For something different I've embarked on the construction of a small size trebuchet for who know what reason other than mere fascination . Part are cut from common 2" x6" ripped on table saw to 1 1/2 square. Gussets are 1/4" 5 ply aircraft birch ply so they look good. The counterweight buck and the load slide will be made from white pine and the throwing arm is already made of the same white pine. Half lap notches interlock the main parts and the gusset connect the rest.

With no payload, it managed the required 10mph on level ground, but slowed way down on a slight uphill. There are hillier routes for more testing. With a 2lb payload, it managed the required 6.66mph on the standard road grades. The 6.7 mile effort burned 280mAh/mile, more typical for the lunchbox. PID adjustment for throttle might be in need. Getting more performance numbers requires implementing the speed paddles, which requires dealing with android studio.


Some TPU bumpers were a desperately needed safety feature. Angle aluminum ends at 10mph are lethal. Even better would be some cubertruck front end, but lions only have black TPU. Maybe a PLA cybertruck front end could be adhered to TPU cushions. Lions bash it into curbs all the time, so TPU is a better option.

Lions are keeping an eye open for a cheap pancake motor. These motors were selected for the lunchbox tire diameter, but wider motors with thinner tires would be more ideal.

Some photos with descriptions of assorted shenanigans airplanes and other stuff

This is the flight of my FlightLine 1.2m Hawker Sea Fury FB.11, jamming to All Along The Watchtower (Cover) by Playing For Change.

The FlightLine 1.2m Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 (5 min 1 sec)

I used the following parts to make my own "Hawker Sea Fury Sport Power Set FLW20113" that is being sold by Motion RC and installed it:

1) FlightLine 3648-880KV Brushless Motor
2) APC 12x8E Propeller (Dynamically Balanced)
3) Dubro 3" Spinner (Dynamically Balanced)

Using a Roaring Top 4S 3300mAh 70C Lipo (358 grams), I also added 2.25 ounces of flat self-stick ballast weights hidden in the nose section to balance to the recommended CG.

What was already a great warbird is now even better!

Pilot: Me
Cameraman: Brad Lupher

Thanks for Watching!

After much shortening of wires and rearranging, my Dart 250 is now a hair's breadth under 250 grams AUW. The first flight was 14:43.

Matek F411-WSE
Stock motor, ESC and 2-blade prop
Emax 9051 servos
RMRC Mini GPS
TBS Unify Pro V3
TrueRC Sidefeed (short) antenna
Runcam Split 3 Micro
TBS Crossfire Nano rx
Battery -3S, 1200mah Efest 18350 pack
Battery and ESC wiring - 20 ga.

I could cut another gram or two by removing the electrical tape that covers the vent holes in the back and using lighter heat shrink to cover the vtx and rx. I could also save by switching to the Runcam Split 3 Nano.

picture of the RCM plan guide

Enjoy this E-flite UMX Night Vapor First Indoor Shop Flight With E-flite 150mAH 45C Lipo Battery:

E-flite UMX Night Vapor First Indoor Shop Flight With E-flite 150mAH 45C Lipo Battery (4 min 54 sec)

Links to this E-flite Night Vapor: Hobbyzone: https://bit.ly/3hCjLLk & Amain: https://bit.ly/3naKKig

10.3 miles burned 217mAh/mile. The last mile was with a heavy payload. This exposed a serious lack of torque, compared to the lunchbox. Integrals tend to wind up & send it flying on level ground. It can't get up any hills. The motors didn't obviously get hot. There's definitely a power band as evidenced by the integral windup.


The lion kingdom is undecided on what to do about the paw controller. Making just a mockup with those intricate controls takes forever. There's some debate about getting rid of proportional steering when it's stopped & even more, getting rid of proportional throttle. The hall effect throttle would just be for detecting reverse.

BG has some really nice deals for those in the USA ..

https://www.banggood.com/custlink/mmDhZPmbdR - OMP S720 $83 USD
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/m3DhItvbEV - Dragonfly 700mm $30 USD
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/DG3h9PGNRe - WL Toys F949 $52.50 USD
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/mvGyIFmbyA - FMS 800 V tail $69 USD
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/KmDh9t3bdf - Dancing Wings 1200mm T12 Balsa Trainer $61.50 USD

Oh man , ..... That T12 look interesting .

2017 MiniDrak

Gemfan Moolight LED Props 🌙💡 (8 min 12 sec)

How to cover a wing with packing tape (3 min 1 sec)

This is a easy and cheap way to cover your foam wing. Make sure you use simple packing tape. It's way lighter than duct tape but strong enough.

Here's a Windows-based program I wrote that lets you manage the sound categories on your Spektrum NX or DX Gen2 transmitter. While you can add and edit categories on the transmitter itself (System Menu > Sound Utilities), I thought it was easier to do it on a bigger screen with a keyboard and mouse.

