CustomRCMods
A YouTube Community Centered Around Building, Flying, and Modifying RC Planes
The Concorde
A simplistic take on an iconic jet that redefined the known boundaries of commercial air travel.
Project Goal:
Design a homebuilt R/C model that carries the lines of the Concorde, and is easy to build and fly but also cost effective. Create accessible plans to publish online and share with the community.
I designed this bird using AutoCAD, by initially sketching over orthographic views of the airplane, and then breaking down the forms that combine to create it. In doing this I was able to simplify the shapes and eventually unfold them into 2D orthographic drawings that would later become printable plans. Along the way, I started a forum thread (see below) amongst my subscribers and the community to gather ideas and further develop the project. I received a plethora of great ideas and support from this group that was invaluable along the way. Once completed, I published free downloadable plans for people to build my design themselves.
Design
Once broken down, Each piece was developed to a T complete with material thickness and ease of assembly considered. The parts were then put on a grid to be split into pieces, that would allow them to be printed on A4 paper and tiled together.
Assembly and Modification
Once printed, the plans were cut out over sheets of foam core, and assembled using channel folding, curling, and notching techniques. I quickly found minor issues in the first version, and was able to redesign parts to allow them to go together in a seamless fashion.
Flight
I Installed a single 70mm EDF Unit, and servos for the control surfaces, and it was time to fly. I tested the center of gravity (CG) and compared it with other R/C models of similar form. The maiden flight was a great success, and I felt that the flight characteristics were friendly to pilots across all skill levels, just as desired.
The “Walmart Wing”
This experimental aircraft was a challenge to myself to step outside the box and create something that bent the norms of traditional R/C model design. The airframe used is made up of the Left and Right wing sections from a foam glider I had lying around, and some cheap electronic components.
I faced many challenges in this build, some from wing loading and structure, others from balance. It taught me that sometimes the design process leads down a path of trial and error, but the learning is so valuable through that. I wanted to show my subscribers how this process unfolds, and the important things it can teach you.
This plane is still in my fleet and I fly it regularly to this day!
This Is What I do.
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Planes
The majority of my fixed-wing fleet are homebuilt planes built from sheets of foam core. This allows projects to be cost-effective and completely customizable to the builder.
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Quadcopters (Drones)
I fly cinematic and freestyle FPV drones that I have custom built, and share tutorials, flying footage, and other content regarding this emerging hobby with the commmunity.
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Surface Vehicles (Cars)
It all starter here for me. The channel. The hobby. Over ten years ago. R/C cars sparked my interest in tinkering and modifying things, and I’m glad I decided to share that with you all.