Joseph Frost

After upgrade of my recent "JF-Altra-light" creation to Eflite 370, I got stuck with this tiny 280 outrunner, so I thought lets build something even smaller and lighter for indoor if I find some decent size shed. Lets start building.

Making use of this tiny power unit.

Hoping to build it as light as possible out of 3mm Depron sheet braced up with CF rods.

Simple and quick build.

Joseph Frost

Latest addition to my mini Depron fleet took less time to create than expected, the stuff I have ordered for the model hasn't even been posted yet, but I have already managed to have the first test flight, unfortunalelly too windy for this piddle, so it was bit of a handle in 4 out of 10 steps in wind rating (10km/h).
I'm sure in dead calm mornings it will be a nice fun model to enjoy.

Check run of few props.

Ready for its premier flight.

Latest addition to my mini fleet.

Too windy for this one today, didn't enjoy it on 550mAh pack. Lighter 2S/300mAh are on order.

Joseph Frost

Few more test flights this morn in dead calm, unfortunately it was so cold I could hardly feel my thumps, little faster than expected so I have put it back on the work bench to do few more mods to slow it down and ordered lower pitch props to suit.

Dead calm, freezing cold morn test flying.

Winter's sunrise.

Joseph Frost

Minor modification to the frame to reduce the wing load slightly. Also modified the new prop from 8x4.7 to slimmed down 9x4.7 to check the result at next calm conditions.

Ready for the next calm.

Joseph Frost

After few more flights with my new creation, we have a problem, nice and light, flies slow like a slug, but the model is too nose heavy while static, and too tail heavy while in the air! LOL.
I have to rip out the landing gear to redesign the frame to place them at least 75mm forward, after that I'll look closer into the tail heavynes.
Just a usual challenge for the model aviator, LOL.

Joseph Frost

Simple fix, ripping out the gear and repositioned further fore by 90mm will sort out nosing over while taking off, also added some dead lead weight to the extreme front to check the tail heaviness with touch of Ail. plus crow. Waiting for another dead calm.

Landing gear too close to the CofG.

Ripped it all out!

Now placed 90mm forward.

Joseph Frost

My latest mods made all the difference, all under my thumps now but still waiting for few different props and halve the weight batteries to make most of this creation.

Back in action after all the latest mods.

Joseph Frost

Few more flights with the mini, while testing few new lighter batteries, all good, even slower after installing some buffers on control surfaces.
Also started working on even lighter version, this time hoping to bring it down to 150 grams or under. (Pic of my new wing)

Test running smaller capacity packs while waiting for some new lower pitch props.

Joseph Frost

My initial intention was to fly this model indoors, but so far all my flying is done outdoor in dead calm.
AUW varies with different batteries as on the pic above, limiting my flight time from 3 to 6 minutes.

Currently working on slightly smaller,

Dead calm eve.

My new project on its way.
lighter version, this time powered by micro "AXI" motor, hoping to cut down the weight. (Pic).

Joseph Frost

Great little model to finish the day off.

Twilight dead calm fun.

Joseph Frost

Bit more progress on my latest project, coming along well.

Beefing it up.

Adding up to it as I go.

Joseph Frost

All surface controls hooked up, and touch of colour added.

Landing gear is next.

Joseph Frost

After flying my new "DC" series I have given this one away for free, less the power unit I'm going to install in this micro light I find slightly too heavy for my counter rotating one.

Little marginal for 3/D action with this CR unit.

Too heavy at 155 grams for 3/D.

Joseph Frost

Got tired of this one, stripped down of electronics and power unit, giving it away to a friend. Built 10 more since, LOL.

Constant improvements.

Joseph Frost

For a variety took out this morn couple of oldies I still enjoy now & then.

Pretty lively model compare to some of my latest creations, ready for more fun on Oz Day.

Dead solid hover

In KE mode