have there been any issues breaking wings if the spars are removed?

the channels would be ideal to run the wire

I think the stryker body will develop its own dihedral if you remove the wing spars.

I can't imagine that you could snap those wings on a light Stryker. It doesn't weigh enough or go fast enough.

(Someone will be sure to prove me wrong, of course...)

My son and I have started building his Stryker. It'll be his second plane - after a heavily modified Mini Super Cub - and his first with ailerons. I'm pretty stoked.

The birth of a delta freak.
Ain't life grand...

Windsanity!

Windsanity! Light Stryker in 40MPH+ Winds (2 min 27 sec)

It's hard to call this a light Stryker at 17.6 oz , but I guess it's lighter than stock. You guys are the Sultans of Light I used gear that I had on hand. Here are the specs:

CF 2812 brushless outrunner
Budget 30 amp ESC (overkill I know)
T Pro MG90 servos
Stock Stryker motor mount
Orange receiver
AUW 17.6 oz. with 1300 mah 3S battery

This was my first Stryker and I wanted a compromise, light yet with a little extra performance. It's all I had hoped for. The 2812 with a 7 x 6 prop puts out 21 oz. of thrust on 3S (according to headsuprc.com data) Fins and elevons are Dollar Tree foam stiffened with clear packing tape. Canopy is from part of a clear juice bottle.

It flew out of my hand like it was on rails and I could immediately see why this bird is so popular. Nice speed with full throttle and very aerobatic with the 2" elevons. Feels like it could be flown into my garage, turned around and flown back out. Undoubtedly my new favorite plane. I was so impressed I ordered four more bare Stryker C fuselages I'm planning to build a true lightweight for my next one. After that maybe one with thrust vectoring. I think I've got the Stryker fever bad!

You just can't beat these planes for variety and ability.
I'm totally addicted.
Thanks to everyone for all the solid info!

rchank, that should fly just fine and that motor oughta put it vertical no problem. Those metal gear servos are prolly overkill.

It's sort of a 'medium Stryker' at this point. I like the thrust vectoring idea though. Hmmmm...

Light Strykers have been a way of life for me for a couple years now..
Here is number four, a "3d" version with about 150 hard flights so far..
(the first pic has a Micro Stryker on the nose)
Elevon thrust vector with 3 inch, 6mm depron surfaces.
10 oz without battery auw.
Runs on 1.6-2.5 oz batteries. (400-800 mah) 30c+
MicroDan 2505-1200 with 9x5" GWS is good for 22 oz thrust at 11a.
Castle 9 esc.
My 1845kv version with 8x4 is good for 27oz.
9g servos move the sufaces well because they are set up with low resistance pin hinges.
60 degrees of throw.
Spars removed for weight savings, add tape and plenty strong. (has not lost form or broke)
Bits of carbon added here and there.
No plastic anywhere except control horns that are glued on.
3mm depron fins last about 50 flights before I destroy them from dragging inverted.

I saw that first photo and I was, like, "Wow! That's a great looking plane. Are those strake-evons?!"

Then I actually read the post.

Sweet looking plane. What's up with those crazy inboard elevon extensions?

Weighed my son's new light Stryker tonite, and it's 12.4 oz. I was hoping for less than that - must be the weight of the pink paint.

Originally Posted by mclarkson

I saw that first photo and I was, like, "Wow! That's a great looking plane. Are those strake-evons?!"

Then I actually read the post.

Sweet looking plane. What's up with those crazy inboard elevon extensions?

Weighed my son's new light Stryker tonite, and it's 12.4 oz. I was hoping for less than that - must be the weight of the pink paint.

The extensions give the benifit of using the prop wash to rotate the aircraft.

It can flip, roll, and spin at low speeds.

Interesting. Thanks, I may look into that.

I still can't get over how awesome a shape that Stryker+mini-Stryker make in your first photo.

We put the final touches on my son's new plane tonite. Elevons are 1/4" balsa + packing tape. Fins are blue FFF with black paint. Battery/ESC cover is pop bottle plastic and black tape.

Wish him luck on the maiden.

Well ... it flies just great.




An inverted fly-over to give you a look at the top:

Porcho's Lightweight Pink Stryker (2 min 56 sec)