Duct Tape R/C Plane

This is an rc flying wing made from scratch and covered in duct tape. 

This is not a good rc project for beginners. I just wanted to see if this could be done. 

Step 1: Lay-out

The wing is made from foam board with a carbon fiber spar.

Comments

[sgfidlin]

Do you have a video of it flying?

[seamster]

I used to, but it was such poor quality that I removed it. The plane was so far away the whole time that you couldn't even see it. But it flew just fine.

[sgfidlin]

Another thing, could you take a picture of the circuit out of the plane?

[seamster]

The plane no longer exists. I cannibalized it pretty soon after this to use the parts for something else.

However I can tell you about any part of it. What do you mean "circuit out of the plane"? I'm not sure what you're looking for.

[sgfidlin]

Never mind I figured out what I wanted. But thanks anyways. :)

[sgfidlin]

Okay thanks for getting back to me.

[charlesac]

Well, I have another grandson who is very good with RC flying, and he is teaching him the in/s and outs. He is 8 yrs old the one he is teaching that is. Anyway, I purchased 1/2" so will have to return and get the 3/16" not a big deal since I can use the 1/2" for other things. Thank you so much for all of your help. Will let you know how it goes. Hope I did not post this twice was having some trouble with my IE8. Is the white glue elmers glue? Also can't seem to get the reply to work unless I am doing something wrong (charlesac)

[seamster]

I used white elmers glue. I'm glad you're making this for your grandson. I should mention that this is not the best way to start into the rc hobby. This was a silly experimental project for me and although it did fly, I certainly would not classify this as a thing for beginners. It's not forgiving AT ALL if you crash it! There are lots of kits and ready-to-flys out there if this doesn't end up as a particularly positive experience for your grandsons. Let me know how it goes, though!

For what it's worth, I recommend flying wings from Crash Test Hobby for beginners. I have an assassin and a reaper, and they're both great.

[charlesac]

This is great; however I don't see how thick the foam core is for the wings or the ribs unless I am mistaken. If I am in error please let me know. Are both 1/2"? I am trying this build for my grandson and think that what you have done is fantastic. Nice job.

[seamster]

Hi. All the foam core is 3/16". Are you building it for him to fly, or just as a thing to display?

[catmanduud]

cool

[nprasad5]

really nice and amazing how much do you spend on it? and what isthe type of motors? and programs installed if you send answers for above questions i will be thank for lifetime i pardon y bcoz iam so much crazy about to do this.plz plz plz send to my email id [e-mail] plz dont forget me thnx in advance

[Aman Kushwaha]

Uh...cn you explain me regarding the radio control laws you are talkin about....
thank You...

[seamster]

Do people fly radio controlled planes where you live? If so, I'd visit with some of them to learn what you need to know get started in the hobby.

What I was saying is that some countries have varying laws regarding if/where/how you can use r/c equipment, so make sure you know and follow the rules where you live. (For instance where I live, there are certain places where one can and cannot legally fly r/c planes. It's good to know where these places are, and visit with people who already fly as you get yourself into the r/c hobby.)

[Aman Kushwaha]

I'm a student from India... I wanted to know whether these parts would be available here or not...???

[seamster]

I think you will be able to find the answer to that better than I can! :)

Check in local shops, search the internet, and ask around. If you cannot find local dealers for radio control components, you can order things online. Hobby King ships worldwide out of China, and has very good prices. Be sure to check your laws regarding the radio control hobby where you live before you purchase anything.  I hope this helped!

[yapoyo]

How much will this cost to build?

[seamster]

Ah, that's a tricky question. See step 12. For the stuff to build just the plane itself (not including any r/c gear), probably under 20 bucks.

[DOMINICKGRIGGS]

DOES THE ESC ACT AS THE RECEIVER
OR DO YOU ATTACH THE SPEED CONNTROL TO A RECEIVER ALONG WITH THE SERVOS AND BATTERY

[seamster]

YES, THERE IS A RECEIVER THE ESC DOES NOT ACT AS A RECEIVER DID I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION

[DOMINICKGRIGGS]

YES...WHAT RECEIVER DID YOU USE

[seamster]

It's a Spektrum 6-channel park receiver. I think it's this one.

[DOMINICKGRIGGS]

is it only commpatable with the dsmx transmitter...or is it universal to any transmitteer

[seamster]

only with same brand stuff, I believe

[DOMINICKGRIGGS]

what do you recomend for first timers at rc planes to build

[seamster]

see the link in the post I made on April 10 (below). Those are great flying wings, and they take a ton of abuse. You can fly and crash all day long. It's how I learned.

[supalightnin]

ummm can i pls have links for the transmitter and receiver?? thanks im a noob and this is my first rc plane

[seamster]

Please don't try this for your first rc plane! It will not be a positive experience. If you have the means, I highly recommend building a foam kit for your first plane. You will learn how to build it (because you WILL have to fix it along the way!), and it will take a lot of abuse and allow you to learn to fly without completely destroying it on your first crash.

