pgitta

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Added different formats of the SE5A so anyone like me searching would have better luck finding info.

So I'm posting my progress on a build/modification on the Dynaflite SE5A in case anyone's interested. This is a pretty good kit value in my opinion, but I feel it needs some changes to make it right.

First of all, that wing needs to come down.

And the incidences are all wrong. I sure they are the reason for the tail down squatty flight and the torn out rudders people have complained about. Took a shot of the plans and you can see the incidence for the wings are 1 degree and 0 for the stab.

The real thing is 5 degrees for everything! So that's what I'll do...if I can.

pgitta

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I've included a few shots of my twisted techniques. I'm a woodworker, so I'm cheating with the power tools!

I like to set my angle finder on the plan, transfer it to the piece I want to cut, move to the disc sander, dial in that angle in the miter guage, and sand down to the line.

You have to be careful cause the disc sander melts away balsa like a hot knife through butter, but the ends are oh so nice and square.

Prop Nut

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Keep it going, we want to see more.

harve202

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IMHO scarcity of responses to this thread is directly proportional to understanding this kit to be discontinued. Imagine surprise at finding it to be again available from Tower, other nhs not known. Perhaps business will pick up all around. I've got one on the way and will be ready to start in a few. Howsa boudit, yall.

harve202

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First Impression=That's a BIG box of Balsa. Don't take anything out, you'll never get it all back in. Step-by-step instructions. Far cry from " build-wing, build-fuse, install- radio" stuff we cut our teeth on. Good bang for buck.
I'm in 'studying mode' and was wondering how/when to incorporate comments made in interest or greater scale compliance in build.
IMHO comments cluster around 1)Wing incidence angles 2)wing-fuse gap 3)UC( i know , too many design plans from UK)design and 4)lack of flying wires and/or other details. Assuming I'm correct, where do/did you start modifications from their directions/plans etc.?
You guys started it so help me out here. I'm finishing a Sig J-3, qs with a Magnum 1.60 two cylinder and think I needed smaller (LOL) project to fuel CA fix.

CRFlyer

I have not started my se5a yet. I have it planned mostly as next winters project at this time. My plans for modifications at this time are to 1. decrease the distance between the top and bottom wings and 2. to Add some flying wires.

I am interested in hearing how the building progress is going from anyone working on this kit.

harve202: Your right, it is a big box of balsa, but not any bigger than any other kit of this size.

jstanton

My Feedback: (14)

I have built this kit and she is a great flyer. Very stable and slow. I have powered it with a Magnum 91 4 stroke with a APC 14x6 prop. Flys around very scale like. I am going to try a APC and Zinger 15x4 props this weekend. I did have trouble with the tail gear tearing out. I have reinforced the tail section with some screws and 30 minute epoxy. Here is a picture of the plane finished. The engine in the picture did not work out very well and I changed it out to my Magnum 91 4 stoke. Oh! you will find a problem with the engines muffler not coming out the bottom of the cowling if you install a 4 stroke engine according to plans. I have talked this over with others here and we all have run the muffler out the side of the cowling. Does not look bad and it works.

Thanks

harve202

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Great pic's. Two questions. Did you put four aileron s's in your wings or did you use two with links, upper or below? Was most of the build stock to their plans?

jstanton

My Feedback: (14)

I used two GWS high torque servo's(111 oz. at 6 volts) in the wing for the ailerons and then used some 4/40 threaded rods with medal clevis to connect the ailerons together. I used GWS high torque servo's on the rudder and elevator also. I am using only 5 servos and the plane flys real scale like with a Magnum 91 RFS 4 stroke engine and a APC 14x6 prop. I did this to cut down on the weight and it works very well. My total dry weight is 10lbs. That is at its low end on the weight scale. With a wing area of 1440 sq in. this plane fly very slow and stable. You almost have to force it to land. Make sure you beef up the tail section if you fly on a grass field. Because it well tear out on landings. You will not have this trouble on any type of paved runway.

Good luck and enjoy your SE-5a

jstanton

My Feedback: (14)

I built the plane stock as per plans. The servo's are mounted in the lower wing.

I just got back from the field and if you plan on using a 91 4 stroke in the plane you will find it flys very scale like. I found a APC 15x4 prop will give you the most thrust. I have tried several 14x6 props only to find they just fly the plan around and if you want to do a simple loop with a 14x6 prop you will have to go into a dive to pick up speed and pull up from there. With a APC 15x4 on a Magnum 91 4 stroke running 15% fuel it gives you enough thrust do do a loop from leave flight and still flys very scale like.

