LonnieMcc

Hey guys, I have been working on a DVII build from BUSA for a little while. I am at the point where I am mounting the firewall and testing the engine position. Since this is my first 1/4 scale build, I have a question about mounting the engine. I am powering this bird with a G38 with a Cup mount and spring starter.

At the moment I have the firewall set to give the clearance I need. The question I have thou is this. With the engine sitting on the firewall, one of the bolt holes is about 3/8" from the top of the firewall. Will this be ok, or should I make the firewall a little taller??

Thanks,
Lonnie

jeffo

My Feedback: (68)

as long as the F.W. is 3/8 thick aircraft plywood,you should be OK.jeffo

foodstick

I wouldn't be afraid to beef anything up in the firewall area, tri-stock.. braces whatever. This plane usually needs a good amount of lead unless you are a super light builder, and monokoting the plane. One of the best mods I have seen to this plane was not using the plastic chin piece, and making it out of sturdy wood so you can mount lead there...

p.s. mine is heavy at 25 pounds after changing the cg some....and it still flies great...

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

I recommend running small dowels into the firewall through the fuselage sides. Even with tri stock, my firewall broke loose after 7 years. I actually recommend running the firewall all the way down to the bottom of the fuse to give 3 contact points instead of 2 as well. Hope this helps. Your hole should be fine though.

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

7 years? My planes never make it that long. lol. But I agree with pinning the firewall. And I also agree with the 3/8 inch being OK. But I think MOST ideas from people that have already built this plane are good ones. If you want to beef up the top of the firewall, do it. As it was mentioned you will need to add weight anyway. There are a lot of great build threads on this site about Balsa USA Fokker DVII's. Welcome to the DVII family. You are going to love the way this bird flies. Just be ready to add a LOT of down trim. And of course it is OK to post a picture or two of your build.

jwrich

My Feedback: (17)

Lonnie, just found your thread, I have a G-38 in my Fokker D VII and it runs great, plenty of power. I do have pictures of mounting the engine to keep every thing hidden under the cowl. I'll look for the pictures later to day. You are going to love this airplane.
Rich

jwrich

My Feedback: (17)

Lonnie, I found some pictures that should help you in mounting the Zenoah 38 in the BUSA Fokker D-VII. On RC scalebuilder.com Balsa USA kits forum I did a couple construction threads, both show pictures of mounting the engine. This page Building the BUSA Fokker D-VII, page 9, http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/forum/...?TID=9442&PN=9, shows the mounting, muffler mods and Voslotiy stack I made for the Carb.
Also I did another thread, http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/forum/...TID=17953&PN=4, Renovating the BUSA Fokker D-VII, page 4. You might want to look at both threads, there several pictures showing how I did it.





The yellow D-VII crashed when I lost it in the early morning sun. The red & white I bought built but needed a lot of work, it is still flying today. It flew at the Dayton Dawn Patrol in September.

Enjoy your build, I'll be following along
Rich

LonnieMcc

Hey guys thanks for all the reply's and suggestions. I went ahead and add a "shim" to the side and have the kit supplied firewall attached. Now I am just adjusting the engine to line up.

Rich, thanks for the pictures, they sure help.

I will try and post pics as soon as I can. They are still on the camera, just have to get them uploaded.

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

Also, Check on iflytailies.com, for a much better option for the radiator. The wire screen just does not cut it really, and the honeycomb offering they have works and looks great.

LonnieMcc

Rich, forgot to ask, did you increase the height of your firewall?

R/C Ray

My Feedback: (6)

i have been flying my DVII for years. I have a DLE 55 for power, fits great plenty of power and can swing a 24” prop. Unfortunately, vibration is an issue. Right now the screening has been replaced, but the new screen is now broken. I’m trying to find a heavier screen that can take the vibration. Any suggestions? Replacing the screen is not an easy task.

Thanks,
Ray

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

Are you using the stock screen? I thought the stock screen was brittle. Iflytailies.com makes a very nice radiator for the 1/4 scale DVII. I use black solar screen from the local house repair store. Home depot, Lows, Menards, whatever. It is black and handles vibration well. Just my two cents worth.