Depron Spectre overview

Build overview for the 1.3m Depron Spectre.
Agile twin boom pusher for ripping up the sky, proximity FPV platform, motor sloper, all round fun flier.
More information here - newtonairlines....
Design inspiration came from the IBCRAZY Specter - fpvlab.com/foru...
Depron Armin wing build - • Depron wing build
Specs
Wingspan - 1.3m (53")
Length - 80cm (32")
Airframe weight - 670g
Flying weight (2200mAh LiPo) - 870g
Motor - Turnigy 2822/14 1450kV (160W)
30A ESC
Prop - 7 x 4.5"
Ailerons
Elevator
TGY 9018MG servos x 3
First video in front of the camera so please forgive my far-from-fluent delivery. Any suggestions or constructive criticism appreciated.
Recorded on a Nikon D7000 DSLR, Tokina 10-17mm fisheye zoom, Sony stereo lapel mic. Edited in iMovie 10.

[@mikehookham2566]

just wanted to say a massive thanks andrew. just took my spectre out for first flight, AWESOMEEEE i've never flown a plane before today. granted I crashed a couple of times but it was so easy to fly. thanks again andrew. few minor repairs and we are back in the air.

[@AndrewNewton]

+Mike Hookham Mark that is brilliant. I thought it might be a bit too agile to learn on but you can prove me wrong. At least it can crash repeatedly and still keep flying. Any photos or video to share?

[@Mitch52083]

I really enjoy your channel and learn something new every time I watch it. Keep doing what you do I love them.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks, will do!

[@weldslag]

Andrew, I have been trying to decide what to build next. You have incorporated some of the smartest design considerations that I have seen. I typically struggle with the Aileron wires (solved!).The wiring all incorporated in the wing with the receiver is nothing short of genius (one wire to the ESC)! The pull out battery tray eliminates more problems. I've always used Ex-Airlines fuselage fold methods, but it's time to try new things (Flite test).This video has been very inspiring. I'll let you know in a few weeks how mine turns out. Thanks for the great posts!

[@AndrewNewton]

Tom Komada Excellent Tom, please let me know how it goes.

[@hawkskyflier]

Great job Andrew. Very informative. Also built a Specter V2, I love flying it, I agree, one of my most fun flying planes. Did great behind the camera, keep it up.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks for that. I quite enjoy making the videos now.

[@treeseatmyplanes]

Excellent tips on building the Spectre. I've wanted to build one of these for quite a while, but other designs keep grabbing my attention. Never seems to be enough time!

[@aaronboyers]

I just have to say how much I like your adaptation. Visually I'm drawn to the Specter and the Sky Hunter, but when I can build 4 airframes out of depron or seven out of dollar tree foam for the cost of what one of theirs would set me back I won't feel bad at all about bashing mine up. Thank you for continuing to expand on EA's work and thank you also for the great detail of explanation. I look forward to building one, or maybe a whole fleet.

[@AndrewNewton]

aaronboyers Thanks for the encouragement Aaron.

[@andy1514-g1q]

very nice - I was thinking of designing a Spectre in Depron for myself, but you've saved me the effort :)

[@mattdrat3087]

Excellent video! I tried the fuse method you described and it was much easier than the EA Method. The Depron I have just doesn't want to be compressed, cutting it away and glueing it the way you did was much easier than trying to score it/compress with a dowel or wheel and fold it. The white depron I use to use could be compressed, but the black stuff I have now seems much harder. Thanks! Matthew

[@RCShufty]

Nice! I love those motors, I've got 3 of them for my random planes. Such good value for money!

[@gisall8205]

OK OK OK. I'll build one. Love the Simplicity. I think i'm going to use the KFM Airfoil though. Great video Andrew.

[@AndrewNewton]

Nice. You can just use a straight wing too

[@kabturek]

One of my favorite FPV cruisers (the other one is a mini talon)

[@Donatillo1961]

Just Love how you explain things ..Andrew ! well worth watching as soon as I get home from work or like now...on my Day off !!!

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep videoing

[@RotorPics]

Andrew, thanks for making this video on your version of the Spectre. You made me wanna build one with your method :) I see there's some flexing between the wingjoint to the elevator ( your different camera views make it visible ). Will try to make that area stiffer... without adding too much weight. Cheers! Keep up the good work.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks, The tail and wing are solidly connected so unlikely to be any flex. In one clip the camera was sitting on the nose which was cracked and drooping, maybe that's what your seeing? Oh and it could do with more rubber bands maybe to stop the fuselage flexing away from the wing.

[@perrytolereggaefusionguita6806]

I haven't been so lucky with a version I built from a wing I had laying around. Have to try again sometime.

