This is the build page for my MDR-1 Tricopter. MDR-1 is based on David Windestål original design with my own small modifications; the largest being the use of Flitetest’s Bat Bone, body instead of David’s original body design.
Tricopter Build Price Sheet
MDR-1 cost approximately $390 USD to build, plus another $750 in already owned equipment, here is the breakdown of the different build costs.
Required Parts
Below is the parts I used to build MDR-1. Beside these parts, there is other equipment required to build and fly the tricopter, see below.
| Seller | Description | Qty | Each | Total |
| Horizon Hobby | AR6210 6-Channel DSMX Receiver | 1 | $69.99 | $69.99 |
| Flitetest | Bat Bone Tri 370 Kit | 1 | $79.00 | $79.00 |
| Flitetest | Original Tricopter Camera Mount Kit | 1 | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Hobby King | KK2.0 Multi-rotor LCD Flight Control Board | 1 | $29.99 | $29.99 |
| Hobby King | DT750 750kV Motors | 3 | $11.22 | $33.66 |
| Hobby King | TURNIGY Plush 18amp Speed Controllers | 3 | $11.31 | $33.93 |
| Hobby King | 3s Turnigy 25-35C 2200mAh LiPo | 3 | $10.30 | $30.90 |
| Hobby King | BMS-385DMAX Digital Servo (Metal Gear) | 1 | $20.48 | $20.48 |
| Hobby King | GWS 11×4.7 (RD-1147 279x119mm)(6 pack) | 1 | $5.40 | $5.40 |
| Hobby King | Hex Screw M3x16 20pcs | 1 | $1.89 | $1.89 |
| Hobby King | Hex locknuts M3 10pcs | 2 | $0.79 | $1.58 |
| Hobby King | Cable Ties – White (350mm) (50pcs/bag) | 2 | $1.81 | $3.62 |
| Hobby King | XT60 to 3 X 3.5mm bullet ESC Power Cable | 1 | $2.70 | $2.70 |
| Hobby King | 3.5mm Gold Connectors 10 PAIRS (20PC) | 2 | $1.77 | $3.54 |
| Hobby King | 4mm Heat Shrink Tube – Black | 2 | $0.25 | $0.50 |
| Hobby King | 4mm Heat Shrink Tube – Red | 2 | $0.25 | $0.50 |
| Hobby King | Silicone Wire 16AWG (1mtr) Black | 2 | $0.99 | $1.98 |
| Hobby King | Silicone Wire 16AWG (1mtr) Red | 2 | $0.99 | $1.98 |
| Horizon Hobby | Shipping for order | 1 | $10.40 | $10.40 |
| Flitetest | Shipping for order | 1 | $8.03 | $8.03 |
| Hobby King | Shipping for order | 1 | $26.90 | $26.90 |
| Pricing as of June 2013 | Total | $386.95 |
Required Equipment to build this tricopter
The below list is the items I used during the build of the MDR-1 Tricopter, opposed to parts of the tricopter. I already owned each of these items as part of my shop. The below equipment is not the exact required equipment needed as the parts list above is, but it’s what I used, you may substitute as you feel fit.
| Seller | Description | Qty | Each | Total |
| Horizon Hobby | DX8 Transmitter | 1 | $429.99 | $429.99 |
| Horizon Hobby | Prop Balancer | 1 | $27.99 | $27.99 |
| Amazon | Thunder AC6 Smart LiPo Balance Charger | 1 | $54.95 | $54.95 |
| Amazon | Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station | 1 | $39.99 | $39.99 |
| Amazon | 40/60 Electrical Rosin Core Solder | 1 | $6.57 | $6.57 |
| Amazon | Helping Hands with Magnifying Glass | 1 | $5.85 | $5.85 |
| Amazon | Black & Decker 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Drill | 1 | $44.97 | $44.97 |
| Amazon | 10-Piece Drill Bit Set | 1 | $6.50 | $6.50 |
| Amazon | 6″ Long Needle Nose Pliers | 1 | $11.35 | $11.35 |
| Amazon | Micro Cutter, 16AWG Clean Cut | 1 | $8.99 | $8.99 |
| Amazon | 10 Wire Stripper/Cutter, 24-10 AWG | 1 | $14.99 | $14.99 |
| Amazon | Butane Torch | 1 | $14.85 | $14.85 |
| Amazon | Zippo Butane Fuel | 1 | $5.49 | $5.49 |
| Amazon | Balldriver Screwdrivers Hex Set | 1 | $13.90 | $13.90 |
| Amazon | 6″ Adjustable Wrench | 1 | $10.93 | $10.93 |
| Amazon | Medium Strength Threadlocker Blue | 1 | $5.93 | $5.93 |
Again, the above is what I used, you may use your own equipment, but the idea should be the same.