Quadcopter enthusiast Olivier_C transformed his RC helicopter into the iconic Millennium Falcon from Star Wars using polystyrene and LED lights. The builder posted the step-by-step process on reddit and Imgur.
Aside from the cost of the actual drone and radio, which he estimates at 1000€, the remaining materials were incredibly cheap: 10€ for the 2 foam planks and 12€ for the front and rear lights. The paint was leftover acrylic he had lying around and he used a few sticks of glue for the glue-gun (source). Due to the weight of the materials, Oliver says the top speed is barely 35% of what the raw quadcopter can do (90km/h+).
Below you will find progress pics of the build along with videos of the finished product in action. You can see the complete gallery on Imgur and find out more information on Olivier’s other RC projects on RC Groups.
[via Olivier-FR]
“First step, the design, tricky part is to have the whole setup balanced.” [source]
“Main material is this insulant, expanded polystyrene, in 20 and 30mm thickness. It’s heavier than classic EPP, but also much stronger, and easy to cut clean.” [source]
“This hook thing slides inside the carbon frame of the quad at the front, tight fit is required so the propellers are not hitting the foam. I went for 10mm of free space between the tip of the blade and the foam.” [source]
“The 2 lights at the front, serial, so each get only 6V instead of 12V according to specs. 12V was really bright, I don’t plan to fly this in pitch black night.” [source]
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