Try one of these  or something similar (I have the assassin)

This is the radio I have.

[David97]

is there a setup for t6connfig for the servo mixing.

[seamster]

My radio has a setup for servo mixing, yes.

[David97]

If it is computer programable can you tell me where i can download the softwere.

[seamster]

I don't think we're on the same page, so I apologize. My radio is programmable, meaning I can set up things the way I want from within, but it doesn't have any external software that I know of. Here is a link to the radio I use for flying my planes. (I don't even know what "t6connfig" means.)

[David97]

oh i see, My radio plugs into the computer to mix and the program it uses is called t6config, (i wish I could afford a spectrum).Thanks anyway.

[rijan]

which motor you have used

[seamster]

I've listed all the parts, and links to where you can buy them in the last step.

[carlsands]

wow that is awsome

[bkaspersky]

What quantity of each part did you use?

[ceeceemerto]

hey, what else can i use besides "foam core"? i don't think that its available in our country.

[seamster]

You could probably use some thin cardboard. I think it would work pretty well.

[hivoltage]

This is a sweet plane! I am just getting into building and flying my own wings, and ended up building a "Divinity II" wing out of foam core board. Its 48" and came out to 20 oz all up weight with a 50 gram motor and 3s 2200 lipo pack. I'm already on my second one after the first had a "slight" mishap at the flying field. Its built from laminated layers of the foam board and uses a KFM airfoil. I know flying wings are not really a good first plane, but I'm quickly getting the hang of flying it without crashing it. I built a hot wire foam cutter so I can try cutting out different styles and designs of wings from blocks of epp or polystyrene, as soon as I can find a good source of foam in socal... anyway your plane came out great and looks like it flies really well, 5 stars!

[seamster]

Thanks! I'm going to have to look up that plane you mention. I'm not familiar with different airfoils, so I'll have to study up on that too. Thanks for the info. I'm glad you like my plane! It was pretty fun to figure out how to get it all together, and I still get a real kick out of seeing it actually fly.

[hivoltage]

This is the thread over at RCGroups for the plane, I have not actually posted in it, but the pdf of the parts layout is there. I use foam "Readiboard" from the dollar tree with the paper outsides removed. KFM airfoils are just airfoils with steps in them, usually created by the edge of the sheet of foam. they are easy to make in planes built out of foam board or fanfold just by laminating layers together without using ribs. There is something amazing about spending time building something and then seeing it soar up into the air, I know I'm hooked.

[seamster]

Sweet. Thanks for that link.

I concur, it's definitely a rush see your own creations fly!

[heavyfire88]

To break it into 1 million pieces, all you need to do is to drop it down from your hand.. -.-
And the motor that you are using there is too big for it. As far as I can see from the image, you use a motor that uses 9x4 and 1300 mA battery. Hmm. It is really creative. But erhm. I think the "foam" is not the right material for this kinda plane - "Zagi". I think balsa wood would be much more proper.

[alimonov]

This is one of the best RC instructables I've seen in a while. It would be very helpful if you posted a blueprint or layout of the wings so I could see exactly what size all the wings should be because I am building this by myself.

[seamster]

Just thought I'd let you know that I finally had time add detailed layout for my duct tape flying wing. Hopefully it's enough to get you going in the right direction.

The layout for the wing base and all the ribs to step 1. I also added a bit to step 7 about the CG, which you should know if you do build this.

I don't mention a lot about the elevons, but they should be about 16 1/2" long. Mine are about 3" at the wing tip end, and about 2" on the narrower end. They were cut at 45 degrees on the bottom of the hinge edge so they can move up and down easily.

Hope all this helps. Let me know if you build one. I'd love to hear about it.

[pepelepew]

Yes blueprints would be nice, especially regarding the airfoil shapes, if I had some info on the shapes design I'd already be building the plane!

[seamster]

Layout added! Let me know if you make one.

[Dream Dragon]

If you don't know it already you should google "Mugi", you'll LOVE it!

Your project looks like huge fun.

[orvis]

Brilliantly done, first to take up the challenge of making duct tape fly despite its texture and weight, second for fully following through with it, and third for succeeding so well!

[seamster]

Thank you!

[frank26080115]

Can you tell us how much the entire plane weighs?

[seamster]

yep - it came out at exactly 24 oz.

[seamster]

Thanks!

Yep, I was surprised it flew so well too. The final weight was 24 oz. even, and I'm flying at almost exactly 5280 ft. above sea level. I added another step at the end with info on all the radio gear.

[ynze]

Very, very cool!

[Gr3at_Whit3_North_Guy]

how much does the parts cost?

[mikeasaurus]

Wow, another awesome flying project!
That wing has got some lift to overcome the weight of the duct tape, nice!

[seamster]

thanks! I was very pleased with how it flew.

[SHIFT!]

Please post a video on this so we can submit it into the Make It Move contest!

[seamster]

See step 11.