the 1" arms are the correct ones to use. The side load is minimal. I have over 100 flights now with that setup with not a single issue. I might also add those were very abusive flights. On the control horn tap issue, I put the the 4-40 tap in a drill and just went ahead and tapped them, no need to drill them out.

p.s. Chip Hyde has been very helpful with any and all issues. I don't know where capngriz gets off on saying good luck getting any help! As far as the weight goes, the plane flys great , Capngriz should go fly a scale and give up on airplanes.

Mark

capngriz has some kind of ax to grind.He also started problems in another thread in chips forum.I agree also,he should go fly a scale.

don't know capngriz, I do know that what few questions I had were answered quickly by either Don, Carla, or Chip,

So I ask you, mr. capngriz sir, "whats your problem?"

zonk

One more problem with the lame manual. It says you need "2 x 4 ",4-40 elevator pushrods". So I bought 2 of the specified titanium pushrods from Horizon Hobbies. Well aparantly there has been a change in the production model and I need 6 3/4 inch pushrods. So more money down the drain thanks to whomever wrote the manual.

Joe

JBrannon,

I feel your pain, but is is a great plane and you are going to love it.

Chip is just entering this aspect of business, and there is so many things to do and he STILL has to go to the various events, contests, etc...

I never got a manual with mine and it's all been a no brainer really. The downside is that the production version was changed enough to make things confusing from when Eric wrote the instructions.

Chip is working on updating the manual and that will help later customers, but that doesn't help you, so if you have any questions, please feel free to call on me anytime or check with many of the others here who have theirs up and flying.

I would most certainly rather have an awesome plane and a crappy/no manual than an awesome manual and a crappy plane any day.

No problems you two! Ok, maybe you can get some help with simple issues such as the manual.

I'm just still looking for that magical 13.5 lb 50 cc plane that they're claiming it is. That's all, nothing else! When the claim is gone, I'll end my search. Otherwise, let's see some evidence that it can be done by posting some weights here on RCU.

And yes, I know it flies good at a higher weight....................that, I've never questioned.

This is not personal - at least to me anyway.

Has anyone found a suitable carbon fiber gear to replace the stock? I estimate a savings of 3.5 ounces could be gained. If you know of a good one then post here of e-mail me.

THanks,
Mark

The only way you'd get that magial 13.5 lb 50cc DV is if the mythilogical BME 55 ships...

Seriously tho... the 55 (WHEN it ships) will be a great option for this bipe...

You'll have to jump thru a few hoops to balance, but I think it could be done...

Still yet... (and I KNOW you've heard this)

IT DOES fly great at even 17 lbs and many are getting under 15.5

I'm awaiting lipolies and I'll let you know my finished weight...

I'm cutting out all doubt and taking it to the UPS station for weighing...

2lbs will be hard to find [:@]

15.5 on a 50cc sounds awesome [8D]

13.5 has anyone achieved this weight??

so what is the average weight flers r coming in with?

From what I've gathered... about 15.5 - 16 lbs...

Maudib - Sounds good, keep us posted on your progress and your weight at the UPS station. It should be pretty acurate. I've checked the one at our office and it is extremely close.

Baron UK - If you hear of anyone getting close to 13.5 with the stock components, please let us know!

I only know of one but I will ask for an acurate weight

Would a YS 160 be an option or is CG a problem

If you could get it to 12 lbs ish with a 160 you could dance with the man in red who spits flames

Hi Mordib,

I built the one for Toledo and we have 20+ flights and it weights 14.8 lbs.


Kitman

sound pretty light with 2 wings that is great

That's great Kitman...

Most of the other reports I've heard is about 15.5 lbs... But 8 oz of wood density on a bird this size is easily understandable...

Boy I'd be delighted if mine came in at your DV's weight...

If there's anything I can say to those that haven't seen one in person is... This is a BIG plane for 50cc yet it is REALLY light. Even if it went 17 lbs with smoke and everything... It would be awesome... And knowing that with some work you could get it under 15... well... icing on the cake.

And if you were fanatical... carbon wing tubes, spinner and prop plus a souple lipo's in there... Maybe even 15 is doable...

What equipment? Can you post a picture of the plane on a digital shipping scale? Would you weigh each finished component and let us know what they weigh?

Mine is 15.8 lb with no canopy, no wheel pants, no belly pan, CF spinner, micro servos, short wood standoffs, nylon alignment screws instead of heavy long aluminum
rod, and drilling a bunch of holes.

I'll go out on a limb and say that your scale is wrong or the Toledo plane is nothing like the production planes.

Barry,

I would love to show you weights on a scale, but the plane is "on tour" with the Planes Plus booth. They fly it at each event thay attend. I used all Futaba servos, micros on the throttle, no choke servo, 20oz tank, Dubro hardware and small Li-Ion batteries. The XFC was a tremendous workout for the DV, pilots wrang it out and there isn't anything it couldn't do! We used the DA50 with a 21x8 prop.


Kitman

Hey guys...

I just posted a new, revised manual... Chip has went through and tried to catch things that needed edited, added info he felt was needed to make more clear and inserted missing info like the throws.

It is a little over 1 meg, requires Adobe Acrobat and you can find it here:

[link=http://www.chiphyde.com/html/dv/dvmanual.html]NEW DV Manual[/link]

21x8! I turn a Mejzlik 23x8 at 7K RPM. What 21x8 and what does it turn?

Could have beena typo... that 1 is right next to the 2...

Probably a 22x8 (which is what DA recommends for break in)

Sorry!

It was a 22x8 Bambula and it turned about 7200.


Kitman

"Building tip - Center of Gravity assessment. The recommended Center of Gravity range is 8.5 - 9.5” measured from leading edge of top wing. This is just behind the rear Cabane. This is done with the wings off. Use the positioning of the receiver battery and ignition battery to assist in adjusting the Center of Gravity."

This was copied from the both versions of the manual. Do you REALLY check CG with the wings OFF?

Joe

If that's what is says....

The BME Ultimate is balanced the same way only they have you make up a 1/4" ply spacer and replace the rib with it.... you balance using a string held under the ply strip with the wings off.

I get the feeling that the DV is fairly forgiving on the CG range, and I noted that it stated 8.5-9.5 is the BEGINNING of the CG range.

Balance with the wings off is correct! If you want to make it really easy balance point is at the front of the hatch. Remove the hatch and hold up the plane by the former at the front of the hatch. I found this to be where it flies best for me.

Mark Trent