abufletcher

Having had a chance to see some large WWI models at a scale meet in Holland last week, my interest is piqued. I've got my plate full for the moment, but I imagine that eventually I'll do a 1/4 scale model.

So...what are the choices currently out there? From Mick Reeves, there's a 1/4 scale Camel, Pup, and Strutter (though the "new" Strutter is apparently 1/3.6 scale).

http://www.mickreevesmodels.co.uk/~m...es/p2bipe.html

And GTM offers, or rather offered, a DrI, D6, D8, and Hanriot HD-1. According to Glenn's website the 1/4 scale DrI and D6 are currently unavailable as they are being revised. Does anyone know what sort of revisions are being made and/or when the new kits might be available? I'd sure like to see a 1/4 DrI done essentially the same way as the larger 1/3 scale kit!

http://www.flygtm.com/

Then there's Proctor with their 1/4 scale Albatros DV and the DVII. Are all the museum scale models 1/4 scale? Looks like the Jenny might be 1/6 scale.

http://www.proctor-enterprises.com/p...seum_scale.htm

And of course there's the extensive BUSA offerings, which while not so scale are an exceptional price:

https://www.balsausa.com/store/categ...id_category=16

Any other 1/4 scale WWI kits out there? Or any great 1/4 plans available? Don't bother mentioning AZM.

TFF

The Proctor Jenny and N11 are the only ones not 1/4 scale. Break down and get the Replicraft drawings or Get drawings from WW1 Aero; you will have to scale them, but you know you want to. Nick Ziroli has plans for the Dr1 and maybe one or two others but I believe the BUSA Dr1 is a licensed copy of the Ziroli which is how BUSA broke into the big plane biz. I believe the Scratch-A-Plane plans are still available, they had WW1 1/4. AMA in the 80's had a nice 1/5 Bristol that was pretty decent. Looking through RCM, AMA, Flying Models, MAN, or any of the other mags can bring some good starter plans. Then you have !@# $%^ &*( gosh it wont type.

Steve Percifield

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Other than plans available, you have about covered it.

there is also:

Fun Aero, they have a 1/4 scale SE5a and rumored to be completeing a 1/4 scale Albi D-III, plus several nice 1/5 scale Albi's
There will also be a new kit manufacture unvailed this weekend at the Ohio Danw Patrol. Their first kit is a 1/4 scale project that I can reviel on Monday.


And , the Ziroli Dr-1 is smaller than BUSA DR-1

Ziroli 1.27" to 1 ft ......winspan 63"
BUSA 1.25" to 1 ft1.....wingspan 70.75"

abufletcher

Here's one of those large models by the way. A beautiful Avro 504. Not quite sure what scale but could have been 1/4 scale. For the time being though, I've got to complete my 1/6 scale Albatros CI, the 1/6 scale (über-scale) DrI, and just got one of Chris' 1/6 scale SE5a kits, which I'll do as a "speed build" (like my Puppeteer) to have another regular flier. Then if I was BIG I can be doing the 1/6 scale FE2b.

But 1/4 scale is definitely appealing. At least in my present circumstances.

abufletcher

Speaking of the 1/6 scale CDScaleDesigns SE5a, I also got to see the masterpiece created by Teus (pronouced "toysh") complete with functional scale exhaust. My photos certainly don't do it justice. Made me want to have one right on the spot! But I'll just do mine as a quick-build with a few nice bits on the outside.

abufletcher

I wonder what might be available in Europe. There's got to be at least one or two 1/4 scale WWI kits from Germany.

Teus

Great photo's Don, Thanks.

Can't you ask Chris to scale up his designs to 1/4 for you?

P.s.

Any more photo's? [8D]

Teus

abufletcher

It's that TIE that makes the photo! Lots more photos once I get them all processed. And you're right that Chris could probably scale up his 1/6 scale plans fairly easily. But I guess I could also just blow up a set of plans to 1/4 scale and figure it out myself.

BTW, here'd be the beauty I'd want to power my 1/4 scale round-cowl:

Teus

You could also take a look at the plans and parts collection inside the Flying Scale Models magazine. There's a lot of choice in 1/4 I believe. It's maybe a good start.

Did you collect the engine on your last roadtrip? Great engine, I want one also.......................

abufletcher

Sadly, no. But I do have a Leica M6TTL that I'd gladly sell to pay a large chunk of the Seidel's cost! I'm mean it's all Germany technology, right!

abufletcher

I created this video from stills, but I still need to figure out why it's pixelating:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlTi7vpGq1Q

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Don, you might focus your choice to ease of build. The Proctor line is VERY scale and requires some building beyond most kids.

