Converting rubber band planes to RC

[Sunstorm]

Hello guys;

I was at JH today, and they seem to be selling some scale vintage planes that are in kit form and are supposed to be powered by rubber bands. The boss Mr. Moh says that people do buy them.

Just checking if anyone here has converted any one of them into RC? I'm saying this because we now can buy 10 gm brushless motors from UH as well as tiny servos.

It might be worth a try, I may be buying one tomorrow to "see".

[joe yap]

Julian,

Although I haven't seen any of these particular kits being converted to electric R/C models, many electric R/C planes were actually converted from kits like these in the earlier days of electric RC flight. The key factor is the lack of vibrations and exhaust of the electric motor, matches the very lightly construction rubber band FF models very well.

Years back, a lot of modellors built thier first electric warbirds by converting scale rubber powered WW2 fighter plane kits from Dumas.

With modern sub-miniature radio and brushless motors, they'll match even better. In fact, small geared brushed setup should be enough for the job as well, along with Lipo cells.

[nixaad]

not to mention plantraco's super expensive setups if we were to go miniature. Wish there's a similar and cheaper alternatives. Really love to fly small rubber powered planes at the playground where I live and convert it to RC. Joe, any alternatives you know of?

Sunstorm, it has been my goal to try to fly DIY miniature or sub micro planes. Plantraco has given the alternative but electronics are too ex for such small things. Another alternative was to get the kyosho minium and use the electronics for other build.

cheers!

nixaad

[Sunstorm]

Hello Nixaad;

I don't know anything bout plantraco and stuff like that....

I did see a very cute indoor glider though....on indoor models.jp or something like that.

if you can give me a link, it'll be great.

What I actually mean is fitting very small standard RC gear into a rubber band plane.

example of my setup;

185 mah 2 cell
9 gm UH motor
6 inch GWS prop
2 blue arrow 4.3 gm servos from UH
6 amp ESC
nano receiver

I have already fitted my Bug with 5 gm servos and it is tiny at 75 cm wingspan.

JH rubber models are 50 cm span. It is a bit of a stretch.

Again, this is 'concept' and 'idea' only. I am prepared to sacrifice at least 1 model for R & D purposes....

Reason for this is; I would like to fly at night indoors in void deck... because sometimes I get home late and so don't have flying time. So to keep myself happy and to potentially pioneer a new type of RC flying, it's an idea worth exploring...

[loyn]

hi u are talking my language

I always like to fly small, slow and close ...... last but not least is "scale"

Joe is right , thanks to the up to date rc technology. It is much more easier to conver FF model to RC. On the other hand, the cost is one major issue ....... the smaller u go higher u pay

to go ultimate small IR is the way to go..... too bad is only for indoor or after dark ..... which may meet your requirement

I did some out door void deck with the PalmZ is fun

However if u like DIY , build your own micro plane will be really fun

this is one of my small rc plane ....... side by side with its big brother

and here is the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B8LXTW7PeU

[nixaad]

Hello Nixaad;

I don't know anything bout plantraco and stuff like that....

I did see a very cute indoor glider though....on indoor models.jp or something like that.

if you can give me a link, it'll be great.

What I actually mean is fitting very small standard RC gear into a rubber band plane.

example of my setup;

185 mah 2 cell
9 gm UH motor
6 inch GWS prop
2 blue arrow 4.3 gm servos from UH
6 amp ESC
nano receiver

I have already fitted my Bug with 5 gm servos and it is tiny at 75 cm wingspan.

JH rubber models are 50 cm span. It is a bit of a stretch.

Again, this is 'concept' and 'idea' only. I am prepared to sacrifice at least 1 model for R & D purposes....

Reason for this is; I would like to fly at night indoors in void deck... because sometimes I get home late and so don't have flying time. So to keep myself happy and to potentially pioneer a new type of RC flying, it's an idea worth exploring...

Sunstorm, we have the same sentiments, time constrain and night void deck or playground flying. The best suited for this kind of flying is the Xtwin series.
Here's the link to plantraco. http://www.plantraco.com/

Tho the plantraco uses IR, don't think it will fly as far as the Xtwins.

I would love if you can provide the models.jp direct link please.

The cheapest alternative is to doctor the Xtwin series and put it on the rubber powered or your own DIY plane. But then u'll be having propulsion from the 2 powered motor, me being me, is never satisfied with such setup. Always the rudder and elevator kind of ego guy where a plane must stay a plane albeit it a small size. Eccentric and egoist.. hehhehehe...

[nixaad]

Loyn, swee ley, may we know the setup? plans would be great too.

cheers!

nixaad

[nixaad]

Sunstorm/Loyn

I was thinking of using these components for a small scale flying, these component will determine the size of the plane instead of the plane dictates what components we need to use. These are readily available localy, what do you think?

Walkera 4#3 Servo (3g) (avail @ --------)
Walkera 4#3 Lipo Battery 3.7V 400mAh (--------)
GWS IPS motor (avail @ rotor)
GWS IPS Gearing use for slowstick (rotor)
GWS 10A ESC
3 channel RX

I'm not sure where UH is. Anyhoo, any suggestions would be a great help.

[nixaad]

oh great, censorship at it's best. maihobbistz

[loyn]

3.6g servo
5g BLM
7A 6g esc
200 mAh 2S lipo

I can pm u the plan if u want but is not the same size ..... as it is design for coil type acturator

[loyn]

I would like to try the walkera 4#3 servo ........ but me rather go for BLM for pwr and efficiency

try many micro plane with brush motor not v good ...... always under power

I have try the 10g blm on the micro pitts ....... it can go vertical

single cell is good for weight reduction but not many rx and esc work with single cell. Walkera 3 in 1 may be a solution but have to use their TX

[nixaad]

I would like to try the walkera 4#3 servo ........ but me rather go for BLM for pwr and efficiency

try many micro plane with brush motor not v good ...... always under power

I have try the 10g blm on the micro pitts ....... it can go vertical

single cell is good for weight reduction but not many rx and esc work with single cell. Walkera 3 in 1 may be a solution but have to use their TX

That's the con side of using Walkera 3 in 1, the only known TX that can use with the 3 in 1 is the multiplex TX royal evo synthesis if I'm not wrong, read it thru via RCgroup. Sure lyon, you can pm me the plans. Where do I get the 10g blm u mentioned?

thank you

[chinbqs]

I'm not sure where UH is. Anyhoo, any suggestions would be a great help.

United Hobbies is a online hobby shop based in hong kong, if i'm not wrong

this is their webby:

http://www.hobbycity.com

[loyn]

there is where I got all the mini stuff

motor 5 & 10 g and the 7A esc too ...... not bad for its price

as long as u can figure out how to mount them and build the right plane u will have a micro flyer in no time......

[nixaad]

thanks for the tip.