TOPIC: Aermacchi AM 346 for TSP L-2

While Roger has been making great progress my 3D printed version has been taking longer.
And as you can see rather than being sensuously rounded, the digital version is rather, well digital.

The two parts weigh in at 14gm, unpainted and will likely require the addition of a balsa and alli foil insulator on the underside.
And, of course, traditional built up wings and tail feathers must be added.


So, Roger how does the weight compare with your fuselage?

These, BTW are printed using Prusa lightweight PLA in what is called 'spiral vase mode'. I'll try and describe this in more detail when I do another blog post. Suffice to say that the fuselage is just one filament thick and the filament thickness is 0.6 mm.

If these weights seem resonable I'll either have another go at finding a nicer STL file for the AM346 or have a stab at smoothing out this one. There are some tools built into Fusion 360 which my help.

Hi Terry,
14 grams at this stage is certainly in the 'not too bad' territory and promising.
As to the smoothness, I have some rather nice lightweight filler .....

I look forward to 'having a go'.

I've made a little more progress with this and have 'printed' some more fuselage versions. I'm still experimenting here and will have a few more iterations before I give up.

In the new version the fuselage is in three sections with a printed alignment piece. I'll also print off wings and tail which you'll be able use or not (to preference) and these too will have alignment tabs.

As there are many aircraft STL files around, mainy developed by flight simulation/gaming enthusiasts I'm trying to develop a generic procedure for modifying files for printing and (hopefully) flying.

Prusa, the company that manufactures lightweight PLA (3D printable plastic) have been promoting its use through a make it fly competition.
www.printables.com/contest/371-make-it-fly

Prusa, too, are based in Poland.

The M-346 has (finally) made some eally rather nice flights. It did indeed need a little extra nose weight under power, and it doesn't like being overpowered, but, get the thrust right (say, 120-150 mN or so), it goes well, looks great in the air and isn't (my big fear) a 'waster of motors'.
So all that hard work has paid off. One thing: the rear end will definitely need some extra protection fron motor exhaust.



Above: Daniel launches my M-346 on its maiden flight.



Above: Max holding the M-346 after some succesful sorties, Sept 2026.