tcrowson

Rich,

I would suggest setting everything up on a breadboard, letting it run and see how much heat is generated. I am setting mine up with Electrodynamic lights and found no significant heat buildup.

Tas

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

My guess is that the board won't even get warm, not enough current flow. My plan was to place all the electronics under the floor. Flights would only be 10-15 minutes tops, not much time for heat, and as I mentioned, too little current draw to worry about heat.

Anybody out there interested in buying a BirdDog? All the basic stucture is complete and sheeted. Empennage has not been attached, and wing LE's need shaping and tips attached and shaped. All flap and aileron linkages are completely concealed, installed and tested. Flexrod tubes for elevator and rudder are installed, throttle linkage is setup and all servos are mounted. Throttle servo is a Futaba 3001, all others are 645MG HI-TEC. Engine goes with it, Zenoah G45, with Pitts muffler. It has the wheels, tires and main gear from Vaillancourt, custom scale tailwheel made by me. You can look back through this thread for detail photos, you can see this is a quality construction and was aimed for ultimate detail. I have a complete cockpit detail kit to go with it.

Electronics include a SmartFly power bus, 8 channel Futaba 2.4GHz RX (never been used) Ram lighting system, includes nav lights and Mars beacon. Operating landing lights come on when flaps deploy.

$1000 gets it, no price negotiations, buyer pays shipping, or will deliver within 100 mile radius of Hickory, NC

RICMOD5634

Holy Cow Ken, I can't beleive your selling out after all the great work and ideas you have put into that bird. I truely hope there is nothing wroung, to put you into this sacrfice. I hve had such a great time following you tread and building along with you and Chic. I will continue to post on your tread if you don't mind as I continue on my 1/5 Dawg.

An RC Buddy; Rich F.

RICMOD5634

Ken: One other ? if I may. What was your reasoning for using the Smart fly? I don't quite understand what its for seeing as how this is my first Big Bird and SOS/w gas engine. I'm using an 8ch radio T/R/A/E/F and another I think for ignition shut off, If I can get more info on that. Although I did put a switch in the engine compartment as Chic did. Batteries, Ing, Lights and proibly two for Rx. Would you please fill me in if you can?
If you would prefer e-mail [email protected]

Thank you; Rich F 1/5 Dawg

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

Redundant power system. I planned on having two 2700 mAh battery packs. The power bus will send power to the receiver from the battery with the best charge, and if one battery craps out for any reason, it switches to the good battery totally. It also allows multiple servos to a single channel without having to "Y" connect them. I can't remember which one I have right now, since it's 2 years old, there are probably models out now that do things even better.

I've agonized over whether I really want to sell it, which is why no negotiations on price. anybody wants it for a grand can have it, but otherwise I'll keep it, maybe one day finish it. I also have four BUSA 1/4 scale kits for sale, a 1/5 scale Ikon UPF-7 WACO, a 1/5 scale FunAero SE-5a and some other stuff.

dumorian

My Feedback: (6)

There are a lot of really nice SmartFly products. I have a couple of PowerSystems installed. Yes, they do add weight... The gains however are a nice secure feeling. The PowerSystems allow for the connection of two LiPos and as stated above, will pull power from the stronger battery. If a battery totally craps out, including shorts, it takes it out of the system. Also, if a servo binds it will take that out of the system. I stuck servo can drain a battery really quickly. Same with servo shorts... removed from system. The PowerSystems also come with the voltage regulator built in, so 2 cell lipos are fine... A123s.... whatever. It also has the optical engine cut-off system with it. This is a fiber optic cable which runs to a separate little board which turns on/off the ignition, so you can isolate the ignition electrics by a foot or more from your receiver and wiring. There are other nice features to this product.

[link=http://www.smart-fly.com]SmartFly[/link] has many nice products. Combo units and individual units. Just about anything you could need for powering a model. Don't go brain dead trying to take it all in on the website. These devices really can do a LOT! It can be overwhelming at first. I think they have all of their manuals online as well.

sticktickler

Nice dog builds guys great work love the L-19 they rock!

redtail

My Feedback: (15)

Ken, I won't say much just that I understand and the hobby will surely miss you. We stand ready for whenever you decide to return. I'll have a few kits for you to get started on when you do return. For me, just today I finally got off my butt and when out to the shop and started a very serious clean up out there. Did not realize how much junk, dust, pieces of wood, paper towels, trimmings, etc. collects on the floor and work bench in an unused workshop. The stuff is up to my ankles. The DAWG sits proudly and patiently waiting its turn. I have a few wiring issues to finish up on the Stinson, then on to the DAWG. It will fly this summer (late).

