Skydrill RC Plane with Cox Killer Bee Clone .049 GoPro

This is my 10yr old Skydrill built from a Select Hobbies kit. I recently brought it out of mothballs after some storage time. It has provided many fantastic flights over the years. Some repair work, a little patching, and a new engine got her going again. A great flying and very fun model!

[@stealhty1]

Soo many memories , thx for share Cox ,049

[@benlieckfelt4140]

I love watching people fly these little Cox planes.

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks! Small planes, big fun!

[@markmcriley2558]

Just more proof that the Cox .049 was ahead of its time and timeless...

[@TeeBeeZee]

Timeless, for sure. Until good fuel is no longer available.....In the meantime, I'm having a blast with my engines.

[@chevy362000]

What kind of fuel are you using? Amazing little airplane!!

[@TestECull]

I'm grafting one onto an FT Long-EZ! Started with an RC Ranger from Cox Intl as a base, tweaked it so the choketube is 90 degrees from the cylinder, put an airbleed carb for a TD051 RC into the end of the choketube. Standard 3-fin head and slit exhaust cylinder on it. Can't wait to get it flying; hopefully next week!

[@tonyl9516]

i am glad to see this kind of plane ....flies great i never flown 1/2a but this gives me incentive

[@TeeBeeZee]

It's a great design! I had to retire it shortly after this video was made due to lots of wear and oil soaking. It came apart. I have lots of other 1/2A models, though. :) And 1/8A and 1/4A, too with .010 and .020 engines! With some practice and patience, these little engines can run nicely and provide many hours of fun flying. Go for it!

[@petercane6376]

Nice flying there!!!! My word that thing can't half shift. For an 049 the performance was incredible. Who needs a larger engine when you can keep the size and cost of fuel down to that. Really excellent. The model is superb. Thanks.

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks for the kind words! That model has been permanently retired from all the west and fuel soaking over many years. The engine setup in the video worked pretty well! I ran other nice reedie .049 setups on it over the years as well. The Cox engines are the butt of many jokes but can really perform well if you cross your fingers and spend some time getting to know them.

[@petercane6376]

@@TeeBeeZee I always steered clear of the cox engines in preference to small diesels as they are supposed to be more controllable. I watched a you tube of Kim flying his Q Tee with an 049 and was gob smacked. Within a week I have built a Q Tee airframe, ordered THREE Cox 049 engines and joined the cox engine forum. You a member? On close inspection it is a very well made precision engine when looked after and given the correct fuel recipe they are as good as diesels. So yep ....I'm deep into Cox engines now. Pete

[@TeeBeeZee]

@@petercane6376 Ha! Addictive little suckers! The Cox engine forum? Yep, been a member for years, though I’m not as active as I used to be due to, well, life. And Kim Stricker, I proudly call him a friend!

[@homienat3374]

Have to agree was top dollar, what a sreamer love it , just order babe bee 049 for Xmas going old school this year burnt out to many esc ,s😂😂 safe flights .

[@homienat3374]

Nice ,That thing is a beast mate love the cox sound great flight🤙🤙🤙

[@armydlguy]

Love the spring starter!

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks! That hybrid .049 engine is a great setup for sport flying. All the good hotrod reedie mods combined with the easy spring starter for ease of operation. Unfortunately, the Skydrill airframe finally gave up last month at the SMALL event in Arkansas. Too many years of fuel soaking took their toll on it. The plywood firewall actually crumbled. I will probably build a new one when Select Hobbies has new kits available.

[@skip1835]

sweet fun !

[@4thGloryMonday]

nice job man and no fear i still fence with my old futaba from time to time

[@kenwiberg6517]

The way it should be done ! Nice ...............

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks! I had to retire this plane as many years of use and fuel soaking finally caused failure in the fuselage. I'd like to build another someday as it tracked so nicely. The kits are no longer available, so scratchbuilding is the only option now. So many projects, so little time...

[@angelanbrentenlowndavis2949]

Looks like a mini kaos... love those little 1/2 as. Might just start building them again. Nice video

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks! That’s basically what it is. It finally fell apart from years of use and fuel soaking. Have another kit stashed away for a future build. It’s probably the best flying sport 1/A plane I’ve had. I’ve been away from the hobby for a couple of years but lol forward to returning to it!

[@florabee9283]

I like how with no throttle, you gotta commit!

[@Winter_Sportster]

"People in their right minds" are highly overrated!!!! Great Video...makes for some good Hot Chocolate viewing!!!!😀

[@TeeBeeZee]

My kinda people!

[@stilltlrforlife]

Very nice landing

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks!