To use this program, simply unzip the contents of the ZIP file below. You just run the EXE file to run the program - there is nothing to install. The ZIP file includes the default categories for sound file version 1.09 in an SPM file (also below), which I made before I started the development process.

The program requires .NET Framework version 4.7.1 on your computer. That shouldn't be an issue at all on Windows 10, as the most current version is 4.8 and has been for a while. Windows 7 users might be challenged by that if you haven't updated for a couple of years. Here's a link to download .NET 4.7.2 from Microsoft if you need to. (The download begins immediately from that page.)

The EXE file is not digitally signed, so your anti-virus software will question it the first time you run it. I'm very paranoid about security myself, so I understand you're taking a leap of faith using it. It's not a virus, and it doesn't work with any data it's not supposed to. It's written with Visual Studio for .NET 4.7. I don't know what .NET does by default for any program Visual Studio creates, but my code doesn't access the registry, the network, or any files you don't tell it to open or save.

As I created it, here's the SHA-1 Checksum for the ZIP File (version 1.1): 0eac758b7d6970e5bcf65b494d522c834d524994

Documentation with screen shots is provided in the PDF file below.

DISCLAIMER: This program and the process of editing SPM model files exported from the transmitter is not supported by Horizon Hobby. Use this at your own risk.

Version History
Original Version 1.0 - January 16, 2021

Version 1.1 - January 17, 2021
Added a clipboard feature that allows you to copy your custom categories within the same file or from one file to another.

Winter ...Confinement ...not much fun ...building a Mosquito from an 10 years old french Magazine ...always good for the spirit and I love balsa
normally was for gaz , mine he's electric , two JP Hobby retract and 2 out runner brushless motor
I modify the fuse , on the plan the bottom was square , I foam for a better shape .. not an easy build the nacelle are not that easy to build
I will post pictures following the build

Eachine Mini Mustang P51D Warbird - Expert Mode TX16S - High Wind Terror Fun! DustOff Flights 7 & 8

Get One Here: Eachine Mini Mustang P51D Warbird RTF
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/vvmDAdvdjk

RadioMaster TX16S Transmitter
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/DvvycmfSMK

Eachine Mini F4U Corsair
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/vvGhWygz68

Eachine Mini T-28 Trojan
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/KGDYryhlrG

Volantex Sport Cub 500
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/DmGmUiY16o

Banggood GCRC
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/GmDmQ1nVkO

Here is a link to the Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUheMr_UV34

Here's a Link to the Playlist for the Eachine Mini P51D Mustang:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...1gOQvKdyt4mn1s

Spare Parts:

Lipo Battery 1S 360mAh for Eachine Mini Mustang P-51D RC Airplane
https://www.banggood.com/3_7V-360mAh...47791920140372

Brushed Motor 10mm Hollow Cup for Eachine Mini Mustang P-51D RC Airplane
https://www.banggood.com/10mm-Hollow...47791920140372

Prop 130X70mm Propeller Set for Eachine Mini Mustang P-51D RC Airplane
https://www.banggood.com/130X70mm-Pr...47791920140372

Gearbox for Eachine Mini Mustang P-51D RC Airplane
https://www.banggood.com/Gearbox-for...47791920140372

Receiver Board Original 4 CH Onboard Servo for Eachine Mini Mustang P-51D RC Airplane
https://www.banggood.com/Original-4-...47791920140372

Front Landing Gear Set for Eachine Mini Mustang P-51D RC Airplane
...Continue Reading

I fly micro FPV drones (those that spin 4" props or less) and I'm constantly looking to improve upon the "components" for my builds.

One such "component" is the LiPo battery which actually is normally the heaviest "component" on your quad.
Now, I've been flying GNB and RDQ LiPos for quite some time and have been very happy with them.

Recently I came across a relatively new brand of LiPos, Auline. Noticed Auline has a 4S 1000 mah LiPo (60C) which is advertised as:
"a very powerful battery that is suited for micro long-range builds that utilize an XT30 connector."

I have been using the GNB 4S 1100 mah (50C) LiPo for this purpose, however, this "new" Auline is 8 grams lighter for about the same capacity (1000 mah vs 1100 mah). I have been getting at least 17 minutes of flight time with the GNB so I thought "Wow, I wonder what I can get out of this new Auline at about the same capacity but 8 grams lighter!"

Here's what I found out

Micro FPV Drone Battery (AULINE 4S 1000 mah LiPo) (9 min 35 sec)

My original "Park Zone" T-28 Trojan (NAVY) survived almost one solid week (December 1st, through December 6, 2020) day and night exposure to a Brackish water Lake adjacent to our RC Club field. This model came from someone here in Orlando, Florida who modified it with Servo-less Retracts and has now endured two (2) crashes. One to solid Mother Earth Ground (Nose In) and now to a Man Made lake with all kinds of creatures lurking and nibbling at it.

