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DIY RC Camera Blimp

The idea of using a camera on a blimp has been around for many years. It is a common sight at a major sporting event to see a blimp circling the stadium, providing a bird's-eye vantage point for those at home to view the game. However, you do not need to spend a lot of money in order to make a camera blimp. With a little time and knowledge, you can create your own radio-controlled camera blimp from home.

Things You'll Need

Micro-video camera
Blimp-shaped latex balloon or blimp bag
Plastic gondola
Three micro-electric motors with shafts and propellers
Three-channel radio transmitters and receiver
Throttle control
Batteries
Ballast putty
Rudders

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the mounting locations for the electronics in the gondola. If you are making your own gondola from scratch, you will have to create mounts for support and drill holes for the shafts where the propellers will go. Install one motor on either side of the gondola, parallel to the balloon. These will provide left/right and forward/back controls. The remaining motor will face down toward the ground away from the balloon. This will provide up/down controls.
- 2
  Assemble the electronics in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. In general, you will solder the radio receiver and batteries to the throttle control. Next, you will solder the throttle control to the three motors. Take your time here, as a good solder job will create a circuit with very little electrical resistance.
- 3
  Mount the electronics to the gondola.
- 4
  Affix a micro-camera to the gondola pointing in the direction you want to capture video. Double-sided Velcro tape is an easy way to affix the camera securely and allows for easy removal later on.
- 5
  Mount the gondola to the latex balloon or blimp bag per the instructions on the bag or balloon.
- 6
  Attach rudders to the rear of the blimp for added stability in the air. You can create these out of balsa wood, Styrofoam or plastic.
- 7
  Fill the balloon or blimp bag with helium in order to provide lift for the blimp. Add ballast putty to the gondola until the blimp remains level with no input of controls. You are now ready to fly.

Aviation