RC Hydro Foam Flyers

RC Helicopter Competition - Japan

2009-05-21T23:56:00.001-07:00

Only in Japan would they have primetime RC events - I'd move there for action like this :)

RC Rock Crawler Competition

2009-05-21T23:45:00.000-07:00

Yet another new competitive RC category - rock crawling! Get a bunch of guys together, some fully-customized RC trucks, and a stop watch... oh, and some rocks, of course.

Custom Storm Launcher

2008-04-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

Thought this was pretty darn clever. Check out the video

Comparing Mini Storm Launcher and Storm Launcher

2007-06-20T16:27:00.001-07:00

New Mini Storm Launcher

2007-06-20T16:22:00.001-07:00

Mini Storm Launcher
Tearing up the backyards once again is another exciting product from Air Hogs.

Storm Launcher in Snow

2007-06-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a cool Storm Launcher video... a little action on snow... 4th flight on stock batt...

Awesome flight video on the lake

2007-03-02T23:48:00.000-08:00

Storm Launcher Modifications

2007-03-02T23:30:00.000-08:00

Ernest Butler suggests the following mods can be tried, but are not really necessary.

1. Even though thats a really good battery, and it comes with it's own protective case and is self plugging, you can run larger capacity battery's or save some weight by using your own battery with a few easy mod's.

I have run a three cell battery on those motors that come with it once on one that had hobby gear in it,(the gear it comes with probably won't support three cells) but like I said , once. It melted the motor supports.

2. It comes with prop guards, unless you plan to stick your fingers in the props , I would remove them, before even trying to fly it. It even shows how in the instructions, very easy to do, and gives the most dramatic improvement in flight performance. They also cause some drag , so you do lose some flight time.

The rest will void the warranty , and is meant for hobby guys, from Ernest personally.

3. Do the common spring mod, like the aero ace, on the transmitter, then it will fly hands off.

4. Cut off the horizontal, yes , thats right, cut it off. Its much more maneuverable without it. Its just there for looks and helps strengthen the verticals. It also provides a little of the self recovery, but mostly it just kills the effectiveness of the elevator. I have tried running the upper as an elevator too, but it's just unnecessary weight really.

As for removing the horizontal. I wouldn't say it flys better so much as it is more maneuverable. The horizontal serves as the trim for level flight. This allows the elevator to trim level with the main deck, and act in some way, as more wing area.

Removing the Horizontal requires that you trim the elevator up about 3 degrees (which would be hard to put in the instruction). And it loses a little of the self recover in a dive. But the airflow with full up elevator is not blocked by the upper horizontal, making the elevator more responsive.

Experimenting with different size verticals and horizontal, And changing angles is always fun. Its a give and take in performance , function and can greatly change flight characteristics, good and bad

5. Strip the battery down to just the cells and install you own plug, like deans connectors. It will weigh less and then you can use your own battery's and charger if you already own some in that size range.
Lipo Battery Warning!
I feel I must say that i can't recommend that just anybody go prying apart the stock battery unless you feel like you know what your doing and are willing to take the risk in destroying the battery or worse . The few samples I had were relatively easy to take apart but that could change if they use more glue on the battery case seams.

Any 7.4 volt lipo will do as long as it around the same weight and can handle at least 10 amps continuous. The case and the connecting pins that the stock lipo comes and boat uses weighs about 14 grams alone, So if you do away with it you can save quit a bit of weight or run a larger capacity battery. I have run up to 1050's on mine.
I shouldn't say any lipo, cause some brands that I have just won't put out the power that other brands will. Especially compared to the cells that are made for the Hydro.

6. If you don't care about looks, and want pure flight time and performance, remove the intake and exhaust, then the decals. It won't look as cool but it will be lighter. I think it does just fine with them all on though, but if your looking for that last gram....
The empty weight (no battery) should be around 7.3 Oz's in stock configuration.

7. The equivalent hobby gear in weight and performance would be a receiver the weight of a GWS receiver and two striped down 5 amp GWS speed controls or similar. Also a 8 gram servo or less. Its easy to get into the radio compartment to change over. Of course you would need a computer radio with mixing to make it work.

8. Good way to save 4 or 5 grams by carefully removing the shrink wrap and using corrsion X.

9. Transmitter mod. I just Hot glued the top of some hobby sticks from a hobby transmitter, on top of the joy sticks. Use threaded rod for a more permanent solution.
I did this mod all the time with my game pads for computer flying games. Just felt better to me cause I fly RC so much I guess. Plus you almost have to, if you fly using two fingers on one stick. I don't but some do.
Attached Images
Just unscrew the tops off a old Hobby transmitter and mount them on.

10. The motors are real similar to these here http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?i...100&pid=V738321 but are a few grams heavier. The magnets in the BP 130 are stronger and lighter ( cost more) but the armature has a cold wind. If you take the armature out of the Hydro and insert into the BP 130, makes for a lighter motor with good power.

