1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
04-07-2009, 05:25 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Omaha,
NE
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
I'm in the process of building a coro 1/4 scale Fokker D-VII.
Here is a mock-up picture of what I have done so far.
More info about it can be found here
http://spadworld.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16545
Here is a mock-up picture of what I have done so far.
More info about it can be found here
http://spadworld.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16545
04-08-2009, 07:44 PM
#5
RE: 1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
I might add that D7's aren't the hardest WW1 to balance but keep in mind they usually build tail heavy with wood, I assume you will have a similar challenge.
I sure am glad to see someone building planes that I was always curious about trying. I really hope this works out well !
I haven't checked your link yet. If you stop back here would you let us know which plans you might be using for your outlines? I built a 1/4 D7 Balsa usa last year. Was wondering if thats what you had for plans....
I sure am glad to see someone building planes that I was always curious about trying. I really hope this works out well !
I haven't checked your link yet. If you stop back here would you let us know which plans you might be using for your outlines? I built a 1/4 D7 Balsa usa last year. Was wondering if thats what you had for plans....
04-08-2009, 08:09 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Omaha,
NE
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
No Plans, I'm building it from a 3-view I printed off.
As a matter of fact, it is this one.....
http://www.plans.aerofred.com/data/m...kker_d7_3v.jpg
As a matter of fact, it is this one.....
http://www.plans.aerofred.com/data/m...kker_d7_3v.jpg
04-20-2009, 05:22 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Omaha,
NE
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
Here are a few pictures to show my progress
Static set-up (dummy engine)
Flight set-up (for extra engine cooling)
Its current state
I still need to build the turtle deck, struts, cabanes, and the
landing gear wing.
Static set-up (dummy engine)
Flight set-up (for extra engine cooling)
Its current state
I still need to build the turtle deck, struts, cabanes, and the
landing gear wing.
That's AWESOME!! Great Job. Can't wait to see a flight video.
06-09-2009, 05:24 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Omaha,
NE
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
If flew successfully!
On the maiden flight I didn't have enough ground speed before I lifted off, so it was really mushy and out of trim after take off. I should have pushed the nose over a little bit, keep the power on and slowly climbed out, but instead I reduced the power and tried to land it inthe field. End result, I pancaked it on its main gear, which flattened the aft main gear wire, then flipped it over and broke the prop.
Luckily a neighbor and club member of the flying field I was at had a shop (where he builds dragsters) next to the field, so we were able to walkdown to his shop and straiten the gear in his vice.
Before the second attempt, I added some positive incidence to the H. stab, which helped but not enough which is explained next.
Second flight was much better since I let it build more speed on the ground before lifting off. I climbed out pretty high to leave room for mistakes while trimming. I had to give it full down trim and some right aileron. With the down trim maxed out, I still had to hold a little down pressure on the right stick. It was not a handful to fly (i.e. twitchy), which leads me to believe it wasn't tail heavy and that some wing incidence changes will make it fly great. I kept it high and flew around to see if it had any bad tendencies (i.e. tip stalling,snapping etc...). For the most part, other than holding some down pressure, it flew nice. Finally I got brave enough to come in for the landing. I kept the power a little above idle and fanned the throttle as needed, until it started to settle in. Even at 32.5 lbs. it was a floater. I feel I could have chopped it to idle and glided in, without any issues.
I will be replacing the cold rolled annealed music wire I bought from Lowes with some 1/4" spring steel, before I take it up again to help prevent the gear from bending next time.
All and all it was a fun, challenging, and a rewarding build.
Here's the video link to the first two flights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zI1BT6tXWo
Later,
Omaha
On the maiden flight I didn't have enough ground speed before I lifted off, so it was really mushy and out of trim after take off. I should have pushed the nose over a little bit, keep the power on and slowly climbed out, but instead I reduced the power and tried to land it inthe field. End result, I pancaked it on its main gear, which flattened the aft main gear wire, then flipped it over and broke the prop.
Luckily a neighbor and club member of the flying field I was at had a shop (where he builds dragsters) next to the field, so we were able to walkdown to his shop and straiten the gear in his vice.
Before the second attempt, I added some positive incidence to the H. stab, which helped but not enough which is explained next.
Second flight was much better since I let it build more speed on the ground before lifting off. I climbed out pretty high to leave room for mistakes while trimming. I had to give it full down trim and some right aileron. With the down trim maxed out, I still had to hold a little down pressure on the right stick. It was not a handful to fly (i.e. twitchy), which leads me to believe it wasn't tail heavy and that some wing incidence changes will make it fly great. I kept it high and flew around to see if it had any bad tendencies (i.e. tip stalling,snapping etc...). For the most part, other than holding some down pressure, it flew nice. Finally I got brave enough to come in for the landing. I kept the power a little above idle and fanned the throttle as needed, until it started to settle in. Even at 32.5 lbs. it was a floater. I feel I could have chopped it to idle and glided in, without any issues.
I will be replacing the cold rolled annealed music wire I bought from Lowes with some 1/4" spring steel, before I take it up again to help prevent the gear from bending next time.
All and all it was a fun, challenging, and a rewarding build.
Here's the video link to the first two flights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zI1BT6tXWo
Later,
Omaha
09-10-2009, 10:53 AM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Omaha,
NE
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
Recent video, before trim scheme was started
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXGyhnac8fc[/youtube]
Here are a few photos of the trim scheme that is not quite finished. A few more items and it will be finished.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXGyhnac8fc[/youtube]
Here are a few photos of the trim scheme that is not quite finished. A few more items and it will be finished.
09-10-2009, 06:14 PM
#16
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Westford,
MA
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
Very cool. It is a great looking plane and it flies beautifully. It sounds like you had some wind to deal with in the video, but it seems to have no effect on the plane.
Great job.
Great job.
09-14-2009, 10:52 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Edmond,
OK
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
That has got to be one of the coolest planes I have seen! Did you happen to make plans that you could make available to others? I wouldn't mind trying my had at constructing one.
09-14-2009, 11:51 AM
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Omaha,
NE
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 1/4 scale SPAD Fokker D-VII
Thanks for all the kind words and comments!
Sorry no plans! I designed and built it off of a 3-view.
More of a one-off design.
Several changes were made throughout the build, which would make it hard to make plans.
Sorry no plans! I designed and built it off of a 3-view.
More of a one-off design.
Several changes were made throughout the build, which would make it hard to make plans.
