Bat Bone

by FliteTest | June 19, 2013 | (46) Posted in Reviews


The Bat Bone tricopter center plate is the newest installment to our Rotor Bones multirotor components.

We're still moving in at our new place and our set isn't ready yet, but today is a special day!

Introducing the Bat Bone tricopter body designed specifically for our Rotor Bones multirotor components. 

The Bat Bone is made of 1.5mm, high density, black G-10 glass fiber board. The tricopter camera mount is also available in our store!

Similar to the Original Tricopter body, the Bat Bone can be setup with folding arms for compact storage.

The Bat Bone is customizable too! Check out David's custom v-tail quad design.

This tricopter body is designed to give you plenty of space to mount your gear within the frame, while making it easily accessible.

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The interlocking cross-bracing makes for a very rigid and durable frame.

Using a Straight 13-370 Rotor Bones motor mount, Josh created a brace for his FatShark transmitter.

 Designed to give you all kinds of mounting options, the Bat Bone is a great platform for your multirotor body.

If you're looking for a little more customization, the AnyCopter body may also be an option for you!

David built this hexicopter with the AnyCopter hub and customized it with the RCTIMER 2-Axis Brushless Gimbal For GoPro. You'll be seeing more about this hex and gimbal setup in future episodes!

The Rotor Bones multirotor components are designed to give you a durable cost effective option for creating your own multirotors. 

The Bat Bone tricopter body is available HERE

We'd love to see the aircraft that you're working on!  Be sure to post photos and video and join the discussion in the forum post for this article.  More photos too!  CLICK HERE!
 

- Find this article & others like it at www.FliteTest.com -

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COMMENTS

casehatter on June 19, 2013
Nice to see safe legal flying that is fun and doesn't endanger our hobby. Guys that looked fun and ya'll done some dang good flyen, good job on the Bat and that octo was awsome but I bet it was very expensive..!! Hope ya'll sell 500 not 250 LOL a little work it'll do ya good ya reckon..!! I could use some work at home if ya got it LOL..!!
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jamiedco on June 20, 2013
i see you guys were both flying 5.8 at the same time . what frequency or channels are you using .

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mattplaneflyer on June 20, 2013
I was wondering about that too.
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ChesterDK on June 20, 2013
Hi guys , I've noticed that the motors and ESCs you use are different from the recommended list.
Can you tell us what were you guys using? And also whats the difference between the APM 2.5 and HK KK 2.0 board?
Thanks!
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liveyourdreamsRC on June 20, 2013
APM 2.5 is ardupilot, Bixler's favorite multirotor control board. I think you can buy it off of 3drobotics.com and it has features like loiter, and return to home while the kk2 has only stabilization. I know that the motors are NTM prop drives from hobbyking but I also need to know what kv, etc to get the right ones. The esc's on the hex look like HK f-20 ones flashed with simonk firmware and covered in different heatshrink. The other ones have turnigy multistar, but I can't tell what amp ratings they are. Hope this helps a little!

P.S. FT COULD YOU PLEASE LIST THE MOTORS AND ESCS USED IN THE VIDEO FOR THE BAT BONE
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T-Reu on June 23, 2013
Yes, please list all the electric components. I want to build a tricopter nut I am unexperienced and not sure which components will work together nicely.
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liveyourdreamsRC on June 23, 2013
Well since FT hasn't responded yet, I will post what I believe to be the electronics. I think they used the NTM prop drives because they are about the same price as the other motors and ESCs. So for motors they most likely used the 1200 kv 250 watt ones from Hobbyking.com If you want a little more umpf! out of it (higher power and speed capability along with higher climb) you could use the 1000kv 315 watt ones for +1$. There are also the 1100kv 300 watt which will give you an in between of the first two. With the 1200kv motors you would be safer with a 20 amp esc rather than the 15 amp because the max aperage caculated on the bottom is 18 amps. If you want ultimate performance use the f-20 ESCs, like I mentioned above, with the simonk firmware flashed on. If you want to get in the air ASAP then you can just find a 20 amp esc like the 20 amp multistar ESCs. Like before, I think they went with the f-20 ones and flashed them. With this setup you can use the 3s 2200 mah battery like on all the other rotor bones. Also you can use the recommended 8x4 prop with this. One last thing. To access the motors on the HK website go to the multirotor tab and then to motors, that will give you the three motors (not in order) but near the top of the page. Sorry for the long post and reply if you have any questions.
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liveyourdreamsRC on June 23, 2013
Oh, and don't forget to buy the excessory packs for the motors!
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H!-OcTaN3 on June 20, 2013
Guys I absolutely love the show, but.... You need to give more detailed info on wiring and kk2 and setup. I have a tri that I'm not sure on how to fit electronics, transmitter wiring. I know it sits on the arm away from receiver but how is it physically connected to the system. Most people (including me) can put a tri/any/octo frame together but it's the components that need the more detailed explanation. Keep up the good work!!!
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Calomile on June 22, 2013
Your KK2.0 board should be mounted as close to the centre of gravity of the craft as you can get it. This is so that the accelerometers and compasses aren't off on a strange angle which would cause your multi to behave unexpectedly in the air.

