Hi All,
I am looking to update my current drone setup to either a Multiplex Twinstar or Nitroplanes RQ-11. The primary purpose of this drone is to take vertical aerial photos for making Digital Terrain Models.
I am looking for a plane that can
- Handle some wind (say up to 15 knots)
- Be easy to fly manually (I'm no expert pilot)
- Be hand launched as I won't have access to a runway always
- Has enough internal space for APM and a Canon P&S style camera, downward pointing
- Could possibly have FPV gear added in future
I have settled on the above two planes as they are around the same price, can handle enough weight and seem to be widely used by the APM community. I have the option to buy either one of them. However, they are both quite different animals.
The RQ-11 has that Military look that is kinda cool, but I am wondering if it is too fast for a less experienced pilot?
I like the durability of foam (ie. the twinstar) and am also wondering if the RQ-11 is too delicate with a fibreglass fuselage. I have recently flown a HK FPV168, which has a fibreglass fuse and balsa wing, and it was way to fast for me, leading to nasty crash. That plane weighed a lot more than the RQ-11 though (3kg vs 1.5kg), so maybe they are not comparable - it just scared me off fibreglass.
How does the twinstar go in wind?
Any thoughts on the two platforms?
Regards
James
Replies
James, the RQ-11 looks awesome but has some nasty characteristics (such as high speeds and tip-stalling)for use as a UAV. As you have said, you really dont want a fiberglass test platform since it it is more brittle and repairs are more difficult.
The Skywalker is a good option but there are others too. Some of my UAV/FPV airframes include an EZ* and a 40 size electric trainer.
As it happens I'm also living in Perth and after a Skywalker. BEVRC which is currently out of stock :( has free shipping for orders $200+ so if you're looking to purhase one, I'm up for a group order.
If you want some more info feel free to PM me.
Regards,
Nick
I would like to recommend the skywalker, I know readymade rc sells it... This is very similar to the rq-11, it is foam, extremely large inside, bigger wingspan than the rq-11 and can fly really slow..
Good luck anyways :)