Joseph Frost

Show me what is your lightest battery load to power E-models. I'm more into heavy duty gear, but in recent times build many micro size models from tiny EDF jets to my other passion, flying 3/D aerobatics of the lightest kind requiring not only lightest power and electronics but the source to run them ''slow-low and very close"!

The lightest scratch build creation I came so far in EDF jet is some 270 grams AUW, running pretty hot on 30mm fans off 3S/650 to 850 mA packs of highest C rate I can get hands on for 2 to 3 minute fly times. Anything larger is impossible to fit in due to the restrict space and CofG.

3/D wise, I managed much better with reasonably sized models at 850x100cm (S/L) at mere 130 grams plus mini size 2S/260-300mA lipos as some 17 to 25 grams. My new target is to come closer to 100 grams AUW, but not lower as I build these models only for outdoor flying in calm conditions so even carrying these type of models to my flying site creates enough head wind,

Micro EDF jets converted from toy gliders to full RC power running on mini 3S lipos.

Not much space for the power source.

Rather stressful little toys to fly.

Most exiting is always the sling shot.

Few packs to run micro fleet.

Super light outdoor flyer on 2S/300.

2-4 minutes of slow-low-close fun on tiny packs.

Fleet of my 3/D micros is getting lighter day by day with new creations.

One of my early heavier build on 2S/550.

A real dog to fly at 550 grams on 3S/1Ah.

Slight lighter but still a dog on 3S/850.
LOL.
Currently while local H/King warehouse is going bust, closing, I find very difficult to replace any type of lipos with more stock so making most of what I got on hand.

Joseph Frost

My latest delicate creation is nearing completion for my lightest battery loads.

My latest Dead Calmer getting stiffer with more carbon.

Joseph Frost

Another great maiden flight with my latest creation on the lightest battery in my collection.

3 to 4 minute flight time on tiny 2S pack with my delicate creation.

Joseph Frost

Working on the lightest in my DC Series, this one will be powered by 2S/260Ah pack, hoping for 100 grams AUW or near.

Another 'Delicate Creation' in making.

100g target.

Joseph Frost

Having fun flying on 2S/260, my lightest RC set up, AUW, 122 grams.

Dead Calm-Black&White in action.

Joseph Frost

4 minute flight time on 2S/260 with my latest DC creation.

Now with Ail. added brakes.

Joseph Frost

Funny thing this eve, flew three "DC" models before dark, so next one was this "B&W" ( top pic) on 2S/260, hooked it up 3 times and no go! Just kept on beep-ping! I said bugger, must have lost its bind.
Back on the bench, just realized I took the wrong TX to fly it! LOL. Didn't check its log book before taking it off the shelf. LOL. Too many models, LOL.

Joseph Frost

This morn flying on 16 grams packs, (2S/260), with 4+ minute fun each session, running counter rotating "Blue Swallow", of my 'DC' series.

Joseph Frost

This morn flying on my lightest 2S packs to test run my latest creation, the best flier so far in my DC series after 3 beach flying sessions.

Slow, low and close on 2S/260.

Sunrise maiden.

Magic of the early morn calm.

Joseph Frost

Light as a feather on the 2S/260.


Slightly heavier on 2S/300.

Joseph Frost

To keep it light and very slow I run it on 2S/240, 4 min. flight time is pretty good to run counter rotating power unit .

Joseph Frost

This morn, OZ day, took few oldies out including "Altra light" running on tiny 2S/300 for 5 minutes. Pretty lively model compare to my latest microlight creations.

"Altra L" on 2S/300 to start the day.

Very lively model.

Joseph Frost

4th. motor quit last few days, resulting in minor frame damage, easy fixed, TX to low capacity and C-rate battery!


After frame repair.

3rd. flight today another stoppage!

Joseph Frost

1S/180mA/50C is the lightest so far in my E-powered department. @ 6 grams AUW after replacing the tiniest 2 pin plug for a proper JST harness, I don't think could handle to feed the juice I expect from my new 7.5g Counter Rotating power unit.
Now I'm ready to create the lightest 3/D stunt plane to match it.

The smallest 1S/180/50C on my hands, R pic.

Under operational load test run.

Joseph Frost

Not the lightest but at 15 grams it is my second.

So far my lightest creation at 101g AUW.

Light as a feather.

RebElliot

Do you have any videos posted of these lightweight airplanes in action? It seems like they would be excellent indoor flyers. Is the foam cut out as one piece for a wing (for example) or are there many smaller panes per wing?

Joseph Frost

There are lot of videos flying on YT I load here and there. This morn flown already 4 of these models even before breakfast, yes they are indoor models but I prefer flying them also outdoors in morn or Twilight calm, just like this morn, perfect still air, not a breeze. I have actually flown them in very confined basket/b area, just as an indoor practice. 10x10x10meter cube of still air is more than enough for these to have a great fun.
Initial frame is drawn and cut in one piece from the full sheet, after cut in 2 sections for easier application of covering micron thin plastics, joined together later. On ave it takes me 80-120 hours to create one of these. Enjoy sample vid, regards, J. (Purple Swallow SLC 12/2/23)

My current project, "Koso-Tvor" I'm working on.

Joseph Frost

Short indoor footage of couple at my new venue.
(Worzel Coffs indoors on Firefly)
(Predator in Coffs indoor)
My latest/ lightest "Golden Winglet" , haven't flown indoors yet, but judging by its outdoor performance it will be a dream under cover in still air.

"Golden Winglet" at sunrise, premier flight.

RebElliot

Is that a Mylar film on the silver one?

Joseph Frost

Aluminized Mylar at 5 Micron.

Joseph Frost

Getting lighter day by day, my target to break "100" ended up better then expected, just finished my latest "Foamy Swallow",- 3/D Pattern indoors creation at 75grams all up including the lightest pack I got on hand, 1S/180/50C. At this stage I'm not sure about the flight time on such a low capacity pack, time will tell, but made up few more packs out of 2S by separation of cells down to 200 and 240mA as 1S's.
So far the most delicate build from my Studio, bus working on identical frame size sistership made fully out of Carbon Fiber with the same electronics and power unit to compare the AUW.

You got to start somewhere, as with this most delicate 3mm foam skeleton.

Ended up slightly lighter then expected, fitted with giant 17 & 3/4" contra props.

Easy hover at 1/2 stick.

Identical Carbon frame on its way.

Joseph Frost

I was hoping you show me what's the smallest capacity or lightest model you run. My lightest is 1S/180/5gram spooling up 18" coax props in my latest creation at some 75g AUW. Sweet runners.

Variety to power my micro light fleet.


To power variety of my design scratch build ones.

Joseph Frost

More then happy, easy 4 minute runs on 1S/180-240mA packs, 6 indoor runs with my lightest creations yesty at my new venue.

1/S spinning twin 18" props.

Same power set up.