[@nunodasilva3308]

Hi , good vid . I have built this wing with your methods and , its just so amazingly agile and smooth . Just great , my spectre is my fav plane . Thanks for sharing your experiences . ps ,I loved it so much , that I am onnthe completion of my polyhedral wing . Just great . cheers .

[@AndrewNewton]

nuno da silva Awesome Nuno, a building frenzy.

[@Asadullah21]

Good Job Andrew.

[@RichardTardif1984]

Good details of your build. thank you for sharing!

[@spike4790]

Yeah got some video but the wife's taken camera with her so as soon as she's back I'll send it to you. Thanks again Andrew this plane is so much fun, totally see what you mean about hooking into the corners lol wow turns on a dime lol

[@davidr5343]

Great video Andrew! Cheers

[@AndrewNewton]

WX9DX No video on the actual build, but the booms are inserted into the wing through a slot cut in the top layer and butted right up to the wing spar. Then glued down to the bottom layer with Gorilla Glue. You need to change your Google+ privacy settings for direct replies in KZbin

[@NOXFPV]

Nice design.

[@GraemeRobinson]

definitely want to try this build Andrew - thanks for the Aussie-specific take on this depron model. Any tips on where to get arrow shafts?

[@lnsaud]

bom dia andrew, fiz o aeromodelo baseado neste projeto, mas o aeromodelo não esta estável,parece um barco no mar. o que pode está acontecendo,será que o profundor tem que ficar paralelo (para cima ou para baixo) da asa ? será que o motor tem que ficar com inclinação para cima? obrigado.

[@MilanKarakas]

If fuselage is double the height, does this will ruin flying characteristic? I mean, more space for equipment, more prop clearance to the ground. Not sure about air drag.

[@AndrewNewton]

A bit more drag maybe but probably wouldn't change the way it flies.

[@MilanKarakas]

Andrew Newton Thanks.

[@davehenry9039]

Greetings Mr Newton was wondering what kind or which brand of radio transmitter you use to fly this beauty

[@AndrewNewton]

I use FrSKY Taranis X9D+ but any radio would work OK

[@stevefaltis1194]

Hi, Andrew, it's cold and raining here in California Bay Area, so I'm gong to build this twin boom. I'm a noobie, but I think I can fly this one. Thanks!

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes go for it. It's a durable design and easy enough to fly.

[@matthazelden356]

I loved seeing this, if you make more plans pleas make vids like this for them

[@joolz989]

Hello, I love the look of this model and am looking for a FPV platform and this looks to fit the bill. I have built one armin style wing from depron for a simple scout model as per your video which was a great help but how did you do the inset ailerons on this one? is the rear TE overhang 50mm all in on the wing length build and then you just cut the aileron out? Thanks for the help and taking the time to post these videos.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes it's a great FPV platform. Made from a full chord Armin wing. I cut out the ailerons then filled in the gaps left between the layers with foam and tape. 50mm overhanging trailing edge would be the easier method.

[@joolz989]

@@AndrewNewton Andrew thanks for the reply. Now I understand as I thought there would end up being a gap. Thanks for taking the time out to reply and for the videos. Excellent content.

[@Fukaka2343]

please advise if the elevator necessary on this build? can i go with only the elevon config? thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

+Abid Khan I don't know Abid. Slope soaring "planks" don't use an elevator so it might be possible.

[@jasondunn3674]

Andrew, If possible I would like your advice on the size of rectangle you initially cut to make Spectre wing. In your "Depron Wing Build" video you wanted a 10% airfoil. Since the thinness you could make it was 19mm that necessitated a 190mm cord. You had full length-of-wing ailerons which were 40mm wide and therefore the rectangle you needed to cut was 190 + (190 - 40) +10 (for the leading edge bend) = 350mm by the length of the wing which was 750mm. Applying the same logic to the Spectre wing assuming 6mm depron would the rectangle be 650mm (length of one wing) x (200 chord + 200 chord - 50 aileron + 10 leading edge bend) = 650mm x 360mm? One thing that makes me question this is the cross-section photo you have of the spectre airfoil on your blog. It seems that the aileron cuts past the point at which the top and bottom of the depron joins near the trailing edge (or rather the aileron hinge is actually 10 ~ 15mm past that join towards the spar). If that is the case how much wider should I cut the rectangle to allow for this i.e. 15mm (i.e. making the rectangle 650mm x 375mm)? Also just curious why you did this differently for the Spectre (for my own learning purposes). Thanks heaps. Your videos are great.

[@AndrewNewton]

Hi Jason, good question. As far as I can recall it was to approximate a smooth airfoil right to the trailing edge and have 50mm ailerons that are part of the airfoil, rather than added on. I cant recall exactly but it looks like Top 200 Bottom 170 (not 200-50) plus 10 for the bend. so that's about 750 x 380. I think I started with 750 then cut off the wedges each end for the forward sweep. See the end-on shot in my blog to see how I sanded down the edges to make a smooth airfoil. Ailerons extend into the airfoil and the foamboard glue join.

