Well, nobody seems to discuss this area of the rocketry hobby so I thought I'd start this thread......

I picked up an Estes Sweet V at a local hobby shop at what I considered a pretty "sweet" price. Instead of just letting it sit in the box (like my Strato Blaster), I've decided to build this one. Read the instructions twice and decided I might be able to make a decent attempt at it. I'll get the build done and then start looking for the electronics. From a cursory review of options, everything I've seen so far cost almost three times what I've paid for the model

Below is a look at the pre-construction kit.....

The wing cores are foam. They will be covered by Obeche wood wing skins.

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__________________
Don
NAR 53455
"Carpe Diem"

Well, the skins have been applied to the outside wing panels. Used paper thin application of 2 hr epoxy (per instructions). Looks like they turned out okay. I'll work on the inner wing panels tonight.

While the epoxy was curing, I jumped ahead and started carving out pieces from the cockpit. The canopy section was opened up to allow the installation of the electronics. A clear canopy is then taped down over the opening. The side slots are cut for the wing installation. Still need to cut out the motor mount opening and the opening for the tail boom.

Still haven't decided on the RC equipment yet.....

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__________________
Don
NAR 53455
"Carpe Diem"

I believe Craig McGraw does RC. He may be able to give you some pointers.

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Scott D. Hansen
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe - Your One Stop BAR Shoppe!
Ye Olde Rocket Plans - OOP Rocket Plans From 38 Companies!
Ye Olde Rocket Forum
WOOSH NAR Section #558

Check with Futaba and JR-Spektrum for some incredibly small packages. I've seen dime-sized servos in some ads, but smaller components are coming available every month. This is a whole market segment that has exploded in the last two years, and is getting more popular. Look for magazines that are aimed at the indoor 3D electric enthusiasts for some of the smallest equipment.

Not too long back, I saw an electric model SE5A in one magazine with a 4" wing, flying on either two or three channels. I really think it was three - rudder, elevator, and throttle. If a system can fit into that small an area, something similar can be mounted into a Sweet-V without much effort.

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Craig McGraw

BARCLONE Rocketry -- http://barclone.rocketshoppe.com
BARCLONE Blogsite -- http://barclone.wordpress.com
BARCLONE Forum -- BARCLONE Forum

BARs helping BARs

SAM 0044
AMA 352635

Wow that's small! So how about a R/C Astron Spaceplane?

Now that would be way way cool!

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"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/

Thanks for the input Craig. I worry about the really small stuff in that they may not take the torque required for a D impulse rocket glider. Is there a wewb site I can look at for these items....I guess I could just google it...

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Don
NAR 53455
"Carpe Diem"

Futaba is owned by Great Planes [Tower Hobbies], and JR-Spektrum is owned by Horizon Hobbies.

Futaba Web Link Futaba is a large company, and the new stuff they're introducing is just an extension of what they've been selling in the industrial controller market (remote cranes and other large machines).

Spektrum Web Link Spektrum is a derivative / division of JR Propo equipment.

__________________
Craig McGraw

BARCLONE Rocketry -- http://barclone.rocketshoppe.com
BARCLONE Blogsite -- http://barclone.wordpress.com
BARCLONE Forum -- BARCLONE Forum

BARs helping BARs

SAM 0044
AMA 352635

Isn't Kraft around anymore?

__________________
Scott D. Hansen
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe - Your One Stop BAR Shoppe!
Ye Olde Rocket Plans - OOP Rocket Plans From 38 Companies!
Ye Olde Rocket Forum
WOOSH NAR Section #558

The company is still in business, as Kraft-Hayes, and they manufacture accessories for model airplanes like fuel tanks and other hardware. But I don't think the company has done anything in the electronics area for some time. Seems like at least 25 years since I've seen a Kraft radio on the market, maybe longer. Used to be considered the best radio line.

__________________
Craig McGraw

BARCLONE Rocketry -- http://barclone.rocketshoppe.com
BARCLONE Blogsite -- http://barclone.wordpress.com
BARCLONE Forum -- BARCLONE Forum

BARs helping BARs

SAM 0044
AMA 352635

Yes, but what does macaroni and cheese have to do with this?

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc - Starfighter Scorpion Centuri - Mini Dactyl Estes - F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II, Xarconian Cruiser Semroc - Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark