VAS Spark Beta Build

My friend Chase showed me Video Aerial Systems' new Spark mini FPV plane and asked if I wanted to be in on a group buy of the beta version. After having so much fun with the Specter, I really couldn't refuse..

I didn't paint my Specter, so before I could even get an unboxing pic, I had already painted the wing tips..

These are the electronics in the kit I got. Emax GT2205/22 1660 kv motor, 12Amp ESC, and 2 tiny  ES08A servos.

I had noticed the wing tips weren't quite symmetrical..  easy fix..

I wasted a bunch of tape.

 But I think it turned out nice.

I tried to waste less tape painting the fuselage by using an old 3DR packing list.

It seemed to work...

My wing tips didn't go on as precisely as I wanted. You only get one shot when you use the contact cement as directed!

Laying out the spars. They weren't included, but I had some ~1/8th in carbon laying around and want this guy to be really strong. The jagged trailing edge resulted from test fitting the wing before lamination :(

Laying in the spars. I decided to add a spar to the tips for more strength, though probably overkill..

 Now time to laminate.

Thought I could to the whole wing at once. Decided I didn't want to deal with this.

 Cut the tips off and proceeded with wrapping.

I laid down the back around to the bottom first then brought the laminate around front to overlap a bit.

Did the tips separately.

But in the same process.

On the edges I trimmed the laminate and folded over the bottom then top.

For strength across the gap I added an extra strip.

 Same for the bottom.

 The best way to cover the fuse seems to be to use one sheet on both sides and trim at the edges.

Then wrap longways with a strip that overlaps the sides by an inch or so, cutting slits to make it work around the curves.

A good press with the iron makes these seams practically disappear

I didn't have a pen around so I wasted more tape to help me align the wing before gluing.

I cut a notch in the back to give a little support and guidance to the tail feathers.

Laminated and glued.

Test fitting the motor showed some of the wires being crushed. Dremel fixed that.

Trying to determine the electronics placement for CG.

Now time to cut the battery bay!

Battery bay, camera and vTx mounts cut.

Servo cutting and installation.

I decided I better add a spar down the middle..

 The 5x3 Gemfan prop didn't want to fit properly with the included o-ring. Luckily I had a 5x3 HQ prop that fit using a piece of Theraband.

I couldnt let well enough alone and had to highlight the engraving on the tail...

I'm not sure I like all of the velcro, but the Spark is essentially ready to fly! I still need to make a few final changes (mostly cleaning up and adding an OSD), but hopefully I can get it in the air soon...