RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Bobbo ZA,

Your plane looks awesome. Send some pictures or videos of this thing flying.

Phil

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

No Maiden today, hectic 33kph wind here, typical but then there is always next week.

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

HI Bobbo - she looks very good! Ya done good as they say in Good Ol´America...

Despite of the scale (design) flaws, which are definitely NOT YOUR fault, this is the best WH Super Decathlon I´ve seen...congratulations!!! I am sure she flies very well, and you will have many hours of joy flying her. And don´t be too shy of the wind, she likes it...

Marcus

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Two weeks ago I delivered # 40, a 35% Scale Super Decathlon, done in the N90GK colors (Greg Koontz), some 85% ready. The new owner is my former Fiberglass specialist - he closed his production after laminatig the pieces for this plane, and turned over the molds to me, that was all part of the deal. Now my FG parts will be laminated in my hometown, which saves me a lot of time and some money too.
He will paint and istall all FG parts himself, as well as doing all the vynil stickers and other finishing touches.

I drove 150 miles with the beast on the roof top, not going over 50mph. I built the rack all my myself, as the Mercedes OEM racks are too expensive...

Enjoy the pix..

Marcus

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

#38 in the works, also a 35% scale, will be finished in Yellow-White and Metalic Blue Stripes, closely resembling N411LR "Tweetie" but with the Starburst scheme on the wheelpants as well and no star on the cowl...

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="FONT-FAMILY: "Arial","sans-serif"; FONT-SIZE: 9pt">Hi Marcus,

Thanks for the kind words, as this was only my 3rd full scratch build i did not want to make too many drastic changes so i stuck to the plan, knowing it would be a "stand off" scale outcome, there were a few areas i have to revert to experience and some advice from fellow builders, both at home and on the forums (thanks to everyone who contributed here).

#40 looks stunning, I really like the dash, currently I have painted mine black, with only the Rev counter installed, I will finish the interior once i know if flies and is reliable, will be in contact with you possibly to buy a nice dash like that.

I'm sure you must have gotten quite a few strange looks while driving along with that on the roof, although, it’s very securely packaged.

#35 also looks stunning, I love the yellow and white scheme, I will do a yellow and white plane one day, probably not a Decathlon but something yellow and white for sure.

I still need to weigh her and double check the CG when i have a few extra sets of hands, I checked it and its currently roughly 30% from the LE which i feel is safe, the forecast here is still heavy winds till the weekend so I’m hopeful of maidening it this weekend, spent the day yesterday fitting the trailer with extra mounts and supports to hold her during transport to the flying field.
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Need to try work out some places to mount the GoPro for the maiden, thinking on the wing struts but not 100% decided yet. 

Kind Regards
Rob

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Hi Rob
thanks for your comments. And yes, a few strange looks but also some honks when a fellow modeler with a trailer passed me...
About the dash, please tell me the exact width of your dash board so I can adjust it to the WH design.

Well, if you don´t have your mind 100% made about your next yellow-n-white project, why dont give one of my kits a try? goto my website at marcusmodelfactory dot com and check it out. Make sure you have your Google Chrome translator turned on.

Tell us how the maiden flight went, after doing it it. Post photos.

Rgds
Marcus

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-ZA"><font size="3" face="Calibri">IT FLYS!!!!!

Just home and showered from a morning at the local field, had 2 really good flights on her, maiden was rather uneventful except that i did not tell my 2 Aux channels to trim together with the Elevator and Aileron trims so i could only trim one side, managed to get it level and had a good 10-15 mins with a few gentle rolls.

Second flight was much more energetic, seems to want to die at the top of the loop but i suspect the tubing in the tank may be a bit stiff and not letting the clunk drop all the way down, either need softer tubing or a heavier clunk and try again.

She rolls so easily and loops well, my mate even had her in a knife edge at one stage for a short time so there is definitely enough power, and im hoping it gets better as the motor loosens up and gets some carbon build up inside, not peaking yet and still getting 6400-6500 RPM on the ground, no dead stick so im happy that its "safe" for now.
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3rd scratch build a big sucess, :-)</p>

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Hi Bobbo
although expected that she´d fly well, a maiden flight is always an event!!
Again, she looks very good and that color scheme is just beautiful.
Congratulations for a well done job!! I think your puppy inside got a little sick of your first flight...