The GTM kits are designed by an engineer. His choice is to make a very scale kit on the outside while simplyfing the inside as much as possible.

Mick Reeves is a typical Brittish kit. Lots of parts in a box.. you do the mental work.

BUSA, pretty scale with some exceptions which can be fixed. Ease of building is at the Top of the list.

abufletcher

Hmmm...that's never been one of my strong points...going the easy route, that is.

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

I have some experience with most of the kits I mentioned. For the sanest builds I would recommend either Proctor or GTM. Mick Reeves ends up very nice but.. you got a box of parts and ONE plane view. No top, bottom, front etc. Makes sorting out whats going on more difficult.

abufletcher

What size engines are typically required for the 1/4 scale fighters? What size would do for the average 2-seater? At close to $2,000 US, the Seidel will probably need to remain a dream.

Airwarrior

I think you may want to try building a sport scale (i.e. Balsa USA style) plane in a larger scale first. That way you can get a feel for how they fly, how to best transport and store them, and how best to handle the powerplant, all without having too much of an investment of time or money.


What may be a possibility is to take Peter Rake plans (or plans like them), which are designed at a smaller scale but generally appear to have a scale outline, and enlarging and adapting them to a large scale. Doing that you could probably keep the price down while maintaining a fairly accurate outward scale appearance, where the Balsa USA stuff tends to fall short.


Also, that tie is amazing. I want one, and I never wear a tie.

abufletcher

But then you just end up with the cost of TWO 1/4 scale models. No, if I decide to do 1/4 scale I'll just right into the (scale) deep end. Life's too short.

For the right price, I'm sure Teus would part with his!

fliegertom

Hi Abu.......are you infected with bigger scales? :-)

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Abu, For my Mick Reeves Camel I have a Laser 200. That should be plenty of power.

The 1/4 scale WWI planes don't require much power as the full sized planes had small power plants. My SE5a that weighs 17.5 lbs is flew with an OS 120. I did re-engine the plane with a Saito 150 due to cooling issues.

Think of Saito 325 for a radial. One of my friends flies them and they work grest.

Steve Percifield

My Feedback: (14)

Don,
Here in Hoosier Land, we tend to use gassers for our WW1 birds. 1/4 scale will run from 23cc to 40cc. A lot of guys do their own conversions, the Homelite 25cc makes an excellent engine. Some of us have converted 4 strokers, a friend flies a 1/4 scale Fokker D-VII with a converted 30cc Briggs and Stratton 4 stroke and I have converted a 35cc Honda 4 stroke, that will probably find it's way into my friends 1/4 scale Nieuport 17.
The Zenoah G-23, G-26 and G-38 are all very popular


My list:
1/4 BUSA Fokker D-VIII Evolution 26 cc
1/4 scale Eindecker E-1 Zenoah 26 cc
1/4 BUSA SE5A ZDZ 40 cc
1/4 Nieuport 17 Brison 2.440 cc gasser


steve
www.hoosierdawnpatrol.com

foodstick

Abu, me and some friends have flown the 1/4 busa ww1's on everything from a stock g23..up to a 46 cc poulan conversion (great motor,not easy to convert cheap).. The g26 is a pretty good motor for the smaller floatier ones. But I would lean closer to 40 cc for the bigger stuff..

from memory here is what we are using ..all 1/4 scale

N28 - 25cc poulan, flies scale..needs bigger carb
N17 - fuji 34cc ? flies great
Dri - fuji 34cc ? flies great
fun scale dr1 heavily modified 42cc flies great but is a bit heavy...
sopwith pup - g23 flies great
d7 -poulan 46cc It came out heavy..but flies beautiful

Also if you could find one of the GP dr1's, I think with some firewall attention a g23-g26 would work well...It would HAVE to be stripped and cloth covered of course !

TFF

Trying to compare sounds of engines to what real ones sound like, I like the OS 1.60 twin. It is not just because it is a multi, but I think the pulse sounds have the right rhythm and tone. It has good power and reliability, and there are a bunch of good deals on used ones.

FireBee

My Feedback: (34)

For kit cutting and many of the top European designs try Belair kits out of England. Excellent bunch with fast and great service.

http://www.belairkits.com


R,
Mike P

abufletcher

Yeah, I'm sick, sick, sick! But this is definitely for the future as I've got several other (smaller) models still to complete. But it's always good to think ahead.

Frank Sopwith

HoI Don,
it was nice to see you again, but about scale: please, 1/4 is still way too small!
As I explained to you the bigger the easier they fly so 1/3 scale at least! yahoo!!

Frank

(only joking ofcourse )