Dave Platt ME109
09-14-2005, 10:38 AM
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Dave Platt ME109
Hey guys...I acquired a partially-built Dave Platt ME 109 kit. Making a list of things I need to complete it, I found that two items are no longer available... Platt's ME109 Cockpit Interior kit and, Williams Brothers 5-1/4" "Smooth Countour" wheels. Does anyone have any of these parts sitting around they'd like to part with?
Also, the suggested engine is the OS Max 90; also discontinued. Has anyone built this kit utililizing the OS 91FX? If so, how difficult is it the get the engine to start inverted? Thanks! Jerry
09-14-2005, 11:31 AM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
Skyflyer,
Dynamic Balsa has a cockpit kit for this that won't break the bank. Carl's right about the OS 1.08. Several posts have favored this engine as the power of choice for your 109.
As for the wheels/tires, I have a new set that I bought on eBay for too much money as I too have Platt 109 to build. They are hard but not impossible to find. If you're after a more scale appearance than the Williams Brothers wheels would permit, you might look into a set of Glennis Wheels but be prepared to spend some serious bucks. As nice as they are, I have a hard time justifying the cost when it would be just about the same amount of money to buy two tires for my 4-wheel drive.
Good luck!
Al
Dynamic Balsa has a cockpit kit for this that won't break the bank. Carl's right about the OS 1.08. Several posts have favored this engine as the power of choice for your 109.
As for the wheels/tires, I have a new set that I bought on eBay for too much money as I too have Platt 109 to build. They are hard but not impossible to find. If you're after a more scale appearance than the Williams Brothers wheels would permit, you might look into a set of Glennis Wheels but be prepared to spend some serious bucks. As nice as they are, I have a hard time justifying the cost when it would be just about the same amount of money to buy two tires for my 4-wheel drive.
Good luck!
Al
09-14-2005, 02:25 PM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
I am currently working on re-commissioning mine. It was built during the winter of '85/'86 and flew in 1986. I retired it until I thought I had the skills to fly it without tearing it up. While the skills have been around for quite awhile, I am just now getting a round tuit.
Mine has the O.S. 1.08 engine in it and it has lots of power. The 1.08 uses the same case as the discontinued .91 so it is a drop in fit. This time around I am using a Bisson muffler for inverted engines which will be far better than the old Slimline muffler used on it originally. This muffler fits almost completely within the cowl.
I am also modifying the original air retract setup. It has a set of Robinaire retracts and struts made for this plane. The air tank supplied with them and shown on the plans as being installed in the wing is just too small and provided an inadequate volume of air. I have installed one of the Robart large tanks in the fuselage (plenty of room in there!).
One other modification I would recommend for those who have not built this plane yet is to extend the wing centerline fiberglass reinforcement. Make it wide enough on the top of the wing that it extends to just beyond the ribs that the retract unit is connected to. A slightly rough landing caused a split in the wing skin right above the retract location.
I will also add fiberglass reinforcement to the bottom of the upper skin in the wheel wells.
One last tip: Make absolutely sure that spinner and backplate are precisely balanced! I experienced horrible vibration when the plane was flown.
Mine has the O.S. 1.08 engine in it and it has lots of power. The 1.08 uses the same case as the discontinued .91 so it is a drop in fit. This time around I am using a Bisson muffler for inverted engines which will be far better than the old Slimline muffler used on it originally. This muffler fits almost completely within the cowl.
I am also modifying the original air retract setup. It has a set of Robinaire retracts and struts made for this plane. The air tank supplied with them and shown on the plans as being installed in the wing is just too small and provided an inadequate volume of air. I have installed one of the Robart large tanks in the fuselage (plenty of room in there!).
One other modification I would recommend for those who have not built this plane yet is to extend the wing centerline fiberglass reinforcement. Make it wide enough on the top of the wing that it extends to just beyond the ribs that the retract unit is connected to. A slightly rough landing caused a split in the wing skin right above the retract location.
I will also add fiberglass reinforcement to the bottom of the upper skin in the wheel wells.