[@AndrewNewton]

It's a good idea to try a test fold with a thin piece of your foamboard first. Then you can get the sizing right for the rectangle

[@jasondunn3674]

Andrew Newton Thanks Andrew. Did a test fold at 380mm. Worked perfectly... Now onto the real thing!

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent, I'm excited for you Jason. Hope you will upload some photos or video eventually.

[@sufysprojects2689]

hey Andrew ! I built a motorglider similar to the photon and I put swept farward wings just like the spectre , but I exlerienced severe flutter . did the same happen to you? (in a few weeks I'mgoing to upload the video of this phenomenon)

[@AndrewNewton]

No flutter with the spectre, maybe my wings are shorter and wider chord making them stiffer

[@sufysprojects2689]

Andrew Newton mine are 1400mm long and 19 chord

[@KaffiFlight]

Very interesting, thx. I did something like this, too, but with slighly different methods. But I am not perfectly happy with it yet. I call mine "Der Kleine Maulwurf". Even made a video about it.

[@RobotZhUntER]

hey Andrew: Thank you so much for your work!! your Spectre is going to be my first fpv plane! I'm here looking at your plans but can't find the measure from the back of your fuselage to the first hole where you glue the Carbon spar to support the wing?. Also why you mount the motor on top of the fuselage and not in the middle?. Thank you so much !!!

[@AndrewNewton]

Hell Juan. The tie down rod is about 40mm from the rear of the fuselage. The motor would probably be better mounted in the middle as you say but I wanted access to the mounting bolts so I could make adjustments if required.

[@RobotZhUntER]

Hell Andrew ! LOL : Thank you, I been working all day on my build I made a variation to the fuselage its now 70x47x500mm, motor mounted centered , reinforce with drywall fiber glass net ,glued with foam -tac.Its no so heavy but I can't rip a piece with my hands , very strong! no sooo heavy . wings are build with 2 Ready-board without paper, their around 30" each so 60 inches total wind span . Fuselage is wide cuz I want more space to work with. I'm bad with small spaces guys! planing using a pix racer , I had good experiences with it, on my quads. so I can have a set of options like OSD, RTH etc etc and also will help me feels like I'm flying a quad, I sure the experience its different. Motor not sure I have 4 NTM Prodrive 2826/a 1200kv 222W on 14V , also I have a Turnigy D2826/6 2200kv but I don't want to star so fast with 7" prop so, maybe the ntm with a 8x6E prop is a better choice , not sure . so well thank you so much I been learning a lot watching ur videos! thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

Sounds awesome Juan Carlos. Hope you will upload some videos. I like the wider fuselage idea.

[@28th_St_Air]

very inspiring. great video as usual.

[@AndrewNewton]

28th St. Air Land & Sea Thanks Richard. I'm happy with the picture and audio quality, onscreen talent needs some work.

[@tom1907]

Can you tell me the length of the fuselage and wing width?Forward-swept wing angle is how much? thank you ！

[@AndrewNewton]

All the info you require is in the video description. Plans on my blog

[@tom1907]

Sorry, my English is very poor,

[@sameer745100]

two questings would this be a good plane to learn with and good first build?

[@AndrewNewton]

cody steinbach Probably no, to both questions. Too nimble to learn on and there are easier builds. A high wing pusher, like the 3 channel polyhedral pusher, would be much easier to learn on and build. Just use dihedral rather than polyhedral to simplify even more.

[@mateogamarra1769]

Hi Andrew, Great plane! I'm building my second DTFB Spectre using your plans, and I wondered if you have any recommendations on source/brand of propeller? I'm finding that there aren't too many options out there for 7 x 4.5. Many thanks.

[@AndrewNewton]

I get mine from HobbyKing hobbyking.com/en_us/tgs-precision-sport-propeller-7x4-5-1pc.html

[@mateogamarra1769]

Ok excellent, I hadn't seen those yet. Ordered several. Thanks for the tip!

[@davehenry9039]

Good day brother I've been viewing your videos for a little while now and would like to say that you do some AMAZING work 👍 👍 at the moment am building me one also but the only difference in mine's is didn't add any flaps just rudder and elevator, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

Hey Dave. With no ailerons turning will be difficult. You will require some dihedral in the wing, or angled up tips like this newtonairlines.blogspot.com.au/search/label/-%203ch%20trainer

[@biglon62]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@cynr100]

Thanks for sharing Andrew, appreciate your vids inspires me to build more. Just can't decide, the 2m Sloper of the Spectre guess it will have to be both. Thanks :-)

[@AndrewNewton]

Oh yes it has to be both.

