E-Flite D-Va .25 size - Look what Santa brought me!
01-06-2016, 03:53 AM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 1,550
E-Flite D-Va .25 size - Look what Santa brought me!
Santa (aka my beautiful wife Sherry) put a beautiful surprise under the Christmas tree this year!
I am now the proud new pilot of an E-Flite D.Va Albatros.
I drooled over this platinum series ARF several years ago when they were new, but my budget and flying skills weren't up to buying one.
I did the maiden flight last Sunday morning and I'm happy to report that she flew very true and landed quite safely. I do have to admit; my knees were shaking! I have not been that nervous on a maiden flight for a Very long time!
Here are some pictures from the build. I will probably do the wire rigging in the future but I was itching to fly this beauty ASAP!
I am now the proud new pilot of an E-Flite D.Va Albatros.
I drooled over this platinum series ARF several years ago when they were new, but my budget and flying skills weren't up to buying one.
I did the maiden flight last Sunday morning and I'm happy to report that she flew very true and landed quite safely. I do have to admit; my knees were shaking! I have not been that nervous on a maiden flight for a Very long time!
Here are some pictures from the build. I will probably do the wire rigging in the future but I was itching to fly this beauty ASAP!
Last edited by max2112; 01-08-2016 at 03:13 AM.
01-08-2016, 03:27 AM
#3
Super Contributor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 1,550
Thanks, birdDog. 
This model is fantastic on every level.
I typed captions for each picture when I uploaded them and just now tried to 'Edit' and add them again. Still no captions.
So I'll try and summarize the build and maiden flight.
The landing gear was the only headache or thumbs-down aspect of the kit. The screws inside the fuselage were very hard to reach and fully tighten. And when mounted, there are slight gaps where 2 of the 4 landing leg arms join the fuse.
Other than that the fit and finish of this model are incredibly good. The covering was the best I've ever seen on an ARF.
I researched the kit before buying it so I knew this part ahead of time; it needs a LOT of weight in the nose to balance. I put 6 ounces in the very front and is still slightly tail heavy. I used lead weights in the cowling held in w/ 5 minute epoxy.
I will do the rigging at one point, but I was very keen on flying this beauty.
The maiden flight went well. I was EXTREMELY nervous with this model. So I stayed on the initial climb out for quite a while. After that I trimmed her while she was about 300 ft high. Then it was just lazy circuits, admiring her form.
It definitely flies and looks better with rudder input to initiate and maintain turns.
Hopefully next time out I will snag better pictures.
This model is fantastic on every level.
I typed captions for each picture when I uploaded them and just now tried to 'Edit' and add them again. Still no captions.
So I'll try and summarize the build and maiden flight.
The landing gear was the only headache or thumbs-down aspect of the kit. The screws inside the fuselage were very hard to reach and fully tighten. And when mounted, there are slight gaps where 2 of the 4 landing leg arms join the fuse.
Other than that the fit and finish of this model are incredibly good. The covering was the best I've ever seen on an ARF.
I researched the kit before buying it so I knew this part ahead of time; it needs a LOT of weight in the nose to balance. I put 6 ounces in the very front and is still slightly tail heavy. I used lead weights in the cowling held in w/ 5 minute epoxy.
I will do the rigging at one point, but I was very keen on flying this beauty.
The maiden flight went well. I was EXTREMELY nervous with this model. So I stayed on the initial climb out for quite a while. After that I trimmed her while she was about 300 ft high. Then it was just lazy circuits, admiring her form.
It definitely flies and looks better with rudder input to initiate and maintain turns.
Hopefully next time out I will snag better pictures.
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