[@pauloconnor6331]

That's some fancy flying you did there ! Great looking color scheme.

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks! That old bird finally fell apart not long after that video was made. Years of wear and fuel soaking took a toll on it. I was finally able to score a new Skydrill kit in a trade recently, so I will build another one someday.

[@renewhitaker1410]

Zoom, zoom! Sky Drill appropriate name for such a nice flying model. Great video.

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks!

[@michelemarchese259]

Very fantastic model, and engine Is very strong!!!!!!!

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks. That was a great flying model! It finally fell apart after many years of use, abuse, and fuel soaking. I will build another one to replace it someday!

[@michelemarchese259]

@@TeeBeeZee Yes, the rebuilding is worth it. Are construction plans available on the internet? Very beautiful model! It's 3 o 4 channels?

[@TeeBeeZee]

@@michelemarchese259 Unfortunately, the plans aren't available for the Skydrill. The kit was drawn up and sold years back by Steve Adams of Select Hobbies. He doesn't sell them at this time and it is doubtful that he will resume production any time soon, according to the rumors. I was able to negotiate a trade for an unbuilt kit a while back to replace my worn out, fuel-soaked flyer.

[@michelemarchese259]

@@TeeBeeZee It is a pity that the Skydrill plans are no longer found. But as I understand it, you still have your plans, right? recovered from that unbuilt Kit. Keep them with care, these designs will remain very rare indeed!

[@fastdude2002]

I flew one very similar back in the 90s. It was a Sig Hummer and looked very much like this one. I see they are still available at Tower Hobbies. I flew it with a cox TD 049. Lots of fun.

[@TeeBeeZee]

I'm currently building a Hummer. It's actually quite a different design. Both are excellent flyers. The Hummer flies more like a racer. The Skydrill is basically a miniature Kaos, a pattern style flyer.

[@smokiepfpv904]

Sweet. Needing 1/2a for this Christmas. In San Antonio.

[@AmpAbuser]

Thank you for sharing, best rpm 22,448 / 64 mph - most 20/21k

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks for the data. That's about all the revs I would want to push on it. :) She flies nice with this setup.

[@SmokeFlame1]

Run those little engines full throttle until they run out of fuel and glide home. Every landing was dead stick.

[@TeeBeeZee]

Some of us stil live that lifestyle! :)

[@HellHoundOne]

Beautiful

[@rigididiot]

Looks like a blast to fly….

[@TeeBeeZee]

That is one of my favorite 1/2A planes. I built it in 2008 and it has many hours of flight time on it. One of the best flying .049 RC planes I've had. Shortly after this video was made, the front of the fuselage came apart from the inevitable fuel soaking that occurs after so many flights. The epoxy that I sealed everything with eventually gave way to the glow fuel creep and turned all to mush. I hope to build another one someday when Select Hobbies gets the kits back in stock. May scratchbuild one if not.

[@Jimmyzb36]

I want one! "Low rates of course!"

[@TeeBeeZee]

Me too! I built this one in 2007/8 and it flew a ton over the next 5yrs or so. It was getting tired and was put into semi-retirement for a while. I got it back out in late 2017 and refurbished it enough to get it flying again when this video was made. A few months later, the firewall completely crumbled out of it. Despite my efforts at salvaging it, I finally retired it for good. Despite fuel-proofing everything well when it was originally built, the oil eventually made it's way into the wood and weakened the structure and glue joints. I inquired with Steve Adams of Select Hobbies about another kit but he was out at the time. If/when he gets tooled up to produce more Skydrill kits, I'll be one of the first in line to get one and build another one of the best flying 1/2A sport planes I've had the pleasure of owning.

[@Jimmyzb36]

Tee Bee! I think we’re on the same page. It looks like a “kaos”’ to me!

[@Jimmyzb36]

Love ❤️ 1/2a ,,, Never had a TD or other Cox, perform like yours. My best try was a SIG Hummer with a Norvel I’m sad to say.

[@TeeBeeZee]

It is basically a 1/2A size kaos. Flies like one, too! I've had a lot of Cox powered planes and this is probably the best tracking one of them all. Just point and shoot. No bad habits.