Seeing those photos and the landscaping behind, it reminded of my trip to Johannesburg 5 years ago. I loved your country and JB. I could definitely live there...have friends over there too. Hope to be back in some time. If I ever get back, be sure I´ll contact you...

Rgds
Marcus

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="FONT-FAMILY: "Arial","sans-serif"; FONT-SIZE: 9pt">Thanks Marcus, Yip, live in the South of Johannesburg, got a small place but will always welcome you if you make it over this side.

The club is called RMAC - Rand Model Aeronautic Club, very nice field and we are pretty well looked after in terms of facilities and frequency control, although we are just under the JHB special rules flight path, most pilots avoid the field, although we have had one or 2 brave (read: crazy) pilots trying to come in and show off.

Uploaded a short clip, still messing with Sony Vegas but it didn’t come out too bad, was hoping to have the GoPro on but could not find anywhere to mount it securely, will make a plan for the next flights.

</p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="FONT-FAMILY: "Arial","sans-serif"; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span style="COLOR: purple">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSJoDJfZbo4</span>

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RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Thanks Rob
and congratulations again for the nice plene, the video is very good. Well done!

Marcus

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

I see AMR has a 35% version out now,I am considering either that or going to the 42% one. I have a DA-150 on the shelf so maybe I'll go with the 42% version.I'm trying to weigh out the advantages and disadvantages of each.I'm thinking the 35% version would be easier to load/unload/store etc,whereas the 43% version would be a bit more of a chore.On the other hand I have a trailer to haul/store the 43% version.Would a DLE 111/DA-120 powered 35% version be a more impressive performer than a 42% DA-150 powered SD?I'm thinking..maybe..what do you guys think.I'm going to get one or the other ,I just haven't decided yet.What do you guys think.

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Steve, to give you a straight answer: give my kit a try...goto my website marcusmodelfactory.com and take a look them...just sold one to Australia...starting to send them abroad...

See you
Marcus

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Ok Marcus I'll check it out..thanks

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Maiden flight of #036 - another happy customer/builder. Not quite completely finished, but enough to catch the attention of the surrounding people...a non-scale but scale-like finish, still missing the pink stripe and Star on the cowl.
DLE-111cc, 139 inches wingspan at 35% scale...
Enjoy...

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

A video is available here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...omment_mention

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Steve, any decision made yeat for which Decathlon you´ll purchase? Take a look at my website marcusmodelfactory dot com and check the 35% version, make sure you google chrome automatic translator is on.

Marcus

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

#038 is now in the finishing stage. All that´s left to do is painting the FG parts. It´s a 35% Scale deke
Marcus

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

HelloMarcus,
Another beautiful plane!!!, Would you believe I'm quite close to covering. Can't hardly wait till done. Joe

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Go for it Joe you won´t regret. The Deke is such a nice flier...

Cheers
M

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Hi, Marcus

What are the design flaws with the Hostetler Decathlon plan?

Can this be fixed without a complete redraw?

Thanks
Don

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Don
Honestly? Nope. You will have to enlarge the cabin formers in height and shorten them in width, actually for all formers forward of the wing TE. Although this may be easy to achieve, any change result in the need of a new cowl mold. Period.
Wingtips can be easily changed into solid balsa blocks carved and shanded to shape and hollowed to save weight.

I´m not picking on the WH design, and he know it. It´s a great flier when built according to the plans. But he must have had a wrong 3-view as basis for the plans.

Hope this has helped.

If you wish, contact me thu my website marcusmodelfactory dot com for details on my kits.

Rgds
Marcus

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Marcus,

I had no idea his plans where that far off.
Thanks for the heads up!

Thanks, Don

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

The Hostetler plan is not precisely scale, however, Great stand-off scale and flys great as well. Marcus probably has the most precise plan not sure if he sells just the plan. Joe

RE: Hostetler 33% Decathlon
 

Joe and Don
my plans are nothing else than a drawing of all lasercut pieces assembled. Not exactly suitable for scratchbuilding purposes.

I do offer however complete kits of both 30% and 35% scale (no wheels no acessories) please check my website marcumodelfactory dot com, get in touch with me or PM me and I´ll explain all details. I have currently one 35% SD being built in Australia. Check the building thread at flyying giiantss dot com (incorrect spelling on purpose) search for Marcus Model Factory 35% Super Decathlon by Dave Roberts. will be finished as VH-SIS- see photo.

I would be glad to sell some kits to the US. Those who already built my kits are 100% satisfied, I´m honored by that rate.

See you guys.

Marcus