M_Callahan

Congrats AK! A fine job of building and flying. Don't you just love it when a plane flies off the bench.
Looks like a keeper to me.

I'm going to covering my Dr-1 in a couple of weeks.

Mike

akbowen

My Feedback: (7)

Covering went a lot faster than I expected. What are you using?

M_Callahan

Sig Koverall. Stixit to attach it to the frame, Minwax pollycrylic to seal it.
Custom mixed latex paint from Home Depot.
Mine is going to done as a Jasta mate of yours. Werner Steinhauser, yellow stab with
red stripes.

Mike

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

So where are the pictures?!

baldguy

My Feedback: (4)

Great building! I've got a silly question here. Have some folks been stretching the nose a bit on the Dr.1? Some look like they have a bit longer nose ahead than others, which I can understand for cg reasons, but to me looks bad.

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

The nose on the BUSA DR1 is a little longer than scale, maybe by about 2", but the big difference is in the cowl. That adds another 3" or so. That is why I modified mine with a Glenn Torrence cowl. It really improves the looks. The long nose is the first thing I notice as well.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I think they probably stretched the nose for the CG and to improve the flying characteristics. I have heard its one of the best flying DR1s. The DR1 is a handful to fly and ground handling is even more of a challenge.

baldguy

My Feedback: (4)

I know of guys that use a live axle and it makes the ground handling much better. I just can't stand a long nosed Dr.1. The other cowl option does sound good though.

akbowen

My Feedback: (7)

You know, that's what everyone said to me. Ground handing is a bit of a PITA. You simply should not fly in a crosswind. If you do, most likely, you will damage the plane landing it. That said, I have a fixed tail skid and have not had any real trouble with it. Just hold a bit of down elevator and bump the throttle when you want to turn. Point her into the wind and off she goes. As far as the flying goes, mine flys great. It's not much more trouble than a trainer plane. A couple of guys at my field have flown it and they are amazed because they were told the same thing "Triplanes don't fly well." This one does. Thanks BUSA.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I have always heard if you want a good flying triplane go with BalsaUSA. The DR1 is still on my short list.

Sundance2018

Hi Everybody -

I confess that I have only read through a portion of this thread, but am getting very excited about buying and building a Balsa USA DR.1!!
So I have a few questions for you fellows.....(please forgive me if some/all of these are already in the thread somewhere):

First of all, I've been looking at as much as I can regarding the BUSA kit, vs. Flair vs. AZM and I think I've settled on the BUSA model, but I would like to build it with fairly scale details. Am curious, though, what you fellas think about the Flair kit?

I have found that Spandau machine gun kits, engine cylinder kits (I presume you use the LeRhone rotary, which is virtually identical to the Oberursel) and vintage wheels are readily available, but not sure about where to get a WWI German pilot figure? Does Proctor maybe have those?

I read somewhere in the thread about a spring loaded scale tail skid and wing skids - are these features of the BUSA kit - shown on the plans - or do I need to make them myself? If I need to make them myself, where can I find information about details for these pieces?

How about a cockpit kit? From Glenn Torrance's website, it looks like accessories for the 1/4 scale DR.1 are no longer available as he is focusing strictly on his new SE5-A. Also, I can't seem to find anything from AZM for a DR.1. They have an instrument kit for the DVII.

Lastly, I read in the thread about changing the outboard wing strut into individual pieces. In the BUSA kit, is this spar a single piece of hardwood, plywood or what is it and how is it mounted?

I will be powering my model with a Mintor 33cc gas engine, which I think should be plenty good enough for power.

Thanks - Tom

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

I would shoot GTM an email and see what he has. You especially want the cowl from him. Try to acquire as many books as you can. You will find the DR1 had minimal instruments.

The interplane struts are one piece when built stock to the kit. I made mine separate on my last build as all around I felt it was the better way to go. Much of this stuff will have to be engineered and fabricated by you, as the basic design is just that. I feel the kit is somewhat of a blank canvas though, and it is a great place to start, being able to make it as detailed as you want. You know you will have a good flying plane when you are done. I am talking about the BUSA here.

Sundance2018

Thanks!
I had already contacted Glenn and he doesn't have anything for any of the 1/4 scale or 1/3 scale DR.1 let alone for others of his kits. Unfortunately, I will probably have to suffer w/ the BUSA cowl or get a fiberglass one from Fiberglass Specialties.

As far as books are concerned - do you have any recommendations? I've done some looking on the net, but it's hard to tell what is a good resource vs. not.

Cheers -Tom

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

This is the one you want. http://www.amazon.com/Fokker-Dr-I-To...okker+dr1+book


Too bad about GTM. That is the one thing about this hobby, good products come and go. For the tripe, the cowling is the biggy IMO. For the Fokker DVII it is the lozenge fabric. Thankfully, he still has that as his is the best.

I think you will find most of your detail info in that book. It is all artist impressions, but then again, so are our models really.

Sundance2018

Hi Again!

I looked forever for that very book a few months ago and cou;ld not find it. Even tried book dealers in Europe and Australia.....everywhere. I think I ran across one copy on Ebay for literally like $5000!!!

So if you know where I am able to get a copy of that book please do tell!

Thx - Tom

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

That is crazy. It is a brand new book. I wonder if they only published one run of them? I got mine when it was first released for like $30 a year ago. I wanna get the DVII as well. It looks like the price for it has gone up as well.

wings2an3

My Feedback: (1)

I purchase both books from Amazon back in November 2012 and well worth the money.

Sundance2018

Does anybody know where to get a copy of the book or is willing to sell their copy to me?

chris1971

Sundance try here. Says 18 euro so i dont know where its from but still cheaper than 5000!



http://scaleplasticandrail.com/kaboo...ft-from-kagero

Sundance2018

Thanks for the tip....but just like every place else....it is listed as unavailable.

chris1971

Sorry. Have you tried this one?

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

So I wonder if GTM is going to offer his 1/3rd scale Fokkers again? I really wanted a DVII at some point. The SE 5 must be the only thing he is doing now.

chris1971

Oops, didnt work!

Its got some good pics and info.]

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

That is a good one. The Kagero book is good, but it does have some problems, and it is all computer generated. Do not stress too much about it not being available. There are other books out there.

chris1971

Verticle grimmace,
I came to warbirds over the rockies a few years ago and there were 5 dr1s there. Was one of them yours?