I guess you could call this my build report/log type thing for my first rc plane, which is an ARF Multiplex Easystar from amazon.com, even though I started it in January. I wanted to (and still want to) turn this into an FPV and UAV plane, but my money is limited, and I figured I'd learn to fly before spending a lot on other equipment.

I started this project around January, but haven't completed it yet because I'm still learning what all equipment I need to put the plane together and fly. The things that have been really holding me back are the propellor and the ESC. I followed the guide posted somewhere here on modding a multiplex easystar, which helped with the propellor, motor, battery, ESC, and servos, so that was a huge help, but it didn't mention that I'd need a spinner to connect the prop and motor, so I had to order that separately, along with the power cable for the batt charger, neither of which I knew I needed (but probably should have had I put two and two together a few times).

As of today, I'm getting ready to order the spinner in a few minutes, and once that arrives and I get out to buy some servo tape, I'll be ready to build. If anyone wants to duplicate what I did (and they're just starting out in RC planes with nothing except a few hundred dollars) I'm putting a complete parts list together below.

Motor-http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

ESC-http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

LiPo Battery-http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

Charger(power supply not included)-http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

ESC programming card(optional)-http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

XT60 connectors(to connect ESC to battery)-http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

Power supply for charger-http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

Propellor-http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

Multiplex Easystar kit(I bought on amazon, but they were out of ARF ones. If you don't like this site just google multiplex easystar ARF and something should come up)-http://www.hobby-lobby.com/easystar.htm

Servo(x2)(NOTE-can be found much cheaper on amazon.com)-
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

Controller(can use any controller with throttle and 2 other channels. I used this one so I could add other things later on)-Ok, I can't find a site I'd like to link to; but he controller is a dx6i spektrum controller

Spinner-(to be added soon)

4 AA batteries
CA glue
Something to expand the rudder with (I'm using basal wood)

Some servo tape or heatshrink to put around the motor (unless you don't care if you get glue on the motor)
Some time and patience(and around $700-$800 if you don't have a remote, charger. If you already have those that cuts the price almost in half)

Since I'm new to this, what settings do you guys think I should set the ESC to, or should I just leave it at the default settings?

I also had a question about where to mount the receiver, and do you guys think I will need to cut a hole in the side of the plane to stick the antennas out of, even though they're only like 1 inch long? I was either thinking about mounting the receiver in the cockpit or the body of the plane. I have two pictures below to show where I'd mount it.

In the cockpit:

or in the body of the plane: