mnwizard
05-16-2008, 10:07 PM
I finally got around to converting one of my Lama V3s to a Dauphin, it’s so hard to find time for all the projects!
I started with a 2.4 MHz Lama V3. Mostly because I like the fact that the 2.4 MHz uses an antenna that’s only about an inch long, so it’s easy to hide in the fuselage. Also the 2.4 Mhz receiver has 6 channels, so there’s an extra port to plug the tail light of the Dauphin into. The tail light comes installed on the fuselage.
The Dauphin fuselage is made to fit a Lama V4 frame, so I went to the Esky website and looked at the Dauphin manual and studied the exploded view.
The nose wheel comes installed on the fuselage, the main gear isn’t included and needs to be purchased separately.
I also purchased a V3 frame, fuselage mounting rods and battery holder.
The parts were initially hard to find, but I see that most any reseller that stocks Esky stuff has ‘em now.
These are the parts you need besides the fuselage –
http://i31.tinypic.com/2cxi3om.jpg
Here’s a pic of the Lama “donor” next the Dauphin.
http://i27.tinypic.com/2rqjbx1.jpg
Here’s a pic of the Lama mechanics next to the V4 frame.
http://i31.tinypic.com/2pzwt29.jpg
Here’s the Lama taken down to the bare frame and the parts ready to be installed in the V4 frame.
http://i31.tinypic.com/2uhqnic.jpg
There’s nothing tricky about the assembly, everything goes together on the V4 frame just like it does on the V3.
Be especially careful of the antenna on front of the 4 in 1. It’s easy to break off and tough to solder back on. Yes, I know that from experience.
The servo arms from the V3 have to be shortened to fit inside the Dauphin fuselage. Clip them between the 2nd and 3rd hole out from the servo.
The setup is the same as on a V3. Be sure that the swash is level and that the flybar is level with the top blade mounts when they are level.
With everything in place on the V4 frame it’s time to mount the fuselage.
http://i30.tinypic.com/29vj8lf.jpg
Here’s a short clip of the 1st flight.
I don’t know what I was thinking. I flew it off a bucket in a small area of my workshop. Of course as soon as it was up for a minute or two the air was so stirred up that it was very difficult to land it back on the bucket.
My kid thought it was really funny watching me trying to set it down gently on the bucket.
It does require a fairly soft touch down as the landing gear is a little fragile.
Feel free to giggle while I struggle not to break it.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-VVMfTNl6Ew
I started with a 2.4 MHz Lama V3. Mostly because I like the fact that the 2.4 MHz uses an antenna that’s only about an inch long, so it’s easy to hide in the fuselage. Also the 2.4 Mhz receiver has 6 channels, so there’s an extra port to plug the tail light of the Dauphin into. The tail light comes installed on the fuselage.
The Dauphin fuselage is made to fit a Lama V4 frame, so I went to the Esky website and looked at the Dauphin manual and studied the exploded view.
The nose wheel comes installed on the fuselage, the main gear isn’t included and needs to be purchased separately.
I also purchased a V3 frame, fuselage mounting rods and battery holder.
The parts were initially hard to find, but I see that most any reseller that stocks Esky stuff has ‘em now.
These are the parts you need besides the fuselage –
http://i31.tinypic.com/2cxi3om.jpg
Here’s a pic of the Lama “donor” next the Dauphin.
http://i27.tinypic.com/2rqjbx1.jpg
Here’s a pic of the Lama mechanics next to the V4 frame.
http://i31.tinypic.com/2pzwt29.jpg
Here’s the Lama taken down to the bare frame and the parts ready to be installed in the V4 frame.
http://i31.tinypic.com/2uhqnic.jpg
There’s nothing tricky about the assembly, everything goes together on the V4 frame just like it does on the V3.
Be especially careful of the antenna on front of the 4 in 1. It’s easy to break off and tough to solder back on. Yes, I know that from experience.
The servo arms from the V3 have to be shortened to fit inside the Dauphin fuselage. Clip them between the 2nd and 3rd hole out from the servo.
The setup is the same as on a V3. Be sure that the swash is level and that the flybar is level with the top blade mounts when they are level.
With everything in place on the V4 frame it’s time to mount the fuselage.
http://i30.tinypic.com/29vj8lf.jpg
Here’s a short clip of the 1st flight.
I don’t know what I was thinking. I flew it off a bucket in a small area of my workshop. Of course as soon as it was up for a minute or two the air was so stirred up that it was very difficult to land it back on the bucket.
My kid thought it was really funny watching me trying to set it down gently on the bucket.
It does require a fairly soft touch down as the landing gear is a little fragile.
Feel free to giggle while I struggle not to break it.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-VVMfTNl6Ew