Mount equipment that doesn't mind a bit of vibration on the arms - ESCs and any power modules or OSD equipment can sit on the arms fine. Avoid putting video transmitters on the arms as the shaking from the motors will cause noise in the picture, or even breaking up.
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JAXON on June 20, 2013
I would love to see a complete build including electronics for the rotor bones series so someone new can follow through to understand how to complete one. Thanks guys great job!
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TimothyTaylor on July 16, 2013
I second the request! I guessed that it was the same motor as the FT Cruiser so I put in an order on that guess. But a full configuration run-down would be great.

I really liked how Josh used a Rotor Bone leg to hold his video transmitter. I am going to use that trick!
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apache64 on June 20, 2013
As always a great show and great footage, it makes me want to go out and fly my quad, which i will now ;-) Keep these videos coming, and maybe a video on assembling the RCTimer Gimble would be nice, as i would like to buy one but there seems to be a lot of discussion about assembling it correctly.
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Calomile on June 22, 2013
Assembly really isn't as tricky as people make it out to be, there's really nothing more to it than a small screw driver and a 2mm hex key. It can be daunting when you get a small box of parts with no instructions, but when you compare to the pictures on the rctimer site and start building you'll find that there is only really one way everything can go together. You do need to solder the motors to the servo cables and it might be wise to use threadlocker on the non-moving parts of the gimbal, but otherwise you'll have it built in under 30 minutes.

Now, adjusting all the software settings for the controlled board... That's another beast...
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liveyourdreamsRC on June 20, 2013
THAT WAS AWESOME! you should do more episodes there. It was mindblowing! Also an idea for another episode is to make a tour of the new place. That would be cool. Also I heard that you will have it open to the public, is this true? More rotor bones too please!
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efbe on June 20, 2013
Hello,
I like very much to order from You. But the shipping costs...
For the Batbone Tricopter kit the Shipping costs to Belgium are 20.95 $, if a ad 2 extra booms, worth 4.50 $ then the costs are 40.95 $. That's a little extreme.
(1/2 Inch dowel is hard to find in Belgium, the best is 12 mm, but that is always a little bit smaller)
efbe
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Furiou5 on June 21, 2013
The guys have said multiple times that they make no money on shipping, they are just a small company shipping from the middle of the United States; so their shipping cost are higher.

