Stryker Crash

Had my first true crash of my Stryker today. I was flying slowly, practicing turns. I was at the far end of the field when I stalled. I tried to pull a sharp turn without enough airspeed. I had increased power but it wasn't enough to increase the speed enough.




Fortunately, the damage was only structural. The battery, motor (and camera) were undamaged.
Just a little PUR and I'll back in the air.

Note: Normally the nose cone would have popped off in a nose in crash, thus sparing the fuselage. However, this time I used two large strips of packing tape so the break actually occurred on the fuse. Next time, smaller tape.

Here is my first successful (or is it lucky?) chase cam footage shot from my Stryker. Keep looking for the blue Corsair.

Stryker speed

Finally got a Eagletree logger for my stryker. It's just a stock B airframe with a Warp 4 2580 driving a 5.5 x 4.5 prop using a 3S 2100 lipo

Initially, I had the pilot tube just mounted on the fuselage.


Someone on the forums pointed out that the pilot tube really needs to be out in clear air so I mounted it in the nose.


Not too bad, upper 60s level flight, 70+ in a dive.

Stryker cam!

Here is a video taken today from my Stryker. I'm still trying to get experience with the camera's field of vision. I'm hopeful that I get some real "chase plane" footage.

Cermark Victor Build Log

I finally got my new electric Sailplane kit. It is the Cermark Victor. Here is my build log on RCGroups. Please post any tips or suggestions there!

Newest field

Here are some photos of the new field that I've been going to lately. It's a community park, shared space with joggers and what not but center of the field is generally open.



It's a picnic area, there are a number of nice tables for folks to set up on. And look, power outlets! Perfect for recharging packs. Some folks brought their building tools and were cutting blue core foam. (one gentleman even brought his bandsaw!)

It's a nice mix of slow-flyers, EDFs, fast wings, hotliners, and helis.

My Typhoon Maiden

Well, here is a shot of my Typhoon just prior to the maiden. I picked up up used from a user at RCGroups. It's in pretty good shape. Brushless motor and 20Amp ESC. I'm using a 3S 2100 mAh lipo.

Alas, the maiden did not go as well as I hoped. Upon lifting from the ground it rolled left and cartwheeled onto the dirt. Fortunately, the damage was minimal, just a broken clevis and a mildly stripped rudder servo. (Gotta love foam planes!) The servo still works fine, I just can't get maximum deflection (for 3D).

I've repaired the clevis and I'm going to try again tomorrow. This time, I'll be ready for the torque roll.

Edit: Sunday 1/20/08 OK, it wasn't excess torque roll that caused my Typhoon to flip. I set up my ailerons backwards! It took the observant eyes of my brother-in-law to point it out. Man, I am such a doof.

Stryker pics

Well, I finally finished my Stryker build. I've had the airframe and motor for almost a year now.

I'm running a Warp 4 BL 15, 3-turn, 2580 KV motor with 3S 2070 TPX packs. Turning an APC 4.75 x 4.75 prop, I should get 23,310 rpm pulling 26.7 amps, which should be within the range of my CC Phoenix 35. All up weight, 689 grams.

Hopefully I can get a maiden in over the Thanksgiving weekend.