I am looking at the Dynaflite Decathalon as an upcoming project and hope to get your opinions on it. My thumbs are quick, but not my building habits. I have heard that you shouldn't by a Dynaflite unless you like to put together LOTS of sticks. Is this true? What does it fly like? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

No big deal on building it , flys great . Not much room in nose for a gas engine to fit in , especially for a muffler . I have a Q400 in mine , a souped up q42 or US41 size . Also I have said before , this is the worst landing gear in a kit I,ve ever seen , Bends up in a few regular landings .

very true!!!! I have B&B landing gear reinforcement standoffs on mine and they work great. Mine was powered by a Q42 now it sports Sachs 3.2 power.

What about an OS 1.60 FX on the front? Is this enough power or would I need something like a BGX? I really don't know much about gassers.

Hulapig1,

The OS 1.60 should be fine, but maybe a bit light on power. If you are an experienced builder, spend some time taking weight out of the aircraft, as much as possible without compromising the structure. Like those above, I have powered mine with a Quadra 42 swinging an 18x10 prop and it provides more than enough power.

If you use the 1.60 and build light, the stock gear should be OK. I had the same experience as Hurri and made a similar modification. No more gear problems. I also think the plastic cowl and wheel pants are junk. I assembled and finished mine (because they were free, after all), but now think that I have wasted too much time and will soon have to replace with fiberglass.

The Decathlon will reward your efforts in the air. It is a very capable flier.

Have fun!

Bedford

Hi Hulapig,
The Dynaflite airplanes are easy to build and at least the PT-19, Flybaby and Decathlon are great flyers. As with anything else-keep it light. If you are looking for the decathlon kit let me know.
Good flying!

I have one of those Dynaflite Super Decathlons too.

Many missing and unusable junk parts in my kit. Parts fit is very poor. Many inconsistencies with the plans don't help. Major trimming and adjusting of parts is required. Many parts do not match plans. Firewall markings are totally out to lunch.

IMO very high nuisance factor rounding up and replacing all the defective junk and correcting design and production errors.

Also looks like way too much plywood.

There's virtually no hardware in the kit and what is supplied you probably will replace anyway. So it gets to be an expensive project for what it is when all is said and done.

Bottom line: highly overrated junk product, just like the old Byron Originals line. Have you ever heard the story of the king's new clothes? Well, this is it all over again. How do you admit that you were swindled?

I have one and know other people that have the Dynaflite Decat's and the only one of AR196's comments that I have seen to be true is that the kit does use to much plywood IMO....

AR196, you missed the fact that the stock gear is junk....and it is big time!!


the TNT gear is better or you can use the stock gear with the B&B landing gear reinforcement standoffs like I have on mine now.