Great Planes Fokker Dr-1 ARF : Did I bite off more than I can chew?
08-05-2010, 03:54 AM
#1
Ace in Training
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 20
Great Planes Fokker Dr-1 ARF : Did I bite off more than I can chew?
Hi everyone,
I'm fairly new to the flying game still, but I started off with a HZ Supercub that I can fly pretty well, and I'm slowly mastering the clearview simulator for a bunch of aircraft.
I recently purchased the Great Planes Fokker Dr-1 ARF kit--yes, I know not a beginner plane, but I am looking forward to the assembly process. I've found a few threads in other forums, but I am looking for some feedback from anyone who has the plane--and especially to see if anyone wouldn't mind talking me through any sticky situations I run into with the build. I haven't bought any of the components besides the kit yet, because I wanted to read through the manual a few times with the pieces actually in front of me.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Redlegwolf08
I'm fairly new to the flying game still, but I started off with a HZ Supercub that I can fly pretty well, and I'm slowly mastering the clearview simulator for a bunch of aircraft.
I recently purchased the Great Planes Fokker Dr-1 ARF kit--yes, I know not a beginner plane, but I am looking forward to the assembly process. I've found a few threads in other forums, but I am looking for some feedback from anyone who has the plane--and especially to see if anyone wouldn't mind talking me through any sticky situations I run into with the build. I haven't bought any of the components besides the kit yet, because I wanted to read through the manual a few times with the pieces actually in front of me.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Redlegwolf08
08-05-2010, 01:51 PM
#2
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 158
That plane looks great. I found a couple of reviews for you, they often talk about the assembly of the plane and any problems:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=657521
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=887
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=657521
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=887
08-06-2010, 01:03 AM
#3
"nin caca da manga"
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 135
If you arent ready for the DR1, try the SE5A ,its a great flying and easy handling plane as well. The DV11 is another one thats easy to handle also.Building should be pretty easy as they are well thought out arfs. Brutus
08-06-2010, 09:30 AM
#4
Ace in Training
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 20
Tx and Rx
I've already started collecting all the components to build the Fokker Dr-1, and I am committed. From anyone who has already built and flown theirs, or anyone with the tech experience:
For the most part I am sticking with the reccomended accesscories-
1. Motor: Rimfire C28-30-950 brushless
2. SS-25 25 brushless ESC
3. Servos: Futaba S3107 x 4
What I am torn about right now is the Tx and Rx. The kit reccomends a Futaba (Price for TX and Rx, plus another two servos I didn't see before I bought a 4 pack of S3107 is 110 dollars). My friend who flies is switching to the Spektrum Dx5e. I apologize for my ignorance, but will this work for my purposes with everything else pretty much being the reccomended items? I like the idea of being able to use one receiver for multiple aircraft--any input would be greatly appreciated.
For the most part I am sticking with the reccomended accesscories-
1. Motor: Rimfire C28-30-950 brushless
2. SS-25 25 brushless ESC
3. Servos: Futaba S3107 x 4
What I am torn about right now is the Tx and Rx. The kit reccomends a Futaba (Price for TX and Rx, plus another two servos I didn't see before I bought a 4 pack of S3107 is 110 dollars). My friend who flies is switching to the Spektrum Dx5e. I apologize for my ignorance, but will this work for my purposes with everything else pretty much being the reccomended items? I like the idea of being able to use one receiver for multiple aircraft--any input would be greatly appreciated.
