joperry0811

This thread will be about the Fokker D-VII that I am scratch building. I will post photos throughout the process. Comments and constructive feedback will be welcomed and appreciated.

I am using an old set of RC Modeler plans, with modifications.

I hope that folks find this to be useful and fun.

joperry0811

I am trying to figure out how to upload photos. I am now building the fuselage. Once I figure out how to post the photos, I will.

joperry0811

Plans:

joperry0811

Plans:

joperry0811

The fuselage was built with light ply sides and bottom, and was built up with sticks on the inside. Holes are in the bottom to decrease weight.

The bottom wing will be built as once piece, hence the cut outs on the fuselage. This is a deviation from the plan.

joperry0811

The tail is built from solid balsa. This is another deviation from the plans. I intend to go back and cut holes to lighten the tail.

vmsguy

Th D-VII is one of my favorites... I'll be watching this thread with interest. I believe I have the same plans as you..

Good luck, and keep posting, especially pictures.

joperry0811

Thank you for your reply vmsguy. I do intend to continue to document and photograph the building process.

Have you built this plane before? Any feedback would be appreciated.

TFF

You beat me to it. I have these plans and I think they are a good base to start from; I was not going to start mine until summer.

vmsguy

I haven't built this plane. It's on my list. Maybe next winter.

joperry0811

Well, I worked a little on the bottom left wing tonight. Instead of building the spars as shown on the plans, I used 1/4 in. sq wood top + bottom, forward and aft for the wing, fitting into notches, pre-cut into the ribs. I'll go back and use webbing between the ribs.

The ribs were cut back in November. Carbon paper was used to trace the ribs, directly onto the wood from the plans, therefore, there was no need to cut up the plans.

A wooden jig was used for rib alignement. The jib is shown being used in the photo.

That's all I can do on the wing until now, because I need to go buy some more 1/4 in. sq.

Here's some pictures of the wing building.

TFF

I have had these plans for about 4 years and at the 1/6 scale looks the best. I plan to build the wing the hard way but I like your siplified way too. I might build mine with a solid bottom too. What engine are you going to use and how are you going to cover it? I guess I have put it off long enough!

joperry0811

I have the Hanger 9 Sopwith Camel, with an OS 70 Four Stroke (the cheaper $179 version). That is the perfect engine for that plane, which is about the same size as the Fokker D-VII that I'm building. I'm considering using an OS 70 for this one as well.

Selecting a color scheme has been difficult. I have not found 1/6 scale lozenge fabric anywhere, and the 1/4 scale stuff would not look right in my opinion. I have the lozenge pattern on the plan, and may try to do that and use fabric.

It is difficult to find a true D-VII scheme which does not have the lozenge pattern. I have been doing some searching. My favorite scheme is that of Ernst Udet.

I also came across a black scheme the other day that I like a lot. I am open to suggestions.

joperry0811

I went to the local hobby shop today, and they were out of 1/4 in. sq. That's ok, because it was a beautiful day for flying! Is anyone aware of others in the North Carolina area who are interested in WWI aircraft? I know that I can't be the only one.

joperry0811

I went back to town tonight, and found the stick that I need to resume work on the lower wing. The right half is almost built up, and I will post some photos soon. The plans only showed half of each wing. I had a copy place make a full size, mirror image of the plan, so I could build the entire wing over plans. It worked out real nice.

LesUyeda

joperry: I am working on the design and build of a 1/8th scale version. I have the Proctor Plans, and the GP electric model. My problem is that there is conflict between the two with respect to CG. Could you tell me where your plans say that CG is supposed to be; I don't see any indication on the pics you posted.

Thanks in advance,

Les

joperry0811

The CG should on my plans is 3 3/4 in. behind the leading edge of the top wing. It's hard to see this in the photo that I posted. If you look at the photo of the fuselage, you may be able to see an arrow pointing up to the top wing. This is the CG. I hope that this helps.

FokkerAce

yo joperry0811

Goering's Fok. D.VII was all white.
Yes, there's a few black ones, Nebgen's and Jacobs'.
Great planes (?) has lozenge for the bottoms of their D.VII. so you could do any of Jasta 18, Raben, Kuhne,....Jasta 15 von Beaulieu-Marconnay, Berthold
wildmanngraphics also has announced lozenge covering.....check it out.

FA[8D]

buzzard bait

JP - It looks nice, but I do wonder about possible weight build-up in the tail. Maybe you are experienced with this kind of build and are not worried. But I suspect you might regret the solid sheet tail group. I'm sure you know about balancing problems with WWI types. The tail feathers have a terrific mechanical advantage over the nose end, so if you save two ounces there, you can save a half a pound up front. It is hard to lose much weight by cutting holes in balsa sheet, and still maintain strength and resistance to warps. The light ply fuselage bottom is also adding extra weight in back, despite the holes. Be careful--I'd hate to see you having to add a lot of nose weight.

When you go to cover it, you might also want to pay attention to the material you use in back. A lot of people use painted Solartex on planes like this. If you do that in the back, it will worsen any balance problems.

Keep on posting -- I have that RCM issue and it is a really nice project. Jim

FokkerAce

Which RCM issue izzit??

thanx, FA[8D]

LesUyeda

joperry: Got it. I was looking for the typical circle with quarters blacked out. Thanks

Les

Redwulf__34

I'm tagging in too. I have a set of 1/4 scale Fokker DVII plans from Jerry Behrens. I'm thinking of it for my next build. I can't decide if I want to go WWI or WWII for the next build. There are a few things that I haven't figured out witht he Fokker how to do yet. It will be good to see how you work though a few things. Maybe I'll get some clarity.

I noticed you traced your wing ribs with carbon paper. A suggestion. I usually have a second set of plans copied and then I get some thin pulpboard. It the cardboard like cereal boxes are made from. You can get them in big 4' X 4' sheets. I use rubber cement and the set of copied plans to make templates from. That way I have them for future builds. It works out great.

Sean

joperry0811

Buzzart Bait

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I am concerned about the weight issues that you addressed. I am leaning towards using iron on covering like Monokote to help with the weight problem.

I am planning on lightening the stabilizers. I would like to keep the rudder solid if possible, because these type of planes have a tendency to nose over and hit the rudder.

You mentioned that you have that RCM issue. I do not. Which issue was it? I just have the plans.

I'm going to put the building on hold until this weekend, and ponder this some more.

joperry0811

Redwulf 34,

If you go WWII, what would you build?

As far as the Fokker goes, there's a few things that I haven't figured out either. I'm going to dive into again this weekend. I don't like the way the landing gear looks on the plans. The plans have the landing gear going pretty high up into the fuselage. This looks like a potential mess to me, so I want to do something different with that.

I'm hoping on starting on the top wing this weekend.

joperry0811

Redwulf

On that Fokker, you may want to contact www.precisioncutkits.com. They may already be cutting that kit. Maybe that's what I should have done. We'll see.