SR-71 Black Bird

by AcendenceRC | September 3, 2019 | (10) Posted in Projects



Hello, just like you (hopefully) I love the sleek lines of the blackbird, and after building, flying, crashing, and learning how to fly the FT-Viggen and its elevons, I decided to build the black-bird ( Yea I know it's still white in the thumbnail).  First I went online to find the original blueprints of the SR-71, traced roughly the top-down profile of the jet and transferred the lines to some sheets of foam, from there it was mostly cut, measure, cut again, shape, then glue. I had an idea of what I wanted to do using simple creases and folds in the flitetest style.  


The aspect that I wasted the most foam on were the motor nacelles, MAKE SURE YOU ARE BENDING WITH THE GRAIN. I wasted so many sheets trying to get those just right. The plane is 46 inches wide and 74 inches long, it is powered by two 5-bladed 64mm edfs running on two 50 amp escs off a 4000mah 3s. It does have differential thrust but has yet to be maidened. Sadly there are no plans for this bird yet because I still need to learn how to design planes in cad. I could measure every angle and line but it probably is easier to take all the panels off and trace them, which I don't want to for obvious reasons. However, if Flitetest is interested in helping with getting plans put together then I would gladly work to make them.   

 



After the last large plane I made ( FT-A10) crashed due to wing foldage, I am a bit nervous to get back into the sky with a large project like this one. 

Wish me luck, 

AcendenceRC

Edit: 

Plans on the way, testing a new model! 

COMMENTS

Jackson T on September 5, 2019
Nice job, that plane looks really cool!
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AcendenceRC on September 7, 2019
Thanks, can't wait to fly it in a big open space!
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Jackson T on September 9, 2019
Yeah, looking forward to some flight footage!
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dlvitte7 on November 6, 2019
Please share your plans. I have always loved this plane. You did a great job!
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AcendenceRC on November 6, 2019
Thanks, too bad it didn't fly, stay tuned though. I am working on a revised version and once all the wrinkles have been ironed out, I will post a new thread on the forums and post a new article (both with plans)
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boiseaudio on September 14, 2019
I want to build one - please put some plans together - Richard - boise , idaho
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AcendenceRC on September 14, 2019
Sadly my update article has not been approved yet, in it I wrote that the jet was underpowered on two 64mm EDFs so I need to update the jet, I have not yet purchased more foam-core and the way I plan to design the new jet requires it. However, plans should come with a third article about the plane. (The third article will be about the final product or a working one)
Thanks for your interest!
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PoorManRC on October 6, 2019
I'm a N00b when it comes to flying FT Aircraft... But I do know quite a bit of nerdy knowledge about the HABU!! 😜
With a Thrust to Weight ratio of almost 1.7:1 - an absolute minimum would be 73mm EDFs, with 12 Blades, and 4S Power! 😉
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AcendenceRC on October 6, 2019
Thanks for the suggestion, I recently updated the plans to make the thrust to weight ratio higher.
Hopefully, I will finish testing soon and release the plans!
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pjgilliam on October 2, 2019
I am a newbe here, and can't wait to build my first plane. It won't be an SR-71, out of respect for the plane. When I have more experience building the "flite test" way, I will give it a shot.
I live relatively close (1.5 hr drive) to the Evergreen Flight Museum who has an SR-71 with a real nice display of one of the engines. (They also have the spouse goose). I have also seen the SR-71 on the floating museum, the "Entrepid", docked in New York.
Up-close or from a distance, the SR-71 is the most beautiful plane ever. The fact that it is also the fastest is just bonus.
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AcendenceRC on October 3, 2019
The first plane is always a great experience, I recommend the FT Old speedster, also after you get pretty good at flying and want to move on to something more challenging, the FT Viggen (I think) is the best way to learn how to fly bank and yank (elevons/jets). Thanks for taking interest in my project!
AcendenceRC

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SquirrelTail on September 4, 2019
Awesome build!!!
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AcendenceRC on September 4, 2019
Thanks!
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SR-71 Black Bird