One last tip: Make absolutely sure that spinner and backplate are precisely balanced! I experienced horrible vibration when the plane was flown.
09-14-2005, 02:54 PM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
Hey guys, had a platt 109 with an OS 1.08. Flew it very well, in fact it's probably the perfect match for this airframe. Only problem was the "glow" mess. It had the Platt retracts and cockpit kit. Blue Box german pilot as well. Done up as Gerhard Barkhorn's G6. He was one of Germany's top aces. Sold it a few years ago here on RCU and assume it's still flying. Here's a few pics. Very nice flying plane and this one did not have flaps.
Dave
Minneapolis
Dave
Minneapolis
09-14-2005, 03:25 PM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
Thank you, one and all!
[[size=4][size=4]I often cuss and threaten to destroy this blasted computer...but how could I, when it provides the highway to such fast, friendly and constructive interchange with aeronuts around country and the world? Thanks again and, happy flying!
Jerry[size=4]
09-14-2005, 07:46 PM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
Steve...maybe all our discussions, etc. might be able to galvanize many of us with dusty boxes of Messerschmitt kits to open 'em up and clear the decks for a new build. Who knows?
09-14-2005, 07:54 PM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
Al...your comments about Glennis wheels are true. The site was suggested when I bought retracts for my Pica Spitfire. Maybe they will come out with an "economy" line of wheels one day that won't cost as much as the bloody retracts and kit.
09-15-2005, 07:36 AM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
your comments about Glennis wheels are true
Although I will add that they are a much higher quality product than the other brands, with much more research and and though put into them, thus the additional cost.
The economy route was already done by us, and died for lack of interest - customers simply wanted the high quality, exact scale appearance.
Dennis
Although I will add that they are a much higher quality product than the other brands, with much more research and and though put into them, thus the additional cost.
The economy route was already done by us, and died for lack of interest - customers simply wanted the high quality, exact scale appearance.
Dennis
09-15-2005, 08:30 AM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
[sm=confused.gif] I wonder what the cryptic "awaiting approval" seen in the Glennis Aircraft posting means. Are they the folk who will pick up where Williams Bros. left off?
09-15-2005, 10:12 AM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
Here are a few pics of some of my 109s. The color picture is of one of my Dave Platt 109s. (BTW – the OS 108 is gospel form that model) The two black and white pics are of my (PCM Models) 109s. If I build a scale model and put hundreds of hours into it, the cost of the Glennis wheels shrink to insignificance in my opinion. Not only are they right in the “looks†department, but also they have the strength and rigidity to hold up to a heavy warbird. They may not be for a guy with his first warbird or a 60 size model but if you are striving to make your model not only look right but perform well, you won’t go wrong with the Glennis stuff.
09-15-2005, 10:18 AM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
ORIGINAL: fly109
Here are a few pics of some of my 109s. The color picture is of one of my Dave Platt 109s. (BTW – the OS 108 is gospel form that model) The two black and white pics are of my (PCM Models) 109s. If I build a scale model and put hundreds of hours into it, the cost of the Glennis wheels shrink to insignificance in my opinion. Not only are they right in the “looks†department, but also they have the strength and rigidity to hold up to a heavy warbird. They may not be for a guy with his first warbird or a 60 size model but if you are striving to make your model not only look right but perform well, you won’t go wrong with the Glennis stuff.
Here are a few pics of some of my 109s. The color picture is of one of my Dave Platt 109s. (BTW – the OS 108 is gospel form that model) The two black and white pics are of my (PCM Models) 109s. If I build a scale model and put hundreds of hours into it, the cost of the Glennis wheels shrink to insignificance in my opinion. Not only are they right in the “looks†department, but also they have the strength and rigidity to hold up to a heavy warbird. They may not be for a guy with his first warbird or a 60 size model but if you are striving to make your model not only look right but perform well, you won’t go wrong with the Glennis stuff.
JG
09-15-2005, 11:46 AM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
ORIGINAL: Skyflyer
[sm=confused.gif] I wonder what the cryptic "awaiting approval" seen in the Glennis Aircraft posting means. Are they the folk who will pick up where Williams Bros. left off?
