The NutBall.....It's what you get when you combine a Pizza Box Flyer with a Smart Dart, the best of both. It's round and it flies like crazy, hence the name.

It can be setup for flying from mild to wild. It's an easy quick build, so any repairs are a breeze. There's no nose or tail to break off and the wing can't fold. As a trainer it can fly slower than slow, super stable and no bad habits. Turn up the volumn for advanced flying or silly fun. It flies almost as if has ailerons......rolls, loops, snaps and spins both way, flies inverted (but, not it's forte unless you drop the dihedral), prop hanges like a full blown 3D machine and has no pitch problems at high speed.

Here's the new improved instructions and specs. The changes I have made from the orginal, produce an improvement in both flying and durability. You'll find a plan on the next page that can be sized to give you the lowest possible wing loading for the weight of the flight equiptment to have. Notice the addition of a canopy to provide side area for the rudder to 'work' against for better response. Can also be used as a hand launch handle.

Cutting the circle is as simple as drawing it on the foam using a string, a small nail and a pen. Cut along the line with a new sharp blade, turning the foam as you go. One measurement, one line to draw and one continuous cut, done in less than two minutes. The hinges and dihedral joint are melted out of the EPP foam using a modified 30W solder iron. File the tip into a wedge, use a wheel collar as a depth gauge and run it along a steel ruler.

The orginal prototype was 17" in diameter of 6mm EPP, for 227 sq.in./1.58 sq.ft., 4.2 oz for a loading of 2.68 oz. per sq. ft. The centre section is 9", the tips are 4" and the dihedral is set at 24 degrees or 1 3/4" EACH tip. The rudder is 5" high and 2 1/2' wide, as is the elevator 2 1/2" wide at the centre line. Balance at 25% of the root cord to start, them adjust rear ward to suite your flying style. CF flats are installed across the wing in two locations to keep it flat. They are inserted into a slot and held captive with hot melt glue across the slot. Add a bottom spine and a foam box to attach the motor mount. The landing gear is a 'V' lashed to the motor mount with carpet thread n' CA glue. Add a 1/64 ply chin to stop the foam from compressing and mount the battery on the bottom.

The following goodies from HC are used to keep it airborne.....the 16 gram motor on 2S 460s spinning a 7X4 SF prop, the Plush 6A ESC, a Corona RX and EM 3.7 servos.

A 20 incher for a 70w motor should weigh 7 ounces, have a centre section of 11", with tips of 4 1/2" and set at 24 degrees dihedral. The rudder is 6" high X 3" wide, as is the elevator.

I've modified my latest with using 18 degrees dihedral under EACH tip and found it improved inverted flying. It flys smoother, but not being quit as responsive to input, so just crank up the throws.

Note: I've since tried 12 degrees EACH tip and more area on the rudder and elevator.......better still. That's 1 1/8" at 4 inches.

This post with pictures and the plans on the next page is all that's required. If you need more info on size, the equipment you plan on using, etc., use the search feature and type in key words or numbers, like a wing span (from 7 to 7 FEET) or a motor size. Using this method, you'll have your answer in short order.

CAUTION: Attempt the maiden voyage at a low throttle setting, gain altitude holding in any trims required on the sticks and then use the trim levers. This will control any unwanted torque effect until you get the feel of it and gain confidence.


Fly SMALL, have a BALL..........

Frank,

Thanks for the pictures etc. That is one neat build - love the idea of the bracing wires underneath the EPP (why didn't I think of that ?).

You were right about the Smart Dart XS and I have no doubt you are right about the Nutball - thanks.....Now, where is that scalpel?

Nigel

You Beauty Frank. I can stop dribbling now and finish my NutBall. I, like everybody have been really looking forward to it. Its now here.

Thanks

B x

Nigel: I just use very thin wire, run it through a wire eye in the spline, cut slits, insert the wire, adjust until flat and then attack it with the hot melt. I tried dental floss, but it didn't work. Got this idea from floppy 6mm EPP PBFs. With the thicker EPP I've had no proplems with warps.

Frank

I don't really understand the method for inserting wire as bracing. Is it the same as CF, only with thin pushrod wire (.032/.064)? Do you cut a small slit in the EPP and then the wire fits snuggly into it?

I've been flying your dart longer than any of my other models mostly because I never crash it, but it's also just so much fun. It's my "old reliable." When my EPP comes from rcfoam (as well as some Depron!) this will be the first thing I build out of EPP - from scratch, that is. I have a flightflex yak in works

- Jeff

Yup, I just used thin music wire, as in pushrod material, it's all I had and my patience was running low. I ran the wire up through a long slits, at the same angle. After I adjusted and glued it, I then just clipped off the excessive.

If you like your Dart, you'll love the NutBall, it flys better and you can do more with it, it's way easier to build and I think kinda pretty too, pretty simple.

Looks right up my PBF allie!!!

Great job! All I need now is some more foam

Kinda a newby to Darting, Just finished # 6! So I need a little help. I "discovered "Hobby City and am now Platimum. Cant beat em. The 3.7 servos they sell are EM.
In your list you used EU 3.7 servos. Are these the same or did you find a better source than HC?
Thanks for the help. Just got a batch of .9 hot cut EPP. Time to build a round one.

Good job...looks right Gold... even Gpw should be happy....after all it is Round.

We might need a plan......for the guys who like to hold something in their other hand while building!

I have just ordered another 10grm motor so.....

So 10g United Hobby motor for the 16" and 24g blue for the 20"? Sounds good to me, I will break out the chalkboard compass and get to work. Don't think Drawings are necessary for this one.


easier and better than the dart......... sounds like blasphemy to me.

Thanks Gold

I have my EPP ready to cut!
How are you doing the control horns? (close up pic would be great)

Nice one Frank! Can't beat a quick, easy build...looks good too.

Now we just need Gene to post his plans and Box to put on the MelonCam™ and grab us a video

Congrats on another winner,

Si.

Cool!!!

What? A round (toit) NutBall Dart????
Darn nice looking PBF Frank, wonder if I could modify my Rountoit, to resemble this??
Just checked my EPP stock, all I got left is 2 sheets of 5.5mm... That's gonna have to do it.... (Must get another order off to supplier, I can see many roundies in the future.)
It is a beauty to behold Frank, and thanks for another successful flyer!
Oh ya, and I'll allow this for the Postal... Get those flights in before the 31st!
Now, like Nigelp, where the heck is my knife?

Frank, I love the Dart and I thought the R1 was even better. Can't wait to try your NB. I love your innovation on the fuse bracing and the v-grove construction technique. The latter sounds like something I'll want to practice before giving it a try on a larger piece of epp. Thanks! Pat