Hello everyone,

This is my first attempt to build a micro slow flyer. Inspired by the Parkzone Night Vapor(http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZU1180) and the Carbon Scout (http://classicultralights.com/dreamofflightreview.html).

Wingspan- 20"
Length - 18"
Total weight including all ~ 45 gms (till now)

Construction materials used:

one 1 X 1000 mm carbon fibre stick
one 1.5 X 1000 mm carbon fibre stick
one 2 X 1000 mm carbon fibre stick

Pieces of thermocol, very thin Plastic bag, normal string, ball point pen refill, pins, fevicol & feviquick.

Electronics used:

Brushed Motor from a broken toy helicopter rear motor. Added the gearbox from Hobbyking(http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11876__EPS6_Replacement_Gearbox_for_GPS_6_Motor_Gearbox_Assembly.html?strSearch=GPS%206) with a 4X2.5 propeller-   4 gms

ESC - Hobbyking 3A Single Cell ESC Brushed Micro Motors - 1 gm

Servos - 2 pieces of HK-5320 Ultra-Micro Digital Servo 1.7g / 0.05sec / 0.075kg ~ 4 gms.

LiPo - ZIPPY 350mAh 20C single cell from Hobbyking ~ 9gms! (Bit too heavy   . Thinking of replacing it with a lighter one   )

Rx - OrangeRx R415 Spektrum DSM2 Compatible 4Ch Micro 2.4Ghz Receiver from Hobbyking - 2gms

Construction almost done. But the total weight is almost around 45 gms! Thought of making it under 30 gms! Exceeded by almost 15 gms! pretty sad  


Tried a test flight but the motor is too under powered to provide the enough thrust. So thinking of changing it to a GPS 8 brushed motor (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__17155__Micro_Power_system_w_Gearbox_GPS_8_1s_.html?strSearch=GPS%208)  which has more thrust and will match this ESC. But again it will increase the weight by 5gms   !

Please experts...any suggestions for improvement?

Here are some pictures.

Some more pics.

Some more!

That's a nice build. However I would have preferred not to use the cello tape for tacking the plastic paper on the carbon to keep weight min would have gone for rubber solution or thin strips of double sided tapes.

Your micro weather it will fly or not is all dependent on how it glides with motor off. Your Battery seems to be way back and CG back. adjust CG get a good glide without opening motor.

from there give motor power adjust wing incidence and get good flight characteristics.

Higher the incidence of wing, slower the model which will climb more on power but too much of it will stall. Lower wing incidence to get speed but at high speed it will just dash to ground. Slight incidence is always preferred to have a good control of the indoor model.

Thank you Sundaram Ji for your suggestions.
Yes true, I realized that the cello tapes in the wing is making it heavier. So I didn't use them in making the rudder and the elevator. Simply used feviquick. Also the amount of string and adhesive I used in the wing construction is much more than required. I just wanted to make it more stronger! This made it a bit heavier too  .
Also regarding the CG it is true that the micro is a bit tail heavy, but the fact is I haven't properly balanced it yet. As I mentioned that, I will be replacing the motor with a more powerful one, so I'll balance it after I add the motor. 

Very nice build dude..
But I will say the weight is more compared to the wingspan...
You want to keep it under 30gm as you said.. and don't go changing the motor try using bigger prop.. I have made a similar one, search for night vapour clone in the search tab..

And as sundaram sir said I too feel the the cg is back a bit.. you could have fixed the servos a bit in the middle.. use super glue for attaching the wing covering as well..


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Thanks a lot Arun!

I have gone through your build of Night Vapor clone! Really nice. Simple and neat build! What is the final weight of your night vapour clone? From the picture it is not very clear.

You are correct, the weight is a bit more compared to the wingspan. I found the wing itself measured 15 gms! Looks like I have to reconstruct the wing to reduce weight to some extent. Also the landing gear added few gms! 

Yes as I said it is not properly balanced yet! I'll try to adjust the CG by adjusting the battery position.

By the way,  what prop size do you suggest for this motor? 5X3 ? I'm using 4X2.5.

Mine was about 25-27gms
And used a 6x4 prop..
I will suggest you for a 5" gws style..
And also use very thin copper wire for joints with super glue.. very strong
All the best for your build:D

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