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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on January 27, 2010 at 6:34pm

Can you put a picture in your post, pls?

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Permalink Reply by Mark Richardson on January 27, 2010 at 6:41pm

Sure thing.. sorry.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Richardson on February 1, 2010 at 10:42am

Here is the first flight video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57eCXenXiVk

The plane flew very well, and is really stable. We may have to scale it up a bit in order to add autopilot etc.. A low transmitter batter lead to the crash near the end of the video.

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Permalink Reply by Wayne on February 1, 2010 at 11:32am

Wow that is very cool. I know the predator is a very popular sought after model. But it seems there aren't any real good manufactures of the predator out there. Any chances of you selling a package containing just the predator itself without the ardupilot stuff?

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Permalink Reply by Mark Richardson on February 1, 2010 at 11:38am

Wayne,

Yes, we are getting ready to launch a website (buildafoamie.com) where we will be selling the plans to build this predator model as well as several other planes.

We have no plans to sell actual foam kits/parts, at least not at the moment. But if you are interested in hiring us to put together one of these scratch-built predators for you I'm sure we could work something out.

If you want to be notified when these the plans for the predator are available, just head over to http://www.buildafoamie.com/blog and click on the newsletter link.

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Permalink Reply by Wayne on February 1, 2010 at 11:43am

Well considering I have never cut foam and am so new to this hobby I don't even own a plane yet Im sure I would be interested in having you put together something for me might be an option depending on what kind of price that involves of course. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Mark Richardson on February 1, 2010 at 11:45am

It would actually be pretty reasonable... The foam is inexpensive, and the motor and receiver are not too bad either. Do you have a transmitter yet?

Let me talk to our main builder and he can tell you how much it would cost.

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Permalink Reply by Wayne on February 1, 2010 at 11:50am

I literally have nothing yet. Though I have been considering some kind of 6 channel perhaps a Futaba or Spektrum Tx. I don't want to drop to much but something that will last and give me what I need.

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Permalink Reply by passunca on February 8, 2010 at 5:14pm

Hi all,
Like your project. In fact I am working on a very similar project, although mine is going to be a hybrid between the predator B and C, it is a V tail aircraft.
It is my first ever RC build. Yep I am a Noob and somehow going for the EasyStar solution would take half the fun out. I will post some pics of my Model 000 if you guys promise not to be too hard on me ;).
Anyway, I have a question for you Mark, are you using any reinforcement on the wings?

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Permalink Reply by Mark Richardson on February 8, 2010 at 5:43pm

Nope, not on the wings at all. I am using some wooden skewers on the elevators as you can see in the pictures here: http://www.buildafoamie.com/blog/sneak-peek/rc-predator-drone-proto...

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Permalink Reply by passunca on February 8, 2010 at 5:55pm

Nice... I see you have the bent the foam as well. So I would say that gives you enough strength to go without any other reinforcement on the wing itself. Nice job.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Richardson on March 1, 2010 at 11:03am

Predator Drone Plans are now available here: http://www.buildafoamie.com/products.html

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