jim52519

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I am going to build a classic pattern plane and have decided on either the DB or Mach 1. The Mach 1 is slightly larger,about 30 sq. in. The Dirty Birdy has a thicker wing. Is one a better flyer than the other? I am currently flying the Tower ARF Kaos .40. It flies good but has a problem I have not been able to trim out. When I fly a Knife edge it pulls to the belly somthing fierce. I am wondering it the Dirty Birdy would have the same problem? I plan on using retracts. I have never flown either of these planes, but remember well how polular they were in the early 70's. Any information would be appreciated.

Jim

BevoHoward

Hey Jim,

I'd go with the Dirty Birdy if it were me. Back in the seventies, I went from a Kaos to the DB and loved it. Makes a good transition. The Mach 1 is a great airplane, but lands really Hot. Kinda short on time here. Let me get back with ya. Can you or anybody tell me how to post a picture? ---Tom

Bootalini

My vote is for the Mach 1. Coolest looking plane of that early pattern era....IMHO. A few old Mach 1 photos including a nice modified one to wet your appetite.

rainedave

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Jim. have you considered a UFO? Not SPA legal (1977), but it was the "new and improved" DB. Longer tail, thicker, anhedral stab and thicker wing tip airfoil, also a bit more side area for better knife edge and more nose retract room. I'm building one now.

dbacque

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I can't compare them as I haven't flown a Mach-1 but I'm currently flying a Dirty Birdy and it rocks!

I'm an old Kaos fanatic but the DB is head and shoulders above it. I've played a little with mixing but still prefer to fly it with the mix turned off. Knife edge has no bad tendencies. It won't knife edge loop but it'll go clear across the field with practically no pull/push/roll tendencies.

Cool thing is that kits are available from Bluejay models for $110 http://www.bridiairplanes.com/hangar/dirtybirdy60.html . It's a great kit and a great plane!

By the way, I'm flying mine with a sport engine and fixed gear.

Dave

wlewis

Dave I have a new Dirty Birdy thats 16 yrs. old everything is complete in the kit with the exceptiion of the written instructions. Can you help me or glve me any leads, thanks in advance Wayne

jim52519

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Jeff,
Thanks for posting the Mach-1 pictures. I too think the M-1 is one of the best looking pattern planes of that era.

jim52519

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Rainedave,
I have followed your UFO build with much interest. It is an inspiring thread. I was glad to see you painted your UFO. It looks beautiful! I plan on painting mine also. I do not care about SPA legality. I currently have the Dirty Birdy plans,but not the UFO. If the UFO is a better flyer I could purchase plans,but if the differences are insignificant I would stick with the DB. What does the Anhedral stab do for you? It is no longer in style on the modern stuff, but back then it was popular.

Jim

rainedave

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Thanks Jim. The anhedral stab was supposed to keep the stab down out of the wing turbulence to help with slow speed flight. I honestly don't know how effective it actually was. The thicker stab section was intended to do the same thing. Others here on the forum have told me that the UFO can be slowed down a bit more on landing than a DB, but that would only be noticeable if two examples both had identical wing loadings.

Since no two models are ever exactly the same, regardless of how much care is put into building them, I think it's a bit hard to compare a DB with a UFO. It makes more sense to compare two models than two designs. That is, two UFOs built by two different people might be more different in the air than a DB built by me compared to my UFO.

dbacque

My Feedback: (3)

Wayne,

for some strange reason I can't find the instructions for the Dirty Birdy! I've got the plans and instructions for just about every thing I've built since the 70's but I can't find the instructions for the plane I built this past summer! I would have gladly scanned them for you but it looks like they've hit a black hole.

If nobody else comes through, you might see if Bluejay will sell you a set of instructions http://www.bridiairplanes.com/hangar/index.html

Dave

rainedave

My Feedback: (1)

I scanned the RCM article (two parts) a while back. It's like 15 pages, but I can email it as three .zip files if you think that would help. I don't know if the kit used the original RCM plans or not. It does have a very nice bill of materials. PM me your email address if you want it.

SteveW

My Feedback: (36)

I have a set of Dirty Birdy instructions I could copy for you. PM me with your snail mail address.

jim52519

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I decided to build the Dirty Birdy. I started cutting ribs last night. I am going to use the OS .55AX engine. Possibly the Mach-1 and UFO will be future projects. Thanks for all your input.

Jim

JPal101

My Feedback: (32)

My hobby shop came across an old kit in his basement. It has a one piece fiberglass fuse and the wings and all control surfaces are already assembled and sheeted. I did not notice if they were foam or built up. The instruction book say Dirty Birdie 60. The box says Comet but the fuse does not fit inside. Can anyone tell me if this is a DB 60 or a combination of the Comet and DB

impactiq

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Can you post a picture of the fuse?

JPal101

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Sorry I dont have it with me. But, it is one piece including what would be the canopy and verticle tail fin is balsa and is seperate

impactiq

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I Have a DB 60 glass fuse. I'll take pictures of it tomorrow night and post it for ya

impactiq

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Here is a picture of the DB 60 glass fuse.

JPal101

My Feedback: (32)

Yes, I believe that is it. Thanks

skyz

Just an old photo I found from the late 70's...
The Mach 1 is on the left.
See, the old and new at that time were being flown.

astropuppy

My Feedback: (23)

Mach I and a Taurus. Priceless, thanks for posting.