Originally Posted by
CSpierings
Guys thanks for the replies. I don't have the plan. What I think I will do then is pull the engine mount and rotate it 90 degrees so the head comes out the right side. I will fill the cowl with foam and then glass over the hole to fill the hole in the top.
I do have two long canopies. I think this thing should be a great flier. Do you think its worth putting a servo in each wing for the ailerons?
Any idea of what the control throws and CG should be on this?
Thanks for the help!
Chris,
I agree with Dave. I'd keep the cowl as is and install an upright 46 side exhaust engine with a pipe down the side. If you side mount the engine, you will have to run the pipe under the wing which is also doable but just requires that little more time to setup and break down as you have to remove the pipe each time you mount or unmount the wing. Most DB's were built with either upright SE engines with pipe down the right side of the fuse or RE engines side mounted again with the pipe down the side.
I'd also suggest you fit the engine so the cowl and spinner ring match after which you can permanently install the cowl and blend it into the fuse. You will have to paint the cowl but with a blended cowl/fuse joint, you might as well glass and paint the fuse, fin and rudder as well. I would cover the wing (especially if it's framed up rather than sheeted foam) and stab to keep it light.
As for the canopy, in order to keep it authentic, I do suggest you use the appropriate DB canopy. It can be had (thanks to the generous help of fellow modellers who provided the originals for reproduction by Keith) for $7 from PFP here:
http://parkflyerplastics.com/cart/in...roducts_id=608
I also do strongly recommend putting one servo per aileron in the wing panels. There is no weight penalty these days as you only need to use mini (note, not micros) servos for the ailerons. A good fit is a Spektrum A5030 or a Tactic TSX25 - both great little digital servos. Besides, the shallow fuse makes using a single center mounted servo a little inconvenient as you have to manage the torque rod connections and make sure they don't interfere with the tail servos and rods. Twin aileron servos nowadays is simply a no brainer.
I'll check the CG tomorrow (~5" from the LE at the fuse side) but you'll be surprised how far back it is. All DB's and UFO's have CG's far back due to the strongly tapered LE and straight TE. Throws are small about 1/2" up and down on elevator and 3/8" up and down on ailerons. Full rudder deflection either side. Clearly setup up dual rates as well.
Dave,
the standard BHE DB40 and DB20 (Tweedy Bird) kits came with glass cowls. Only the 60 was designed around a built in wood cowl.
David