Hans Dortenmann/Meister FW Construction
09-02-2003, 01:09 AM
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Hans Dortenmann/Meister FW Construction
Well,
I have finally decided to do this thread with some reluctance. This will be my 5th Meister and the first kit I have built for myself in seven years, so I am going to add some details and features that I would normally not do.
I have been working on this kit for the past six weeks now gathering information and documentaion. Planning can be as much work as the actual assembly... At least it seems like it. I have chosen to model this aircraft after pilot Hans Dortenmann. You can read a little about him at this link. http://www.luftwaffe.cz/dortenmann.html
I am building this with a budget in mind of less than 2K. I'm off to a good start with the costs and have nothing major to buy. It will be powered by a FPE 4.2 ($350) using Century Jet mains with the new shrink bar ($250), Sierra Precision tail wheel and JR/Hiitec radio gear. The kit is being cut by Trillium Balsa, a goof on their part has delayed some of the components but I have been able to start construction. I hope you enjoy as the thread.
I have finally decided to do this thread with some reluctance. This will be my 5th Meister and the first kit I have built for myself in seven years, so I am going to add some details and features that I would normally not do.
I have been working on this kit for the past six weeks now gathering information and documentaion. Planning can be as much work as the actual assembly... At least it seems like it. I have chosen to model this aircraft after pilot Hans Dortenmann. You can read a little about him at this link. http://www.luftwaffe.cz/dortenmann.html
I am building this with a budget in mind of less than 2K. I'm off to a good start with the costs and have nothing major to buy. It will be powered by a FPE 4.2 ($350) using Century Jet mains with the new shrink bar ($250), Sierra Precision tail wheel and JR/Hiitec radio gear. The kit is being cut by Trillium Balsa, a goof on their part has delayed some of the components but I have been able to start construction. I hope you enjoy as the thread.
09-02-2003, 01:15 AM
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Hans Dortenmann/Meister FW Construction
This is a pic of just some of the mods I will be doing to the kit. The ailerons will be modified to look a little more realistic. Meister kits are designed to fly very well but lack some of the details. I will try to enhance this kit the best way I know how.
09-02-2003, 01:20 AM
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Hans Dortenmann/Meister FW Construction
I have chosen Williams Brother wheels as an inexspensive way to achieve a somewhat scale apearance for the tires. I have hot wire burned the tread into the tire and have added a 12 bolt pattern to the hub using 2-56 threaded rod and nuts. Note the start of the guns that will be underneath the opening gun hood. All of my switches and fill valves will be contained under the hood.
09-02-2003, 01:23 AM
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As with all the Meisters I have built, they have all been tail heavy. Much work has been put into removing weight as possible fron the balance point back. I have currently removed a least a pound of weight and still have more to remove if I ever get the rest of the kit. This pic shows some of the lightening holes I have added to the ribs.
09-02-2003, 01:25 AM
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FPE 4.2
couldn't turn this engine down for the $, les than 20 minutes run time and still needs to be broken in. It should be more than ample power for the FW.
09-02-2003, 01:29 AM
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And after all the weeks of documentation, modifications... I finally started laying glue today. I spent 4 hours today and I have to say it feels good to be building one for myself. There's a bit more to show than this pic of the progress and I'll keep you posted.
09-02-2003, 01:53 AM
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Hans Dortenmann/Meister FW Construction
gonna be nice Carey! 
some time in the future I want to do another 190 (scale of course)
or a 109.
Havent decided which yet, but maybe sometime next year?
gotta finish the P47 (almost done) the zero, and the Avenger first
than my new Spitty to replace the one I lost 
anyways, looking forward to seeing the construction pics.
one of my flying buddies here, Ron is going to be building a Meister 190 this winter as well
Todd
some time in the future I want to do another 190 (scale of course)
or a 109.