[@sufysprojects2689]

hey Andrew ! I'm building the spectre wing but I don't know where the CG is

[@AndrewNewton]

That will depend on how much forward sweep you build in. Here's my blog post newtonairlines.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/13m-twin-boom-pusher.html

[@sufysprojects2689]

it 's just like yours , where is the cg point? AND I've built a glider but I don't remember where the towpoint is to tow it using a rope and running on the ground

[@AndrewNewton]

CG is in the blog post. Glider tow point is just forward of the CG (I think - no expert on glider tows)

[@veitchrussell5406]

Where do you locate your cg? I find that mine is much further back than Alex specifies.

[@AndrewNewton]

veitch russell Mine is 45mm (1 3/4") back. It would depend on your airfoil shape and forward sweep I guess. Maybe even your tail area?

[@mikehookham2566]

hey andrew big fan was just wondering if your twin boom is in pdf as well?

[@AndrewNewton]

Mike Hookham Thanks Mike. No pdf but jpg and sketchup on the blog post newtonairlines.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/17m-twin-boom-sloper-pusher.html

[@mikehookham2566]

Nice one thanks, I'll have a gander at it looking forward to making this

[@mikehookham2566]

Andrew what did you use to connect the tail to the booms?

[@AndrewNewton]

+Mike Hookham Hot glue and strong tape

[@MasboyRC]

Impressive 👌

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks 😁

[@FastEasyLifeTips]

dammit Andrew I had plans this evening now I'm gonna have to build this ;) Wondering what you think of KF foils?

[@AndrewNewton]

Haha, glad to ruin your evening in this way. I am resisting KF foils because I can make smooth airfoils so easily now. However they do seem to work well.

[@sixbras]

Great videos Andew. How did you coat your wings ? Is it yellow tape ?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes yellow packing tape for this one.

[@ziffa27]

Very nice plane, do you recommended for a beginner like me or it is hard to fly it?

[@AndrewNewton]

ziffa27 Probably too agile for an absolute beginner, but if you can fly at all it would be a good choice. Very easy to fly and hard to destroy!

[@ziffa27]

Can you suggest me a plane for beginners please?

[@AndrewNewton]

ziffa27 Have you flown anything yet?

[@ziffa27]

I tried with 3 planes but i didn't really succeed. This is a little brief on the plane i tried. 1st a big pink foam was okay but i fly it 5 min at most. 2nd FT Nutball, bad idea Malta is too windy for that plane 3rd FT Flyer never manage to fly it and i tried a lot of times Now i am researching for a good

[@AndrewNewton]

ziffa27 OK you do have some experience. I would recommend a Bixler 2, or if you're scratch building - the RET polyhedral pusher (easiest for learning), or the depron spectre.

[@therealabelmagwitch]

You're videos are great, keep it up! The tail moment arm looks very short, have you had any issues with that? Does it call for a larger than usual stab area?

[@AndrewNewton]

***** The tail moment is short (440mm from ele to CG) and that concerned me initially but the original IBCRAZY design is even shorter. It is VERY manoeuvrable but still smooth in a straight line. Stab area is no bigger than usual.

[@BtownFlyer]

How did you make the motor mount?

[@AndrewNewton]

+Brayton Thompson Quite easily. It's just aluminium bent up at 90º, from a piece 25mm wide x 70mm long x 1.5mm thick. Then I drilled holes for the motor mount bolts and another centre hole so the shaft doesn't rub.

[@BtownFlyer]

+Andrew Newton Hey Andrew. Thanks for the reply so you didn't have to heat it up to bend it? The two i tried to bend both snapped. Someone else had a video of using a torch to heat it and then bend it. Guess ill give it another go. Thanks.

[@AndrewNewton]

+Brayton Thompson That's odd, I just clamp it in a vice then bend it over by hand, never had it break. You could buy some L profile aluminium and just cut off a 25mm piece.

[@socalives]

I built my Specter with a 50"( 1270mm) wingspan 200mm forward swept armin wing with winglets , 40amp esc/ and 2650KV motor 6x5 carbon fiber prop. 2200 3s 40c battery. It's crazy fast for me! Thank you for the design! Cheers! Here is a twin boom that I used on my fuselage shape. It has a good look to it. 3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/uab97616c-6e2e-422e-9505-23cf3b8e3d99/Gemini-Twin-Boom-Glider-Skunkworks-1?hl=nl also you can move the drawing around (cad)

[@AndrewNewton]

Very nice, it should be able to fly slow too

[@AndrewNewton]

Graeme Robinson, I can't reply directly to your comment. Skysharks are overpriced in Aus so I buy them from US. kitesandfunthings.com

[@AORaiMechWork]

Time to Enchanting this with 3d printing part

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes I have been considering that

[@wx9dx]

Is there a video of that area being built for the booms into the wing and the tail assembly? Amazing plane! Thanks E-mail Good on QRZ.com Jimmy, ARRL TS, WX9DX