I assume that you are getting a much higher price when ordering the booms is because the size of the box changes. It sucks, but the blame does not lie at the FT teams feet, but rather at the feet of the shipping companies.
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efbe on June 21, 2013
I understand al that, but in the Tricopter kit there are booms already included, so for 2 booms more 20 $ more...?
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vjacheslav.tsygankov on June 22, 2013
The shipping from US extremely expensive. It grouse quickly, when you change size and weigh even a little. I think you can order only plates and you will find booms in Belgium easy.
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Magnus357 on June 20, 2013
Can you list the settings used for the APM 2.5 for the tricopter? Are you using the standard PID settings? If so, how is the yaw performance? I've ready previously that folks have not had great yaw performance with the APM 2.5.
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Brocknoviatch on June 20, 2013
Would love a video on how to setup the V-Tail! Yeah! The V-Tail looks awesome. You mentioned that it was similar to flying the tri-copter in regards to its yaw, which brings me to the question - what is the difference between a tri and a quad in regards to yaw?
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Iflyjets2 on June 20, 2013
I would love to know David's opinion on the v-tail design. Is this something that he prefers to the tri's that he has built? or was this just a test that he will now abandon? Also, what capacity batteries are needed and how long are the flight times on the respective multi copters?
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RoyBro on June 20, 2013
The V-Tail Quad intrigues me as well. David should do a mod video for both the Bat Bones and his original frame. And include how he made the 45 degree motor mounts.
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Adventure rc on June 20, 2013
Have you ever thought about fitting the hex with lights on the gopro? Because that would be awesome as it would have a kind of moveable headlamp. In fact how about fixing one controller to moving the gimbal around and have another guy flying it through a fixed forward-facing FPV system!
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oesti on June 20, 2013
If you are interested in the RCTimer Brushless Gimbal, I created a build tutorial on Instructables.com:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Brushless-Gimbal-for-Aerial-Photography-Drones/

Hope this helps ;)
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vjacheslav.tsygankov on June 20, 2013
Awesome!!! That is really nice video. Awesome bat frame, I hope price will be a little less expensive. Thanks.
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Fatherfox on June 20, 2013
I just found my new fav tri even if it does have 4 motors. I definitely want to see the v-tail come out as a kit, the bat bone looks prime for mods! (translation: you beat me to it!) i was looking at another v-tail but it was a tcopter and the motors are facing inwards instead of out. This is much better looking. i'm looking forward to getting one and testing both. as an impulsive modder and general accessory nut, i'm stuffed to the gills with new ideas. two in particular. 1 is using square carbon booms with a bamboo core. Bamboo chosen since it's linearly grained, (less chance of horizontal or diagonal shear) and more durable than most hardwoods while being lighter. The other probably needs more discussion with you. i've been wanting to use colored carbon/kevlar plates. (http://compositeenvisions.com/rigid-carbon-fiber-panels-1/?zenid=gkk0sd6lukl7ntknbk3ouki772) i'll save you the pro's and cons for now, but i'm thinking mix and match colors and while pricy, it'd look awesome as an option and definitely get some of the kids attention away from their xboxes out here! the more unique this particular design, the more attention to the hobby and gets em using their heads and hands instead of being spectators. I'm going to have to pass on a couple upgrades i was planning on my tri, but...ya, it'll be worth it. ca'mon payday!
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vjacheslav.tsygankov on June 20, 2013
Hey, what engine and prop are you using ?
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liveyourdreamsRC on June 23, 2013
Look at my comment up above, its really long but I explained what I think are the electronics. Hope it helps
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Furiou5 on June 21, 2013
That V-tail should be the official design for Batman's new UAV. I can see it now: The Dark Knight on top of a rooftop in Gotham, his trusty FPV Goggles on, his bat shaped LRS antenna, deploying the "Free-Tail" his V-tail tricopter. He then sends it speeding through the streets like a mad Swede looking for crime. So awesome! Good job guys.
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liveyourdreamsRC on June 21, 2013
They should do a parody of that on flitetest gremline. that would be hilarious!!
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Akcopter on June 21, 2013
How are you guys So Awesome???....Incredible and.superb and...and..and..uh am falling short of words here....I would really Like David And you guys to do more videos with the Camera pointing straight down...That looks just awesome...the Dji Naza really does a great job when It come to this.....awesome man...the rctimer brushless gimbal deserves a review..will be looking forward to it.....
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ralnock on June 21, 2013
Guys, you have done a very good job.
I love the V-tail quad and think that it would be great to see morre details.
A Kit would of course be the top.
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liveyourdreamsRC on June 21, 2013
I would like to say that FT should make a vid of mods for this frame. Also do some more stuff with the hex and camera rctimer camera gimbal. One last question is on whether you will be doing a DJI naza vs. Ardupilot episode. that would be really helpful. I want to know if DJI is more stable than Ardu but I know that ardu beats Naza in versatility. GREAT episode and SHOOT SOME MORE EPISODES AT THE HERCULES FACTORY!
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liveyourdreamsRC on June 21, 2013
Also the v-tail quad should get another video to itself.
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Joker 53150 on June 22, 2013
Very interesting location for a video shoot. The Hercules plant produced straight-6 engines used in World War II era searchlights. Years ago I ran those lights for grand openings, and even approaching 50 years old those engines just kept running. The searchlights were falling apart around the engine, which just kept going. Quality products, made in America back when we used to make things. Flite Test in a way is bringing that full circle with their own quality products, made in America. Keep it up, guys.
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mippen on June 22, 2013
Great episode!
You show a couple of multirotors on the show.
Could you say anything about flight time on the different setups?

