FokkerD7

My Feedback: (5)

jtisch not sure about the wire but, what about mounting a second receiver, battery and switch in the top wing center section. I did my 1/3 that way. The under side radiator was my access to the system. Just a thought

feep

Hey guys I have the Dave Johnson plans (1/4 scale) and laser cut parts but need some instructions. Been looking for the Model Airplane News article with no luck. Can anyone help

jtisch

I don't think there was an article for the 1/4 scale version. The 1/3rd scale version, IIRC was in MAN and should be helpful. I looked through the library though and couldn't come up with it. While not instructions per se, I did have a thread over on The Aerdrome showing initial construction and I think L-dog and barzini and myself would be able to help if you get stuck. The wings and tail are very straight-forward to build.

J

feep

Yeah the wings do look pretty normal. the fuselage is another matter. I read where Barzini was using a 3/4 " rod. Was that acting as some sort of jig?

barzini

My Feedback: (4)

Yes,there should be holes in the center of all your fuselage formers to slide a tube in.This will allow you to build the fuse straight.Make a hole in the firewall too so you can get the tube out.

Lucky Dog

My Feedback: (1)

On Dave's later Albatros projects, he changed from a round tube to a square tube to further reduce the possibility of a twist developing in the fuse. I don't think it would be that difficult to (carefully) change the round openings to square (once you determine what size square towel/curtain rod you're using). I developed a twist in my DJ-DIII fuse, and had to create a way to twist and hold the fuse straight while I sheeted it. It worked, but it was a challenge.

feep

Thanks for the info Mike, but you're 2 days late !!. That sounds like an excellent idea. I have already framed from the rear bulkhead to the fire wall. I used an aluminum broom handle and so far it looks pretty true. Explain, if you would, how you know about Dave Johnson's problems. Was it from the article? The plans I have are wonderful but I sure could use some directions. The threads I have followed all seem to have omitted the fuselage so
Right now I feel like I'm out on a frozen pond and the ice is cracking. Every step I take is tentative. But I will keep moving forward.

barzini

My Feedback: (4)

Feep,
Keep at it.What area are you having a problem with?

Lucky Dog

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Feep,
It was either mentioned on one of the build threads for his 1/4 scale DVa, or Dave told me about it when I called him in a panic about "how do I fix the twist?". I was just careless, I'm sure yours will be fine.
Jtish has a build thread for his on The Aerodrome forum that may be helpful (i know it has been for me). It goes back to 2007. (Gawd, have I been draggig my feet on my build for that long?) http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=30629

feep

Barzini, I'm not having trouble as much as anxiety worrying that I'll omit something or glue something before I complete something else. Thanks for your encouragement.

Mike, I've found the thread on TheAerodrome and a picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks I'll post some pics to show you my progress

feep

sorry for the D7 pic I was testing and I thought I deleted it. I think from this point on i will do a build thread on the fuselage. What do you guys think/ Should I start another thread or remain on this one?

jwrich

My Feedback: (17)

Here is a picture of my BUSA Fokker D VII, I like the color scheme also.




Rich

FokkerD7

My Feedback: (5)

Rich looks great would that be a 1/3? I have one that it all white except for marking.

jtisch

I think I mentioned it on the Aerodrome thread, but if you are going for scale, you will want to re-draw the Trailing Edge of the Elevator. As it is on the plans it is too straight.

J

jwrich

My Feedback: (17)

Fokker D-7, my D VII is 1/4 scale, I love flying it, it makes me look good

Rich

FokkerD7

My Feedback: (5)

They fly great don't they !!!

Lucky Dog

My Feedback: (1)

I'd say post here on this thread. When I start working on mine again, I'll be posting some on this thread (I'd say that would be soon, but that hasn't been true for the past two years).

feep

Ok so here it goes, My first build thread. I am going to focus on the fuselage since I found that to be a little out of the ordinary. And not too much in the way of direction. With apologies to Dave Johnson.

I started with an aluminum broom handle I found at home depot that was pretty close to the size of the holes on the rear bulkheads. I got a drill bit that was the same size and fabricated a cross brace for the F7 bulkhead and drilled a hole. The hole is located at the point were lines intersect from the top & bottom stringer and the 2 side stringers.

Over the side view I marked the locations of the bulkheads on the Broom handle (hereafter refered to as the "jig"} I then made 2 braces to hold the jig fore & aft. The holes in the these braces were drilled at the same location as hole in the the F7 hole on it's side.

On the F7 bulkhead cross brace I glued 8 ply scaps, cut at 90 degrees to help keep the bulkhead perpendicular to the jig. As i assembled the Fuselage I worked from the F7 back and then, from the F7 forward.

Once the 90 degree braces were in place, I slid the bulkheads on the jig and lined the F7 up over the plan. From here, I lined up the F8 brace and began gluing the stringers to F7 and F8. First the side stringer closest to the plans, Then The opposite side stinger, then the top and bottom. Before each stinger was glued, I made sure the F8 bulkhead was square and used a pair of dividers to make sure each stinger was attached at the same distance as the previous. Once the side stringers and top & bottom stringers were glued and I was satisfied with the position of the F8 bulkhead I began gluing the corner stringers. It doesn't hurt to double check the distance with the dividers as you glue these. Continue this way back to F10.

Once the rear of the Fuselage was framed, I worked forward. I omitted the F6 bulkhead and started with the F5, prepared in the same fashion as the F7 and installed like the other bulkheads. As per Barzini's suggestion I drilled a hole in the F4 firewall and slid it on the Jig, but I Have not glued it in place. At this point I installed the 2 light ply sides and installed the F6 bulkhead also. F3 is now installed just like F5. Insure that it is square to the jig and double check each position as you glue each stringer. I measured from F5.

feep

Fore & aft braces for the jig. The fuselage is built on it's side so the holes represent the distance from the side of F7 to the middle of the cross brace

feep

second pic is the cross brace for the F7 bulkhead with ply scaps cut 90 degrees before being attached to F7. 4 more braces are glued on the other side to help keep F7 square on the jig.

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

Feep, not sure if this will help or not, but from what I understand, the new BUSA 1/3rd Albatros was designed by DJ. I am going to assume that it is different in design than yours, but I bet there are similarities, and getting the construction manual from BUSA may be of some help. Designers tend to do things the same way by and large.

Good luck on your build.

feep

I'll look into that. This is a laser cut kit using his 1/4 plans so that would not surprise me. Thanks for the suggestion.

FokkerD7

My Feedback: (5)

To add to VG input,I did a build on the 1/3 Albatros. Following the instruction for the build. You can reference that on your build if you had questions on how a particular section was accomplished.

feep

Thanks D7, I believe I have followed that thread.
Right now I'm getting dimensions for a DLE 35A so I can install the firewall. I believe it will fit without compromising too much of the dummy engine and without too much being exposed.

barzini

My Feedback: (4)

Feep,
The build article for the DIII is in Model Airplane News December 2005
Barzini