Hi Martin,

I would like to see some photos of your DRI when you get it done... I'm planning a build of the AerodromeRC 46.7" version this summer. I was also planning on the black and yellow scheme. From what I understand, it is a hodge-podge of a couple different airplanes, but it sure looks cool! Why do you suppose the rudder is so large? I would bet it is because of manufacturing and not flight. The rudder on my dare isn't that huge and it tracks just fine. It really is a bit of a motorized box-kite, but I did find the rudder a pain to laminate up. If the turn is too sharp, I bet it isn't as strong. Just a guess though... So, are you going to paint over their covering? I'd love to hear how it goes...

Thanks,

Franny

DRI paint job
 

Hi Franny! :) As you may very well be aware I too am a WWI nut who favors the DRI. I have an article (which I will have to dig up) that explains how to paint over the existing mylar. I think it was in MAN. :confused: If you look at the instruction manual for the GP tripe on tower's website, you will see where they tell you how to install the rudder. In my opinion, it's a perfect time to reduce that over sized rudder! :D Steve (WWI Ace) states that it makes no difference on flight performance, if the rudder is big or "standard" size. I have a tendency to believe him since he flys several tripes. Why! he even has a slimer!!! :mad: As you may have guessed, I am a purist at heart, but only this ONCE (pay attention Steve) am I going to deviate from an actual authentic camo scheme. Franny, I too think the Waldo Pepper scheme is the coolest. ;) :cool: You're a Gal after my own heart! Keep your posts coming. Look for pics and a how to article on painting mylar soon. Martin PS: can't wait till they release the tripe! Wake up you Guys! Let's hear from you too! Check your six!

RC Model World had an interesting article on a REALLY camaflauged Fokker E-3. Actually could be considered an earlty Stealth fighter. Guy took a Proctor 1/4 scale E3 and finished it in CLEAR Oracover. This was actually tried in WW1. Article says the clear Oracover is almost the same thing as the original clear covering.

Of course, this is best done on something like the Proctor, which has almost a scale construction, and it takes some real patience and good building skills to look good under a clear covering.

I had picked up a Proctor Antic kit a few years ago which has a similar constuction, and after a couple years of procratination, sold it. It scared me.

Martin-- What's this about a new Dr1? Tell me more. What size is it to be? I still have to assemble and paint my Polk's Dr1.

Mike

Gp Dri
 

Mike, go to this website and you will see the tripe.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXPZT9&P=ML
Here are some specs: FEATURES: Construction: Laser cut balsa and plywood
Wings: One piece each tri-wing configuration with painted cabanes and
interplane struts
Covering: Factory applied, color scheme is red and 0hite
Battery Compartment: Accessible under magnetic cover at front of
fuselage
Cowling: Vacuum formed plastic, radiator design
Landing Gear: Pre-bent and factory painted in Red
Wheels: Two 3" (76mm) diameter lightweight foam tires on red wheels
Aileron Control: Dual servo on top wing
Pilot Bust: Two-piece unpainted
Hardware: Complete package designed for light weight and precise
control response
Building Time: Ready to fly in several hours
Warranty: Great Planes Model Manufacturing Company guarantees this
kit free from defects in both materials and workmanship at
the date of purchase.



INCLUDES: Fokker DR1 WW1 Park Flyer Sport Scale Airplane with pre-bent
landing gear, scale wheels, wing struts, wood servo trays, scale
machine gun and pilot, hardware package, photo-illustrated
instructions decals, vacuum formed radial engine


REQUIRES: Motor: ElectriFly Rimfire 28-30-950 Brushless - GPMG4560
Propeller: 10x4.5 - GPMQ6660
Prop Adapter: 3mm - GPMQ4959
Speed Control: ElectriFly Silver Series SS-25 - GPMM1820
Motor to Speed Control Connector: GPMM3122
Radio: 4-Channel - FUTJ37** (radio system includes two servos)
Servos: 4-Micro (2-ailerons, 1-rudder, 1-elevator) - FUTM0414
12" (305mm) Servo Extensions: Two - HCAM2100
Y-Harness: One for aileron servos - HCAM2500
Battery: 1250mAh LiPo - GPMP0823
Battery Charger: LiPo compatible
Misc. Items: Building and Field Equipment

SPECS: Wingspan: 29.5" (745mm)
Wing Area: 300 sq in (19 sq dm)
Weight: 20 - 24oz (567 - 680g)
Wing Loading: 10 - 12oz sq ft (31 - 37g/sq dm)
Length: 23.5" (600mm)
Airfoil: Flat bottom
Center of Gravity: 2" (51mm) Back from the wing's leading edge
Control Throws- High Rate Low Rate
Elevator: Up & Down 3/8" (10mm) 1/4" (6.4mm)
Rudder: Right to Left 1" (25mm) 5/8" (16mm)
Ailerons: Up & Down 3/8" (10mm) 1/4" (6.4mm)
Martin

Hey Martin? What motor are you going to use? I have an E-Flight 400 in my Dare and 2/3 throttle about tears the wings off! That is with a 3S 1320mA Lipoly. I think mine came in about 16oz, but I would have to check on that and the wingspan is about the same at 31". I would LOVE to see a couple of these puppies out at the field! I wish I was in NJ (I was born up in Booton Township); we could go out and kick some serious SE5 butt!

