After the Yak 54, I thought I'd get into a new type of challenging build.
It's been a long time since I few a jet so I thought I might as well tackle one of those, and do it full on with a 12 blade EDF on 6S.
I chose the F86 as it was a model I had in mind for a long time, but never dared to build it before as it looked too daunting with all its complexity around the EDF configuration.
I'm pleased to share here that the project was a success and I'm flying this jed every single day I go to the club nowadays. She flies amazingly well and the take offs and landing are such a pleasure with her shock-absorbing langing gear on the grass strip.

Here's the build log for details:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...CNC-hotwire%29

Here's the maiden video and some photos below:

F-86 Sabre - Maiden Flight (3 min 19 sec)

And of course I had to build a new plane with the CNC hotwire, pretty much immediately after!

The chosen model was a Yak 54, which I had in my to-do list for a while.
It was interesting to redesign my whole manual workflow into a computerised version, with no paper, no manual transfer into templates, and practically no sanding!

The process I followed was pretty much the same as I did manually before, only that I do it with a computer and a CNC hotwire now
The resulting sections are very accurate and smooth, making things a lot easier for integrating 3d printed parts (the fit perfectly), gluing, finishing, etc... as there is very little need for sanding or cutting.

Build log with the full process: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...e-Build-1260mm

Here is a video of the end result, and some photos below.

Yak 54 - Another Flight (4 min 41 sec)

After toying with the idea of building a CNC hotwire for a while, I finally took the plunge and got it done.
Thanks to RCKeith for his amazing work enabling others to do this!
I designed my own version and gave it to Keith to publish on his site, and also published it on Thingiverse.
Links:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5477327
https://rckeith.co.uk/3d-printed-foam-cutters/

Here's the full build log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...h-a-3D-printer

It was time for a new build and my to-do list was empty, so I started looking for the next challenge...
After some time looking and looking, I found this plane that is not only beautiful but it also has a bit of a sad history (lost in flames).
So, I took it onboard and built it with the usual approach and new technique using paper covering, which resulted in a very good looking plane and a great flyer.
Very pleased with the result and flying her every weekend! Landings are the best part, as she lands like a proper mustang in ther two main wheels and taxies fast until the tail gently starts going down. Love it!

Build Log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...Precious-Metal
Video:

Precious Metal Racer - Maiden Flight (3 min 49 sec)

Photos below

This is another "lockdown child"

Built in EPS foam with plywood parts and 3D printed scale details, it turned out to be lighther than I originally expected and an amazing performer.
I tried a new construction technique with this plane. Instead of XPS foam I used EPS, which is ligther but also less sturdy.
To compensate for that, I covered it in packing paper applied with Mod Podge which made it very sturdy and with little increase in weight. The end result is lighther than an XPS plane this size, and as a result the power train delivers awesome vertical performance.

Build Log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...n-plane-1200mm

Videos:

F3a Alpha - 2nd Flight (2 min 4 sec)

F3a Alpha 3rd Flight (1 min 20 sec)

...Continue Reading

I built this plane during the 2020 lockdown in Melbourne (about 3 months ) and I had forgotten to include it in my blog... so here I go.

It was built using a new XPS foam (Bastion brand) that, to be honest, I don't think I will ever use again.
It's ok to work with and the weight is similar, but it is too porous and I had to put quite a bit of spackle on it to be able to paint it... so not great.

Regardless of this, the result was very good and the Albatros is cruising the skies nicely since then. Find details and photos below.

Here's the build log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...-scratch-build

Video:

Albatros DVa 2nd flight (2 min 36 sec)

This was a very challenging build due to the complex curves involved, and I'm highly pleased with the result.
The P3 Revolution is a highly modified Pitts... so much that it doesn't even resemble a Pitts
I started from scratch doing the design in Sketchup, following photos of the real plane and comparing with the original Pitts.
The result was amazing. She is light, highly aerobatic, goes vertically really nice, and slows down nicely for beautiful landings.

Here is the Build Log in case you are interested in more details: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...obatic-Biplane

Video:

P3 Revolution 5th Flight (2 min 51 sec)

...Continue Reading

What a plane!
Gee Bee's have always been a soft spot for me, with their unique look and record-breaking speed.
I built one in the past and she didn't end up well (lost to an electronics failure)...
This one turned out to be an amazing flyer and she really looks the part both on the ground and up there in the sky.

Wingspan 1300mm
AUW 1700g
Powertrain D3548 790kv, 60A ESC, BEC
Propeller 13x6 (wooden)

Build log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...-scratch-build

Video:

Gee Bee R2 maiden flight (3 min 12 sec)

Hi there,

I wanted to try something new this time around. I'm a bit over EDF's with their high demand on batteries and low flight times, so I decided to give it a go at a prop in slot jet.

