Had a fiberglass fuse?

Just curious if it's still made, and opinions of it.

Check this link: http://www.bridiradiocontrol.com/

Joe has retired and has sold the rights to another company so the designs will still be produced.

EXCAP232

I have one of these kits which I've started. It's all wood and of good quality. You need to have some building experience to complete it properly. If you do, it is not at all difficult to do.

I plan to build it "like it was." That is, with a good 2 stroke .60 and a tuned pipe and retracts. There's something about those older pattern planes...

There was a glass and foam version also. I have a completed one in need of "restoration" that was given to me. It is also of good quality, but, I think, heavier than the wood version that I'm building will be. The glass fuse is "substantial."

You can sometimes find them on E-bay.

Thanks for the information guys.

Had a fiberglass fuse one in the late 70s as a child.

Remember it as being a NEAT plane to fly.

I see the 2+2 is a pretty big plane. Is a .60 size still available anywhere?

WJ :
I'M a proud owner & flyer of a dirtybirdy. Model has about ten years with me. All wood , very strong, presently flying it w/os91fs
I had a st60w/pipe... but the os91 is the best for this birdy.Flew it
A week a go @ a pattern meet in Ocala Fl.
Try to get one.... you won't regret

happy flying...
JayCab ... Mia, Fl.

A very good friend of mine, in a very successful attempt to get me hook on pattern, gave me a Dirty Birdy he had built with a 91 Surpass in it. This Dirty Birdy had a fiberglass fuselage which he had modified to include a belly pan beneath the wing to encorporate an open pipe tunnel. The 91 Surpass was fitted with an O.S. flex header and a silencer (very quiet setup).

This plane was built as a tail dragger with retracts. Very cool airplane. I immediately fell in love with it and have ever since been hooked on pattern.

I've tried to include a photo of the plane and if anyone is interested I can post a picture or two of the underside showing the tunnel, header and silencer.

Sincerely,

Steve T.

I'd love to see it!

Here's another try at attaching a photo of my Dirty Birdy

Signed,
Steve T.

Curious...

Both the site above, and your pic...

Neither of them show the plane with negative dihedral in the hstab... For some reason, I recall mine having it.

Being flying Dirty Birdy's for several years now in SPA Pattern. My sig pic is a DB. What I've seen is some confusion over the Dirty Birdy and a later design Joe did that allowed the incorporation of a pipe which the Dirty Birdy did not. In any case one of the distinguishing features was the vertical fin LE which is concave in the DB but straight in the later design (I believe it was the UFO but I'm not sure on that). Anyway, I've seen several of these at least one of these at a contest listed as a Dirty Birdy which it is not.

Attached is a pic of an all-wood (not a kit) DB under construction for a friend. It will be using an OS .61 FX or an OS .91 Surpass. HE hasn't made up his mind yet.

No, the big MOKI is NOT going in this airplane! :-)

Here's another pic:

any body got won they want to sell(fiberglass)

dennis1943
ana dirtybird 5 @homexpressway.net

CurtD,...

I am curious to know where you got the fiberglass cowl for the Dirty Birdy 60 that you are building?? Typically "wood" Dirty Birdy's had wood cowls, EXCEPT for the Dirty Birdy 40 kits which came with glass cowls.

Yes,... my Dirty Birdy is a bit confusing since it has a diferent shape rudder, NO sub fin, as the depth of the fuselage was increased to include the open pipe tunnel.

And yes,... to the best of my knowledge the anhedral stab was a UFO and XLT feature only.

In any case here is what the 91 Surpass looks like mounted inverted in my Dirty Birdy.

Signed,
Steve T.

Finally, this is how the flex hearder and silencer are mounted in the open tunnel beneath the wing on my Dirty Birdy.

Signed,
Steve T.

Ah, thanks for the clarifications on the hstab.

I must have not have had (or had a variant) the plane I thought I had, lol.

Curious, is the reason these planes are so pricey now is due to the limited number that are being produced (or discontinued)?

Actually the original wooden DB had NO cowl. Like most airplanes of that era it used wooden beam mounts with the engine sitting in a hole just big enough to shoehorn it in.

The fiberglass cowling is my own. I made a split mold and can pull a cowl with about 30 min. work. The cowl makes working on the engine a breeze. I side-mount my .91 Surpass and run a 12-11N APC prop which seems just about right.