Stay dry! Franny

I told ya it was cool Martin!!! And yes the rudder on it also looks oversized. It looks like a well built plane though! With that Rimfire it should have alot of get-up-and-go!!! Like I told Martin, the oversized rudder doesn't work any better than a scale sized one. The rudder is pretty much cancelled out anyway by the middle wing on the ground till the tail comes up. I mixed some rudder into the ailerons on one of my tripes and flew. Then I took out the mix and the tripe still tracked well in turns. They are a BEAR to handle on the ground but in the air they are actually a fairly easy handling plane if you have aileron experience. I land with a little throttle, land on the main gear, drop the tail by cutting the power completely, hold full up elevator and wrestle the rudder till it stops rolling!! Sounds like alot to do but ya get the hang of it pretty quickly. Steve.

Gp Dri
 

Franny, I will probably buy the Rimfire for the tripe since it is the one recommended and I don't want to get into a lot of modifications to make another brushless fit. From looking at the video, it appears to have plenty of power. :D I will probably use a 1300 MAH/11 volt pack I just got from HIMODEL http://www.himodel.com/. These are 20C packs and so far have performed well for the Guys in the club. We placed a giant order with them and got the stuff very quickly. :D BTW, Tower Hobbies is having a sale on BERG RXs. :) These are the very best on the market and only sell for $27.00!! I bought 2! Our club president was flying on the same channel (accidentally) as another member and got shot down. :mad: The other member had absolutely no interference problems. Apparently the BERG only looks at the signature of your transmitter and ignores everything else! :cool: These are bullet proof RXs. I am only going to use them from here on out. Had a flood here in NJ. :mad: Got 7" of rain in 2 days. :mad: :mad: We were supposed to have a fun fly today. It was canceled although I did suggest we call it a fun float. Apparently there are a few members in the club that didn't appreciate my humor. :( Oh Well! More to come. Martin

Sorry to hear about your flood... 7"? Oh my...

About those Bergs... I use those as well and have never had a problem. I would imagine that the 72MHz receivers will come down in price... I have my eye on a new Spektrum DX7 2.4GHz deal at the LHS. With all this park flying I know it is just a matter of time before I have a frequency clash. My Bergs have been great though and, yes, they are supposed to lock into the uniqueness that makes your TX yours. They are a million times better than the GWS RXs.

So do you like (or have you tried) the Rimfires? I've never heard and problems with them. I'm sure they are great. I'm always interested in other options. I've only used AXI and E-Flight and they both rock. I did get a smaller no-name "bell" outrunner which seems to work just fine, but it bent its shaft on the first nose-over. Oh well... live and learn...

I think Fun Float is great! Glue a couple water bottles to your landing gear and you are all set!

Franny

Gp Dri
 

Well Folks! I couldn't stand it anymore so I ordered (back ordered) the GP DRI from Tower Hobbies!!! It is scheduled for release at the end of this month. Now I need to order my motor and I will be all set (got everything else). :) Tonight I will look for the article on how to refinish plastic covering. Gee, that means I gotta buy some black and yellow paint too! :) Boy is my Wife gonna be mad! :D :D PS: I do deserve the tripe right? LOL :D Martin

Martin, EVERYONE deserves a tripe. Just promise you will hang it in her office when it is done and she will come around... What were you going to buy with that money anyway? Food? That tripe will LONG out live any food you might buy and the rent will be there next month so don't worry about that. Yes, it only airplanes that last forever. Just remember that...

Franny

I don't think you deserve a tripe till after I get one!!!After all, I'm the one that told ya about it!!! Just kidding! Can't wait to see it in the black and yellow. Of course you could go all red and do the Red Baron scheme! Steve.

Dri
 

You're killing me Steve! :mad: I refuse to enter the combat zone in a red triplane! :mad: BTW thanks Franny.... you think like I do!! :) Martin

Looks like my Sopwith tri and Camel are going to have a lot to hunt. Going to have to put them on the prow more. Can't have them Fokker tri taking control. :)

Guess I could get my Sopwith tripe built and start hunting for a Fokker that I can play checkers on with my bullets!!! King me!!! Steve.

Your tripe a kit or scratch?
Don

Bullets
 

How about I crown you with some Spandau bullets instead Steve! :D :eek: Martin

I am watching yard sales and fleamarkets for cheap toy guns that make an electronic bang. I want to take the sound module and see if I can install it in a plane. I do expermint with electronic too so I may see what I can do with parts I have on hand. I am wondering what one of the pulses to a brushless motor sounds like. If I can turn that into a bang it would be great.

