Topic: Balsa USA Fokker DV11 1/3rd scale

This is going to be my new Dawn Patrol model for next year I hope.
Plan is to fly it at the Stow Maries due in may, so I best get on with it
I bought the airframe ready built . 90% of the construction is done.
Its all got to be sanded and shaped , fairings made ,radio gear install sorted and such like then it can be covered.

First up was sort out the engine. This is a geared Zenoah 62 with a MR reduction drive on it.
I fitted a Throttle servo mount and a new arm on the carb. Also a mount to take the 32oz Dubro tank.





Also thinking about bringing the exhaust out of the side.A bit of silver soldering needed



I also need to make the tail removable for storage so a couple of ply plates with doublers and captive nuts fitted
These are glued and screwed to the top rails



Simon



 

Watching with interest.

 

Ohhhh lurvly about time there was another WW1 project underway 

You dont hang about Simon!

You dont hang about Simon!

I was thinking the same!!

Carry on dear chap looks noice 

You dont hang about Simon!

Hi Bob
Great airframe, thanks very much.I just need to get on with it while I can. If I can get it all to the covering stage by Xmas then I will have a chance.

Fitted a servo tray to take a pair of HS645mg servos for the elevator  and a 805BB 1/4 scale job for the rudder. They will be an Xmas pressent from Janice
Also sorted the RX tray and some supports for its antennas.



Si

Only a couple of jobs done.
I wanted to get rid of F4 as it was right in the middle of the cockpit and would get in the way of that job.
So out with the airsaw and its mostly gone.

Also the Diagonals that were fitted were fitted flush so would be seen against the covering. I routed a 1/16th off these so they are now recessed. All the rest of the diagonals will be recessed as I fit them.


Si

Keep posting them Simon! Liking this a lot.

what is the scale please?

what is the scale please?

It's a 1/3rd scale...  (Check the thread title    )

Started to get the closed loop runs sorted out with the covering supports finished. Can,t do the rudder ones yet as the servo is not here. The hole through the stab is big enough to get a clevis through when removing the tail.



Also put it together to get a feel of it



I have also sorted all the removable tail bits and hinging. Pics to follow about that.
This week I hope to sand and profile all the tail components 

Where do you but the Epoxy board to make horns from



Si

On the advice of Muddersmeister I got my epoxy board by return from these peeps.

http://modulusamplification.com/G10-BOARD-EYELET-TERMINAL-BOARD-70mm-x-420mm-x-16mm-P643458.aspx

Where do you but the Epoxy board to make horns from

inwoods stock it in 3 thickness's

Looks great Simon.   

I thought "flippin heck!" he's rattled that off quick, then I re-read the first post saying you got it 90% complete.
I don't feel quite so bad now

Alan

Looks great Simon.   

I thought "flippin heck!" he's rattled that off quick, then I re-read the first post saying you got it 90% complete.
I don't feel quite so bad now

Alan

Did you not see it at SM2 Alan

Si

Did you not see it at SM2 Alan

No 

One thing I wanted to change on the build was the tail sections. The kit calls for it all to be flat 3/8 thick.
If you look at the original it is not



So I got some Ali Tig wire at 3.3mm diameter and sanded a flat on it along its length.
This is the glued to the centre line of the trailing edge. then the rudder is sanded to section until its down to the wire. This leaves a perfectly half round trailing edge that should be very ding resistant. With the amount of balsa sanded away the weight increase was 2 grams.
No idea if its one of my better ideas or not . Time will tell.
Now to do the rest.





Hopefully it will just look a bit better .

Si

That looks ace to me 

Did you hear that?? That was the sound of me pinching your idea 

Muds 

Aye up Mudders

You should send him a picture of a £5 note by way of payment for his ideas (old goon show joke from the 1950's)

Looks nice Simon ,the D7 is something I would like myself .I flew a slot with a 1/4 scale D7 a 1/3 Jungmeister and my 30% Tiggy  at Hastings a few weeks ago .It was quite breezy so flying bi's was tricky the D7 was steady as a rock and landed without a problem . The Jungy pilot and myself both got blown about  we landed safely but it was a bike clips job.
  . I have an old booklet on the D7 kicking about somewhere with some B&W pics would you like a copy? 