I chose a great model for this experiment: Shumate's SU 37 Flanker.

My rendition uses a single motor (1400kv, 800w) swinging an 8x6 propeller.
She screams a lot and flies amazingly well (much better than my similar-sized F14 70mm EDF), with a lot of power on tap and without killing batteries

I must confess the noise is a bit too much (88dB) for my liking but I think I'll get used to it.

Build Log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...lot-conversion

Maiden video:

SU 37 slot prop maiden (2 min 55 sec)

Photos...Continue Reading

After losing my other spitty to an electronics failure, I bit the bullet and built another one immediately after
This one has a few mods that made it better than her deceased sibling...
- Shorter and lighter tail for a better CG location without the need of ballast
- Much better retract mounts and wing doublers for reinforcing the mount area
- Better colour contrast for camouflage paint finish

Maiden was a huge success and I've been flying it regularly since then.
Awesome plane!

Build log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...e-Mk-IX-1300mm

Spitfire Mk IX V2 scratch build (3 min 8 sec)

Hi All,
I wanted to build a new profile plane capable of flying very slowly and in small areas (thinking of my backyard).
I decided to go with the Piaget 2 which looks pretty nice and seems to fly well.
My version is pretty close to the original, with the following specs:
- Wingspan: 800mm
- Motor 1500kv
- Prop 9x5
- ESC 12V
- 3x 9g servos
- Batteries 2S 750mAh

She flies amazingly well and I'm loving every minute! Those slow 3D manoeuvres are a pleasure to see, and I even flew her at night under a lightpole in a park nearby.

Photos and plans below

Video:

Piaget 2 Scratch Build (2 min 57 sec)

Hi all,
I finished this plane recently and flew it a few times.
It was an amazing flier and I loved it, until an electronics failure took it away from me
I liked it so much that I'm building a new one (V2) at the moment, expecting to finish it within the next few weeks.
Build log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...e-Mk-IX-1300mm
Photos below....Continue Reading

I decided to sell my previous corsair and build a new and improved one.
This one is bigger (1300mm), more scale (retracts, plastic parts for scale details, etc), and with a solid wing and fuselage which makes it a bit heavier but significantly sturdier.
The result was great, she flies awesome and looks the part up in the air and also taxiing on the ground.

Build Log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...th-retracts%29

Maiden video (cut down version):

F4U Corsair 1300mm - Maiden flight (2 min 18 sec)

Photos below

Back to the classics.
Always liked the good old Trojan and I wanted my very own instead of the available RTF's.
So... I built it

Such a great flyer, performed like a pro from maiden.

Build Log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...-Trojan-1200mm

Maiden video

T28 Trojan Maiden (2 min 58 sec)

This was my winter project for 2017... Another amazing plane from the Golden Era.
It flies beautifully, almost like a balsa plane.
Very interesting build especially the wing and stubby fuselage, and highly pleased with the result.

Build Log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...g-Racer-1200mm

Maiden video:

Hall Bulldog Racer - Maiden Flight (3 min 12 sec)

Another (better) flight:

Bulldog Racer tamed (2 min 38 sec)

...Continue Reading

What a plane!

This was my end-of-year project. Started it on 24 Dec and maidened today.
Very happy with the result. It flies amazing and it looks the part.

Here's the the build log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...dge-540-1200mm

And here'so the maiden video:

Edge 540 v3 - Maiden Flight (6 min 45 sec)

This is a plane I always wanted to have.

I've done this one truly from scratch as I even designed the plans from the Sea Fury's 3-views and some drawings of the real plane.

I was highly pleased with the result. She flies like she is on rails, fast stable and no bad habits at all.

Build log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2704234

Video:

Critical Mass Maiden Flight (5 min 2 sec)

Photos below

I built this one modifying Steve Shumate's plans as follows:
- Modded centre section to allocate a single EDF fan
- Added ailerons
- Added a lot of scale details
- Added landing gear
- Increased size by 16%

Specs:
- Wingspan:1200mm (wings open)
- Weight: 1190g incl battery
- Motor: EDF 3000kv
- Fan: 70mm

It flies really well. Not a speed machine but nice and scale with a lot of presence up in the air.

Maiden video:

F-14 maiden (3 min 38 sec)

Second flight:

F-14 second flight (3 min 30 sec)

...Continue Reading

Time to try a new construction method, and since I was doing this why not do it with a twin engine?
I've always loved this plane, and now I have one!
I'm really pleased with her, she flies great and has no bad habits at all.

Buil Log: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2548637

Maiden video:

DH-88 Comet - Maiden Flight (1 min 3 sec)

Another flight:

DH-88 Comet (1 min 35 sec)

...Continue Reading

This one was built from plans I found in RCGroups.
Quick build (1 week) and it flies like a charm.
I liked it so much that I sold my HK Reaktor...