The WWVi Model UAV Lab

RD9 Now has a new protection frame and a sporty canopy. 

RD9, which has served as a trainer for some of the early periods in the lab, has a new look and feel and is now a far better model for training.

TO begin the upgrade, we start with the stock 330S-X with a lab sticker on it. ;-)

Next we start building the feet from the protection frame kit

All 4 feet are nearly ready to go in the frame

On foot installed - this required removing the main brace (Standoff) at the end of the arm and it is replaced by one of those inside the foot.

Another view

Before the brace is removed

the brace is out

foot is in and the screws go back in.

he nose ball comes off (wont need it after the upgrade

feet are on, These feet actually make it harder for the motor plate to break out (Bonus!)

Now we remove the wheels. 

All the wheels are off, but so is the majority of structure support in the arms, I dont like making it weaker, Ill come back to this point later. (Not a bonus)

Prop protector is going on.

All prop protectors are on and the local expert is inspecting the build

Inspection complete, all prop protectors are in, and we are ready for outer frame supports

Now it is ready for the body upgrade

This next part of the upgrade is where we add in the 330FX body, but right off the top we are asked by the instructions to remove yet another fundamental arms structure stability component (Without replacing it as withe the wheels).

The support brace is now removed.

The instructions say to put the arm covers on and fix them to the arm with 2 sided tape, um, ok, I think I will use rubber bands instead, less sticky mess and easily replaceable and no mess.

Next we are asked to disassemble the main body to add in 4 support struts for the canopy, however, if you followed the actual instructions of the stock 330S-X build, it told you to CA glue all the joints, which means you wont be able to get it apart, I did not listen and only glues one plate not both, so I am able to take it apart.

with the bottom plate off, I am now adding the side supports for the canopy.

Before I put the arm covers on, I actually put the arm brace standoffs back in with low profile screw heads instead and so under each of the arm covers is another brace to strengthen the arm. Now with all arm covers on, and the body struts installed we are ready for the body.

Here we have the 2 upgrades totally complete and the the results are very nice, it looks good, its is less floppy with a screw down canopy as opposed to a lightly held magnetic approach for the smaller canopy. It flies much more stable, it is safer for learning and quite easy to see which way is front. Total cost to upgrade about, 72$ CAD, parts are from Mark Langille's <a href=http://www.flitelab.com/>flightlab.com</a> - Thanks Mark!!!!