- This topic has 6 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated November 15, 2019 at 3:54 pm by
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The rebuild of Predators Sky Climber II
Phoenix in all her glory
After one too many crashes a few weeks ago with my Sky Climber “Phoenix” it was time to strip out everything serviceable and donate the remains to the Graveyard display @ The Field
After the strip out, she will Rise from the Ashes No More (she looks fine in the pic but its all an illusion & a whole lot of hotmelt glue stick)
I already has another Sky Climber (Ex VK7FB) that had only suffered very minor damage so that will be the new FPV Platform. Haven’t decided on a name yet but I’m sure something appropriate will come to me.
First order of the day was to remove the wings and straighten the curve in the tail, some boiling water on the foam while loaded up with a CF straightening rod soon had it looking fairly straight.
Next the nose needed the boiling water treatment to get it into shape for the canopy to fit. Now all is straight it is time to start the assembly.
Next was to checkout the FY41AP-Lite auto pilot recovered for Phoenix. Unfortunately the casing was a bit worse for wear after the last impact with Terra Firma so it was time to get the 3D printer out and design & print a new base plate
Auto Pilot minus base Top Pic, broken base left pic, 3D printed replacement right pic
The 600mW VTX had also suffered damage with the antenna socket snapped off. Luckily I had a pack of replacement sockets so that was a fairly quick repair.
Now that is all sorted assembly can at last finally start (tomorrow).
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As flying @ “The Field” was cancelled today I spent some more time on the Sky Climber rebuild.
Motor has been refitted along with the 40A Turnigy Plush ESC. Reset MAX power (something I usually forget) and all tests OK. I remembered to leave the prop off this time after nearly decapitating the dog when testing Kermits Radian glider (the whole nosecone & motor fell off).
Also designed & 3D printed a new Gimbal & GPS antenna mount.
The pitot tube for the AirSpeed sensor has also been fitted
The pan/tilt gimbal has been repaired & fitted to the new mount
Not far to go now
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Got a bit more done this afternoon after sailing @ Puddleduck.
All wiring is now completed and the 600mw VTX installed in a 3D printed housing. Hopefully this will prevent the antenna sockets from snapping off in a heavy impact on landing.
New 3D printed VTX mount
Gimbal is now all wired up and working as well
Still need to fit the wings but the COG appears to be close to where it should be with the flight battery & all the gear installed
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Its finally starting to look more like a plane now that the wings have been fitted. Also needed to replace the control rods feeding the elevator & rudder as the feed tubes were damaged & blocked with glue. All good now. FPV gear has been tested and its controlling & transmitting as expected, just have the head-tracker on the goggles to test but all else tests OK.
Started on the new livery, the main wings are finished so now only the rudder & tail plane to tart up then a quick tune up of the autopilot & she is good to go.
Oh yes, finally got a name “Prowler” and the callsign VH-FPV
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THE END could be the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning AT TOP GUN FLIGHT SCHOOL WE TRAIN OUR PILOTS for this type of scenario there is a vacancy at TGFS at the moment to train you in this type of possible problem as a second CFI i can offer a discount for this training a vote for kermit la frog at the forth coming elections would see you qualified regards CFI TGFS Kermit la frog
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