May 10, 2016 | By Alec
Remember the fantastic WWII aircraft by Czech pilot Štěpán Dokoupil? At the beginning of the year, he launched several fantastic 3D printable RC aircraft models based on prominent World War II planes in his 3DLabPrint webstore. Following up on their success, Dokoupil is now back with the only iconic plane that was still missing: the Messerschmitt Bf 109T, the classic German WWII fighter. Like its predecessors, it looks fantastic, flies like the wind and is easily 3D printable on any desktop 3D printer.
This Messerschmitt Bf 109T is the latest addition to the fantastic aircraft models from the Czech-based 3DLabPrint. All are designed by architect, 3D modeler, and RC plane enthusiast Dokoupil, who knows everything there is to know about planes. When not flying model aircraft, he takes the skies as an actual pilot flying various aircraft across Europe and North America. Since discovering 3D printing a few years ago, he combined his hobbies by building 3D printable aircraft. This has led to three fantastic and fully 3D printable RC models inspired by WWII already: the Spitfire, the Mustang Fighter and the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. All are sold in his webstore, alongside the more accessible EasyMax sports glider.
Those models are now thus joined by the iconic German Messerschmitt Bf 109T. Like its predecessors, its available as a static model or an RC version, and can be 3D printed on any desktop 3D printer. Dokoupil further revealed that this was also an excellent opportunity to improve his designs. “So this project is again full of other improvements for better durability, easier assembly, better geometry solutions and so on. We hope you enjoy it, although this print may test your competencies and quality of your 3D printer (welcome to thin wall printing),” he says of his latest creation.
The complete airplane is a 1/12th scale model, meaning it has an impressive wingspan of nearly 1 meter (38.5 inches). This enables, Dokoupil says, some interesting flight characteristics. “This new model already has built-in (3D printed) bowden lines for the rudder and elevator. The joint wings and fuselage are designed to be partially flexible, which increases the durability during a hard landings,” he adds. Thanks to 3D printing, the entire model is very rigid and lightweight, and should withstand all the rigors of flight.
He expects it will cost about $10 in filament to produce the model. The basic requirements to make your own model RC plane are an FDM 3D printer with minimum 195 x 195 x 195 mm build volume, a 0.4mm nozzle, and PLA filament. A heated bed is also recommended, if available. What’s more, you will only need a few additional parts to make it airworthy. “You do not need any extra tools or hardware, you only need to glue the printed parts together. The rest of the assembly is very easy. Simply add a brushless motor, ESC, servos and a radio system,” he reveals. This is all covered by a step-by-step tutorial included with the model.
What’s more, the Messerschmitt will fly like the wind. With top speeds of 150 km/ph and enough battery to fly full-throttle for more than seven minutes, this looks like a fantastic RC plane. If you’re interested, you can order the 3D printable files and tutorial in the 3DLabPrint webstore for just $20. They will also provide support and customized G-codes for users that are unsure how to build this cool airplane.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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