Might be only me but I would like to see some quicktipps on multirotor setup vs flight time / lift capacity / flight movement.
I'm looking for a stable gopro setup (much like the hex) with flight time as main goal but others might like responsive movement instead.

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Fatherfox on June 22, 2013
I'm also interested in flight time/lift. i'm starting out with 750kv motors turning 11x4.7 gemfans with a zippy 2200 batt. unfortunately i got a bad kk board and have to send it back, so no play time yet *taps foot*
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Rappyman on June 23, 2013
Please do a review/setup video for the brushless gimbal!
- are the motors standard brushless motors, or a special wind/setup
- weight that the brushless gimbal and controller will add
- what sort of multirotor will carry it?
I have the 3DR/Ardupilot quadcopter and would love to add it, but am not sure it would lift it, so overall weight.... or do I need a hex?
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OutcastZeroOne on June 23, 2013
ok, I am not a multi-copter guy at all, but seeing Davids V-Tail makes me want to make one!
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Lubis on June 23, 2013
You guys are amazing pilots!

When are we gonna see a FT version of the RCTimer camera gimbal? Are you thinking of it or should I just order one from RCTimer?
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CJGFX on June 24, 2013
A brilliant episode guys.... Right as a total newbie to multicopter I would like to make a request on behalf of all the other people thinking of getting into multicopters I've watched all the episodes you've done and for me I'm taken by the tricopter and Davids superb build video. Can you guy do an episode explaning the controls and the basics of flying multicopters. KK2 setups for beginners, basic requirements for getting started and advice for newbies.....

Cheers guys and keep up the good work
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Fatherfox on June 28, 2013
I just watched mat hall's simple t-copter with a v-tail and was comparing it to the batbone v-tail. have you compared/contrasted top vs. bottom mount, props facing in vs. out? i can see the prop wash canceling out more with the props facing each other. does that have any effect on any of the 3 axis? how about lift? what would be better for fpv/acro? maybe a pro's and cons episode on v-tail motor/prop placement and settings in the future? something to think about. =^-^=
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UltraPigeon on June 28, 2013
What motors are you guys using in this video. I looked at the shop and it had the anycopter motor
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UltraPigeon on June 28, 2013
P.S Davids V - Tail Quad IS AWSOME GET IT IN THE SHOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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UltraPigeon on June 28, 2013
PLEASE
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demon1300 on June 30, 2013
Really would also like to know what NTM 28 series you guys are using. I'm guessing its the 28-26 (short shaft versions) but what KV? They come in 1000, 1100 and 1200

Hurry up and get the batbone kits back in stock! Take my money!! lol...
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hl0dk0 on July 1, 2013
I saw you are flying gopro hero 3 on tricopters.
I'm interested how you do it because all I can see is bright sky and dark ground.
Are there any hacks/modifications so the output would be the same as recorded video?

Thanks for help.
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kah00na on August 2, 2013
GoPro 3 Blacks have a mini USB output and it can be used to send the video and audio signals out to your FPV system. I've used it and it is awesome. It adjusts very quickly. I've also used a GoPro SD and the GoPro 3 Black made it look like a joke. HobbyKing sells the output GoPro 3 output cable for less than $2 but of course you have to pay shipping on top of that.
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ESkulte31 on July 6, 2013
What motor, esc, and props are they using

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TimothyTaylor on July 16, 2013
My guess for the motors is NTM Prop Drive Series 28-26A 1200kv / 250w because that is what they used on the FT Cruiser. It would be great to have this confirmed.
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alecjohnson723@yahoo.com on July 15, 2013
ft could you guys do a build video on the bat bone
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Ghost on July 19, 2013
I am looking at electronics and propellers, and am wondering what direction does each spin, Clockwise or Counterclockwise. I have a quad and understand how it works but I can't figure out what direction the Tri-copter's propellers spin.

