Andy48 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 My three year old grandson is coming to stay at Christmas. He is mad about planes, and cars, and I thought it might be an interesting project to build a Dusty for him to be able to see flying, weather permitting. Looking at about a 60-70" wingspan that I can put an electric motor and a 4S to give an all up weight of around 2kg ish. .... Couple of servos to get the eyes working, and a few authentic sound effects on the old Taranis should complete the job. I can't be the first to want to do this. Anyone else built one? Anyone know where I can get a plan, or adapt one to suit. The Traplet 72" Piper Pawnee looks quite close with maybe a bit of modding round the edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastFlyer Smyth Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 It has been done John. Remember seeing it here a year or so back ? Pretty sure it was a Pawnee conversion too. I've had a butchers but I can't find it anywhere. Hopefully someone will come along soon and point you at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy48 Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 Cheers. I'm sure I've seen it on here, but I can't find it either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 9 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I did see a thread where a traplet farm hand was made into a dusty the finished model was very good. The farm hand does come in different sizes and may be a simpler base model then a scale crop sprayer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 9 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I can't add a link with my phone but look in the thread called traplet farmhand 90 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 9 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Farmhand 60 should fit the bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Pearce 4 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 If you are into foam then the American Flite Test site did some. There's a giant scale on here but if you scroll well down there's a flight video and build video of more normal size. **LINK** Edited By David Pearce 4 on 24/09/2015 20:06:43 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Here's a link my Traplet Farmhand 90 build - in DUSTY CROPHOPPER colour scheme. Edited By Gary Manuel on 24/09/2015 20:55:48 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stringer Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Maybe get one for him too https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QNR_GEWZ63w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Tee Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 That's a cracking job there Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Balaam Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 I came across this website a while ago might be of use **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 There is an old Traplet plan for Agrocat which could also be adapted.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy48 Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 Thanks everybody for the help. No wonder I could not find the forum reference. Had looked on Traplet, but only in the plans section. The Farmhand is only available as a kit but no plan available. Its a little bit boxy for the real Dusty methinks, and both grandson and grandfather are very discerning about such matters unfortunately. Now I wonder where the Agrocat plan came from? I missed that one too, the photo is a bit old. However, it does come from an impeccable stable. Here's a great winter project for you Peter. Update it, Dustify it and electrify it. I'm sure I'm not the only one with a grandson fascinated by such things. Think I might get both the Agrocat and the Piper Pawnee plans and work from there. Its hard to tell from one tiny photo. Maybe a build blog coming on.. Slightly changing the subject, we hired a motorhome in the US this summer and as well as a tour of the Boeing factory, while we were in the middle of nowhere, there was a real life crop duster doing its job. It certainly is a hazardous occupation! Once again thanks everyone for your help, and if there's any more suggestions, keep them coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Posted by Andy48 on 24/09/2015 19:21:35: My three year old grandson is coming to stay at Christmas. He is mad about planes, and cars, and I thought it might be an interesting project to build a Dusty for him to be able to see flying, weather permitting. Looking at about a 60-70" wingspan that I can put an electric motor and a 4S to give an all up weight of around 2kg ish. .... edges. Probably not your preferred option, but Dynam make pretty much that very plane... Edited By MattyB on 26/09/2015 00:23:22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy48 Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 Well it was not quite ready for Christmas, but given the weather we had it didn't matter. This is what I was aiming for: And this is what it turned out like: The landing lights work, and it has a full set of navigation lights for the fun of it, controlled by switches on the tranny. The eyes work too, moving up and down controlled by a slider on the transmitter. It has flaps too controlled by another slider. Built from Peter Miller's AgroCat plan and converted to electric with 4S. All up weight 2kg, about half a kg lighter than Peter's model, so with the large wing area it should be quite a floater. Had to lengthen the nose to achieve the correct balance. Will need to wait until the field dries out somewhat to maiden ..... that may take quite some time. Edited By Andy48 on 12/01/2016 16:59:44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Hi Andy48, I'm sure the little chap will be dead impressed by his Grandad's work! That long nose isn't too far from the truth when you look at the 'real' Dusty at Oshkosh: **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy48 Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 He he, you're right. Nice plan BTW Peter! Edited By Andy48 on 12/01/2016 19:44:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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