Topic: 1/4 scale Fokker DVIII quick (?) refurb.

The weather is looking perfect for Seething tomorrow afternoon straight down the runway 

Could be tempted.

Just a couple of other minor little things to do.

Could be tempted.

Just a couple of other minor little things to do.

Sadly SWMBO has other idea`s. 

Good news is I get a day pass next Wednesday. Gives me time to make sure everything is done and double checked.

Thanks for the offer Shaun. You free next Wednesday (weather permitting)? Get a gun made for the Pup, and I will bring my camera!!

At least everything will be 100% and you can be as confident as you can that nothing is missed.  TBH I was not right up for it today, not flown since Tib the pup was put away after that eve and I have not even looked at it since so no gun, foot step or instruments have been made or even thought about.
I have done a couple of little jobs on the SE5a that needed doing after Barkston just needing a little paint (which I don't have and is not made any more  ) on the underside, I'm going to fly it to death now by the looks of it as nobody has any money to spend.
I actually have more interest in doing the housework than I do modelling at the moment 

Ref next week, I will be preparing the house and camping gear for my kids visit some of the week but will try and keep Wednesday free but you know the old farts will probably be there that day asking for club fees, how many times have you visited bla bla bla.  Confrontation............ I cant cope with it........... goes 1 of 2 ways either I become a mouse and take it all up the pooper or someone gets put on their @rse at the moment.

Good news is I get a day pass next Wednesday. Gives me time to make sure everything is done and double checked.

YAY Fly-in 

Well. Today was the big day. The maiden.

I just need to remove the bicycle clips and let the mess out.

Will collect my thoughts, regain my composure, and report later.

Come on man, pull yourself together and tell us what happened!

Well it was not pretty.

1st take off attempt ended in a nose over. Prop survived.
2nd take off attempt resulted in the magnetic bushes grabbing and swallowing the entire plane. Prop survived.
3rd takeoff resulted in flight (just). Anyway I was not happy so Shaun took the sticks and trimmed her out a bit. Well a lot actually. Flew much better, but now had full down trim in. So a landing was called, and yes you guessed it. Nose over. Prop survived.

We made some changes to the wing incidence. I have some pictures which I will post in a while showing the "technical adjustments".

4th takeoff resulted in flight. However within the space of 10 seconds and 100sq yards I had performed a complete IMAC schedule. I was convinced I had binned it and heard Shaun say " do you want me to take it", but at this point it was in for a penny in for a pound. Got it all under control and had a reasonable flight with minor trim adjustments apart from me thinking it was dragging its tail around! Of course I was flying at low throttle and it was on the edge of a stall. Landed, a bit short on the concrete perry track and just kissed the edge of the grass. Nosed over. Prop survived.
We made a few further adjustments to the struts and went for it again
5th flight, Shaun took off to show me how it should be done. Shaun then proceeded to give my an heart attack. Not 100% sure what happened but a tip stall I think, had it heading to terafirma with very little height. Nose down pull back gently and Shaun pulled of a fantastic save with probably only a foot to spare. After that little drama I took the sticks back and all in all a much better flight was had, Landed, Prop survived.
6th take off. Much much better. Flew well with all niggles sorted out and all surfaces centred on the trims.
Called a landing. Greased it.....let the elevator come up before the roll had stopped nosed over. Prop broke. What a berk I am. 

I think that's how it all went. Shaun feel free to add your recollections.

Notes:
Power with the converted strimmer engine (28cc) is marginal for take off. Otherwise flew it in a very scale like manor.
Maybe try an 18*6 prop, currently has an 18*8.
Do not let the tail come back up on the landing roll out. Might save a prop or two.

Kev

The tecnical adjustments.

I think that's a fair assessment of the day    Once you get used to being a little more gentle with the sticks especially the rudder I think you will have cracked it.  The Sovereign engine ran as smooth as a sewing machine never missed a beat at all, I think once you get it propped correctly take off's will be much easier and less of a stalled affair.  Reducing pitch might just let you accelerate a little quicker although I am concerned that reducing pitch may not increase top end revs so flying sped may be lost I don't know I think if you can afford a couple of props suck it and see.  I think there is a rev or 2 more to be had by partially removing the exhaust baffles, it's very quiet so I assume it's very restricted (even though it sounds just great as is) and perhaps run a drill through the carb to enlarge the venturi get a lil more air and fuel in.  I will check out my carb and see if it's possible.
The wind was not favourable today being slightly cross wind with turbulence off the bushes and trees which did not help take off's so I think all considered you did very well especially with the turbulent cross wind landings, very little wind but what was there was causing up and down draughts + changing direction along the strip.
A great day out, 10am start and I did not leave for home till 7pm, Betty had a good thrashing and looked very nice up with Kev's DVIII which is now strewn with holes from my Vickers 

Thanks Shaun.