The Tail feathers did NOT delaminate nor decals after all this exposure from the Sun and Water.

Perhaps the Original "Park Zone" NAVY Trojan was made better?

Oh, the servos are still original! (Less of course the Power System).

Here's my Video and pay attention to the pictures after post re-maiden flight and repairs! (Eye Candy)

Park Zone T 28 NAVY 44 inch wing span Trojan retracts post crash repairs 01 16 2021 (2 min 26 sec)

Yep Les Amis,
Pas le meilleur de la marque mais fiable ! J'ai en test aujourd'hui le nouveau MotoWhoop 90HD de chez HGLRC. Un petit appareil toujours bien conçu et très bien équipé ! Pas de mauvaise surprise au déballage ou à la mise en route et une très bonne surprise en vol indoor. La carte AIO ZEUS en F722 apporte un plus à son prédécesseur en matière de précision de pilotage. Parfait pour s'initier au FPV ou au vol à vue, ce petit Whoop de 90mm est résistant aux chocs et assez agile. On note cependant un léger manque de puissance ou portance soit du à son poids soit aux hélices pas tout à fait adaptées peut être. Il est donc plus à l'aise en cruising et ballades qu'en freestyle. La Caddx Nébula est suffisante sur ce type d'engin mais reste en dessous de la Vista. En bref, un investissement qui reste honorable en HD si vous ne recherchez pas de grosses perfs ! ... Bon Film et merci à tous pour votre soutien .

HGLRC MotoWhoop 90 HD - Review Test Démo - Pas mal ce petit Tank, mais pas ouf ... (31 min 54 sec)

Débutants et confirmés
Les + : Bien réglé en sortie de boite, Très résistant, Bonne conception, Bien équipé , Agréable à piloter pour la ballade.
Les - : Autonomie moyenne, Nébula moins précise que Vista, Un peu lourdaud pour du freestyle.

Chez HGLRC :
- HGLRC Motowhoop 90 HD : https://bit.ly/37IprPw

Chez Banggood :
- HGLRC Motowhoop 90 HD ( coupon BGAFF10OFF ) : http://bit.ly/3nP3MMl
- Lipo 3S 550mAh : http://bit.ly/3sDgocv ou ...Continue Reading

Background: In the early 90's I started my first 1/4 scale build, an A&A Industries Citabria by Bud Nosen. It took me about 15 years on and off to just frame the left and right sides of the fuselage. When my kids were born, I picked up the pace and managed to finish her by 2007. After a successful test flight and just a few flying sessios, I mistimed a flight, ran out of battery and got too low to dive for speed and too slow to flare, so it mushed into the rough terrain slightly nose down. There was significant damage to the LG mounting plate and the fuselage bottom in that area. The motor mount also came loose and there was some minor wing strut damage too. Then we lost our field (BARCS) and the airframe just sat in the shop for the next 13 years until now.

The original build threads are here:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...-Bud-Nosen-kit
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...ria-conversion

The LG was mounted with steel screws - if I had used nylon bolts, the damage would probably have been constrained to the area below the LG plate instead of including the longerons and some of the fuselage sides. The LG plate has been re-attached and the bottom longerons on each side have been re-spliced with new stock. You can also see the irregular patch on the fuselage side, surrounding the strut attachement slot. This whole area was crunched on both sides of the fuse. The original fuse bottom covered the LG in a continuous slab. I had to remove one wheel to slide the LG out. This time I'm making the whole section a hatch so the LG drop straight in.

I'll add new progress entries in the comments below

Version 3 finally managed to go 6.4 miles with no payload, over hills & bumps, with minimal stops. Power consumption was a whopping 175mAh/mile. It could go over 20 miles without a payload, on a single battery. It could also go 10 miles on a much lighter battery. The motors might benefit from a hotter winding, pending speed tests & payload tests. The motors weren't obviously hot after the drive.

Despite the bumps, the encoders stayed in place. The PID controllers were soft. The hard tires made it squirly. The mane limitation was now the paw controller. The controls need to be spaced out 10mm in every direction & it needs to be bigger. The lion kingdom has been leaning towards getting rid of the isogrids & the dual thickness in favor of simplifying it.

The battery compartment needs foam. The bolts need lock nuts. The tires held up well. Despite the hall effect joysticks, binary steering proved much easier than analog steering.

The low power consumption was manely from the hard tires & very little contact patch. Less benefit was from being direct drive, lions believe.

The encoders still required printing spacers to tweek the alignment. They're not as stable as hoped, but at least they just need 1 magnet & 2 sensors. Having the sensors too close to the magnet causes bigger constant regions of voltage. Moving the sensors farther from the magnet axially creates more changing regions. There still might be a way to make the software use past encoder readings to deglitch the current reading.

The steering PID controller needs to reverse direction when driving in reverse. The lion kingdom only realized it after 7 years of failing to hold a straight line in reverse. The trick is transitioning between fwd & rev.