Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

I hear there's a lot of these plans being sold.Whats everyone going to power this baby with?I wish I could afford a 100cc twin like it calls for on the plans but I cant.I do have a Quadra 75 that may do the job.
Also I noticed there are no flaps shown on the wing plan.Does the Decathalon not have flaps?Cause I think I'll be putting it on floats later.Any comments appreciated..Steve

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

I've started framing fuse on mine. Probably a zdz100 but not sure yet. I like flaps too but am going to research this more first. will post pics.later. :)

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

SteveD, I've looked at a lot of photos of Super Decathlons and have yet to see one with flaps.

inthetrees, what do you think of the Hostetler plans? Did you get the 33% size? Have you come up with a list of materials? Are you cutting it out or using a kit cutter? Thanks for the answers.

Ken

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Precision cut kits did a good job cutting ( had a couple minor boo boo s but easily fix ) laser 33% plans pretty good , would have liked full top view of fuse , but easily made off plan half top view.

Fullscale Super Dec. has no flaps so no flaps...

Plans for experienced builder study them well and it all works.
No written inst. only notes on plan.

But what a beautiful plane it makes...

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

photo full scale

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Yes thats a pretty lookin Super Dec .Id like to see more Super Dec pics with closeups of interiors etc.Where can I find those on the net?
I'm getting a Precision Cut kit pretty soon..Steve

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Hi there!

I have a whole bunch of SD pics that I got from many web sites.

Here is one of the interior. If you want more send me an email.

I had to shrink this one. It was much bigger.

I have a Dynaflight SD and just love it.

RSN

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Here is another shot. The image at the bottom left is called the 8K paint job. I gather from the site it cost $8000 extra.

RSN

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Here is one more.

RSN

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Great photos! I've found quiet a few by doing a search for Super Decathlon on google.com. There are certainly a lot of different color schemes on the SD.

I'm going to order the plans pretty quickly and since I'm retired I'll probably buy a load of balsa and start cutting. I happen to have a 6.4 twin that would haul it nicely.

Ken

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Hi SD Lovers.

I have packed a bunch of SD (23) pics into a zipped file that is about 850K.

If you want me to forward it send an email and I will be happy to send it.

I am looking for the web site that I got the paint job from. I also have the same stuff for the Fokker DR1, Spacewalker, etc, etc. Will try to find ASAP.


Here is the web site for the official bellanca-champ club. I got to most of the pics through this site.

http://www.bellanca-championclub.com/

RSN

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

fuse framing 33% decathlon

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

another view

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

still more

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Thanks for the pics InTheTrees keep em coming.Right now I'm finishing my 1/3 Tri-plane(Fokker) and am itchin to start my Decathalon soon.
I would like to know how you post pics on RCU.Then I could post some pics of the DR1 with a Saito 450 sittin on the front.Hows it done?...Thanks Steve

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

pics are easy when u use post reply button after text box move down to attach file click brouse and get your pics from where ever you have them on your system I put mine in" my documents" just be sure the file is not too big digital cameras are great

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

In The Trees and others...

after reviewing my plans I would like to change the wing mount wood "sliders" that Wendell seems to like to a "wing tube" system. EZ on off, probably lighter and maybe stronger and none of that "is that all that holds the wings on" crap at the field.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Ron

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Ron, what do you not like about the "wood sliders"? I've studied Wendell's plans thoroughly in this area and it looks like a good way to do it. It even sets the 2 degree dihedral. It makes the interior also look more scale which it wouldn't with a wing tube. I have an 11 year old PT-19 which Hostetler designed with the same box/plug arrangement and it has never given me any trouble.

Ken

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Well Ken, I can't argue with anything that lasts 11 years... that bird looks brand spanking new in the picture.
I guess I have built too many aerobatic birds with wing tubes in them, this set-up just look like alot of work, but like I said, 11 years is a pretty good referral to do it his way.
Thanks, I was just thinking out loud.
By the way, how was the PT-19 to build, what power did you use and how does she fly... I just might consider that after the Decathelon.
Thanks, Ron

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Ron, the PT-19 flies just like the real trainer did and is a real pleasure to fly. I use a Sachs 3.7 in it. The plans are typical Hostetler, minimum but adequate information. Very convential construction, balsa and ply.

Back to the Decathlon. I never had any problem with the box/plug wing construction but I do suggest that anyone building this type reinforce the box where it comes flush with the end of the wing with a wrap of 1/2" wide fiberglass and epoxy. This is the highest stress point on the box. The box needs to be constructed with a piece of plug material (ply or bass wood) inside to insure that the width spacing is correct. Be careful not to glue the plug material in the box. To prevent this, do not have the plug material as tall as the box interior. The final plug needs to be a smooth sliding fit. I will probably use aircraft ply for the plug.

For those of you that have the plans to the 33% SD there is a note on the bottom of the bottom of the fuselage sheet that says section F2A. It indicates that this is the "true" length of F16. In no way can I see that it would fit any of the drawings of F16 above even taking into consideration the angles involved. F16 length is pretty critical in that it sets the incidence angle of the wing. What did I miss? BTW I will probably make this piece out of a 3 piece sandwich of 1/8" AC ply to allow for the imbedded wire.

Ken

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Ken and all ,if you look at my pic in post #14 you can see F3 and F4 set wing incidence I double and triple checked measurements

I am going to glue F16 with wire in it to F15 and let bottom be short end of stick yes I agree F16 is short by plan drawing but I tack glued F16 on to F15 just to ck fit it seems to work.

It's my guess F3 & F4 come out after complete frame up of fuse.
I tack glued them in and after completing fuse and glassing inner wing saddle area will cut them out.

If I appear to be wrong on any of this Please let me know.

Thanks Jeff :rolleyes:

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

In case you were wondering, our fellow club member John Krohn built either the 30 or 33% Decathalon for Wendell. He also built the Dynaflight Decathalon for the IMAA magazine last year. I bought that one off of John and fly it on the west coast giant scale events. Would you be interested in e-mailing John about his tips for Wendell's aircraft?

BTW he also built the 30% Gee Bee Z shown two years ago at Wendell's Toledo booth.



Dan

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

YES YES



Hey DANMILO any more pics of SD???

Jeff

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

I talked to John tonight at our club meeting. He says he can't respond to a lot of requests but he told me he scratch built the Decathalon before Wendell sent him an All-American Kit Cutters edition. He is a fast enough builder he had the scratch built done in a few months. Uncomprehensible to me but to him no big deal.

The Dynaflite Decathalon (in Citabria colors) was covered in S**** fabric and painted with S**** paint. Typical of John's building skills. I will take it to the QSAA event in Las Vegas on October 11, 12th. The same weekend as TOC in Las Vegas as well. This picture was from the 2002 West Coast IMAA event at Castle AFB.

Site of the 2003 IMAA Rally of the Giants!


Dab

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

progress continues on 33% SD a little bit at a time :)