Hope this helps

harve202

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Thinking of a Saito91 that I didn't use on another project. and 15 x 4 will be no problem. Any comments about lowering upper wing? Anyone lowering the side nose profile by changing bulkhead heights?

jstanton

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Harve

I think you'll find you'll have a little more power with the Saito 91s. I have both engines and I find my Saito to be a more powerful engine. I think you my even be able to use a 15x6 APC prop with the Saito. It should give you more airspeed than my Magnum 91. I plan on using my Saito 91s in a FunAero Albatross. That would give both my 91's a good home and somone to play with.

I built my Dyanfilte according to plan so I am sorry I cannot help you with lowering the top wing. I know it would be more to scale, but it is just a fun scale airplane and mine flys like a dream. Hope you have lots of air time with yours.

Thanks

harve202

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Where did evrybuddy go? Pgitta, whassup? Guess it's too hot...[8D]

jstanton

My Feedback: (14)

Harve

I flew mine this last Thursday and I had a ball flying it. My Magnum 91 4 stoke with a 15x4 prop pllls the plane around the sky like it was a real SZE-5a, Very scale like. I even had to mix a little rudder with my ailerons to get it to turn right. A friend of mine took some viedos with his digital camera and if they turn out I will try and post them here. This is a great plane and I am now working on my German scout plan. A taube by Balsa USA in 40 size. It is a little small compaired to the SE-5a but it will give my SE-5a something to fly with until I get a WW1 German Fighter built. I am looking into the Eindecker 90 from Balsa USA.

Have fun with yours.

harve202

My Feedback: (2)

From lack of responses, looks like me and you is it for interest. Maybe its just too hot. Been so's firehydrants are chasing dogs here in ENC. I haven't made any balsa dust or snorted CA for over a month as my shop's not AC'd. Cooler weather will be nice in more than one way, huh?Best to all in efforts to curtail Law of Gravity.

Mindwarp

I'd absolutely be interested in hearing about the DynaFlite S.E.5a as I'm building the FunAero 60" at the moment. It'd be great to be able to compare the two.

Cheers,
Neil.

szig

Me too, my Dynaflite SE5a arrives this week. Start build soon.

This is my target,

http://www.fach-extraoficial.com/ingles/se5.htm

Regards

erfromley

My Feedback: (7)

did your magnum fly it well,i tried the 91 in my se5 but it struggled to get airborne,i have put a saito 120 in but have not flown it yet

abufletcher

I can't believe that a 91 won't fly a 60" or so size SE5a! I would have thought that 120 was too larger for all but a heavy 1/4 scale model of a WWI bipe which were known both for their light wing loadings and underpowered engines.

jstanton

My Feedback: (14)

Erfromley

I use a APC 14x6 prop on my SE-5a with the Magnum 91 four stroke. I run Omega 15% fuel and I get 9000 RPM with that fuel and prop. The Magnum 91 flies this plane very scale it. She flies thru the air nice and slow even at full throttle. I do have enough power to do loops and rolls. She even needs the rudder mixed with the ailerons to do a turn. The real SE-5a also needed rudder and ailerons to do a turn. The 91 is on the low end of the power scale for the plane, but I wanted it to fly as scale like as possible. The 120 four stroke will have more than enough power to fly this plane, but you will have to run it at 1/2 throttle to fly scale. At full throttle she flys like most of the new stunt trainers. This is the easiest plane to land I have ever owned.

I love mine and I know you'll love yours with the 120 in it.

Good Luck

jstanton

My Feedback: (14)

Efromley

Here is a video of my Dynaflite Se-5a with a Magnum 91 4 stroke and a APC 14x6 prop. As you can see the engine and prop combo work just fine. I think this plane is the easiest I have very flown when it comes to landings.

http://media.putfile.com/Jim-Flying

Your 120 will have a lot more power so it will have shorter take offs and faster climbs.

Prop Nut

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Wow, this thread did kind of die out. I have been flying my SE5a for two seasons now on a ASP 1.20 four stroke, way more engine than it needs but makes for some fun manouvers

bhole74

I'm building twin B-USA S.E. 5a's with G-38s. Finally started covering this week. One big bipe is time consuming enough, but 2...

Prop Nut

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Do you have a build thread running on those? I would love to watch as they take shape.

bhole74

No I don't. I may if I had a decent camera, besides, once I start building I find it hard to stop. I started them July 30th and hope to have them ready to maiden by the 23rd of October.