It is interesting what you can find in Nairobi. Electronics are scarce, but surprisingly I found a place stocking polyester resin!!! It was like a dream come true! I've seen composite materials being used and I thought I should give it a go for my new Flying Thing (see old one here). So anyway, to avoid waste and cost (mostly the latter, I am good at the former :) !), I decided to use fabric and resin to cook up something that will help me learn a lesson or two! So here goes....

1. I needed the frame, so a few plastic soda bottles will do. Wings also plastic

2. The wing and fuselage has to have a good aerodynamic shape, or pretend to have one :)

3. I wanted a delta-like wing with front Canard, yes Burt Rutan's a genius :)!! So why not borrow a design? To make the shape, I had to use a prop before applying the fabric and resin

and....

then...

...so that eventually...

. Then the canard....

...to become....

....now the fabric. First I fastened it to the frame using wood glue then applied resin and another fabric on top to strengthen it all....

Now we are ready to apply resin and another fabric to strengthen it all up!

Special thanks to Dan of DIYDrones for sending me brushless motors during the first Flying Thing! I promised to make use of them, and I am trying, though constrained in electronics. Coby of Metanomy (metanomy.org) has provided immense support. He provided the APM in the shots below, as well as invaluable support and advice. To follow the story behind the flying thing, follow http://www.metanomy.org