Building the WORLDS FASTEST RC Rocket Plane!
TLDRIn this video, the creator modifies an RC plane to achieve record-breaking speeds. Starting with a benchmark test, they upgrade the electric powertrain, install a gyro for stability, and add rocket boosters. Through multiple tests, they successfully increase the speed, reaching nearly 90 mph with a D-size engine and 130 mph with an F-size engine, falling short of the 140 mph goal but showing potential for further improvements.
Takeaways
- 🚀 The video documents a project to upgrade an RC plane to achieve high speeds, aiming to set a new personal airspeed record and make it the fastest foam jet in the world.
- 🔋 The initial RC model jet is powered by a small internal electric ducted fan (EDF), designed for speeds around 50 miles an hour, but the creator believes it can be modified to reach much higher speeds.
- ⚙️ Modifications include adding bigger batteries, changing aerodynamics, and adding a powerful rocket boost that can be activated with a switch.
- 🛫 The baseline speed of the RC plane out of the box is tested to be around 50 miles an hour, providing a benchmark for further upgrades.
- 🔌 A larger speed controller is used to handle more power from a higher voltage battery, allowing the EDF to operate at full throttle without overheating.
- 🌀 A gyro is installed to help stabilize the plane at higher speeds, using accelerometers to automatically adjust control surfaces and maintain a level flight attitude.
- 🔧 The plane's vertical stabilizer is removed and replaced with twin stabilizers to accommodate the addition of rocket engines.
- 🎨 The entire airframe is spray-painted orange for visibility during high-speed flights.
- 🔥 An electronic speed controller and battery are used to remotely ignite the rocket engines mid-air, with a test showing successful ignition.
- 🚀 Two types of model rocket engines are tested: a D-size engine with a two-second burn time and an F-size engine with four times the power.
- 📈 Despite some challenges, such as the rocket engines ejecting during flight, the project shows promise with the F-size engine achieving a speed of 211 kilometers an hour (about 131 miles an hour).
Q & A
What was the primary goal of the project described in the video?
-The primary goal of the project was to upgrade an RC plane to make it fly faster than 140 miles an hour, potentially setting a new personal airspeed record and making it the fastest foam jet in the world.
What was the original speed of the model jet before any modifications?
-The original speed of the model jet, as designed, was around 50 miles an hour.
How did the creator plan to increase the speed of the RC plane?
-The creator planned to increase the speed by modifying the electric powertrain, adding bigger batteries, changing its aerodynamics, and adding a powerful rocket boost that could be activated at the flick of a switch.
What was the issue with the electronic speed controller supplied with the T-33 model jet?
-The issue with the electronic speed controller was that it was too small to handle the increased current that would be drawn from a more powerful battery, potentially causing it to overheat or even catch fire.
How did the creator address the problem of the small electronic speed controller?
-The creator addressed the problem by using a much larger speed controller, which allowed the motor to be tested at full throttle for an extended period of time without overheating.
What role does the gyro play in the stability of the RC aircraft?
-The gyro is an electronic component that helps keep an RC aircraft stable by using accelerometers to detect the angle of the plane and automatically adjusting the control surfaces to maintain a neutral, straight, and level attitude.
What was the maximum speed achieved during the second test flight with the upgraded RC plane?
-During the second test flight, the maximum speed achieved was 137 kilometers an hour, which is approximately 85 miles an hour.
What modifications were made to the plane's aerodynamics and structure for the rocket-powered test flights?
-The modifications included removing the old vertical stabilizer, cutting out two new twin stabilizers from foam board, and mounting the rocket engines on the rear of the plane. The creator also had to adjust the center of gravity to account for the weight of the rocket engines.
What were the challenges faced during the test flights with the rocket engines?
-The challenges included the plane becoming nose-heavy after losing the rocket engine, the structural integrity of the foam plane under high speed and rocket thrust, and the need to maintain stability and control during high-speed runs.
What was the final speed achieved with the largest rocket engine (F size) during the test flight?
-The final speed achieved with the largest rocket engine was 211 kilometers an hour, which is approximately 131 miles an hour.
What are some of the potential improvements or modifications the creator mentioned for future test flights?
-Potential improvements include tuning the gyro to address wobbling issues, reducing drag by integrating the camera into the wing, and making further adjustments to the center of gravity and aerodynamics.