My Tripehound kit is a Dare kit although Martin did supply me with a great set of plans for one!! Don't get scared and fire too long Martin or your guns will jam!!! Steve.

I really like the way mine flys. It is foam and has a wing span of 30 inches. I am using a GWBLM005B motor installed in a 380 B gearbox with 1080 prop. 8 AAA nimh cells. I am finally learning how to do nice looking loops.

Hi there, I thought you might like to take a look at these pics. We have quite a large group of WW1 aircraft enthusiasts in NZ who have amassed a nice collection of restored and replica planes:
http://www.webshots.com/search?new=1...ember%3A+ldpnz

KiwiKid

Thanks!
 

Thanks Kiwikid! I really enjoyed the pics. :) My all time favorite picture is the Blue Max (no computer graphics!) :D . It's great to see the Pfalz DIII is still around. Actually it's incredible! :D The film was made in 1966! :D :D The other planes were great to see also. Makes me wish I was there at the air show. I probably would have given a weeks pay to sit in the cockpits of all those fighters! ;) :eek: Ahh well. One can only dream. Martin

Hey All,

Here are few photos from a great flight today. Thanks to Ron the Sky Sharkster for some great shots!

I searched and searched, but no SE5s or Camels to chase... Where is everybody ;)

See ya,

Franny

I had the Sopwith tripe in the air this morning but probably before it was daylight there. HAHA

Well, I'll look for you next time ;)

f

My SE5A was on patrol at about 2:00 this afternoon, but I was about 1200 mi. N. of you, a little long-range for the guns! After a few failed attempts at t n' gs, (touch n' stop on the nose!), I got it right, and greased about 6 pretty runs down the strip, into long, easy climbouts. My, that looks good, if I do say so myself.:p Your pics look great; I had no camera, or operator, at the field today:( , so no proof that I was looking for you.
Brad.

BTW, I love the 3rd pic, just pull the trigger, and you've got me!:eek:

Hi Brad, Yeah, I'm a master of the "touch n' flop"...

Ron snapped some nice ones, huh? That is the money shot. No faking your wing alignment in that photo! Glad you had a nice day out. It was a bit cool here and breezy at times, but it had its moments. Looking forward to some photos of yours!

Franny

It is not touch and flop, it is the last stunt of the flight, a forward flip.

degreen, I like that attitude - lemonaid from lemons!;) I may borrow that line in the future; I'm sure I'll need it.

Franny, my day was similar, a little breezy at times, but I had a good window of very light air for about an hour, around 2:00, so took full advantage of it with the little bipe. I was actually at a pattern flying field seminar, and flew some of the Sportsman class moves with my Formosa. I have no intention of flying competitive pattern (precision aerobatics, to those that take it seriously), but learning to do the manouvers properly can really help one's everyday flying, especially with scale planes that you want to look real in flight. There were a lot of excellent tips presented on trimming models , and setting up radios, that apply to all types of flying, and the pattern guys seek every little thing that will give the pilot an edge. A very worthwhile few hours learning new stuff, for me.

I know a couple of buddies have both ground and flight pics of the SE5a, and have promised to forward them to me - I'll have to rattle their cages to get them, I guess.:mad:

Brad.

Hey Degreen60 and BradT!! I hear there have been some Fokkers flying around Denver and Southern Jersey! Anybody up for a little hunting? We'll go, "Spit some bullets into their crates!!!" Steve.

I had both Sopwiths up while ago. I think them Fokkers are to chicken to get close.

Going down
 

You're going down Steve! :eek: Say your prayers! :D Martin

whats the best source for WW1 Fokker color schemes?? dick

WWI camo
 

Try looking at these Dick. :) Martin
http://www.wwiaviation.com/lozenge.shtml
http://www.wwi-models.org/Images/Mil...nder/Albatros/
http://wwi-cookup.com/albatros/diii/...rson_diii.html
http://misterkitusa.com/9dfef5d6-cef...015385b-9.html

Fokker D7 colors
 

thanks a bunch, all stored away future use. dick

Try here
http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=23234

and here, this one has printable decals of 5-Color Lozenge Pattern Detail

http://www.aerodromerc.com/

Also I started a thread of WW1 unit decals. There is at least one Fokker decal there, a black bird. Some of the others may have been on Fokkers too.

Dick, thought you might like to have a look at these. I am a bit spoilt in NZ as we have a large band of WW1 buffs who have amassed a sizeable collection of WW1 and other replicas and rebuilds. They have no less than 7 DR1s now. Heres some pics (there are three pages) also a couple of YouTube vids of a DH2 and DH5 at one of their air shows plus the DR1s (this was a couple of years ago when they only had 5)

http://www.webshots.com/search?query...+ldpnz&start=0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_1XDAguncM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UifsGeM8N8c


KiwiKid

photos
 

thanks a bunch. they are fantastic. will save them as WWI is my new program. dick

Dri
 

Bad news everyone! :sad: Tower Hobbies is telling me that the release date on the GP DRI is now at the end of June! Man,am I mad!!! :mad: :mad: martin