SkyHunter 1800 mods

[@mostlyharmlessrc3920]

You made those mods in record time! Great location and flight Andrew 😎

[@AndrewNewton]

Weather is so bad we can't do anything else.

[@GroundControlRC]

Nice flight and beautiful scenery! Happy Flying!

[@rcaviationuk1832]

That has to be one of the coolest looking flying places I've ever seen, you're so lucky. Nice review and good job on the mods / improvements.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes it does look cool in the sky

[@patedwards6968]

Very Cool Andrew, it does slope indeed! I've spent some time on the RCGroups Skyhunter forum so have a few ideas that may be of use. The motor mount has been known to 'eject' unintentionally so some (3) wooden dowels have been used to anchor the mount into the foam. The motor mounting area can be shaved down to allow better airflow to the prop, especially if you are using an 11inch prop, the area in front of the prop is already largely obstructed by the comically sized fuselage. This will also allow better cooling at the motor. Also, can use industrial strength velcro to hold the ESC down as some have fallen out the exhaust hole and been collected by the prop, I used two kebab sticks to prevent things sliding out the back. Probably not a problem for someone with your experience but this bird does have some tip stall characteristics, I saw signs of this in this clip where it is just starting to become unstable as if in prelude to a tip stall. I noticed your tailplane moved up the booms slightly, I'm assuming for G.C. purposes, but this has left the tail end of the booms exposed which may fracture apon landing. You could protect these somehow or preferably move the tail all the way to the end of the booms and add more battery upfront. It looks like the laminating has helped a lot with strength, key areas are the Tail, Inside the wing boom mounts, and the underbelly. I've used 45GSM kevlar to wrap these areas with great results (it can also be covered). I suspect you will enjoy some endurance and sport flying with this bird down the track. Great clip!

[@AndrewNewton]

Great help thanks Pat. I moved the tail forward to see if it would fit in the car without needing to be dismantled, and to test the effect on flight performance. Both worked well and I'll do some more testing soon. I'll cut off the overhanging booms.

[@GrahamA63]

Hi. I have no intention of buying anything like this one but have thoroughly enjoyed your three films about it. Thanks!

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Graham

[@EnglishTurbines]

Nice, I liked how you shortened the Tail moment, what a flexible plane it is.....Of course Andrew, this bird provides the perfect opportunity for you to review a Camera gimbal of some kind....?..... It's not like you have a shortage of cameras to try. Imagine that coastline you could film, even with a modest FPV link.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, if they stopped sending me stuff I would have time to experiment more with such ideas

[@dronepilot260rc]

I think I might order one of these. I have the Racing Skyhunter and it's my everyday flier but the big one seems to be a good candidate for long range 😎

[@AndrewNewton]

Needs some reinforcing but it's a proven platform for lang range.

[@joslinnick]

Such a great flying plane. Not hard to understand why it remains popular as an FPV platform all of these years later.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes a great weight carrier.

[@prestonshute7243]

Like all the mods, especially the prop. That other prop looked crazy dangerous. I think you have "calmed the beast". Cheers

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes it's much more practical now

[@alasdair4161]

Great job Andrew, first video I didn't want one, after this one I do... Now just load her up with batteries and keep heading south, I'll charge them back up and launch it back to the mainland. (been done with an MTD I hear..)

[@AndrewNewton]

Haha, that would be great

[@JoshWeaverRC]

Ha ha. Was going to do this with a buddy. But now I am laughing out loud thinking I can just send the remote up with it. That's why they made the xlite right!

[@nttmggr13sccrntt74]

nice work. i have the mini hunter. i added rudders for a little more flatter turns. i can't wait for tourist season to be over here. then i can go back to the beach and fly

[@AndrewNewton]

Rudders would be nice, my left thumb gets restless

[@0309wolverin]

wow i love the onboard footage!

[@madsloper]

Nice improvement; now slide the tail all the way back even with the end of the booms and she will be a smooth flier. 12x6 prop. I just went to a 5s setup with the large Drak motor and it flies on 7 amps.

[@AndrewNewton]

Nice. I'll test the tail different positioning but most important for me is fitting in the car as is.

[@thorstenm.3695]

Great video. You live in a really great environment!

[@AndrewNewton]

We have some nice deserted areas nearby.

