Reptile Dragon 2 flights

Reptile Dragon 2 maiden flights. Testing with single and double 3300 4S lipos and two 3500 4S li ion. 5 to 6A cruise current.
PNP version comes with 2306 1250kV motors, 3 blade 7040 counter rotating props, Flycolor 30A ESCs and a power distribution board with 5V/3A BEC, and 4 x plastic 9g analog servos.
CG on the nipples (58mm)
Flying weight with 3300 4S lipo - 1360g
2 x 3300 4S - 1660g
Wing Chord 230 - 200mm
Reptile Dragon V2 PNP or KIT (Banggood) - bit.ly/3c1WIYN
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► GBC EZLOAD laminating film (May be discontinued) - shop.quadient....
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#AndrewNewton #reptiledragon2 #twintractorfpv

[@bonafidepirate]

First? lol Seeing how well yours is flying with the conventional tail makes me want to swap over to it. With the V tail I'm fighting issues with pitch trim. I've had to move the CG back a ways to get it trimmed properly, and still having issues with it pushing the nose down when power is added. Dips the nose on take off as well. Besides that it's a wonderful plane for FPV! I'm looking forward to your flights with the other tail. I may swap mine over soon... lol

[@19AndreasL90]

I was just about to comment about your experience with the v-tail. ;) Although it looks awesome, it seems that the conventional tail just performs better. I am curious to see further comparative testing! And thanks to Andrew for mentioning/comparing it to the Albabird ;) really looking forward to that comparison video!

[@heyjackfpv5469]

I'm about to maiden mine with the T tail , I'm using 2x sunnysky 2212 980kv with 8x6 props , do you guys think this motors and props will have enough thrust ?

[@AerialWaviator]

Was thinking of you as I watched Andrew do effortless low passes tracking along a nice flat line. Both you and Andrew offer so many great insights. Appreciate all you two share.

[@EnglishTurbines]

@@heyjackfpv5469 980kv is too low for an 8x6 prop....the 1250kv would have been a better choice for 8x6 two blade....Both motors will provide excessive power and amp draw for a plane this size IMO..

[@AndrewNewton]

Interesting, I must compare the VTail

[@RobisonRacing68]

I'm kind of amazed at the launches. They looked super easy no matter what battery and with no FC? Pretty nice.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes easy launches. No FC but smooth direct flight

[@archivist17]

Excellent flight! Great design.

[@19AndreasL90]

Been waiting for this, thanks Andrew!

[@AndrewNewton]

No problem!

[@fpvflights3269]

Say hello to the designer of this plane! Can you make bigger version of this KIT kind? We need it for long range but still keep it quickly disasemble for transport! Thanks! 1,4 -1,5m wingspan KIT will be great!

[@dronepilot260rc]

This flies so smooth!

[@julianhumphrey4843]

That is very nice, flies sweet as, when i stuff my V1 i might get the v2, great video

[@AerialWaviator]

Very nice flight review, as most are. Nice formula. :) Looks like lots of potential in this bird, so expect we'll be seeing a bit more of it in the future. The wing camera view at the end may have been better perspective to see stall characteristics from, as was so gentle it was hard to really tell from rear view.

[@bomberaustychunksbruv4119]

I like the look of that plane they have made quite an effort to make it clean, apart from the blunt nose but that doesnt seem to affect it at all. If I crash my Albabird and need a replacement plane I would try this one I think.

[@reefer2917]

So Smooooth! very nice flyer, cruising at 6 amps.... your very brave Andrew :-) no major drawbacks, but... I'm not into fpv, I now the plane is designed for it, but for me I would like a normal nose on it! at least an option of one. so "designers" of foamies, please don't forget your LOS market is out here too!, great vid as usual, thanks for sharing 👍

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes a shaped nose cone, good idea

[@upperechelon3456]

Great review [as usual] Andrew of the Reptile. It looks like an all around stable good flying platform. I just pulled the trigger on this [and the Dolphin]. Caught them both flash sale at Banggood USA. Greetings from Florida USA. Again. Great review

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, great models. Both unique but well designed. Happy New Year

[@bambamquiescence]

"How's the balance?" "Right on the nipples." "Great."

[@greatgandalf5233]

Thanks!

[@theroc495]

Perfect Andrew!! Just waiting on bangood delivery now. I figured this would be a top long range fpv platform, this video gave me alot of confidence on this project

[@AndrewNewton]

Glad I could help!

[@TakeItToTheGround]

Price at bangers from CN is at least 2-3 times the original while US price looks good. Looks nice but I doubt it is 2-3 times better.