[sm=confused.gif] I wonder what the cryptic "awaiting approval" seen in the Glennis Aircraft posting means. Are they the folk who will pick up where Williams Bros. left off?
he is on the "awaiting approval" crap list here because he as a manufacturer
has had to come online here all too often and defend his Company and his line of wheels/tires.
so that being said, the high and all mighty's here have put him on their "A" list.
his wheels yes are costly, and heavy. BUT, when you look at the price for a pair of Robart wheels,
and than look at a pair of Glennis wheels, the difference is not alot.
read what Pat just posted above, and he is spot on. for a 4000.00 dollar aircraft, the wheels are
insignificant. why pay for cheap wheels for it. on a less costly warbird, its not as big of a deal.
and as far as them being heavy, well my 36.5 lb PCM 109 sets on here mains and tailwheel all
day long, 24/7, 52 weeks of the year, and they do not flat spot at all. try that with another wheel.
so, maybe they are a little heavy, but they are not going to go out of round, any time soon
09-15-2005, 11:50 AM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
An OS 1.08 has way, way more power than a 4 stroke YS 1.10. The OS 1.08 can turn a 18" prop while the largest the YS 1.10 can turn is a 14" You would probably need a Saito 1.50 or a YS 1.60 to get the same power output.
I noticed that the platt 109 is about the same size and weight as the Brian Taylor 83" spitfire. Do you think I could pull the spitfire around with a Super Tiger 2300, as I cant afford to go gas? I know gas is cheaper in the very long run, but there is the initial investment and then the there is always the chance that the engine will act as an earth plow and have a short life.
I noticed that the platt 109 is about the same size and weight as the Brian Taylor 83" spitfire. Do you think I could pull the spitfire around with a Super Tiger 2300, as I cant afford to go gas? I know gas is cheaper in the very long run, but there is the initial investment and then the there is always the chance that the engine will act as an earth plow and have a short life.
09-15-2005, 11:56 AM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
Jeff, the 2300 will pull around the 83" Taylor Spitfire just fine, IMHO. I have two of these awaiting construction (glass fuse version) and will probably put an old 2500 in one of them. I flew the 88" Dave Platt Spitfire with the old ST 2500 at 23 pounds and performance was what I would call scale. Keep your Taylor Spit at or below 20 pounds and the 2300 will be a good fit for it.
09-15-2005, 12:11 PM
#23
RE: Dave Platt ME109
ORIGINAL: jeffk464
Thanks for the feedback, the website gives the specs on the spit as between 16 to 18lbs. Is this unrealistic?
Thanks for the feedback, the website gives the specs on the spit as between 16 to 18lbs. Is this unrealistic?
More on the subject, what scale is Platt's 109?
JG
09-15-2005, 12:46 PM
#24
RE: Dave Platt ME109
ORIGINAL: rangerman
Why isn't anyone using the 4 stokes? I would like to use the YS 1.10 in mine when I get it. Has anyone built the Dave Platt and made a "airfoil" type veritcal stab?
Why isn't anyone using the 4 stokes? I would like to use the YS 1.10 in mine when I get it. Has anyone built the Dave Platt and made a "airfoil" type veritcal stab?
As for the weight issue - this is all perspective. If you want to fly big warbirds - the "dreamy"
days of wing loadings staying in the low "30's" is a handicap. Big models weigh more. The equipment in big models weigh more. This is a simple fact. When I build a model I look for equipment and hardware to fit the job I am doing. When it comes to tires and wheel on the subjects I choose, there simply is not another source that has the quailities I am looking for - which are 1] performance 2] looks, and at the bottom of the requirements list is cost. Here is a visual of a scale modelers worst nightmare
09-15-2005, 12:51 PM
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RE: Dave Platt ME109
I have some Glennis wheels and I have some of Robarts aluminum spoke wheels. Both are relatively heavy and sturdy. You get what you pay for here. If its going to be a good scale effort then go with Glennis. If its a sport scale and you want to keep costs down go with Robart. Cheaper wheels just don't seem to hold up at all for these bigger heavier birds.
Carl
Carl