Thinking about my next build and am looking for a WWI kit of some sort for a OS .70 I have available. Doesn't need to be exact scale nor am I going to add a bunch of scale details - I'm mostly concerned about how well the airplane flys.

Thanks for your ideas.

Scott.

A friend of mine has the Great Planes Dr-1 triplane ARF with an OS .70 in it. It flies very nicely, but you need to be careful in a cross wind.

Hobby People has a D-7 ARF available that would be nice for a .70FS.

Balsa USA has a .40 size Eindecker kit that I flew with a Saito .72. We took another one and midified it into a Morane-Saulnier Type N. They also have a Bristol M-1 WW I monoplane and a Taube in .40 2-stroke/.70FS size. The giant BUSA Eindecker flies with a .91FS, but you use half power fo you could do it with a .70 if you want to stick to scale speed.

The Hobby Hangar kits would be a little small for the .70, but could be done. We built and flew both kits with a Magnum .52FS and a Magnum .61FS.

Ed,

Thanks for the quick response - I'll look at the Hobby Hanger kits.

I should be more specific -

I'm really thinking about a kit for the upcoming winter project on the lines of

Fokker D7
Nieuport 28
Sopwith Camel
or
Albatros

Wondering if there are any .70 size kits or other WWI bipes with the classic 'look' available.

Thanks,

Scott.

The VK series, now handled by Proctor is in that size range.

Here's my Vk Dr1 with a Saito .56. Scale powered, she can just manage a loop (heavy with lots of scale detail);

The Hobby Hangar kits are good fliers, but can tip stall on landing if you aren't careful. If you go with the bigger engine, I would use spruce spars instead of balsa. I had a Magnum .61 4-stroke in my D-7 and broke the top span on the bottom wing. Nothing drastic since you have N-struts and we replaced the spar and re-covered. On the SE.5, we put in spruce spars.

The kits are pretty non-scale with ailerons on the lower wings. On ours, we used 4 ailerons, top & bottom wings, with 4 HS-81MG servos. I was flinging mine around the sky with lots of violent acro and high-g maneuvers so if you build stock and fly scale you probably won't have any trouble.

Ed and Jim - thanks for the responses.

I can't seem to locate the Hobby Hanger Kits web site - anyone have it?

What can anyone tell me about the Flair Fokker D7 kit? Can it be found in the US? How scale is it - remember, I'm not too worried about scale accuaracy. Also, how difficult is it to build in the correct incidence. How about assembly time at the field? The Puppeteer looks like it might fit the bill also.

http://www.flairmodels.co.uk/Aircraf...coutframes.htm

Thanks again,

Scott.

Here's the Hobby Hangar site: [link=http://www.hobbyhangar.com/]Hobby Hangar[/link]

And a few pictures of my WW I bipes. The D-7 has the color scheme of one of Ernst Udet's planes. It has a Mag .61FS.

The SE-5 has a generic OD color scheme and a Mag .52FS.

scott,

Check out Fun Aero (www.funaero.com) They have an SE5a and an Albatros DII that would do just fine for a .70 4stroke. Nice laser cut kits as well.

papermache

Imported by [link=http://www.blackflyaero.com]BlackflyAero[/link] up here in Ontario Canada.

I've seen a few, they appear to be a nice light build and fly superb. I hear they're more of a sport scale build.

scott282,

Try here: www.radicalrc.com

I got my Flair DVII from them last year, when another supplier couldn't get it for me. It was my only order from them, but I was treated well with a fair price and good service.

Be aware, there has been some talk about Flair either going out of business or restructuring. I haven't heard anything new lately. Hopefully it was just rumors.

Ed,

Beautiful DVII and SE5. I used to frequent a LHS that had a shop to cut the Hobby Hangar kits for the DVII and SE5. I used to go there for model railroad supplies, and a DVII model hanging from the ceiling would always catch my eye. It helped send me down the RC funnel!

Not sure of it's availability but if you can get one the Flair DR1 is a large builders model and will struggle on a 70. I fly mine on a Tigre 25cc Try their smaller D7 which should be available and will fly nicely on the 70 I have one and use an ASP 61 to fly it. Landing must be into wind, NOT cross wind as it will ground loop.

A fellow Club Member has a Flair Puppeter with an OS 70 FS in it and it is a super flyer. He comment is that it is a bit over powered but the extra weight of the engine helped with the balance. He flys it at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle most of the time and it is very scale like in the air.

Thanks for the great idea’s all –

I think I’ve narrowed it down to two airplanes.

The Proctor-Enterprises VK series Sopwith Camel
http://www.proctor-enterprises.com/p...amel/camel.htm

and the Flair Puppeteer
http://www.flairmodels.co.uk/Aircraf...coutframes.htm

Any comments or comparisons on these two?

Again, I’m looking for a sport scale WWI biplane that will be a good winter build that’s also a pleasure to fly.

Scott.

Generally, the VK kits are well designed and fly well. They are definitely a builders kit, light on instructions (most instruction are on the plans). If you enjoy a challenge, and an authentic looking result, I highly recommend them. Check out the construction of [link=http://scalebuilder.org/dr1.html]my DR1[/link] for an idea of construction.

I understand the Flair is less of a challenge, both are wonderful flyers.