[@GroundControlRC]

Nice flight demo! Lots of power and the launches looks effortless ;-) See you in the Air!

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes with the balanced twin power it just flies out of your hand

[@EnglishTurbines]

The price from China including shipping is obscene....almost £300....😳😳😯😯🇬🇧

[@AndrewNewton]

Madness, free shipping to Australia!

[@k1ortia]

#@CK that!!

[@MochaboyRC]

"balanced on the nipples" can't wait to use that on the flying field :D

[@AndrewNewton]

Cold day, no problems

[@Johan-ex5yj]

That’s Andrew’s version of; “You know Who” talking about the “Perfect G-Spot”?! 😁

[@EnglishTurbines]

Effortless launching and completely benign stall characteristics....Selling point right there IMO....Even loaded up, no sign of nasty tendency at launch time....🤔🤔😀🇬🇧 Great demo Andrew....Two blade props please, more efficient on a plane...🤔

[@johnsheehy6172]

I think the 3 bladed prop is for landing clearance. Great flying plane.

[@EnglishTurbines]

@@johnsheehy6172 Two blade and ESC braking is fine..plus, you can balance a two blade prop. Important if you have cameras onboard...

[@TheLostSquadron]

Great video. I ordered one about a week ago, supposed to be here tomorrow. I need a workhorse video/FPV plane and this looks perfect.

[@k1ortia]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you'll be wanting a mini talon or skyhunter brother..😉

[@TheLostSquadron]

@@k1ortia Skyhunter is cool for sure. I have a Razor, which kind of fills the small plane spot for me.

[@k1ortia]

@@TheLostSquadron you said workhouse, the eachine razor is a glider. Not a workhouse...🤔

[@TheLostSquadron]

@@k1ortia Yea, the Dragon is the workhorse. The Razor/Talon are toys. I want a plane that can carry a couple of camera's plus FPV. The second consideration is that the pushers are loud. I have an Aggressor setup for FPV and it sounds like a weedeater on crack.

[@k1ortia]

@@TheLostSquadron Strange.. never heard of the Skyhunter 1800mm or the mini Talon as being just toys not capable of multiple set ups...🤔

[@k1ortia]

Wow.. looks better then the binary

[@dutchloveRC]

another nice video

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks again!

[@tcz7742]

Hopefully you have kept this model and we will see some fpv and control board installations in the future it looks like a great little plane.

[@AndrewNewton]

No unfortunately. I kept the Albabird as my twin FPV

[@tcz7742]

@@AndrewNewton At least you tested it with lithium ion batteries and some nice big packs. I'm thinking of getting it and using my 7,000 mAh ZOHD 4S2P battery in. It should work good as an fpv cruiser I think.

[@MrVasmikey]

Thx Andrew! This will be my next project. Looking for the kit version.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, it's a winner

[@NOXFPV]

It looks so much better with the V tail. Swap it over soon. Chears!

[@AndrewNewton]

Not VTail fan here

[@NOXFPV]

@@AndrewNewton boooooo. 😆

[@n1vca]

Thanks so much, I like that it seems silent and fast, great combination if you want to have fun while flying "under people's radar". You mentioned that it is efficient but not super efficient. Which twin would you say is super efficient or defines your reference for highest efficiency? In order to make it more efficient wouldn't it be better to have an aerodynamic nose instead of that flat turbulence generator/camera holder and not mount any cameras on the outside? It would have been interesting to see a speed vs. current table of it ... and then maybe the same from the Albabird or whatever is really good? When you put your batteries in parallel, isn't there a risk of strong internal currents between the cells, when they are both very low impedance while being a few hundred millivolt off? High Power diodes would be great because that would avoid unnecessary currents between the batteries, but on the other hand it would cause at least 0.7V drop and at high amps serious amounts of dissipation heat, so not a good idea either. So I guess you just charge them until just before you go to the field, so that they are hopefully very evenly voltage-leveled in order to not fry the Y connector?! Now I think I will get myself some more single cell 3S lithium ion 16650 packs and solder a high current bridge for 2 parallel packs for different missions and weight distribution. I always thought how nice that would be to have cells in parallel but I was afraid of creating unwanted fireworks before they finally get evened out in between. Looks like not thinking about the low inner impedances and just doing it works most of the time when charging them at the same time to the exact same level. Did this ever create a problem in real life for you?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, a nose cone is a good idea. Probably should have just said it was fast or low drag initially rather than efficient. Super efficiency for me is 3 to 4A cruise current while carrying something like 5000 4S. Ranger 2000 can do it. But speed also should be considered in the efficiency assessment.