Outlines
🚀 RC Plane Upgrade Experiment
The script details an experiment where an RC plane is upgraded to achieve higher speeds. The host, having previously built rocket-powered planes, now modifies a small, lightweight model jet with an internal electric ducted fan. The goal is to exceed the 50 mph design speed and potentially reach 140 mph, a speed claimed by the fastest foam RC jets. The initial flight tests the stock capabilities, revealing a top speed of around 50 mph. The host then plans to enhance the electric powertrain and add a solid rocket booster for additional speed.
🔧 Aerodynamic and Powertrain Modifications
The host addresses the limitations of the RC plane's powertrain, including the underpowered 50mm fan and the small electronic speed controller. To overcome these, a larger speed controller is installed to handle higher voltage batteries, allowing the fan to operate at full throttle without overheating. Stability at higher speeds is ensured by a gyro, an electronic component that helps maintain the plane's attitude. After installing the gyro, a second test flight shows a significant speed increase to 137 km/h, indicating successful modifications.
🚀 Introducing Rocket Engines for Thrust
The script describes the next phase of modifications, which involves removing the vertical stabilizer and replacing it with twin stabilizers to accommodate rocket engines. The plane is repainted for visibility, and an electronic ignition system is installed for the rocket engines. Model rocket engines of D and F sizes are chosen for test flights, with the F size being significantly more powerful. A cardboard tube serves as a motor mount, and a 3D-printed nose cone is designed for aerodynamics. The center of gravity and thrust are carefully considered to prevent the plane from pitching down during rocket ignition.
🌬 Test Flights and Challenges
The host conducts test flights with the modified plane, initially flying with the electric ducted fan alone to test aerodynamics. The plane's speed is measured at 106 km/h, indicating room for improvement. The smaller D-size rocket engine is installed and tested, but it ejects during flight, causing a sudden loss of weight and nose heaviness. Despite this, the plane reaches 142 km/h. The larger F-size engine is then tested, but it too falls out during ignition, resulting in a heavy nose and a high-speed landing. The host reflects on the need for further modifications, including tuning the gyro and reducing drag from the mounted camera.
🏁 Conclusion and Future Plans
The script concludes with the host expressing optimism about the plane's potential to exceed the 140 mph speed barrier with further modifications. The gyro wobbling issue is noted as similar to a previous project, indicating a need for tuning. The host also mentions plans for a new, ambitious jet car project, which is funded by Patreon supporters. The video ends with a sponsorship acknowledgment and an invitation for viewers to support the channel for more large-scale builds.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡RC Plane
💡Aerodynamics
💡Rocket Boost
💡Electric Ducted Fan
💡Speed Controller
💡Gyro
💡Thrust Line
💡Center of Gravity
💡Ignition System
💡Model Rocket Engines
Highlights
Upgraded an RC plane to potentially exceed 140 mph, aiming to set a new personal airspeed record and make it the fastest foam jet in the world.
Chose a T-33 model jet for its small size, lightweight, and aerodynamic design, ideal for speed enhancements.
Identified the underpowered 50mm fan as a limitation for achieving high speeds and considered using a higher voltage battery.
Upgraded the speed controller to handle more power without overheating, allowing full throttle testing.
Installed a gyro for stabilization to maintain the plane's attitude at higher speeds.
Achieved a top speed of 137 km/h (about 85 mph) with the upgraded EDF setup before introducing rocket boosters.
Removed the vertical stabilizer and added twin stabilizers for improved directional stability with rocket engines.
Used orange spray paint for visibility during high-speed flights.
Designed a remote ignition system for the rocket engines using an additional electronic speed controller.
Selected D and F size model rocket engines for test flights, with the F size being four times more powerful.
Created a DIY motor mount using a cardboard tube and 3D printed nose cone for aerodynamics.
Adjusted the thrust line of the rocket engines to counteract potential pitch-down effects.
Conducted test flights with the EDF alone to evaluate aerodynamics and stability before rocket engine tests.
Installed a D-size rocket engine and successfully tested its ignition and boost, despite the engine ejecting.
Reached a speed of 142 km/h (about 88 mph) with the D-size engine, indicating potential for further speed increases.
Encountered issues with the F-size engine falling out and the plane becoming nose heavy post-ejection.
Achieved a top speed of 211 km/h (about 131 mph) with the F-size engine, nearing the 140 mph target.
Experienced gyro wobbling issues similar to previous projects, indicating a need for tuning and adjustments.
Identified minor adjustments such as camera drag and the need for a smaller camera or aerodynamic housing.
Teased the next big project, a version 2 jet car, funded by Patreon supporters and sponsored by Honey.
Transcripts
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