Dymond Tiger Moth
 

I have ordered a Dymond Tiger Moth (small one) Now to you kind folks that have one (standard drill)
Anything to watch out for? How is the fuel tank location for inverted engine? mods? How does it fly? Taxi? Land? Stall? Handle wind?


Not asking much huh? ;)

Thanks

David

Hey I got one!
 

Here's a copy of the flight report I posted on RC Collective.com

Four flights Saturday and another four on Sunday. Would have been more but I had two students on both days.

The TM flies like a dream. Magnum .52 FS with an APC 12x6. The engine had been on another plane so I didn't have to muck with the settings. I set all controls and CG according to the instructions, and they are spot on. They only give one setting so I used those as the high rates and set the low rates at -25%. I made the maiden take off on low rate and about three minutes into the first flight switched to high and haven't been back. Initial trim was about as close as you could ever hope to get, only three clicks of right aileron, that was it.

Take offs and landings are real easy. Easier than my Cub by a long ways. Tracks on the ground nice and straight. The rudder is effective as soon as the tail wheel comes off the ground. I was flying Sunday with a 6 to 8 mph crosswind - no problem. Landings are just as easy, A couple of clicks of throttle and hold a little elevator and it will flair all week long. My first landing was a perfect main wheels, no bounce, grease job.

It looks like a Tiger Moth but doesn't fly like one. It's flies more like a sport plane. Stalls are just a straight ahead mush with no tendency to snap. As soon as you let go of the elevator it starts flying again. All controls are effective right down to it's ridiculously slow stall sped. Loops, rolls, spins, hammerheads, snap rolls are easy to perform and look good. Cuban Eights look especially cool. Surprizingly it will fly inverted with just a little pressure on the elevator, just enough to remind you which way to push the stick. The trim does change with speed, and it ballons a bit when you decelerate from full speed, so I think it needs a little more down thrust. Next time out I'm going to try a one washer shim adjustment.

I received a lot of compliments from the guys at the field. I let a couple of the guys take a turn around the patch just so I could admire her. There is something about a biplane doing aerobatics the just seems so... right. Of course one of it's best tricks is the low, slow fly by with the engine just putting along. That also just looks so...Tiger Moth.

On Saturday I also brought along my Somethin' Extra and only took it up ONE time. That's something that has NEVER happened before! I was having so much fun with the TM, that's all I took out on Sunday. If some one wants to get a first biplane I would have no problem recommending this one. If you can fly a low wing sport plane, you can fly this.

David, in answer your question about the fuel tank; The way the fuse is made you can ONLY mount the engine inverted. But, they did an excellent job engineering the tank location. I've had no problems with the carb filling up while sitting or fuel dripping out the exhaust. The engine starts, idles and runs as well as any side or upright engine plane this size I've ever had. I haven't noticed any change in the engine when flying inverted, such as leaning out, which a lot of other planes do. I always start the plane on it's wheels and it starts on the first bump every time. The only hassle is getting the glow starter on and off from the bottom.

Dymond Tiger Moth
 

opps - forgot to attch the pic.

Dymond Tiger Moth
 

Dugster,
:D Thanks, that was what I was hoping to hear. This will be my first bipe, so very encouraged by your excellent review.

Received mine. Very nice so far. Going together fairly quick. I'm going to replace fuel tank. Also think I'm going to order Kyosha TM decals. Only 2" between wingspans so should do fine. Will be turning my landing gear around back-wards as I fly off grass and read in another post that it helped with nose overs.

Using Magnum 61 FS on mine (only because it was lighter then the 52)

How did yours balance?

Can't wait to do some barn-stormin'

Thanks again,

David

Dymond Tiger Moth
 

The question of balance...

I originally set it up according to the instructions and it came out a bit nose heavy with the battery under the fuel tank. Not real bad, something like 1.5 oz of wieght in the rear. I had added a tray for the Rx under the cockpit area and when I moved the battery back there it came out fine. Funny thing was that it balanced perfectly the first day out, when I flew without the cowl. I had to rearrange things when I added the cowl.

Oh, and I'm still using the recommended CG.

Another thing I've noticed. The tendency to nose over is very much dictated by the CG. I fly off a dirt/gravel strip and the only nose over I've had was when it was nose heavy (I forgot to remove the glow starter, Doh...). With the CG where it belongs the attitude on the take off roll is very level. As the CG moves forward the nose starts to sink lower and lower and it will become very easy to nose over. The wheels are 2 7/8 diameter, so IMHO if you balance it correctly, you should have no problem flying off grass without turning the gear around. But at least it's easy to switch the gear back and forth.

Dymond Tiger Moth
 

Thanks for all the info. Model is done. Took a week of very casual work. If the winds cooperate will test fly tomorrow. Left the gear as they should be, still nicely in front of cg. Gear looks very awkward back wards. Balanced perfect! with battery under fuel tank.

And if anyone else is interested later, the Kyosho decals work great (they are a bit thin though).

RE: Hey I got one! - Dymond Tiger Moth
 

Dugster - I've got the same Dymond Tiger moth and same engine (Magnu, 52) but can't find the assembly sheets. Can you advise about the CG, throws and other settings. Also, what about installing the cabanes -- does it tell you where to position the holes? Thx.

RE: Hey I got one! - Dymond Tiger Moth
 

fheppenheimer, Sorry about not replying sooner, been out of town.

I'll try to find the sheets at home tonight. I'm still using the recommended CG and throws. I'm now on my TM. The first was lost due to thumb induced mid-air with terra-firma.

I've assembled three of these now and on all of them all the strut mounting holes where pre-drilled. If they're not call Helmut at Dymond in San Diego (He's the owner and a very nice guy).

Here's a picture of my second TM. We (my brother and I) recovered it to make it unique.

RE: Hey I got one! - Dymond Tiger Moth
 

Dugster - Thanks. I flew the plane last weekend -- the plane seemed right on the cg just having put the battery and receiver where they belonged -- adjusted the throws based on guesses by experienced bipe pilots at the field -- plane flew great on the Magnum 52. Very nice recovering job by you and your brother!