1/12 Scale Gotha G.IV  
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1/12 Scale Gotha G.IV - 8/27/2008 3:39:15 AM   
vonJaerschky



Posts: 220
Joined: 8/25/2002
From: Comox, BC, CANADA
Status: offline 		I have a build thread posted on R/C Groups, but thought this airplane might generate some interest here, too, even if it is electric. Wingspan is 78", and it is scratch built. I originally intended to build it from Cleveland plans, but those plans didn't match my 3-views very well and the structure depicted was not the best for a flying model. So I changed things quite a bit. For wing ribs I had Aerodrome R/C cut me a set with the same undercambered airfoil as their 57" Albatros C.III, which I have been flying for almost 3 years now. The airplane has always impressed me with its slow flight characteristics, and seeing as I wanted a lumbering bomber, I thought it would be a good match for this airplane. Turns out I was right, as the airplane is an absolute joy at slow speeds. It really plays the part of a lumbering WW1 bomber, and looks great in the air. Despite its non-conventional looks, the airplane is actually a puddycat in the air. The ailerons are very slow, but the rudder is quite effective. One charateristic that I need to watch out for is that this airplane is capable of flying so slowly that the control surfaces lose effectiveness. A quick blast of throttle blows some wind over the tail, and everything is OK again.

A characteristic of the real airplane is that it had a tendency to nose over, a lot! I built this characteristic into my model. For the maiden attempt, I couldn't take off. Even the slightest amount of power resulted in a nose over. So I removed the nose weight and tried again. OK, not the smartest thing to do to get a new model airborne. But up it went, and it was tail heavy, but flew OK. After I landed (with the necessary nose over, of course), I removed the landing gear and bent up a new set that moved the axles a full 1.25" forward. Now the airplane is a sweetheart on the ground and in the air. Luckily I run into very few Gotha experts that can notice that my landing gear is not exactly in the right spot.

Power is a pair of Speed 400's on MP Jet 3.46:1 gearboxes with Zinger 9X5 props. I went with brushed motors because when I first started it was sort of a "well, maybe it will fly" project, and I didn't want to fork out the dough for twin brushless. Turns out that this is a good power match. It cruises easily at 1/2 thorttle and gets off the ground very quickly. Of course the 50oz flying weight an 9oz/sq ft wingloading help! With that big wing and light wing loading, it is a calm weather airplane only. Still, when the weather is right, this is a majestic beauty. I still have some work to do, as I need to custom make the crew and also fit the two Parabellum machine guns.

IMAA legal, on a pair of Speed 400's. Love it!

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< Message edited by vonJaerschky -- 8/27/2008 3:42:59 AM >
       Post #: 1

RE: 1/12 Scale Gotha G.IV - 8/27/2008 4:49:46 AM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5640
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: online 		I have just one word: ENVY!!!

(in reply to vonJaerschky)
       Post #: 2

RE: 1/12 Scale Gotha G.IV - 8/27/2008 5:00:26 AM   
TFF


 

Posts: 894
Joined: 10/30/2006
From: Memphis, TN, USA
Status: online 		Beautiful!

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 3

RE: 1/12 Scale Gotha G.IV - 8/27/2008 5:04:55 AM   
vonJaerschky



Posts: 220
Joined: 8/25/2002
From: Comox, BC, CANADA
Status: offline 		Thanks guys. Almost forgot, there is video: http://www.vimeo.com/1488602 is the first flight. I'm launching the airplane on my knees because even with the nose weight out, I had to hold the tail and apply full throttle and up elevator to prevent nose over.

2nd flight http://www.vimeo.com/1513548 went much better with the new landing gear position. The landing still terminated with a nose over. I was still getting used to flying this beast, and the wind picked up into a fairly good crosswind, too.

(in reply to TFF)
       Post #: 4

RE: 1/12 Scale Gotha G.IV - 8/27/2008 5:08:28 AM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5640
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: online 		Majestic. That's another good word.

(in reply to vonJaerschky)
       Post #: 5

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