Storm Launcher- Getting Started

2006-12-04T00:52:00.000-08:00

This is a great thread on first hand experience with initial setup, test flights, and tweaking. A must read for Storm Launcher owners. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560655

Storm Launcher Photos

2006-12-04T00:45:00.000-08:00

These are a few shot from owners of the new Storm Launcher. The bottom two feature some additional customized decals. Pretty cool stuff!

Storm Launcher - Flying Videos

2006-12-04T00:33:00.000-08:00

The Storm Launcher video from CGFlyer - a night out at the local baseball field.

Storm Launcher at eToys

2006-10-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

Check out eToys for the Storm Launcher. Right now it's in stock!

Storm Launcher at ToysRUs

2006-10-11T00:19:00.000-07:00

So the eagerly-awaited Storm Launcher shows up at ToysRUs, but thus far, has still not been available. Currently, the site says it's not available online.... does that mean it's only sold in stores? Or it's sold out?

http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=NYYv4FdNM50&bids=117710&type=2&subid=0

Storm Launchers Hit YouTube

2006-10-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

A few videos thus far:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=storm+launcher&search=Search

A few cool videos...

Hydro Hawk

2006-09-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Yet another name for this model - The Hydro Hawk sounds pretty cool... Hydro Foam, Hydro Flyer, Storm Launcher - looks like it's getting better :)

Storm Launcher Finally Here

2006-07-28T10:49:00.001-07:00

One of the early creators of the Hydro Foam prototype, Michael Connally, created a video that hit the industry at a rapid pace.

A handful of true hobbiests were clever enough to build their own versions from scratch, and Chinese manufacturers tried to mass produce ARF (almost ready to fly) kits and be first to market.

Everyone wondered why Connally's video inspired so many people, yet he had not produced a single unit for almost 2 yrs.

My hunch is that he held out for the big bucks, developing a kit that could retail at $69.99 and would be ready for the holiday 2006 season, and invested his time into distribution through Walmart, Target, and other high volume channels.

The new Web site at www.stormlauncher.com (a link from www.michaelconnally.com) is a cool Flash-based site with choreographed music and a rotating model, offering links to the retailers. Retail price ranges from $69 to $79, and the age requirements ranges from 6-12. Can you imagine a 6 yr old flying this around??

The StormLauncher video is also one of those things... AS IF the production unit was actually used in the video. It's like most RC toys you see on TV... they do all this cool stuff, then when you bring it home, it doesn't really perform. (but now I stand corrected below)

But heck, for $69, and a $25 LiPo battery, you're at budget for your 'big' present for Chrismukah.

Places to Buy the Storm Launcher:

Homebrew HydroFlyer

2006-05-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

Here's another prototype I found that is a modeler built from scratch.

Flashy Hydro Foam

2006-04-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

Pretty cool paint job... not sure where the prop goes... but nice job!

Warranties for things that CRASH!

2006-01-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

www.doineedawarranty.com

Hydro Balsa?

2005-11-28T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hydro Foam's got their names from using foam to make something that floated on water - hence "Hydro Foam." I found this on H0bbyTr0n's website - a little odd >> So what do you call a HydroFoam or HydroFlyer made from balsa wood - a HydroBalsa?? Reminds me of "The La Trattoria"

Hydro Flyers on the shelves of eBay

2005-11-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

There have been so many posts, so many Hydro flyers or Hydrofoam, what ever you want to call it on sale / auction on eBay recently. I used to see only single ones or hydrofoam modified by unique owners which were fantastic. Now everytime I search there is someone trying to come off as "just a normal guy/girl" selling some hydro flyers. Here are some KEY POINTS when buying hydroflyers on eBay.

1. Does the seller use original photos, OR the same old recycled pics from the internet
2. Does he/she offer a unique how-to video OR use the same Dewalt or Miss hanger video?
3. Finally, do they claim to have them in stock and then charge you 50-70 dollars for International parcel shipping?..mmmm

READ BEFORE YOU BUY ANY HYDRO FLYER

Hydro Fake Flyers

2005-10-31T11:08:00.000-08:00

And yet another company pretending like they sell HydroFoam's by using the classic photo that everyone else stole. This has got to be the most popular photo ever used for this hobby.

http://worldtrading23.com/details.asp?sku=WT-HYDROFOAM And this company actually buys keywords against their non-existent product. Great spend!

Kokam-powered flying Miss Hangar One boat

2005-10-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Now this is how to design your Hydro flyer!!

Good Job to Paul Weigand and Devin McGrath. Really nice style. You mentioned this as your specs:

# AXI 2208/34
# Jeti 8-amp Advance PLUS ESC
# Kokam 3-cell 1250mAh pack
# APC 9x6 SF prop
# Hitec HS-55 servos

Lobster Flyer?

2005-10-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

Red's HangarOne vs Yet Another Commercial Kit (YACK)

2005-10-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.storacingproducts.com/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_HYDROFOAM

(Hanger One on Left)