Havent decided which yet, but maybe sometime next year?
gotta finish the P47 (almost done) the zero, and the Avenger first
than my new Spitty to replace the one I lost anyways, looking forward to seeing the construction pics.
one of my flying buddies here, Ron is going to be building a Meister 190 this winter as well
Todd
09-02-2003, 02:50 AM
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Hans Dortenmann/Meister FW Construction
Glad you decided to do this thread, as Todd mentioned I will be starting on mine next month. I am using the CJ retracts as well. Also have the Williams Brothers wheels, they really look good the way yours are done.
I look forward to seeing your progress, with your experience you must be able to build these in your sleep by now.
Ron
I look forward to seeing your progress, with your experience you must be able to build these in your sleep by now.
Ron
09-02-2003, 09:10 PM
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Carey, Glad to see yhat you've started. I'll be watching, with great interest. Hope to get back on my D9, soon. Maybe we could fly the together at Grand Ledge.
09-03-2003, 12:55 AM
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Thanks guys, glad to see you could make it. I'm at the dreaded install the gear stage. This is no doubt the worst part of the build process. The new shink bar on the CJM is a bit of a problem along with the wheel sticking through the upper surface. The wheel is the major of the two. It is not building like the 190D9 did with Robarts. But I have been informed by Ty Brown, Dick Bernier and others on what to expect. I will cap strip the upper ribs and spar to allow room from W1 to W13. I may also cap the bottom side of the ribs but not as much, maybe 1/16 of an inch. When I get past the first wing half the rest of the kit should go much quicker.
09-03-2003, 11:47 PM
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Hans Dortenmann/Meister FW Construction
carey glad to see you geting started ! im cutting parts for #2 now hope to see you at cards warbird meet 2 weekend of september thanks for leting us see your progress ps the carben fibre spiner is spining !
09-04-2003, 12:12 AM
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Rich,
I will try to make the show, maybe I'll bring the Jug. Let me know what you need for one of those spinners and the glass gun hood.
I capped the bottom of the ribs tonight allowing me to lower the gear a total of 3/8". The wing will be lengthened an additional 1 1/2". I did not cap all of the upper ribs, only W1 through W7 in front of the main spar and mainly towards the leading edge of the wing. This does allow the Williams tire to fit in the wing, any other tire would be much more work and probably will not work at all without complete wing re-design. I"ll post another pic when enough progress is worthy. Navigation lights will be installed within the next two weeks.
I will try to make the show, maybe I'll bring the Jug. Let me know what you need for one of those spinners and the glass gun hood.
I capped the bottom of the ribs tonight allowing me to lower the gear a total of 3/8". The wing will be lengthened an additional 1 1/2". I did not cap all of the upper ribs, only W1 through W7 in front of the main spar and mainly towards the leading edge of the wing. This does allow the Williams tire to fit in the wing, any other tire would be much more work and probably will not work at all without complete wing re-design. I"ll post another pic when enough progress is worthy. Navigation lights will be installed within the next two weeks.
09-04-2003, 11:41 PM
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I made a little more progress after work today. The wing is starting to take shape after 12 hours of work. If the weather this weekend keeps me inside, I will probably have it completely sheeted.
09-04-2003, 11:44 PM
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Nav lights
I am going to install lights from Ram Electronics. These are very bright when powered up. They should be a nice addition to the appearance of the model.
09-05-2003, 02:29 AM
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Hans Dortenmann/Meister FW Construction
I have a Meister dora that I took to Dayton this past weekend
and i have some details that will not make u happy...I built the plane with CJ retracts as well ...no good at all...flew the plane
at Shelby in June..had two major problems with the CJ gear.
one no matter how tight I had the axles and struts the plane would go down the runway like a drunk, on one landing the right
wheel tried to turn at the axle and the plane nosed up on her nose runied the spinner and the prop, and the topping on the cake was even if i put the plane inverted the gear would not
retract. this is due to the cylinders not being strong enough to handle the long struts. I had williams bros wheels as well and they were too soft and would cause the plane to try and go hog
back when I land. also I had a 4.2 sachs and did not have enough power i put a 5.8 and like it much better. You may get away with your 4.2 if u really keep your weight down i have a tendency to go heavy in detail with panel lines rivits, raised panels and a super detailed cockpit.. my dora weigs 37 lbs
but is a ***** cat at that weight.. I you thnk im kidding about the
CJ retracts .. I will be happy to send em to you free if you pay the shipping I would never ever try to sell em on RC universe in a clear conseinse after the trouble they gave me...I put sierra retracts and what a difference..trouble free..the way it supposed to be...the old adage you get what u pay for.
