Marcol

Just finished building the Vailly aviation 1/4 scale Bird dog.

I haven't had a chance to test fly it yet.
If any of you guys have built and flown this model, is there anything that I should know before it's first flight ?

TopShelf

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Nice!

BobH

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Very nice job. Ive seen Roy fly the prototype a few times and the plane didn't have any bad habits. I think you'll like how she flies.

Dai Phan

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I built the CMP O-1 (72") and it flew fine. The landing speed is somewhat high for my bird. You can see the whole project here. DP

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_25..._2/key_/tm.htm

DavidAgar

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I just flew my Stafford L-19 this weekend for the first time. She is a sweetheart. I hope yours flys like mine, Good Luck, Dave

khodges

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I'm interested in your take on how it built. I have Vailly's plans and Precision cut the kit (1/4 like yours) but haven't seemed to be able to start it, other stuff comes along that seems more fun at the time. I've had it for close to 2 years, and have everything I need to build and fly it, am planning a ZDZ-50NG for power, it's sitting on a shelf waiting. What did you put under the "bonnet"?

also will be very interested in hearing how the maiden goes.

flipstart

Hey Dave-just finishing up my Stafford L-19-send some pics of yours. Mine will be in the Army white/red scheme, saw one on IBDA web site that was named "Dead Eye", went with the rockets under the wing. Have not put the windows in yet, need to do some mo painting and its been too cold for paint to flow properly. Added the 6 windows in top of wing but have not installed them yet, may be a bear to get right. Mine weighs 8.6# with everything but paint and stencils. Powered with Saito 91S and APC 14/6 prop, right now anyway. How does this compare to yours?? Glad your L-19 flew well, gives me confidence in the plane, was not to choked up with quality of the kit.

Greg Agar

I don't want to hijack the thread, but here are a couple of pics. I had an OS 91 4 cycle in it. Way to much power for her. I have removed the 91 and installed an OS 70 4 cycle. Also added 8 oz of weight to the nose for balance as she appeared to fly just a shade tail heavy. She is tipping the scales at just a shade over 9 pounds. Not as good looking as the one that started this thread, but she is a keeper. Thanks Dave

Marcol

The plan was very good. Everything went together well. The cowl moulding was a bit rough, but it cleaned up ok.

I have a Roto 50 twin in mine. You can probably see that I split the cowl across the line of the cylinders. This gives really easy access without having to remove the prop or the bottom half of the cowl.

I have a ZDZ 50NG in another aircraft and it is a really great engine. You'll have a speedy Bird Dog with that in it.

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

I don't care about the speed, what I wanted was to drive a scale diameter prop (22 inch) at less than wide open rpm. My cowl is very nice, got the one Vailly sells; I plan on making all the scale hatches in it, and the top will hinge down the middle. Haven't decided how I will finish it, but it will be some Vietnam era scheme. There are two very nicely restored 'Dogs close by my home, one in Army and one in USAF; I've photo'd about every square inch of both for details, and have closely researched this plane.

John La Belle

My Feedback: (52)

I built the Valley 1/4 scale L-19 a couple years ago. the plane was fully detailed. interior, rivets, panel lines, corrugated surfaces etc it was powered with a G-38 and was not overly powered but flew very scale like with no bad habits, the flaps are quite effective and can land quite slow with flaps even at a heavier weight 31 lbs. am building another and will us at least a G-45

Marcol

I also used the cowl from Vailly, but as I said it wasn't the best cowl that I'd seen.

The Roto 50 in mine turns a Menz 22x8 prop, which is more than enough.

I was a bit worried at the final weight of 25 lb, but if it flies ok at 31 lb I shouldn't have a problem.

Thanks to all you guys for the replies

flipstart

Marcol-sorry about hijacking the thread earlier with the Stafford L-19-you just see so few Bird Dogs, I got carried away. Apparently not many of the Stafford versions are out there. The Vailly is much nicer, kind of wish I had gone the whole mile and built a bigger Dog. Good luck with yours.

khodges

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flipstart, your signature line about real planes having machine guns......... I guess BirdDogs are real planes, too:

flipstart

Well-you got me on that point-its a stretch but mine does have 8 rockets-maybe I can get by-there was one Bird Dog outfitted with a machine gun in the observer's window. I have also read accounts of pilots and observers dropping grenades in fruit jars during Vietnam. So at least the Bird Dog has character.

AIRPLANENUTS

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Marcol, very nice Bird Dog. If you ever bring her to the States and feel like selling her, please let me know!

Can't wait to hear how she flies!

Rick

Marcol

Rick
Many thanks for your comments.

Cheers

Colin

TFF

There are a couple of real ones int the area. Two guys always fly in formation take offs and landing. A friend who has flown the real one says it is not as easy as a170 or 180 take off and landing because the gear is forward a bit and it wants to swap ends easer. You should not have this problem with the model though.

khodges

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Statistically, the most frequent damage caused to the BirdDog outside of combat damage was wings and landing gear torn up from ground looping the plane on takeoff and landing. There was even a type of gear designed for the 'Dog to help reduce the tendency for the wheel to curl under when the pilot lost yaw control during his roll.

Marcol

I've got the ground looping thing sorted - no problem.

I've been flying Flair Stearmans for 3 seasons now. The model Stearman, as well as the full size, is prone to ground looping. So.......

I've become very good "on the rudder" so to speak