top flight c47
10-02-2006, 10:59 PM
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top flight c47
hey guys I just completed the top flight dc3 kit finished as a c47 I found on the internet. I am very pleased with the way it came out. it has a finished cockpit, detailed wheel wells, panel lines, full ram lighting, retracts, it has twin saito .56 for power with 10 6 three bladed props. I am concerned because the finished weight is 12.8 pounds. the manual calls for 8 to 10 pounds finished. so I am wondering if anyone else is flying this bird and what the weight and flying characteristics are like. The retracts seem a little weak for the weight also, any thoughts or advise will be greatly appreiciated. Ive added some photos, Thanks TJ
10-03-2006, 02:12 PM
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RE: top flight c47
Hello!
That's around 6 kg ...that's very heavy! How come it's so heavy?
I think it will fly, but fast as h...
Saito .56 engines are way too big and heavy for the Top Flite DC-3. Saito .30 would be more suiatble for it if built light.
Unfortunately you will find yourself in a negative weight spiral when using too big heavy engines as they require larger tanks, drink more fuel , require heavier engine mounts, stronger heavier construction metods and so on...that's is very unfortunat as it will produce a plane that has to be flown fast , like a pattern airplane and not slow and lumbering flights like the full scale DC- 3 is capable of, flying on it's wing.
My Marutaka DC- 3 is as big as yours (211cm in span) but weights only 3,6kg ready to fly and is powered by two OS FS .26 four-strokes and is covered in chrome Oracover plastic film. I have done everything possible to reduce weight, carving away balsa and plywood where ever possible and made new engine cowls in epoxy glass instead of using balsa and plywood.My goal was 3kg but I was a bit disappointed when it finally weighted 6hg more. But it flew just fine the first time I flew it and the engines has been totally reliable. The DC- 3 behaves more or less like a sailplane in the air and could be flown very slowly and gracefully and is a very easy to land.
Hope yours will fly, but if I were you I would do everything to lighten it a bit.
Regards!
Jan K
That's around 6 kg ...that's very heavy! How come it's so heavy?
I think it will fly, but fast as h...
Saito .56 engines are way too big and heavy for the Top Flite DC-3. Saito .30 would be more suiatble for it if built light.
Unfortunately you will find yourself in a negative weight spiral when using too big heavy engines as they require larger tanks, drink more fuel , require heavier engine mounts, stronger heavier construction metods and so on...that's is very unfortunat as it will produce a plane that has to be flown fast , like a pattern airplane and not slow and lumbering flights like the full scale DC- 3 is capable of, flying on it's wing.
My Marutaka DC- 3 is as big as yours (211cm in span) but weights only 3,6kg ready to fly and is powered by two OS FS .26 four-strokes and is covered in chrome Oracover plastic film. I have done everything possible to reduce weight, carving away balsa and plywood where ever possible and made new engine cowls in epoxy glass instead of using balsa and plywood.My goal was 3kg but I was a bit disappointed when it finally weighted 6hg more. But it flew just fine the first time I flew it and the engines has been totally reliable. The DC- 3 behaves more or less like a sailplane in the air and could be flown very slowly and gracefully and is a very easy to land.
Hope yours will fly, but if I were you I would do everything to lighten it a bit.
Regards!
Jan K
10-03-2006, 04:08 PM
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RE: top flight c47
Hi Jan thats a great looking plane I cant believe how light it is Good job!! I am still quite new to this as this is only my second kit, I didn't pay enough attention to keeping it light as you suggested I agree it will have to be flown fast which is too bad and landings are going to be interesting have to keep the speed up for sure. I am just starting a giant scale top flight Corsair I will definatly work on lightening it but that will be a heavy one also. Part of the reason its so heavy is that I needed 15 oz of weiht in the nose to balance it I dont know why it is so tail heavy I didnt overbuild it Mabey the paint?? Also the retracts are quite heavy and as you mentioned the engines are huge for this plane Thanks TJ
