Horus Kestrel V-tail Quadcopter overhaul

thingiverse

A modified version of the Horus Kestrel V-tail drone from https://grabcad.com/library/horus-kestrel-3d-1 Over the weekend, I started experiencing an overheating issue, likely due to inadequate airflow around the 4in1 ESC, which is located in a relatively confined area. To address this problem, I'm adding a heatsink and possibly some ducting to improve airflow. This will prevent excessive power losses, which can cause random shutdowns, especially during extended flights. Modified parts were designed to enhance printability and facilitate the mounting of specific equipment directly into the frame. The Vtail quad is incredibly fun to fly, offering an unobstructed view of the surroundings when equipped with a tilted camera. With all components neatly tucked away, it boasts sleek lines. As of 3-24-16, I've resolved the major issues and am nearly complete. My primary focus now is mounting the OSD and reinforcing the legs, but since replacement legs can be easily printed, this isn't a significant concern. I'm also planning to design an optional servo tilt camera that allows for on-the-fly angle adjustments. The estimated flight weight is approximately 720 grams with a 2200 mah battery. Components used and their locations: * RMRC - BLheli 4 in 1 ESC - 12A - Lower frame * 4 x EMAX MT2204 II 2300KV Brushless Motors * RMRC Cricket V2 - 5.8GHz Video Transmitter w/ Race Band - 600mW - Upper body * Clone Openpilot Revo - Rear of fuselage * Clone apm 2.5 voltage sensor - Under flight controller * Frsky X4r receiver - Upper cover * Micro GPS unit with compass - Rear top (may require replacement based on reviews) * Minim OSD - TBD Print Settings: * Printer: FlashForge Creator Pro * Rafts: No * Supports: Yes * Resolution: 0.2 * Infill: 20% * Notes: Supports are only used for large parts with overhangs, and the arms and tail can be printed without them. Post-Printing: Flight Controller Settings: To easily control a V-tail, configure your motor mixing to remove roll from the back two motors and yaw from the front two. Depending on motor rotations, you may need to invert yaw settings on the back motors. A slow throttling up during the first flight is recommended to verify settings. Incorrect settings will result in an unrecoverable flat spin due to excessive power addition. Custom Section: Revision Log: 3-24-16: Enlarged openings for cables on flight controller enclosure, moved telemetry antenna hole, removed extra tabs blocking access on APM power sensor enclosure, and improved video transmitter mount installation. Renamed parts for easier identification.