Skywalker: Best UAV platform ever? (I'm in love)

[UPDATE: Hooks has, er, hooked us up with a 10% discount at FPVFlying.com, for this and anything else they sell. Just use the discount code "diydrones". Awesome! Thanks Hooks!]

Thanks to Hooks for turning us on to the new Skywalker foam UAV platform. Mine just arrived and based on a quick inspection, I'm pretty sure this is the one for me! Everything about is totally optimized for a UAV, from the payload capacity to transportability. I'm blown away by how thoughtfully designed this one is.

It's got it all:

The durability of foam with all the interior room of balsa
Payload area right under the CG, so you don't have to worry about balance issues
Hand launchable, but still can carry pounds of payload
Breaks down easily for transport
Ailerons and optional flaps
Pusher, high-wing configuration, with servos outside to save room inside
Super tough EPO material
Easy to get to equipment with big bay doors on both sides
External mounting spots on rear fuselage for wireless transmitters (keeps them away from other electronics)

At $144, I think it's very fairly priced. I think this is one of the best made foam ARFs that I've seen, right up there with the Multiplex line. Don't forget to order the power pack at the same time.

Here's a shot of a prototype being flown by the creators:

Rather than give it a full review (I haven't flow it yet), I'll just give first impressions in pictures.

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Comments

Wayne April 29, 2010 at 10:03am

Oh yeah sure after I get my EZ* and some of the parts you go and find something better. Figures as much. Just kidding this does look like a very awesome platform though. You could fit a guinea pig in that thing, ta hell with hamsters. Perhaps this means I will just have to create a second drone later down the road.
Admin

Thomas J Coyle III April 29, 2010 at 9:52am

According to the RC Groups Skywalker thread, there may be several different version of the Skywalker, some better than others, for sale at various websites so be careful about your purchase if you are trying to get it for a lower price.

Regards,
TCIII
Admin

Thomas J Coyle III April 29, 2010 at 9:38am

One of the RC Group Skywalker thread members received a broken fuse. Not a good sign if normal shipping can damage a fuse.

Just a thought.

Regards,
TCIII
Admin

Thomas J Coyle III April 29, 2010 at 9:20am

Check this thread on RC Groups: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1223595

Regards,
TCIII
Developer

Mark Colwell April 29, 2010 at 8:56am

This one is a winner..
evilmacaw April 29, 2010 at 8:12am

well i just smashed the piggy bank open and ordered one , as for power i say screw the hamsters ,i am gonna Velcro my Macaw to it and take him flying ,after he grows back in his clipped inner flight feathers :-))
Moderator

Gary Mortimer April 29, 2010 at 7:42am

You should view it as skills training. Advancement if you will, anybody got a diagram showing the number of hamsters that can be fitted. I guess a couple in the cockpit driving and taking care of the nav and the rest on the wheel. Could you cut a hatch so they could swap, only fair could be an exhausting run.
Bob Hvarven April 29, 2010 at 6:45am

Be careful what you say about my brothers the hampsters...... We rodents can be very violent when provoked.. :O
Admin

Morli April 29, 2010 at 5:37am

Spec from website
Wingspan : 169 cm
Lenght : 115 cm
Empty airplane weight : 700 grams
MATERIAL : EPO
Requires:
2815-2835 800-1000kv brushless motor,30-40A ESC,3S 2200-5000mah LiPo,9040-9060 propeller
Admin

Morli April 29, 2010 at 5:26am

Build log
Other Photos of this airframe

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