conseince after the trouble I encountered.
and i have some details that will not make u happy...I built the plane with CJ retracts as well ...no good at all...flew the plane
at Shelby in June..had two major problems with the CJ gear.
one no matter how tight I had the axles and struts the plane would go down the runway like a drunk, on one landing the right
wheel tried to turn at the axle and the plane nosed up on her nose runied the spinner and the prop, and the topping on the cake was even if i put the plane inverted the gear would not
retract. this is due to the cylinders not being strong enough to handle the long struts. I had williams bros wheels as well and they were too soft and would cause the plane to try and go hog
back when I land. also I had a 4.2 sachs and did not have enough power i put a 5.8 and like it much better. You may get away with your 4.2 if u really keep your weight down i have a tendency to go heavy in detail with panel lines rivits, raised panels and a super detailed cockpit.. my dora weigs 37 lbs
but is a ***** cat at that weight.. I you thnk im kidding about the
CJ retracts .. I will be happy to send em to you free if you pay the shipping I would never ever try to sell em on RC universe in a clear conseinse after the trouble they gave me...I put sierra retracts and what a difference..trouble free..the way it supposed to be...the old adage you get what u pay for.
conseince after the trouble I encountered.
09-05-2003, 09:14 AM
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Hans Dortenmann/Meister FW Construction
Moonbeam and Chook. Sorry to hear you guys have chosen CJM landing gear. They don't rank too high with me. But that's besides the point.
The problem with most, if not all of the air valves out there, is that they do not allow enough "volume" of air to pass. I had the same problem with my Sierra retracts in my 190. I was using the "Robart" valve. I couldn't get my gear up or down without putting 130lbs of pressure in the tank. I called Darrell. and he explained the problem to me.
I got Sierra precisions valve and the problem is NO MORE.
Darrels valve "moves" more air. Which is important in the larger landing gears. He also designed his with "seats" in the adjustment valves so they actually work(and don't leak)... unlike other valves out there.
I now only have to put 100psi in my tank and I'm good to go(would actually work fine with 80 or 90psi, but I'm a creature of habit).
Get Darrels valve and tell him I sent you.
www.sierraprecision.com
Good luck.
Mustang51
The problem with most, if not all of the air valves out there, is that they do not allow enough "volume" of air to pass. I had the same problem with my Sierra retracts in my 190. I was using the "Robart" valve. I couldn't get my gear up or down without putting 130lbs of pressure in the tank. I called Darrell. and he explained the problem to me.
I got Sierra precisions valve and the problem is NO MORE.
Darrels valve "moves" more air. Which is important in the larger landing gears. He also designed his with "seats" in the adjustment valves so they actually work(and don't leak)... unlike other valves out there.
I now only have to put 100psi in my tank and I'm good to go(would actually work fine with 80 or 90psi, but I'm a creature of habit).
Get Darrels valve and tell him I sent you.
www.sierraprecision.com
Good luck.
Mustang51
09-06-2003, 11:01 PM
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Thanks for your input on th CJMs. I have used the older version and I was not happy with them. The new version seems to be a major improvement, but time will tell. Moonbeam, at 37# I would bet the Williams would be a problem. I plan on removing a total of 3# of wood during the consrtuction. The heaviest FW I built was 34# with out removing wood like I currently am. I'm going to guess that this one will weigh in around 31-32#. Anyway, heres the latest pic of the wing ready to sheet except the servo mounts. The wing tips will not be made of soild balsa as shown on the plans, re-done it a lighter built up frame.
