FRC Foamies Su35 MK2 Step by Step build video

Hi everyone -

If you have read one or two of my previous posts on my recent FRC Su35 MK2 NAMCV2 build, I have finally finished up the step by step build video that I shot as the build went along.

It is my first step by step build video, so it may not have a lot of "professional polish", but what it lacks there I hope it makes up for in quantity of tips, techniques and build information on this plane.  It is a long video, over 3 hours long and you have to wade through a lot of my pregnant pauses as I try to figure out what I need to say as most of it is "ad libbed" and "off the cuff".  I apologize for that up front, but throughout it, I hope there are some helpful nuggets of information.

At the start of the video, I have put the start time and information covered in each part of the video, after the intro there are 13 parts in total.  I hope this will make it helpful if you want to fast forward to what you need without having to watch the entire video if you don't need to.

FRC Foamies planes go together a little differently than RC Powers or other score and fold park jets.  The assembly techniques used on this plane should also work if you decide to build other FRC Foamies planes.  I know from experience that the build process for this plane is the same for the FRC Su37 MK1 http://www.frcfoamies.com/su37-mk1.html and the FRC F15 MK2 http://www.frcfoamies.com/f-15-eagle.html  I am hoping this video will have something for everyone.

Here is the video (processed at 720p)

In the video, I speak about several links I was going to put in this blog.  Here is another video I did giving my impressions between the Su37 MK2 and the Su35 MK2 that were both built stock.

Useful FRC Foamies links

Original plans and designer build pictures available here  http://www.frcfoamies.com/su37-mk2.html

FRC Foamies parts list http://www.frcfoamies.com/uk-or-global.html

FRC Foamies sells Foam Tac glue here http://www.frcfoamies.com/foam-tac-1.html

RC Powers threads useful for this plane and building in general

http://www.rcpowers.com/community/threads/frcfoamies-su37-mk2.15149/

This is the resources thread I speak of in the video from RC Powers, I find this is a real "gold mine" of information for builders of all levels

http://www.rcpowers.com/community/threads/resources.10941/

This thread is fairly new from RC Powers which you may also find helpful

http://rcpowers.com/community/threads/master-build-list-offical.16861/#post-208748

Links to products/vendors I like to use

I live in Canada, so some things are readily available to me online from the US or locally available in dollar stores, Walmart and North American craft stores.  Depending on where you are in the world some items may not be available to you.  I tend to use the Global Warehouse for Hobby King as I have had pretty decent luck getting what I need from them when I need it.

Hobby King- links are all from the International Warehouse

Transmitter I spoke about in the video http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8992__Turnigy_9X_9Ch_Transmitter_w_Module_8ch_Receiver_Mode_2_v2_Firmware_.html

Link to the "Smartieparts" board I speak of in the video to enable you to use the er9x firmware.  If you are considering this transmitter as an option or already have a Turnigy 9X, I would strongly encourage you to upgrade to er9x or similar firmware, it is what truly makes this radio a powerhouse for not a whole lot of money spent.  http://www.smartieparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=331  

There are numerous videos available on You Tube and how it compares to other radios.  I am certainly not trying to push this radio on anyone, but if you are shopping around and budget is a factor, it might be worth consideration as in my opinion and experience it is a "big bang for the buck".

6 ch receiver I use that is compatible with my transmitter that I speak about in the video https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=12901

Turnigy Plush 40A ESC that I like to use with the Focal Price 2700 Kv motor https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__2165__TURNIGY_Plush_40amp_Speed_Controller.html

Turnigy Plush ESC programming card I speak about in the video
https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__2169__TURNIGY_BESC_Programming_Card.html

Nylon clevis I use to make my carbon pushrods https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=8421

Linkage stopper I use to connect my carbon pushrods to the servo https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=8519

Batteries I spoke about in the video

1800 Mah 3S 30C discharge -  https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9369

Zippy Compact 2200 Mah 3S 25C discharge - https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=21346

