Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Hi Guys,
I just ordered the plans for the Fokker DVII from Balsa USA. I plan on modifying the plane to a more scale outline and building the fuse with dowels.
Any tips for detailing out a DVII would be appreciated and any problems to look out for.

I am wrapping up my 1/4 DRI and should have it flight ready by the time the DVII plans arrive. I will start building as soon as the plans arrive.
Later!!
Anthony

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

I'll be watching..................:)

Del

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Subscribed [sm=thumbup.gif]

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

I'll be watching, Are you aware that you don't get all the templates to duplicate the kit? ribs etc? Just wondered.

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

No I was not aware,
Everything was on the DRI plans and I just assumed it was on the DVII as well. Very bad assumption on my part[:@]

I will see about ordering the ribs from Balsa USA. Well I won't start with the wings;)
Thanks for the heads up!!
Anthony

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Being that the ribs are all tapered in thickness, it is not as easy to duplicate as the triplane, which are all the same.

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

I will contact Dave Lewis at Balsa USA and see if I can't get a set of ribs on the way. I may go ahead and order all the die cut parts. I will wait and see what the plans look like. Some of the fuse parts may need modified slightly with building the fuse from round dowels.

Trying to wrap up the last of the items on my DRI so I can call it done and set it aside. I hate to start another build without the DRI needing anything for flying.
Later!!
Anthony

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

I am really excited about Del's build on the V29. The parasol version of the DVII. He mentioned that BUSA sold him his die cut sheets at $3 a pop. That is pretty reasonable I think. I may contemplate building a V29 as well. especially if I can get some die cut sheets myself.

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Im subscribed, I like all those Fokkers.
Anthony. You might wait till you get your plans so you have a better idea whats there or not before starting to order things, even if it's only in your mind.

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Anthony,
I'm sure someone has an un-built kit that could trace the parts for you. I did that for a plane Im going to build.

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Just looked at the manual for the DVII. It showes all the die cut sheets, ply and balsa. Counted them all up,
came to 80 sheets if I counted right, at $3.00 a sheet, that would come to $240, at that price might as well
buy the whole kit..............:D

Del

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

I sent an e-mail to Dave Lewis and he confimered the sheets are $3 a pop.

I believe the only thing I will need is the ribs but I will wait until I receive the plans. He said they sell a wing rib kit for $54. I hate to buy a whole kit when I will not use 50% or more of it.

He also reminded me they are a kit manufacturer not a plans service;). I fully understand their position and appreciate it.

Anyhow I plan on laminating all the tail surfaces or even forming them from aluminum tubing. I will experiment with both.

The DRI was a nice simple throw together kit build. This one needs to keep me busy a while.
Later!!
Anthony

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

WacoNut,
I don't know what length of dowels you'll need for the DVII, but, if you were not already aware, there's a guy in Cincy that that I understand will make dowels in about any dia. and length.
Del can probably tell you how to contact him.

Subscribed as well. [8D]

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Thanks for the tip. I will take a look at the plans and see what length I need and what it readily available. I will give Del a shout if needed;).
Thanks!
Anthony

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Hey Mike,

I don't know about this person, but we need to find him..............:D

I got four foot ones at Lowes......

Del

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Hi Del,
Birdman knows him, that's where he got his dowels for his big Demoiselle. Geez, and I thought you Ohio guys we're all close as peas in a pod. :D

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Hi Guys,
I received my plans today and good news all the wing ribs are there:D

I had read in a build thread on the DVII somewhere where that person expressed to Balsa USA they should include drawings for the ribs due to the difficulty of sorting the ribs as they look alike with minor differences in the height of the ribs. I have 2 sheets of nothing but ribs. These are marked as Modification Sheet 4 and Top Wing Ribs.
I will make copies of the plans to use for templates and start cutting wood this weekend.

Later!!
Anthony

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Two quick ways I can spot a BUSA DVII are the landing gear axle fairing (aka "subwing") and the size of the strut fairings. These are both rather easy to correct if you know beforehand.

J

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Anthony..

In my opinion, the Balsa USA Fokker D-VII is their best flying WWI model but not their easiest to build. This is because of the tapered wings and complex cowling. The round engine models are real easy, flat firewall with a premade round cowl to install.
I have around a few hundred flights on mine and it is magnificent. The longer fuse makes for better ground handling.
I installed a G-38 in mine, still needed some nose weight. I have the exhaust going thru the faux exhaust manifold and have a B&B smoke system. The 38 is a great engine, easy to start and swings a larger diameter prop. I am currently using a 20x8.
Like many of the D-VIIs I've seen, they fly level at 1/3 throttle with some down elevator. I even increased the positive incidence on the stab. I beleive to correct the issue you would have to change the wing incidence.
Like all the Fokker models, I have designed and installed my own shock absorbing gear. I am currently writing a "how to" for MAN. I know you will be very pleased with its flight performance. As far as building goes, once you have one or two Balsa
USA builds completed, you can build another blindfolded! They're quite similar.

Best to you, Sal

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Sal would you please post to this thread when you article will be printed in MAN? I am certain I won't be the only one who wants to make sure they buy this issue!

Mike

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

In looking at old WW1 photos you will see that it is common for Fokkers to fly level with a little bit of down trim.
I guess that's just the way they are built and they also have I beleave about 3 degrees of positive incedence in the stab.
That's the way all my Fokker models fly also.

Del

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Thanks for the tips Sal,
I look forward to reading the article.
Anthony

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

Mike

Sure, no problem.

Sal

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker DVII from plans
 

I was hoping to start the DVII this weekend but I have a couple minor setbacks. I have managed to come down with a nasty cold. Also I remebered that my Delta disc/belt sander decided to die while I was finishing up my DRI. I dug into it and it had shredded the drive belt. I place and order for a new belt and should have it by Monday. It was at least 20yrs old so I guess I should have expected that.

I should also have my DRI completed this weekend and ready for flight come warmer dryer weather.
Later!!
Anthony