FrankenStick - Tail

thingiverse

First off, this project is made up of various components, including the body, tail, wing, and more. I've linked to the other parts at the bottom of this write-up for easy reference. This paragraph explains what each component is part of. This idea started as a concept for a modular plane that can be assembled with different wings and tails using a 25mm round or 22mm square tube 'stick' body. It's perfect for anyone looking to experiment with various configurations, based on the principle of a 'stick' plane being just a plain stick. I used 25mm plastic conduit, but CF tubes would be lighter. Each component has a PDF file with photos and instructions to help visualize the project. I used 3mm and 4mm threaded bar extensively, and you could glue CF rods if you prefer, but I liked the idea of being able to easily replace any damaged parts by simply unbolting them. This adds some weight, but not excessively so. Some of the photos may differ slightly from the STLs as they evolved over time. The plane in the photos has a wingspan of 110cm, a length of 90cm, and a front wing to prop center distance of 20cm, with the wing trailing edge to the front of the tail at 32cm. Keep in mind that these sizes are not fixed, but rather recommended averages. The CG (center of gravity) is roughly one-third from the leading edge of the wing, so feel free to adjust it as needed. The weights for this configuration are approximately 365g for the wing and 650g for the rest of the plane, including the motor, servos, nose weight, and undercarriage. Note that the battery is not included in these weights, and using CF conduit instead of PVC would save some weight. If I make any changes or updates in the future, I'll add them here. Feel free to modify or upgrade any parts you like, just link back to this page for reference. So, let's dive into the Tail component. There are two versions available: one box type and a much lighter option. I found that the tail weight made a significant difference in performance, with the lighter version working best. The lighter tail is glued together for added stability. The tail sections can be made from foam board, cardboard, carved foam, Correx, or similar materials and are held in place by two strips. Hinges and other control parts can be found in the Control Parts section. This component also includes the Ping Pong tail wheel, which has two bases: a lightweight option for the lighter tail that attaches to the stick, saving weight and allowing for forward mounting. I opted for this design because pivoting wheels can cause problems, but a ball can turn freely or skid over rough terrain. The lightweight base is designed for use with 25mm tubes, so if you're using a square stick body, simply glue on the standard tail wheel instead. Other Franken Parts: * Body: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3708532 * Battery: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3708528 * Wing: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3708569 * Motor: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3708547 * Undercarriage: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3708558 * Control parts: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3708544