You know I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers and if you come to D.C. again with your lovely family, I'm ready to take you all out to dinner for sure. Take care my friend and when I come down that way to visit the God Children, I'll make sure to stop by and holler at you. I will start posting on this thread again soon. I am redoing the paint scheme from the white and red to that of the RAF. I found out that the RAF had "ONE", yes, just one (1) DAWG, so since I am a true RAF fan, roundels on the wings and fuse it is. Keep building Rich, I have used your ideas as well. Chic

navyt28

I´m also busy with a "Bird Dog" Span. 2783mm and almost complete.
As soon the Dog is finished and ready to fly, I will send some pics.

Regards, Franz

AIRPLANENUTS

My Feedback: (2)

Guys, does anyone have a clear 3 view showing only panel lines, only rivet lines, or one of each? I have a multitude of 3-views and photos, and I'm laying out my panel lines using them. The difficulty is all of my 3-views show both panel lines and rivet lines, and I'm constantly finding conflicts when comparing them to the photos. This system works ok, but not very good in terms of getting it right.

Thanks,
Rick

RICMOD5634

1/5 Dawg
Airplanenuts: This is the only one I have.
Rich F

tcrowson

Rick,

The best 3 view showing panel and rivet lines I have found is in a set from Bob's Aircraft documentation. (L-19 (O-1E) liaison, w/instruments (5) W11-09 XD 11.00)
There is also a drawing set available for download from the IBDA web site (http://www.ibdaweb.com/) for $5.00
You are always going to find discrepancies between the actual aircraft and your model. This has been a great disappointment to me as I have not found a set of plans that do not vary to a certain extent.

Hope this helps
Tas

AIRPLANENUTS

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks Ric. I've compared that one to the photos I have, and it shows both panel lines and rivet lines.

Tas, thanks for the heads-up. I'll check those out. I feel the same way.

Rick

navyt28

Hallo Bird Dog Friends,

I will keep this thread alive with a Fotos of my Bird-Dog L-19 at Airfield "Oberschleißheim" before maiden flight.
If you interested, I will show some more Pic´s from my first Flights.

regards, Franz

ACaetano

Thanks Franz
I'm finishing my "Portuguese" 1/5 scale Bird Dog too........
Can you specify how painting. Fiberglass over wood and then wich paint ? I'll prefer something water based due to intense smell of majority os inks !
My hangar is in the basement and paint in the garden is not a good solution.
Congratulations for your work.

Caetano

navyt28

Hallo Caetano,

Yes, I used Fiberglas over wood, then I removed the excess resin with a carpet cutter blade, at next, filler -sanding as often you like.
Finally a coat of primer and 2K Car Paint. Sorry, I don´t have experience with water paint .
I sprayed the model also in the garden with no proplem.
Have a nice time... hope to hear from you again !

szig

Please do. You got a nice Bird Dog.

navyt28

Here some Fotos of my Bird Dog´s second and third flight.
I hope to see some more pics and reports from other Bird-Dog Pilots.

Regards, Franz

gblas777

My Feedback: (13)

nice looking plane franz...i am just putting the finishing touches on mine now...can you give a description on how it flies?

thanks
gene

RICMOD5634

Franz; Very nice pictures and looks like it is a very good flier. One of these days I hope to get back to work on mine and get it finished. But looks like you have a real winner there.
Rich F

navyt28

Hallo gene

My Bird-Dog cames from "woodclassics.de" as a full kit.
Span. 2783mm, Weight 28lbs , Engine RCGF 45 , Prop 20/8, Radio- Futaba T10GC

The plane flies really well and needs half gas or less to fly, but to start this big plane
it is recommended to have power in order to the air restistence and weight.
Be sure to have good speed during take off ! This is my experience with this model.
It is not only very easy to fly and land the Bird-Dog but it is also great fun.
I have had only 4 flights so far and I am not able to give more results at the moment.
Some pic´s of engine installation

Regards
Franz

rcnutstoo

My Feedback: (13)

Hi guy's have read through the first 18 pages. Just wanted to let you all know what an outstanding job you have done in building and detailing you're models. My buddy has a set of Vailly 1/4 plans. We are going to build together as our skills will compliment one another. I have more building experience and he has more detailing experience. we are going to kit ours from the templates on the plans I have a good selection of wood on hand from past day's of scratch building and am looking forward to starting again. I haven't built anything from scratch for 10 years or so. The last kit I built is now 8 years old and is still flying but has been re-powered recently. Arf's have spoiled me. But this plane and thread have inspired me to build again. I may post some pics of the build and or the finished plane, but I usually don't shoot too many pics of my projects. just a couple pics after completion in case something goes wrong during maiden at least I have something to remember them by. Thankfully that hasn't happened for a long time now.
subscribed.
Thanx Andy

AIRPLANENUTS

My Feedback: (2)

Hey Guys, does anyone happen to have the recommended control throws for the 1/5 scale Bird Dog? Bought mine used with no plans.

Thanks,
Rick

szig

Hi Rick

I have the plans of Marutaka Bird Dog and show nothing.
I would suggest you use the Cessna 182 Topflite control throws. Similar in size.

Regards

AIRPLANENUTS

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks szig! Great idea! That's what I'll use.

Rick