Skyripper
This is my 3D printed Skyripper, the next generation of streamer combat wing. Designed to crash, repair, customize and fly again. Minimum Build Volume required is 180x180x180. RTF weight: 590g PLA Wingspan: 1000mm Length: 400mm I have a full step by step assemble video on my YouTube channel. Watch below. Keep scrolling to see more features of the Skyripper.
$45.00 USD
STL File
Wingspan: 1000mm
Length: 400mm
RTF weight: 590g
3 Channels
2212 1400kv
Brushless Motor
30amp ESC
2x 9g servos
3S 1000mAh battery
Specifications for the Skyripper:
Build Video
I was inspired to design the Skyripper after attending a build night hosted by my local RC club. Members were building foam aircraft for their Streamer Combat competitions and, after they explained what the sport was all about, I knew I wanted to compete! Of course I wanted to create my own version of a flying wing for the competition, and of course, it had to be 3D printed. So I got to work, and two months later, the Skyripper was out competing in its first competition.
I had a clear vision for this wing: it had to be fast, durable and easy to assemble. That's absolutely crucial because streamer combat includes lots of crashes, midair collisions and rough landings. I wanted it to be extremely easy to fly. Totally beginner friendly. Finally, I wanted to give more aircraft variety than was currently available to the sport of streamer combat. I'm proud to say, I delivered on all of my goals I set for myself for this build, and absolutely can't wait for you to be able to experience everything the Skyripper has to offer.
Another advantage of the Skyripper's 3D printed design is the long term value it provides. Many foam aircraft used in streamer combat eventually reach a point where damage from repeated crashes make them difficult or impossible to repair, and you need to purchase a new foam kit. But with the Skyripper, you purchase the STL files once and you have the ability to reprint your aircraft as many times as needed.
Keep reading to discover more features of the Skyripper! The next generation of Streamer Combat Wings has arrived.
What Is Streamer Combat?
Streamer combat is a fast-paced, competitive RC aviation event where pilots fly with a 30' streamer attached to their plane. The goal is simple: cut other aircraft's streamers, while protecting your streamer from the other planes. You can bring either traditional planes or wings to the competition, but every aircraft must follow one key rule: your aircraft must powered be a 3S 1000mAh battery. That aspect sets natural limitations on the other characteristic of the competing aircrafts. Now pilots need to consider which propeller size they'll use, how large their motor is, size of the plane, etc. All so that your aircraft can last in the air for 5 minutes before your precision landing in the center of the field. It's so much fun, and such a great flying challenge!
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Handlaunching Wing Made Easy
One of the biggest complaints you'll hear about wings is that they can be challenging to launch because of the motor in the aft of the aircraft. For streamer combat specifically, because you are towing a streamer, it just makes sense to me to have the propeller in the front to make it easy to tow a streamer from the back of the wing. This design also helps with setting the CG. With grip indentations of the either side of the fuselage, this will be one of the easiest wings you've ever hand launched.
Crash Hard. Fix Fast. Fly Again.
Typically, Streamer Combat is flown with a foam plane that is easy to hot glue together after an inevitable big crash. I could completely understand the appeal of this and knew if I was bringing a 3D printed aircraft to the flight line, it needed to be every bit as quick and practical to assemble and repair. The Skyripper is that.
My big issue with foam aircraft, is after that first repair job, they rarely look the same again. Every patch and glue joint gradually gives the aircraft a worn and homemade look. The Skyripper takes a different approach. It's modular design takes into account that most crashes have damage limited to certain parts of the aircraft. So instead of reprinting the entire wing, disassemble the damaged parts, reprint them and reuse everything else. The result is an aircraft designed to stay flying and looking the same from the start.
Even in the worst case, the crash was big and the entire thing needs to be reprinted, the print is easy and building is simple. Set your printer to print before bed, then the next evening you are ready to assemble again.
One Plane with Endless Combinations
Designed to be the last wing you'll ever need, the Skyripper is 4 planes in 1, with countless more combinations you can choose to create your perfect wing... As I designed the aircraft, I created a wing tip that I loved, but then thought of another wing tip design I wanted to try. The same thing happened for the vertical stabilizer, and before I knew it, I had multiple versions of each. So, instead of separating my wing into multiple aircraft, I decided it would be way more valuable to release all of the versions within the Skyripper. Making the Skyripper the most customizable wing on the market.
You can mix and match the wing tips and vertical stabilizers, allowing you to not only customize the appearance, but also the flight characteristics. You can scale your vertical stabilizers taller or shorter by adjusting the Z-axis on your slicer. I like mine scaled anywhere between 150% to 200% on the Z-axis.
*Hint: Be sure that uniform scaling is off on your slicer when
adjusting the Z-axis.
Another feature I am absolutely ecstatic about is the integrated color changing aspect of the Skyripper. This is the first aircraft on the market to have color changing integrated into the 3D printed pieces. Traditional sticker decals take time to order, and paint can be challenging to execute exactly as envisioned. That's where color changing printers come into play! Adjust what integrated "decals" you want where, and then select their color in your slicer. Push print and let your printer do all the work of decorating your plane.
*The Skyripper includes five Bambu Lab build projects that have all the color and plates pre-sliced, making it easier than ever to print these out if you have a Bambu Lab printer.
PERFECTLY SET Your CG, Every Time
With so many customization options for this build, including different wing tips, vertical stabilizers, filament choices (PLA or PETG), and color changing prints, every Skyripper's RTF weight has the potential to be different. Every weight may be different, but where the CG must be set for perfect flight is the same. Typically, you would use a heavier battery or extra weight to balance the airplane. That isn't an option with this combat challenge since we are restricted on the battery size: a 3S 1000mAh battery. So to fix this issue, I designed a scaleable cowling to extend the weight of the electronics farther forward to balance the wing and its CG.
I cover this CG setting process in the build video, including how to use the CG tool and how to scale the cowling for perfect balance.
*Note: If you aren't using this plane for streamer combat, and you wanted to increase the flight time, you could scale the cowling long enough to fit a 4S 2200mAh lipo battery for even longer flights!
Night Flight Compatible
I designed integrated channels within the wings that allows you to install LED strip lighting directly into your airframe, so your Skyripper can be flown in the dark! This also helps your wing stand out, so it is easy to keep an eye on during streamer combat events. Whether you are chasing streamers during the day or lighting up the sky after dark, the Skyripper is endless fun.
This plane requires a minimum build plate volume of 180x180x180.
I wanted to design a plane small enough to fit on two of the smallest printers on the market - The Bambu Lab A1 Mini and the Prusa Mini.
Getting Started
You're ready to build!
Thank you for deciding to build the Skyripper! I am so proud of this build, I know you are going to have fun with it.
Make sure you check out my Build Tutorial, in the description you will find a complete parts list for building and assembly.
Happy printing! See you on the next build.