Was supprised myself when I got in at 7pm, my watch said 4.15pm. Must have stoped!
What a great day I had and thanks for your help and hospitality. Grass is so much more forgiving than concrete.

Good to hear you are getting the measure it, it looks great.   You'll need to tidy up those tweaks up though even though the was a war on!

Grass is so much more forgiving than concrete.

Yes, that's my excuse, let's see the prop count at Barkston    Remember the DVII's Scampton Tenner?

Alan

Tibenham?

Yep. 

Yep. 

Great, i'll bring my DB Pup too so at least we can have a qtr scale bashhh....   

Great, i'll bring my DB Pup too so at least we can have a qtr scale bashhh....   

YAY and it's 4 weeks today...... YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY

Great, i'll bring my DB Pup too so at least we can have a qtr scale bashhh....   

Mustang through the middle will put paid to any of that malarky 

Nice one kev, looks ;like a really nice airplane you have there 

Charlie C

Tibenham?

I think you will find the Scampton Tenner met its end at Tibenham, I think I then moved onto the Tibenham Fourer prior to a certain wing issue.    Just need the Guildford Three and we've got the full set!

Alan

I think you will find the Scampton Tenner met its end at Tibenham, I think I then moved onto the Tibenham Fourer prior to a certain wing issue.    Just need the Guildford Three and we've got the full set!

Alan

Nah, we need Chilton o'clock mate... 

Nice one kev, looks ;like a really nice airplane you have there 

Charlie C

Thanks Charlie.

It will be really nice once I have all its little idiosyncrasy`s sorted.

Kev

You'll need to tidy up those tweaks up though even though the was a war on!

Alan

Working on that one next week.

I think you will find the Scampton Tenner met its end at Tibenham, I think I then moved onto the Tibenham Fourer prior to a certain wing issue.    Just need the Guildford Three and we've got the full set!

Alan

So I now have the Seeting sixer.

New prop for Tibenham

YAY, can we get another video like this one from tibs....

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HH2d8ZChds" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HH2d8ZChds</a>

Shaun took the oportunity to fly BETTY, as only Shaun can.


BETTY Seething 01-09-2011 (38) by Kevin Fairgrieve, on Flickr


BETTY Seething 01-09-2011 (22) by Kevin Fairgrieve, on Flickr


Full set of pictures here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinfairgrieve/sets/72157627453643979/with/6106524113/

Tibenham?

Got some practice in for tibbers..... NSS how's it going?

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ymKrKpC6NM" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ymKrKpC6NM</a>

Got some practice in for tibbers.....

For the first time since the formation (OK, loose, coincidental  coming together) of the Dwarf Patrol I will not be able to join in and will have to watch from the sidelines.

This fact is extremely depressing as it's such good fun 

Alan

Got some practice in for tibbers..... NSS how's it going?

Confession time.

I have done nothing since last flown at Seething.

I was at work Fri, Sat, Sun, got married Monday. I am now on my honeymoon. I was going to risk the wrath of SWMBO and go to Tibenham (thank goodness for the date change). Anyway flying off to Italy tomorrow for a week .

New props have arrived but need the 6 holes drilling out for the prop hub. Need to make some more aesthetically pleasing spacers for the wing incidence. Next flying opportunity is Sunday 25th, just 4 days before Tibenham

OK then.

As you made me feel guilty  and SWMBO is packing the bags for tomorrow , I have ventured to the shed.

I have made up some nice blocks of ply in place of the washers and other bits that were available on the day.

Just got to paint them to match the wing colour, and fit the new prop. Home Saturday week so have Sunday and Monday to complete the fettle.

Kev

OK then.

As you made me feel guilty  and SWMBO is packing the bags for tomorrow , I have ventured to the shed.

I have made up some nice blocks of ply in place of the washers and other bits that were available on the day.

Just got to paint them to match the wing colour, andfit the new prop. Home Saturday week so have Sunday and Monday to complete the fettle.

Kev

YAY, nice one Kev or should I call you "PupFodder"