ochsnm00

Here is one you don't see very often. It is a WW2 French fighter named the Dewoitine D520, known as the French Spitfire. It faired well against the German fighters but there were only 40 built. My model is built from tiled plans by Dan Reiss found on Outerzone. It has a sheeted foam wing that I hot wired. The wingspan is 62". The top decks are foam. Covering will be 21st Century Fabric airbrushed with Tamiya paint. Power will be a K&B .61 rebuilt by me. The photo of the static model represents the color scheme that will be used.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

very unique model, willwe see it fly this year?

ochsnm00

I'm working on it every day to have it ready for the upcoming flying season. It has a semi-symmetrical airfoil so it should be a stable flier. I am wondering if anyone has knowledge of where the Dan Reiss plans were originally published. They must go back pretty far because the engine on the plan is a Veco.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

heck I had a KB Veco in an old Mambo special back in he late 70s. You should bring it to the club meeting, I am sure some of the Old timers know that answer

FNQFLYER

I hate to rain on your parade but Seagull / VQ make an ARF of this a/c at about the same size. Not a bad flier either so I am told

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

Have you given up on the thrill of building your own model just because there is an ARF version out there? Shameful....tsk tsk tsk

ochsnm00

I saw that after the fact. I think it is discontinued.

FNQFLYER

1/ It is still available here in OZ and I believe can be ordered from Seagull on special order. Re building kits, I fly old timers and apart from one foray into an ARF Bomber there are no ARF kits available for any O/timer models. I build mine to compete and in addition I have 3 x Maratuka kits, 1 x Arizona Models kit, 5 x Topflite Kits, 3 x Great Planes kits (is that enough) in my collection that I am working through. Currently under construction is a Nemisis NXT and a GP Super Sportster 40 both build up kits. Good enough???

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

it might do ...... ;-) my comment is more directed towards the comment that why build when there is an arf in the same size range, that's all, nothing more

ochsnm00

I've never built an Old Timer but I own a Powerhouse that I bought at an auction. Some master modeler did a nice job on it. The structure of those old jobs is something to behold.

RBean

I got one of the Seagull Models at a big discount. Assembled this winter but not yet flown. The ARF had the aileron and flap servos exposed so I altered that. I'm using an RCGF 26 for power. It turns a Master Airscrew 16-8 three blade 8,000 rpm. Also using Spring Air Retracts and 115mm struts from Hobby King. Had to make adapter on a lathes out of a 3/8" bolt. Worked out ok. Total weight is 11.25 lbs which is really light for a 71" wing span warbird. Even though they are fairly light, I've read they are subject to high speed stalls. I've seen two videos of them going out of control in too sharp a maneuver. I measured and found the wings have no washout. I tried to twist and heat and managed to get 1.5 degree washout in each wing, but after the plane was in the sun and covering heated up, went back to original shape with no wash out. So now I've put a little up in each aileron and may put in a few degrees of down in the flaps when they are up to simulate washout. Here some pictures. I don't like the funky looking pilot, but the canopy is glued on so I'll leave him in for now. I'll report the test flight.

ochsnm00

I like it, it has good detail. I didn't know they were that large. If it turns out to have a high speed stall you could add nose weight or reduce elevator throw and use more expo. Here are some pics of the progress on mine.I tried 6 times to cut out a stencil for the roundels but haven't make a good one yet.

deatonbt

It looks good. What type of paint are you using, and how are you spraying it?

Brian

ochsnm00

It's Tamiya paint thinned 1 to 1 and air brushed. This is the first time I have used Tamiya. It's good paint that covers well and comes in many useful colors. I just wish it came in larger quantities. It is supposed to be fuel prof, we'll see. In the pic. the canopy is still masked off.

RBean

I got to test fly the Seagull Dewotine today. It was uneventful. Usual warbird takeoff. elevators up, gradual increase in throttle, keeping straight with rudder, let off the elevator, directional control ok. Lifted off good. Gear up. Only took a couple of clicks down trim and 3 clicks on the ailerons. Now much pitch change with gear and flaps down. Tried an "approach" stall with gear and flaps down. Flew quite slow. but when the stall broke, she rolled right and headed straight down. Had plenty of power with the 26cc engine, did all the warbird maneuvers good. Loops rolls, cuban eights and reverses etc. Tried some tight turns at full throttle to see if it would snap out. It didn't. Landings were fairly easy for a warbird. All said, so far a good flying airplane.

ochsnm00

It sounds like it's a keeper and it doesn't use expensive glow fuel. I hope my test flight is as uneventful.

RBean

I guess it was too late when I posted test flight report. What I meant to say is it roll LEFT in the stall. Also none to very little pitch change with gear and/or flaps down. Yes, its a keeper.

ochsnm00

That looks like a loading bench in the back round.

RBean

That is a loading bench in the back ground. I retired but now working part-time, it's really interfering with my retirement.

XTRA230

My Feedback: (10)

Here is a few facts for you if you need some iinfo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewoitine_D.520
Rob

ochsnm00

Here is my completed D-520. I have 4 flights with it. It only required slight trim adjustments. It is a smooth flier and is surprisingly fast with the K&B turning an 11x8 prop on 15% CoolPower.. It is capable of any maneuver that a pattern ship can do. Not bad for a 1970's design. That is a CB spinner from MECOA. The parts to rebuild the engine were also from MECOA. The K&B is from an auction and is my first. They are much stronger engines that I imagined.

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

Hi Milton, Thank you for looking me up to tell me about the Dewoitine. Yes, I am the right guy. Your model looks great and I am pleased to hear that you have had such great success flying it. All the articles that were published in FM were test flown before I submitted to article to make sure that they were a winner. With today’s proliferation of ARFs I find it amazing that there are still some modelers out there enjoying the special satisfaction of building their own planes and yours looks GREAT! The construction article appeared in the December 1976 issue of Flying Models. The last article I wrote was for the January 2012 issue. It was for a Macchi 202. Unfortunately, the magazine has since folded and really unfortunately, I was never paid for the article. Thanks again for the pleasant surprise. Dan.

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

One more image. Dan

ochsnm00

If you have it, I would love to read the original article, I only had the plan. What became of the original Dewoitine? How many construction articles would you guess you did over the years? Have you had articles in any other publications? Do you presently have any projects on the board? Milt

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

Hi Milton, I do have the original article for the Dewoitine. It will take some time to scan it in to the computer. I'll try to post it on RCU so the other guys can see it. I gave my model to one of the flyers who was low on money. Instead of using it, as he promised, he immediately sold it for some cash. Oh, well, there it went. I published about 30 articles and was getting ready to do many more when Flying Models went out of business. I did publish an article in R/C Modeller around 1972 but they lost interest in my designs so I went else where. Right now I have the Reno racer Tsunami about a week away from it's maiden flight. I'll look around for a decent image to post. Dan.