ZOHD Dart XL Extreme 1m Wingspan w/ Eflite F-27 Parts Upgrade & Lighting Mod - 100th Flight

This is dedicated to my Mom who had passed away on January 25th 2020. I was in the middle of making this video of my customized ZOHD Dart XL during the time of her passing and I had flown out to be with her during her final moments. I'm still having a hard time dealing with it and only now have I finally finished this video. Mom, I love you and miss you, forever and always. This is for you.
I had purchased this ZOHD Dart XL over the summer and it had arrived with a defective motor, characterized by 12 of the internal magnets coming off inside the motor housing. Rather than reaching out to Banggood.com and/or ZOHD, I decided to take a different route and use this opportunity to make this unique airship my own personal line of sight aircraft.
I went to my local hobby shop and purchased a new Eflite F-27 Evolution and proceeded to gut it for its internal powertrain (BL10 1920KV motor, motor mount, 40-amp esc, prop). Then I sold the gutted Eflite F-27 Evolution to my friend who had spare parts to use on the airframe. I removed the stock motor, along with the stock mount, and filled the original holes of the wooden backing plate with epoxy. Then I re-drilled new holes for the Eflite F-27 motor mount and attached the Eflite F-27 motor mount and motor to the newly drilled holes, using metal washers as spacers in between the motor mount and wooden backing plate. The Eflite F-27 prop has also been dynamically balanced.
For reinforcement of the wooden backing plate, I found small plastic L-Brackets at Home Depot and epoxied them on the backside of the wooden motor mount backing plate and adjacent internal foam base area. Lightweight, easy, no muss, reinforcement.
Taking it one step further, I also added my own custom LED Navigation lighting, using an Eflite Universal Light Controller and corresponding LEDs. Even the rear internal bay is lit with a glowing read LED unit. For a final unique touch, I also installed RC4WD 1/10 Baja Designs Squadron Light Units facing forward on each side of the front hatch. Having flown this at dusk, and evening with this setup, I've found flight orientation to be very easy.
Having already flown 100 flights with this project, I've encountered no issues (maintenance or unexpected). I've given this custom airship the name of "Highwind."
RC Groups Blog Write-Up and Additional Photos of Custom Work: www.rcgroups.c...
Pilot: Derick "Blaze" Aquino
Cameraman: Robert "Doc" M.
Camera: iPhone X
Music: Ace Combat 7 "Anchorhead Raid" Metal Remix - Vincent Moretto

[@DeucesWildRC]

Sorry for your loss my friend, that thing screams, wasn’t expecting that kind of speed out it, impressive 👍

[@daquino0021]

DeucesWild RC thank you Mike. It’s been a tough year and all I can do is try to push forward. Keep moving forward.

[@clayquarles8650]

Really great description and enjoyable watch! Thx! Sorry for your loss. God Bless.

[@daquino0021]

Thank you very much. 🙏

[@4funrc11]

My sincere condolences.
Again, always very nice builds and videos. Thank you. :)

[@daquino0021]

4FunRC Thank you so much.. this has been a real struggle. I appreciate it. :)

[@DadsRCHangar]

Great flight, love the lighting mods. Might have to do that to mine 👍🏻

[@chriselton1915]

So sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@daquino0021]

Thank you Chris. I appreciate it.

[@justforkicks6755]

My condolences, Derick. Peace and Blessings to you and your family.
Great video.
This thing looks like it holds an absolutely amazing line! Looks like it's on rails at breakneck speeds.
Keep up the good work with the videos, as a relatively new person to the hobby, I appreciate them and you!!
Bruce

[@daquino0021]

Thank you.. I miss her very much.

[@rc-fannl7364]

So sorry for your loss. And this flight certainly does your mother's memory proud, the way you make this plane fly. Also kudos to your cameraman, btw, he did a great job.

[@northernfpv9562]

Looks like it flies awesomely! When’s the fpv gear going in? Sorry to read about your mom - that’s very rough.

[@daquino0021]

Thank you Northern. It really has been a rough time for the family. I'm still trying to find my way through it. As for the FPV gear, while the Highwind still has plenty of internal room for it, I don't actually fly FPV nor have I ever really gotten into it. I just like the agile forward sweep design and purchased mine to be a unique LOS aircraft.

[@rcbugs]

very very sorry about your Mom. God Bless

[@daquino0021]

Thank you Dana.

[@RCLancelot]

Insane!! Great job!

[@daquino0021]

Thanks Lancelot!

[@gabrielalej]

Amazing!

[@daquino0021]

Thank you!!

[@bolts5372]

Hey, great vid. What speeds you getting off this?

[@daquino0021]

Thanks! Anywhere from 90-100mph.