Update: Check out my Gen 2 build here: https://rotorbuilds.com/build/15016
I'm currently tweaking this quad to break 225KPH (140MPH) that can outrun a Formula E car! Current top speed recorded is at 204KPH (127MPH) on 26 April 2018. End goal will be a 250KPH speed run after 225KPH! Measurements done by BN-180 GPS linked to Betaflight OSD.
This is the upgraded E Spec of a previous build, with a drag reduction canopy that showed a 0.5KG drag reduction improvement in CFD testing (from 1.1KG to 0.6KG of drag at 200km/h).
A key design goal of this quad is to run a top mount battery, as I dislike the idea of the quad always landing on a battery and potentially damaging it. Another goal is to achieve it on at most 5S, or the challenge would be too easy.
The canopy is printed in ABS with 12% infill and 3 outer shells for good strength. It's able to survive upside down landing without issues.
10 Aug 2018 Update: This quad has been upgraded with 50A Flycolor X-Cross ESCs as the 35A Wraith32 V1.1 were getting destroyed by the high current draw. The Foxeer Arrow Micro V2 is now used instead due to its conformal coating, instead of the previous WhoCares! Micro cam that has died.
The quad managed to hit 230KPH (143MPH) with a tailwind and 217KPH (135MPH) with a headwind on 2 Aug 2018!
I'm defining the peak speed as what is shown by the Betaflight OSD GPS readout. For safety reasons, the flights are about 30-60m off the ground, as the flying field is a public area and there may be random dogwalkers. For reference, 200KPH is 55m/s!
And yes, the field is on a slope.
Feel free to comment if you have any ideas!
217km/h Speed Run:
CFD Simulation Project here: https://www.simscale.com/projects/foorenxiang1/canopy_cfd_2/
You can check out the previous build here: https://rotorbuilds.com/build/11286
Photos
Part List
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202km/h by flying down, dude you must be a politician painting grass green ^^ Do it in a straight line max 10m above the ground.
Thanks for the questions delta_fpv
I wanted a top plate large enough to fit a LiPo and GPS receiver. Didn't like the idea of landing on the LiPo.
The ESCs are outside for cooling, as they are just slightly wider than the arms on this frame so there's not much aerodynamic penalty. The motors can draw beyond 140A at full speed; the current shunt on the FC actually got desoldered midflight!
Guides & Reviews
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I fly 223 km/h without canopy and on 4s, you could fly so much faster with a more aerodynamic frendly frame with thiner arms ^^
Plus it weights like a dead horse ! I've based mine on 40g tower frame, with 6mm wide arms, well it's really less robust but there is really less drag !
275g with f80pro 2500kv and apc 5x5 props
Wow, your build is so much more efficient! Thanks for sharing mate. I'm building on a Floss 2 now, which has much smaller cross section whilst still allowing top mounted lipo. Still finding ways to lower the weight. Let's see how it goes!
BTW any recommendations for stores selling APC props?