Alan

  . I have an old booklet on the D7 kicking about somewhere with some B&W pics would you like a copy? 

Alan

Yes please .

Si

Hi Si

PM me your address. I will do hi res scans and print them rather than email crappy low res ones

Alan

Simon, I'm not sure hs the U/C is on yours, but on this one I am sorting the axle mount was a bit Carp, with signs that it has given issues due to its crappy design. On the new U/C, the axle is completely free floating and works ace. It'd be worth doing something similar on yours if its fixed rigid in the middle.

Ian.

Thanks mate. Great mod of which I will do 

Si

Been getting on with it
All the tail surfaces are ready to cover





The surfaces are hinged . I removed the pins from the hinges and replaced them with one long pin per surface so they are easily removable for repairs or maintenance. They are glued and pinned  with good old cocktail sticks.The horns are from 2mm epoxy board.
I was going to do double horns with  a turn-buckle fitted between them as the original but as I need to dissemble it every time I went with the single and 3mm quick links.



I also glued carbon tubes in where the fixing bolts go to stop the balsa from compressing when you do them up.



Hope to cover these bits the weekend. Just need to balsa lock around the edges of everything first, especially the wire.

Si

Coming on well Simon top job .  Neil

So what dose anyone now about stitching on the ribs of the D7??
Any info most appreciated

Si

Got some more pics if they are any help, Simon.
Bob

Standard type stitching on the wings, non on the ailerons or elevator I think, rib tapes are either lozenge, blue or reddish pink dependant on manufacturer

Ian.

Standard type stitching on the wings, non on the ailerons or elevator I think, rib tapes are either lozenge, blue or reddish pink dependant on manufacturer

Ian.

I thought Fokker used a 'Z' type stitch pattern, but am probably wrong 

Muds 

Like this..



Muds

The stitching could be "Z" or standard.  I guess it depended on the manufacturer.  As most of you will know I had a good look at this subject this year and the samples I saw all had standard stitching.  See attached.  GTM I believe tells us to use the "Z" stitch, amd I an sure it is just as valid.

See attached picture from the underside of a captured D.VII.

Nigel

Standard type stitching on the wings, non on the ailerons or elevator I think, rib tapes are either lozenge, blue or reddish pink dependant on manufacturer

Ian.

That pic I put on is the one at Hendon Ian- it has  stitching to ailerons. Could they have got it wrong refurbing it?

Thanks Guys thats a start. I see they do not put a protective tape on under the stitching in that picture.
As I am painting the wings then I can use ripped Tex as the tape over the stitches. ??

So Wings stitched, Tail plane stitched . What about the Rudder and Fin , as the elevators are not I presume these are not.
If not its a shame as It adds nice details to other wise flat surfaces .
Will email you Nigel about paint masks.Would like to get the tail all painted up .

Si

Got some more pics if they are any help, Simon.
Bob

Yes please mate
Email them to me 

Thanks .
Are you going to come to Stow Maries in May. Think you deserve a twiddle on the sticks of her.

Si

I would love to mate, but dont think I can justify the cost. Think we have holiday plans around then. (Or so I have been told!) As there are quite a few photos of the Hendon D7, pm me your address and I shall pop them on a cd and post to you. I had to reduce that one a lot to get it on the forum. Keep at it, it looks great, I like the mods you are doing.

I have a few files to share with you Simon.  I was going to put them to CD but not done it yet.  Lots of D.VII details 

No problem on the artwork.  When you know which one you are doing we can do all the service marks etc.

Nigel

I have a few files to share with you Simon.  I was going to put them to CD but not done it yet.  Lots of D.VII details 



Nigel

All stuff really gratefully received Nigel.

I still wanted to do this one as from this shot the top wing surfaces are the same as the front of the fuz. and the bottoms look blue.
But that might no be the case
I really don't want Lozenge
So I am looking for Non Lozenge schemes preferably without Chequerboards



Si

How about Herman Goering's personal mount Si? It was all white?

How about Herman Goering's personal mount Si? It was all white?

Yes ,thats a possibility , Janice favours that one for some reason.




Si

would show the dirt up nicely, and stand out from all the other schemes...

Would be at the risk of being boring though?

T'would be my choice