Author Topic: Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)  (Read 15792 times)

DennisZ

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« on: January 04, 2011, 23:14:30 PM »
Finally got some time free from job and festivities for this quick build (lots of duck tape).
Not flown yet.


http://rcfoamfighters.com/blog/?p=950

Also, Santa brought me on of these :D

Happy Days

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2011, 09:31:49 AM »
Well! I didn’t know you could get model Drone’s. 4 channel is it?

What is ‘one of these’ Dennis? I can’t make it out. I can see the wires but I have no idea what it “does”. Do tell!


 
 

Keith
Try not to run out of airspeed, altitude and ideas....... all at the same time.

DennisZ

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2011, 19:58:52 PM »
Quote from: "Happy Days"
4 channel is it?

5 - with flaperons.

Quote

What is ‘one of these’ Dennis? I can’t make it out. I can see the wires but I have no idea what it “does”. Do tell!

"these" are video goggles from HeadPlay (sold by Dell.com)
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=746222

Happy Days

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2011, 08:22:45 AM »
So Dennis, am I to assume that with the goggles and the drone you’re gonna fly this Predator purely by remote vision? 8)  i.e. with cameras in the drone and wearing the goggles to see what the cameras are seeing???
(I’m sure there is a law against that, not that anyone would be likely to enforce it.)

I’ thinking, ……….If you’re wearing the goggles how will you know the height of the plane and it’s orientation? :?:

Interesting concept though. :D

K.
Try not to run out of airspeed, altitude and ideas....... all at the same time.

billscottni

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2011, 08:32:15 AM »
Hi Keith,
The BMFA insist that when flying fpv you should have a spotter standing beside you (preferably on a buddy box) and that the model should never be out of visual sight.


Their argument is exactly what you asked, under the goggles it is impossible to determine actual position, height etc and to see if there are other aircraft (full size) in the airspace. To me this makes common sense, but is being fought by the FPV lobby, who have threatened to set up their own organisation.

Like you, I belive e there is a law in the UK which prevents anybody other than the military flying drones. I think it was Liverpool Police who fell foul of this flying a heli with camera's sensors et al, and were told to stop! :shock:

DennisZ

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2011, 11:36:23 AM »
Quote from: "Happy Days"
purely by remote vision


'cmon lads - we even have FPV section on this forum.

this model is not an UAV -just an RC plane,
various OSDs provide you inflight info (like heights).

also, BFPVMFA (fpvuk.org) offer the insurance for this type of flying.

IceWind

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2011, 19:15:54 PM »
Hi Denniz,

What lead you to choose the headplay goggles opposed to let's say the FatShark? Resolution?

I ask out of curiosity, out of many research I end up going for the FatShark even having slightly less resolution.
..Nando

DennisZ

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2011, 22:06:37 PM »
Quote from: "IceWind"

What lead you to choose the headplay goggles opposed to let's say the FatShark? Resolution?


The price - they were on offer from Dell for $149.
Friend of mine bought them for me and shipped over from USA - 160EUR delivered.

IceWind

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2011, 00:16:10 AM »
Win! :)
That is an excellent price.
..Nando

DennisZ

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2011, 13:17:33 PM »
couple of videos
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/v/NFK9xwg5DOs[/youtube]

as expected, the "ruder" fell off after the first landing
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/v/CMRwl4pAVhM[/youtube]

Happy Days

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2011, 14:51:57 PM »
Hmmm, hard to see from the vid’s.
Is it that she won’t turn. Is that the reason she keeps landing “out”? (Away from you) You seem to have full control, Dennis.

She actually looks quite good in the air. :clap:  I like things that are unusual.  :D

K.
Try not to run out of airspeed, altitude and ideas....... all at the same time.

DennisZ

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2011, 16:44:45 PM »
Quote from: "Happy Days"

Is it that she won’t turn..

yeh, very little control over the ruddevator.
will have to increase the surface and a throw.

DennisZ

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2011, 11:11:36 AM »
the foamies bites too ... learned that today rather hard way - got to really bad cuts on my finger with piece of prop suck under the skin :(

no more hand launches of powered models (!)

Happy Days

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Ugly Duckling (Predator Drone)
« Reply #13 on: April 24, 2011, 07:05:07 AM »
Ouch!! :shock: ………I hadn’t considered that problem. I suppose it's inherent with all pusher prop planes.

Oh well, nurse your wounds Dennis……On the basis that alcohol has slight anaesthetic qualities, may be your wife will take pity on you and bring you a fresh beer every hour while you sit in the garden unable to do any work because of your injuries. 8)  

(Yea’,…..I know…………….. And pigs might fly!)

Keith
Try not to run out of airspeed, altitude and ideas....... all at the same time.