[@TeeBeeZee]

The Cox engines can be finicky but I have a long time love/hate relationship with them. I've been messing with them for so long that I just understand them better now and get better results than during the "good old days". Many years of collecting them, modding, running and flying them have paid off. Still, I get embarrassed occasionally by one of them at the flying field and have to take my fair share of abuse from the modern electric crowd. With a few mods and the right parts, the reedie .049s will run very strong and consistent. Sometimes, high speed isn't desired, so I like the versatility that can be obtained by the same engine layout. I can bolt up a stock Babe Bee or Surestart with a 6x3 prop while trimming out a new model. Once the airframe is dialed in, it's easy enough to bolt up a hotter engine with a higher revving prop in it's place and go ZOOM. For years, I ran a Skyline FX .049 which was a hotrod reedie made from a Surestart by Tim Wiltse. He's out of the scene now but his engines were works of art and ran fantastic. I have a Sig Hummer kit lined up to build soon but am planning to mount a Medallion .09 to it for good pull and climb capability. I recently finished building a smaller, scaled down Hummer with electric power from a Willy Nillies kit. Flies nicely! I have a new Norvel .074 that I hope to get around to using someday.

[@traviscozza7177]

3 thumbs down from people...? They are idiots, this is badass

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks! You can’t please everyone.

[@mjd4174]

It's the law - all YT videos get 1-1/2 - 2% dislikes, it's from the amoebic trolls that grow in the damp of their mom's basements. You could give CPR to a hutch of baby rabbits and save them all, and you still get the same.

[@Joshtow167]

That lil plane gets it

[@aeromodelisme45]

Super ! vraiment sympa ce modèle et il vole très bien, bravo !

[@ndf-modellbauvideos]

Very Nice! The Engine go very good! What kind of propeller are you using? 🍻 Frank

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks! I usually found the best performance using 5x3 props on that model.

[@sams0748]

Hi, what servos and battery do you use for these cox models. Especially the 020 models, how do you fit it in? Thanks

[@TeeBeeZee]

To be honest, these videos are several years old and I'm running behind the technology a bit. I have been running small NiMH packs from 250 to 400mah capacity, depending on the model size, weight, etc. Over time, the availability of these has almost disappeared. One of my more recent build used a small LiFe battery with good success. Most of the other guys I know who also fly small Cox engine planes have switched to LiPo packs combined with regulators to step down the voltage to safe levels for the receiver and servos. I've been inactive in the RC hobby for a couple of years but hope to get back to it soon. When I do, I will probably pursue the LiPo option since they are abundantly available.

[@Jimmyzb36]

Wow!

[@TeeBeeZee]

Fun airplane!

[@ericpine4844]

Who needs a ducted fan ???' !

[@JourneyBliss]

Nice

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks!

[@benjihinsoniii]

Nice! It really looks like it grooves pretty good! Flies like a larger plane? Now build the Joystick, promise it doesn't disappoint either! Teufelhund222 :)

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks! The Skydrill is a great goovin' machine. Just so happens I recently aquired a Joystick kit from a guy online.

[@dingalarm]

Nice flying ! Would you know how much the Skydrill weighs ?

[@TeeBeeZee]

Thanks! I think it weighed about 12oz. Since that video was made, the plane has been retired from years of use, abuse, and fuel soaking. I plan to build another one from a kit that is stashed away.

[@dingalarm]

@@TeeBeeZee OK, thanks ! I'd love to build something similar with my Cox Babe Bee or Surestart engines. The only problem, here in Australia, is finding a local park where flying is allowed, and where Karen won't complain about the noise 😋. We really need to keep this great hobby alive, despite all the negativity that exists about it at the moment ! Good luck with your build ! 🤞🙂 Best wishes during this difficult time.

[@TeeBeeZee]

@@dingalarm I understand. It’s getting harder all the time. Enjoy what you can while you can!

[@dingalarm]

@@TeeBeeZee That's true 😞 Like you said, enjoy it while you can 🤞🙄

[@jeremyburton9038]

Tried to buy one of those kits and the hobby shop cant get there cnc machine to work and there web site is a joke it dose not work.

[@TeeBeeZee]

I understand. He used to have his laser cutting done at another shop. Since he bought his own setup, I think life's other challenges have prevented him from getting it up and running proper. Steve is a really nice guy, have known him for a long while through modeling. His site is indeed antiquated, as you have to push a button to request an order response from him and it shows products which haven't been available in years. I usually just email him but as you've learned already, the Skydrill kits are out of stock. I need another one as the old one in this vid has been retired due to wear and fuel soaking issues after years of use. When/if he gets them back on the shelf, I will happily build another.

[@Jimmyzb36]

What Fuel?

[@TeeBeeZee]

I use Sig Champion 25 fuel. I purchase it in quart bottles and add about 1.5 fluid ounce of Sig or Klotz castor oil in each bottle.

[@TestECull]

@@TeeBeeZee I'm running my 049 off that stuff too, albiet with no added castor. They seem to love it.

[@andrefinnigan8780]

Cox engines are fast little bastards