08-06-2010, 02:03 PM
#5
"nin caca da manga"
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 135
Forget the 500 series receiver if its the full range one with the one long antenna,read the reviews ,theres problems with them. Stick with the 600 series.I have the reccomended motor and esc in my SPAD and DR1 and in the rest Ive got the 28 30 09 from Heads up RC and the ESCs from HobbyPartz. The stuff from HeadsUp is first class,and shipping is only $2 no matter how much stuff you buy. HobbyPartz,also first class stuff, has $4 shipping. When I first got back into the hobby I bought the reccomended stuff also.I soon realized you could find equal or better quality parts for MUCH less than the name brand stuff.The DR1 and SPAD I have use the reccomended mtr, esc, servos at a cost of well over $100 ,Ive had trouble with one of the RimFire motors. In my DV11,SE5A, Nieuport 11, and Maxford USA Albatross I have either Heads up or HobbyPartz servos,motors and esc combos and never had a problem with any of them.Total cost,servos,esc and motor less than $50. Not to say there perfect but so far so good.That being said,you need to either make or buy an adapter to make the other motors fit,Airland Hobbies nas them,call them and ask for them,there not listed on the web site. Scott at airland knows what they are and they are cheap! I bought a half dozen as I like the WW1 series EFly has and plan on buying all of them.The Spektrum is a great Tx and Rx I have the dx7 and never a problem.I just bought the 500 series receiver and then I read there were problems with them.Most of the guys at my field use Spektrum radios and everyone seems happy with them. You can use the rx for almost any size plane without a problem.I dont know if I helped or hindered but I think the Electrifly WW1 series are easy flying planes. Count on nose overs on landing if you have a grass field thats not groomed real low and not much ground handling on a grass field either. I still say the SE5A should be your first WW1 plane but good luck! Keep us informed on your progress.Brutus
08-06-2010, 06:33 PM
#7
Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WA State
Posts: 843
As far as the Fokker DR1, there's a couple things to be aware of.
You will want to NOT use the little lugs that glue into the wings for the struts. They break very easily. You should either use them as a pattern for some better quality plywood, (get some 1/16 thick ply and laminate yourself), or enlarge the openings in the wings just a big and laminate some 1/16 ply to the existing lugs. If you leave them stock, you WILL break them at some point. Most likely after landing on your maiden flight.
With that said, it's a really cool plane, and is easier to fly than I expected. I used two AA batteries taped under the motor mount for some additional nose weight. I will eventually try flight with one removed.
This plane LOVES to climb. You pretty much don't use much elevator with it, you can climb by giving more throttle.
When landing, keep in mind it does not glide well. It needs power to be held at about 1/4 throttle to keep from dropping too fast. Come in at a decent clip, and don't let off the throttle until all the way down. Be prepared to give full up elevator once it's down. If not, it will nose over, and the stock lugs in the wings WILL break apart.
I like the plane, but it's not for a beginner. I agree, the SE5 is better for someone less experienced.
You will want to NOT use the little lugs that glue into the wings for the struts. They break very easily. You should either use them as a pattern for some better quality plywood, (get some 1/16 thick ply and laminate yourself), or enlarge the openings in the wings just a big and laminate some 1/16 ply to the existing lugs. If you leave them stock, you WILL break them at some point. Most likely after landing on your maiden flight.
With that said, it's a really cool plane, and is easier to fly than I expected. I used two AA batteries taped under the motor mount for some additional nose weight. I will eventually try flight with one removed.
This plane LOVES to climb. You pretty much don't use much elevator with it, you can climb by giving more throttle.
When landing, keep in mind it does not glide well. It needs power to be held at about 1/4 throttle to keep from dropping too fast. Come in at a decent clip, and don't let off the throttle until all the way down. Be prepared to give full up elevator once it's down. If not, it will nose over, and the stock lugs in the wings WILL break apart.
I like the plane, but it's not for a beginner. I agree, the SE5 is better for someone less experienced.
08-11-2010, 06:10 AM
#9
Ace in Training
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 20
The kit arrived, and it is awesome. Only issue is a few wrinkles in the monokote; is there a way to smooth it out with a regular iron, or am I barking up the wrong tree. Ought I give in a just buy a monokote smoothing iron, or does a shirt over an iron work?
08-11-2010, 09:06 AM
#10
Super Contributor
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Hesperia, So. Calif
Posts: 19,264
Originally Posted by Redlegwolf08
The kit arrived, and it is awesome. Only issue is a few wrinkles in the monokote; is there a way to smooth it out with a regular iron, or am I barking up the wrong tree. Ought I give in a just buy a monokote smoothing iron, or does a shirt over an iron work?
the sealing iron is good when your covering a model from scratch, its used to seal the edges, then you use the Hot air gun,
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXL498&P=0
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXL499&P=0
Last edited by CHELLIE; 08-12-2010 at 07:03 AM.