[@reefer2917]

Hmmm you tried a few different tail setups, maybe try complete tail removal!! in the olden days we called them planks, elevon's and I reckon this is a prime model for the trial!! *-P great vid, I enjoy all your flying vids

[@AndrewNewton]

Alas I sold this one on. It was impressive

[@quarryrats]

Does the Skyhunter really need a rudder? I am in the process of building a foam model plane based on the Skyhunter's design and I can't decide if I should go through the extra hassles of adding rudder surfaces of if I should just leave them fixed.

[@AndrewNewton]

Does fine without a rudder, add them later if you feel the need

[@quarryrats]

Thanks Andrew, happy flying!

[@DaniloGarciaHansen]

Nice fly Andrew

[@HowToDIYRc]

very nice drew Gjb on the mods :D

[@robertburroughs6346]

Do you think this would be a good candidate to be turned into a plank? Was thinking of turning mine into a plank and bringing the fins all the way to the wing.

[@AndrewNewton]

Wing chord might be too narrow for a stable plank

[@robertburroughs6346]

Thanks for answering my question! Huge fan

[@cirandavideo]

Uauhh! Amazing! Born to be a glider. Or a slope glider. I guess losing some weight ,such as a lighter battery /esc a little bit ahead to correct CoG and a smaller motor should be possible a beautiful and time-consuming glide . Rs

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes it really wants to glide

[@greatgandalf5233]

Does okay with out a rudder... nice Video.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks. Yes it works well without rudder

[@paulriggs42]

Ahhhh, Blackrock, great location !

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, spectacular

[@Starbuckin]

Do you frequent the Skyhunter thread on RC Groups?? You should have did the Kevlar fabric/CA reinforcement on the tail before you laminated it. That mod made mine rock solid.

[@AndrewNewton]

Looks like a great mod but I used what was available and it works for me.

[@StephenBenson-x2e]

Do you have a link to this thread, I can't seem to find it?

[@LemberTheMember]

Very nice mods, will you install INav on it or leave it like it is? Probably you could use INav for some longrange fpv with the Skyhunter ☺️. As always great Video Andrew!

[@AndrewNewton]

Not into long range FPV but I should investigate iNav

[@aldoyosbel1728397263]

Really nice

[@mazpr2025]

I see the motor does not have cooling like the Bixler lineup, does it run fine like it is without vent holes? Yt viewers the magic starts at 3:55 of the video... epic!

[@AndrewNewton]

It's a great spot to fly. Cooling is not an issue, the motor is not enclosed like the Bixler.

[@weavostigercat2000]

Hi Andrew , got this model on order now ,can you give me the size of the elevator you made out of balsa , want to order some wood while I'm waiting for the kit to arrive . Great flying spot . Thanks Graham

[@AndrewNewton]

I don't have it any more but used 3mm balsa, same size as the original.

[@weavostigercat2000]

Cheers mate , will get some ordered .

[@Powershotknecht]

big plan! WOW

[@palankaizs]

Do you remember that how much kV the motor was? 800 or 920?

[@AndrewNewton]

920kV

[@palankaizs]

Thanks @@AndrewNewton

Lindo voo Newton, bela musica enfim perfeito

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks, that is a good track for a big plane

OK!

[@mhannan6328]

Another great vid. I don't see the music listed. Thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks. It's Court and Page by Silent Partner. (From the no attribution required collection, KZbin Audio Library)

[@ashleyschooneman2998]

Sorry Andrew,have you still got a copy of the who's there video,I deleted it by accident

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes I still have all of them

[@ashleyschooneman2998]

Thanks Andrew,can you copy the who's there one and shorten the crawl entry video 7 min to 8 min 30,very greatfull,Ash maybe next weekend

[@AndrewNewton]

Done

[@aldoyosbel1728397263]

Had someone have any idea how I can do a vertical wing tips out of balsa. Any help will appreciate

[@AndrewNewton]

Easy, just laminate the balsa and glue them on. There is enough surface area on the wing tips

[@aldoyosbel1728397263]

Ok I will try that thanks so much

[@JoshWeaverRC]

@@aldoyosbel1728397263 If you want to get fancy, use some light weight balsa filler and sand it down nicely and then laminate.

[@garrynutter860]

You've been busy, with all those mods. Cant you sleep ?

[@AndrewNewton]

Mods only took an hour or so. Weather has been so bad for weeks, it's all building and modding with brief flights between storms

[@Salomon1502]

Will it slope ? :)

[@AndrewNewton]

No problem