[@jimmytheriot8978]

3d print a cover for that servo hole your not using

[@mccolld11]

Hey Andrew, have you experienced any issues with the inner wing panels not being glued to the fuse? Did you glue the CF wing spars into the fuse? I'd love to hear any comments about the build process. I started building mine about a year ago but stalled during the wing build part. I'm going to pick it back up and finish it over the next two weeks. TIA for any advise.

[@AndrewNewton]

Too long ago to recall. Have a look at my other Dragon videos, might be a clue there. I think the screw clamps were enough.

[@bambamquiescence]

So the only bit of information that you sometimes omit that I'm looking for is whether you can field assemble the plane from smaller parts you can carry on your person. Like, do the wings quick disconnect in the stock kit and/or pnp version? As always though, I can tell if I want a plane just by watching your video.

[@AndrewNewton]

Covered in the assembly video usually

[@bambamquiescence]

@@AndrewNewton thank you!

[@mortschubert3909]

Is there a plane which you like more than others? Which you take out repeatedly and fly just for the sake of it? No tests, no recordings, only you and the plane and the sky?

[@AndrewNewton]

Phoenix 2000 is my most flown plane. Can carry a camera, good on the slope and for thermalling.

[@mortschubert3909]

@@AndrewNewton, thank you! I have just looked for it on your channel - and found quite a few videos of it. I will check them out! Have a wonderful day!

[@miksterr]

Nice flight- you using the x20 much Andrew?

[@AndrewNewton]

Not a lot, but it is my access and r9 radio now

[@lukasvanous_flying_high]

Hello Andrew, may I ask what would You suggest to be maximum takeoff weight? My point is, i have ADSB Cube orange AP and HERE3 GNSS. Its weight is something around 400g. To ballance its weight i had to put the AP as close to the front as possible (actually it is sitting in the middle of the plane because of the battery bay clearance). Total weight is 1980g. I have one plane with similar size and weight, but It has landing gear on tundras, so take-offs and landings are relatively easy. But this "thrower" seems a bit heavy in the hand to handlaunch it.

[@AndrewNewton]

It can handle 1700g easily. Plenty of power and no torque roll from the twins so you might be OK.

[@lukasvanous_flying_high]

@@AndrewNewton thx Andrew, you gave me some confidence :)) by the way, You have the best rc channel of the all. I really love Your way of doing things :)

[@makewithmegma]

❤👌👍

[@FasterThanJesus666]

Any chance you could help me with a question I have a volantex ranger 2000 and I have a bunch of li-ion batteries. would you go 3s 15000mah or 4s 10000mah.

[@AerialWaviator]

I'm not Andrew, but think it boils down to fast (4s vs 3s "power"), or fly longer (1500 mAh vs 1000 mAh "capacity"). Propeller size and motor are also a consideration, as they need to match your power setup. Note: 18650's weigh ~50g (+/-5g) each regardless of capacity. Most people tend to go with 2500-3500 mAh 18650's, 3000-3500 mAh being more commonly used. Li-ion cells under 2000 mAh don't give as much "energy density" (mAh/g, or Watts/g), and thus little advantage over Li-poly.

[@FasterThanJesus666]

@@AerialWaviator Cheers for the advise, its a ranger 2000 with a sunny sky X-2216-8 1250kv, with an 8X6 prop. I have around 20 or so 5100mah 26650 Li-ion's. using 6000mah Lipo's at the minute and getting around 40 minute flights with no gliding but looking for much longer flights. I've no interest in speed just cruising around the mountains here in Ireland. I am tending towards a 4S2P given the additional weight over the 6K lipos but the extra watts from the 3S3P keeps bringing me back to 3S. Would love to go 4S3P but its never going to fit in a ranger.

[@AndrewNewton]

I choose 4S for the lower current requirement, and reserve power

[@702Wolfi]

Does the new tail fit on the old drangon?

[@AndrewNewton]

Good question, which I cant answer just now.

[@dannyyik6174]

Hello...I'm totally noob about FPV setup, so I would to hear your recommend from toe to toe about FPV and what I need to get some nice video...hopefully you could do a little help telling me what I need and I'm running it on a helicopter...thank you for your time..😇😇

[@AndrewNewton]

What search terms are you using? There are hundreds of great videos out there kzbin.info/aero/PLC8MdCMvxwBgZZEAtmmS3ctbHzNY_tfZO

[@dannyyik6174]

@@AndrewNewton I planned to get a RunCam 4k, Turbowing transmitter, Enchine 7" LCD build in receiver, please comment and advise and will this match, thanks 🙏