Zippy Flightmax 2200 Mah 3S 40C discharge - https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=9942

Link to Focal Price 2700 Kv motor

http://www.focalprice.com/YO090X/A2212_2200KV_Outrunner_Brushless_Motor_for_Airplane.html

Focal Price is currently out of stock on this motor, so I am awaiting delivery of what I believe is the same motor from two other sources, once I receive and test these other two motors, I will post my findings on this blog

Deal Extreme - http://www.dx.com/p/a2212s-2700kv-outrunner-brushless-motor-45134#.VDGFHmddXkV

Ebay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/321227178111

RC Timer

As I mention in the video, shipping is cheap but slow from RC Timer, if you live in North America, you may have to wait 4 or more likely 6 weeks to get your products from them based on my experiences.

Servos I spoke about in the video http://www.rctimer.com/product-458.html

6x3 EMP (Electric Model Power) props I like to use with the Focal Price and other motors http://www.rctimer.com/product-218.html  It is very important to balance these props before use as they are notoriously out of balance and an unbalanced prop can cause a lot of vibration issues and loss of power.

Prop collet I like to use with the Focal Price motor since the one it comes with is not of very good quality http://www.rctimer.com/product-580.html

2mm quick connects I use to connect pushrods to servos http://www.rctimer.com/product-181.html

Again, not trying to shove RC Timer down anyone's throat, but it is worth having a look around their site to comparison shop for things like heat shrink tube, Y connectors, servo extensions, I have found some of their goodies cheaper than Hobby King.

RC Foam

I have been using RC Foam http://www.rcfoam.com/ as my source for depron, carbon fibre tubes and rods and Foam Tac glue.  I have nothing but good things to say about their service and their prices.  I tend to buy 20 sheets of 6mm depron at a time http://www.rcfoam.com/depron-and-epp-foam-suppliers/6mm-depron/6mm-white-depron---case-p-343.html to make it worth my while.  Depending on what I build and how well I economize on foam use, I can build about 12 planes out of 20 sheets of depron.  RC Foam also carries a foam that is a bit lighter and cheaper but not quite as stiff as depron called Value XPS http://www.rcfoam.com/depron-and-epp-foam-suppliers/closed-cell-xps-model-foam/value-xps-closed-cell-xps-p-1603.html which is similar to the popular Model Plane Foam http://www.modelplanefoam.com/  (which I have not used, but Stephan has used it for lower stress areas like fuselages and finds it works really well)

4mm carbon rods for wing spar http://www.rcfoam.com/carbon-fiber-sheets%2C-carbon-rods-and-tubes/carbon-rod/carbon-rod-p-744.html  They are sold out at the time of this post, but you can put your name on a waiting list.

3mm carbon tubes I like to use for elevons and other reinforcement on my planes as needed http://www.rcfoam.com/carbon-fiber-sheets%2C-carbon-rods-and-tubes/carbon-fiber-tubes/carbon-tube-p-769.html

2mm carbon rod I like to use for my pushrods http://www.rcfoam.com/carbon-fiber-sheets%2C-carbon-rods-and-tubes/carbon-rod/carbon-rod-p-737.html  They are sold out at the time of this post, but you can put your name on a waiting list for when they restock.

Foam Tac glue available at RC Foam, the picture is of the old Foam Tac product http://www.rcfoam.com/glue-for-foam-rc-planes/foam-adhesive/beacon-foam-tac-glue---2-ounce-bottle-p-1243.html

The dollar store foam I use for KF airfoils is readily available to me in local stores, more info on the product here http://www.adamsplasticsinc.com/index.php/readi-board

If you have any other questions or are looking for sources of things of which I spoke of in the video, please post them either here on the blog or on my You Tube channel.

I hope that the video and this info has been useful to you if you decide to build this plane or other FRC Foamies park jets.

Good luck with your builds and have fun... :)

Cheers,

Scott