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UpSideDownRC on July 24, 2013
I like it but I dont have the money to buy it so I will have to build Davids 2.5 tricopter ....
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rcflyer729 on July 25, 2013
Is it possible to get a PDF or cad file of this so I can build it out of ply wood?
Thanks
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kah00na on August 8, 2013
I put some pdf plans I drew of the bat bones in the forums.
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pat_v on August 2, 2013
What about a Y-6 that uses a rear-servo like the bat-bone. 2X the lift but still having fantastic YAW rates...
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DK heli on August 10, 2013
Hi Flitetest. Will it be possible for you to make the vertical spaceres on the batbone frame, so that it will support 10x10 mm armes? 12x12 mm carbon is not easy to come by. Great site and wonderful show. Regards DK heli
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dimok.dub on August 13, 2013
Hello!
I had a question regarding the length of the booms on the batbone rig. What lengths do you guys recommend to have a similar layout as the original tricopter by David?
Thanks!
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Bur_Lion on August 14, 2013
In David's tricopter 10x10 mm booms 45 cm of length. You may use 12 mm booms but you must do back boom 47 cm.
In Batbone uses 12x12mm booms and 25 cm of length. Same in Anycopter kit.
In Batbone V-tail by David uses 12x12 mm booms 21 cm on front 2 booms and 25 cm back booms.
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Bur_Lion on August 14, 2013
Hello everyone!
I started assembling Batbone. He found a very unpleasant thing. If you drill the holes and drilled them even a little at an angle of 90 degrees, then your engines will be stationed is not strictly in the horizontal plane! I just got burned on it. And now I have to take a new wooden booms, buy a special attachment for the drill to avoid this.
I highly recommend to drill holes perfectly centered and strictly at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the plane.
P.S. Sorry for my bad English.
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Dire_R/C on October 14, 2013
Could we get a video on how to Setup ALL of the electronics from setting up and plugging in esc to the KK2 board and motors ect.? New to tricopter setups and the boards
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bjerke8 on January 6, 2014
I love the pics and I'm building a tricopter of my own right now but only have experience with planes and quadcopters. I have an APM 2.6 setup with GPS and all of the bells and whistles however I don't want to fry anything and I've heard about people having issues running the tail rotor servo off of the ESCs power. Do I need a 5v BEC somewhere in there? I have a power module that powers my APM and my GPS and telemetry but in my kit it said not to run the tail rotor servo off of that. Can Josh or David or anyone else show me some more in depth pictures of the power supply or a wiring schematic. I've done a lot of digging and there is a lot of convoluted material out there but not many great examples.
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rcflyer729 on January 17, 2014
What thickness of G-10 are you using
thanks
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BMundell on March 14, 2014
From the caption under the 3rd pic above: The Bat Bone is made of 1.5mm, high density, black G-10 glass fiber board
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CrysisPointman on February 24, 2014
Anybody know what cell batteries they were using? Was it a 4S?
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BMundell on March 14, 2014
Not 100% sure what they're using in the videos, but under their recommended parts list for the Bat Bone build, they suggest 1300 - 2200 mah 3S.
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DGI Frames on March 23, 2014
Hey Guys! Does anyone have a template for the bat bone? If so can you please email me at fecrs101@gmail.com Thanks
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savage on December 1, 2014
I need help I have recently purchased the bat bone and it hovers great inside and outside but as soon as I give it throttle it tries to flip. I have fixed It twice already and fixing to do it again but need some input before I fly it again. I don't know if it is in the board or radio I have a tactic ttx600. Please help....email me @ screamingsavage001@gmail.com
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JAG on December 1, 2014
Did anyone get verification on the motors being ran on the V-tail? I would love to build this setup.
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