08-11-2010, 12:50 PM
#12
Flying Fish
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bloomfield, Indiana
Posts: 1,995
Originally Posted by CHELLIE
Great Planes Fokker Dr-1 ARF : Did I bite off more than I can chew?
yes you did, send the model to me and everything will be OK
Just kidding, Take care, Chellie
yes you did, send the model to me and everything will be OK
Just kidding, Take care, Chellie
08-11-2010, 05:23 PM
#13
Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WA State
Posts: 843
Yes, a heat gun is great for this stuff, but just be VERY careful. You can easily burn thru the covering if left in one spot for more than a second or two. Quick sweeping motion is best. Honestly, I'd live with the minor wrinkles.
Remember the wood lugs. I know it's a pain, but you really will want to make new ones, or alter those stock ones to be stronger. MANY owners will tell you that, yours will not be an exception.
Remember the wood lugs. I know it's a pain, but you really will want to make new ones, or alter those stock ones to be stronger. MANY owners will tell you that, yours will not be an exception.
08-12-2010, 04:53 AM
#16
Ace in Training
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 20
Anybody go crazy and make a ton of lugsthey want to sell?
In all seriousness though, I will make new lugs from the 1/16'' birch, but did you all make new struts too?
I picked up some fiberclass cloth to reinforce the motor mount, which I read is fairly weak. Am I right in that I epoxy the two same shaped pieces of the mount together with nothing between them? Why wouldn't it have just been made to be one thicker piece?
Thanks for all your help everyone.
In all seriousness though, I will make new lugs from the 1/16'' birch, but did you all make new struts too?
I picked up some fiberclass cloth to reinforce the motor mount, which I read is fairly weak. Am I right in that I epoxy the two same shaped pieces of the mount together with nothing between them? Why wouldn't it have just been made to be one thicker piece?
Thanks for all your help everyone.
08-15-2010, 03:39 AM
#19
Super Contributor
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Southern New Jersey
Posts: 1,312
You're in for it
Originally Posted by degreen60
Then stop flying those planes with the black crosses on them and I won't shoot at you. LOL
08-19-2010, 07:48 PM
#22
Balsa Builder
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Baerum Norway
Posts: 303
Do you have a experienced friend to fly it for you for the first flights? Will be a pity to crash such a nice model on the Maiden.
Is This Plane For a Beginner?
This plane is not for a beginner. Nor should it be a first aileron trainer. It is too maneuverable for those without aileron experience. That said, it is a great plane for the pilot who has learned how to fly an aileron plane. It is capable of great acrobatics for the intermediate and expert pilot.
This plane is not for a beginner. Nor should it be a first aileron trainer. It is too maneuverable for those without aileron experience. That said, it is a great plane for the pilot who has learned how to fly an aileron plane. It is capable of great acrobatics for the intermediate and expert pilot.
08-19-2010, 09:47 PM
#24
Ace in Training
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 20
Yeah...I get it...not for the beginner. More concerned about the build right now. I was so excited to locate the right screws that I overlooked the screws that actually come with the motor, which mounted it just fine. No, it will be me flying it, I might get to practice on my buddy's corsair a bit, but other than that it is just sim time.
08-19-2010, 10:16 PM
#25
Flying Fish
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bloomfield, Indiana
Posts: 1,995
Originally Posted by scalercflyer
The Black Baron Von Marty is on degreen's tail... he sights along the barrels of his Spandaus... as he does, he has a small moment of regret but he realizes he must serve the Fatherland.... slowly he squeezes the triggers...
Degreen shoves the stick on his Camel into a right turn with some up and because of the torque of the motor turns 270 degrees in less time than Marty can turn 90 degrees to try and follow him. Marty wonders where he went as degreen lines up on his tail. Should degreen shoot? No just let Marty return red faced to tell about the plane that just dissapeared.
Don't us kids have fun here. LOL
Last edited by degreen60; 08-20-2010 at 11:27 AM.