Your DB appears modified considerably from Joe's original design. The vertical fin and rudder are very different and the lack of subfin makes it look like another design. I would expect that without the subfin there would be considerable roll coupling in knife edge?? I also notice the wingtips are squared off. The original has a sharp edge around the entire wingtip and the same on the stab. Look closely at the tips in my pics. Joe B. says that the wing needs those sharp tips but I've never asked him why.

Sorry, but your DB wouldn't be legal for SPA!!

CurtD,...

Thanks for the information on the Dirty Birdy cowl. Gee, I may just have to purchase one of those cowls for my next DB 60, (assuming you're willing to sell me one).

Say,... do you have a lead on canopies for the Dirty Birdy?? I've noticed the canopies provided in the Joe Bridi's lastest batch of DB kits is quite different from the original!! And from the pictures of your Dirty Birdy project it looks like you might have one of those "newer" style canopies as well.

Signed,
Steve T.

I'm just starting to build my DB from RCM Plans. Any suggestions or things I should look out for?

Thanks
Kelvin

Kelvin,...

If I remember correctly, the Dirty Birdy as shown on the RCM plans is very complete and well built. In fact I'd go so far and say it is over built. I am referring to the amount and thickness of wood called for in the plans.

Several times I've contemplated building this plane with "lightening" modifications. It is just my personal opinion but I don't believe a plane that size needs 3/16" balsa sides. I would be just as happy with 1/8" contest balsa sides, and either 1/8" balsa or light ply doublers in critical areas. Of course the fuselage formers would be widened to keep the overall width the same.

Also, I was a bit squeamish over the 3/8" balsa top block, I think this could be reduced to 1/8" top with 1/2" triangles in the corners. Of course the balsa side pieces would have to be that much taller to keep the overall fuselage height the same.

All in all, I think the Dirty Birdy is a great airplane and I applaud your efforts to build one. Just keep it light and remove or reduce unnecessary wood if possible.

Please keep me posted on your progress and any modification you decide to make. I'm extremely envious that you're building the plane I've wanted for so long, ha!!

Sincerely,
Steve T.

P.S. What engine are you planning on powering this Dirty Birdy with??

Thanks for the encouregement.... I looked at using thinner wood but with the thicker wood it would allow me to shape it into a more aerodynamic oval (correct me if I am wrong). The only obstacle I am facing is the Canopy. The construction article states that the original shape of the canopy is critical in the aircrafts ability to hold a good knife edge. So I have decided to carve out a block and make my own (or at least see how much plastic I can waste).

Kelvin

Dirty Birdy canopies are available through American Eagle,... I beleive they are located at 4608 Chastant St. Metairie, LA 70006

The current phone number I have for them is (504) 908-2144 either ask for Bob Neadu or a guy named "Sealy"

Not to long ago I posted this information for a guy who was looking for a Dirty Birdy canopy and the info was current and correct back then. So,... hopefully this will get you a canopy for your plane as well.

Sincerely,
Steve T.

joe bridi designed and kited the best dirty bird ever built,at one time i had 5 built in my trailer and ready to fly, joe will always be my best friend when it comes to a bridi kit. i placed in 77 and 78 with the bridi dirty bird, and it is still my favorite..........

dennis

ps. best wishes to joe and phill

DirtyBirdy .60 Foam and 'Glass Kit for sale. New In Box !!!

.....Its All There too

I've been "Saving" this one for a LOOONNNGGG time. Built 3 foam/glass and 2 wood ones back in the day......this was my backup.

First $350.00 plus shipping (BIG Box !!!) gets it.

DO NOT RESPOND HERE FOR PURCHASE !!!

First Person to Email me gets First chance to purchase.

Email [email protected]

Also have Original DirtyBirdy .40 wood kit (not recent release.....old kit)

I'm offering it up so it will fly......sooner than I'll ever get to it. I would LOVE to see it go to someone that will use it in senior or other pattern competition. I fly *only* Electric these days (Big Powerful Electrics) and the 'glass Layup is way to thick to convert and the wing is too thick.

I know it belongs in "For Sale".....but its more pertinant here

Thanks for the info on the canopy. I will call them and get one ordered.