I agree, the setup i listed is not suitable for an indoor flyer unless you have some serious wing area! Its more for a micro park flyer.

I also use the Rx415 not the 410 as it has micro connectors on board:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s..._Receiver.html

Are you swapping connectors on the 1.7 gm servos to fit the 415? They're not the same are they?

scrubs

Originally Posted by scrubs

Are you swapping connectors on the 1.7 gm servos to fit the 415? They're not the same are they?

scrubs

the 1.7g's plug right into the R415 as if they were made for each other.

they *were* made for each other.

I've got a Walnut Scale Corbin Baby Ace built from Peck-Polymer's plans. Currently flying with a Vapor brick, geared 7mm pager motor, and Thunder Power 160 mAH single cell. Flying weight is 30 g. A single basketball court gym is flyable, but feels rather "tight".

I have the Dumas E-III kit that I purchased to do a similar conversion. The flat-bottom airfoil was a disappointment. If I ever get to it, I'll be re-cutting the the wing ribs to make an undercambered airfoil. The scale full flying stab and rudder and pull-pull control linkages will help keep the tail light. The landing gear on the E-III is hell in any scale. I never really got that far when "noodling" the build.

You'll probably need the weight up front, so a geared 8mm motor would be suitable.
You might consider using laminated strips bent wet around a template for the outline of the control surfaces and wing tips.
Hinge the flying stab and rudder with carbon rod inside alu. or plastic tubing.
Build it with carpenter's glue, Superphaltic, or Ambroid to help keep the weight down.
Cover in Esaki (Jap) tissue and Nitrate dope. Markings can be cut from colored Esaki tissue and applied with dope. Leaving the bottom of the wing uncovered would make for a very aggressively undercambered wing.
I don't have anything to offer with the landing gear.

Ok, what about this: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...zone_Etc_.html and this : http://www.targethobby.com/ar6400-ds...p-4162189.html . And can anyone recommend a motor to use? Thanks for all the help!