jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

I was not trying to say one was better than the other. I was just looking for a 1/3 scale Balsa USA build. I guess I could always do one myself if there are none around.

WacoNut

jeffEE,
I am with ya I would like to see a comparison as well. I was going to rebuild my 1/4 BUSA DRI but I think I will just replace it with a 1/3. The GTM kit is a true scale ship and would be nice. I think the BUSA kit would make a good throw around plane that you don't have a ton of $$$$ or hours in.
Later!!
Anthony

Alistair

I have built the 1/4 Busa DR1 (among other kits). All Balsa USA models I have built the kits have been good quality with good instructions etc. (albeit the 1/3 scale pup had text only instructions). All busa models I have flown, did so extremely well.

They are not meant to be anything other than standoff scale (and it's up to you to make this different if you so wish).

The GTM 1/3 DR1, is on the other hand, very scale, very detailed, very high quality and around twice the price of the 1/3 Busa kit.

I think it is down to personal choice (and wallet). If the Balsa USA kit had been available when I considered purchasing my GTM kit in 2009,
I would probably have bought the Balsa usa kit (based purely on price and previous experience in Balsa USA kits)

However now I have built a GTM kit it does open your eyes to the scale detail, therefore makes you more critical and less easy to please.

It's difficult to go back to being content with a model that 'merely' flies well, looks great in the air and is a good price.

Difficult because you now realise how scale detail has been sacrificed to accomplish this.


As a relatively new builder, having built the GTM DR1, it seems I have peered through the looking glass.

Like in the film 'The Matrix' where Neo is offered a choice of pills, red for reality or blue for the illussion.

I sort of wish I had taken the blue pill and remained content.

Ignorance was bliss!

I don't think I will ever be able to look at a DR1 model the same way again.

abufletcher

Ain't that the truth!!! I also took the red bill and now there aren't more than a half-dozen (if that) that would satisfy my scale addiction. Sometime I feel like plugging back in, but I just can't make myself do it.

Alistair

Almost ready for maiden and weight is 16.2kg or 35lbs 11.4oz

valleyk

It's easy to pick up the mid wing to check balance. Make sure your balanced and incidence is correct from plans. Otherwise your good to go. Remember start off slow and don't go full throttle too fast when taking off. Also be easy on the elevator...I yanked my plane up into a loop and my cables slipped/stretched causing play in the controls. I did put 2 degrees right and down thrust and it tracks straight on take off. Some people here on the this forum don't believe in any thrust angle change.

Alistair

I've actually used Mick Reeves kevlar for the cables and it doesn't stretch, so I can yank to my hearts content (the rest of the plane will fall apart, but the 'cables' will be fine)

bit iffy on incidence of top wing so will sort that out. I've just left engine 'as is' on firewall, i've never noticed any need for thrust angles on the bigger triplanes. (probably because it's like a block of flats and takes a lot to effect it or perhaps I trim it out without realising ? )

Balance looking good, nose heavy if anything with the Zenoah twin & batteries (two 6v) both upfront. Bit supprised to find my pilot weight 500g (something over 1lb?) fat sod have to put him on a diet.

I also put my rx under the seat and rudder/elev. servos under the cockpit floor. I could not see the point of leading the cables the extra distance with eyes to divert cables. When I could go direct from behind the seat (just made a hatch underneath to get at them ) It also means the front compartment accessed via the belly pan, (or top) you actually have some room to get at tank, throttle servo, batteries & wiring etc should I need to.
Anyone else do that?
Did find my prop its a 26x8

I'm a little hazy on how the cowl attaches. Just a cable over the top to the two fixing points ?

And that fuel guage housing on top is a little B****tard still got that to do.

US185Damiani

We took the red pill to the extreme at GAAM LOL

http://youtu.be/e0wBDszEdWg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5xMfp5HMQ0&feature=share&list=PL70C9E445A3C1A620&index=5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aARhF32fjrg&feature=share&list=PL70C9E445A3C1A620&index=9

valleyk

Will you ever fly your plane like this pilot can? I know the answer "NO".


Mikael Carlson and his Fokker Dr.1

Alistair

Great videos ! and stunning pictures !

US185Damiani

Thanks Alistair,

photos are from a friend of mine and the 2nd 2 videos from another friend. The 1st video was from a spectator at one of our fly ins.

I thought these appropriate since Deljon and GAAM were building our airplanes simultaneously.

US185Damiani

..

WacoNut

Nice video's,
Must be a thrill being able to fly these planes.
Later!!
Anthony

Alistair

Must be good just to see them in the 'flesh' as well as for reference!

DinoR

Classic fighters airshow in New Zealand last year.....

Alistair

That must be really impressive to see let alone hear ! You can see why they were known as the flying circus!

Alistair

All being well should be my 'big black fokker's' maiden flight this weekend. (Weather forecast is very promising) Last week I ran the Zenoah 74 twin for 3 hours to run in a little (new engine). Few things came loose with vibration but other than that no problems. Certainly gave a lot of power and a nice deep sound to it!

Alistair

Maiden flight tomorrow around 11:30am just rear cabane wires to do and thats about it. pic to follow (possibly the last of her in one piece)


A proper 'scale' kit has been an eye opener (even with my bodging and crude building compared to others). It also emphasises the 'grey' area of being scale and of being practical for regular flying. .e.g Fuse 'lifting handles' I've knocked 2 off so far and not even got down the field yet. Trying soft garden wire so they bend (but has a rubber outer to thicken it up)
I haven't bothered fitting pilots ladder yet and not sure i will.

An illustration of scale 'detail' that is impractical for RC flying. (unless you can make them in bendy rubber that looks like metal)


If you are going to build a static museum model then fine, but anything you expect to transport to the flying field, fly around, pack up again, transport back and then store.

There has to be major compromises on 'scale' for practicalities.


I'm glad i've built a 'scale' model but I doubt I would go to this level of trouble again, certainly not for a model I intend to actually fly regularly. Just my opinion of course, but I would find it stressful just in transport which rather defeats the object (for me) of RC flying. Also what goes up, must come down ............... sooner or later.

Having said that once you start one 'rivet'..........it gets addictive doesn't it!

Alistair

bokuda

My Feedback: (7)

It doesn't look very crude to me!

Alistair

Pics make it look neater than it is. But it's my biggest n best build to date and first time I made whole cockpit and a full length pilot figure ( aces of iron head n shoulders)

SteveD-RCU

My Feedback: (2)

Looks good..good luck on your maiden.

R/C Art

My Feedback: (38)

Alistair

All our builds (read that as all my builds) look better in pictures than they do in person). The object here is to enjoy what we are doing and always look to do a little better on our next project...........do it for yourself and don't worry about what others might say. We all have room for improvement.

Kudos for a nicely done project!

And remember the fifty/fifty test - at 50 mph and 50 feet up, they all look good! Flying is what it is all about (for me anyway).

Cheers,
Art

p.s. Good Luck on the maiden!

Alistair

Thanks all , I'll post a video of the maiden

Alistair

Maiden flight a overall a success. No trimming required however naff landing . Then 2nd flight found rudder servo had stripped gears. But she flies beautifully - really pleased
http://youtu.be/ho858jlRbQA