Have bought a 90 inch second hand Dornier 335 'Pfiel' and I need help identifying which kit or plan it came from.

It has never flown & I want to double check the C of G and control movements etc.

It was built by a guy called Rick Stevens in the UK and I have been told it was built from a German plan.

The only 335 plans I know of are Pat Mcurry's slightly larger model and another smaller one of about 70inch designed in the US.

Anyone have the 'heads up'- any help much appreciated.

THANKS

Jason

Another photo attached.

THANKS

Jason,

There are several different Do-335's around that I know of. Pat's, Don Smith has a set of 99" plans, and Al Master's has several sizes.

Since yours is around 90", my guess would be that it is one from Al Master's, or very similar. I believe Al designed one with an 87" wingspan or something like that. I will dig through my plans at home. I have three different sizes of his Do-335 plans, I can't remember the exact sizes, but I think they are approximately 56", 70", and the 87" ones.

It could also be from someone's plans that I don't know of. Doesn't really matter anyway. I would just set the CG at about 18-22% MAC and fly it. The Do-335 models I have seen fly pretty good and are stable. Good luck with yours...

Thanks Vought F4U - if you do manage to find the plans is there any chance you could look out the control throws/movements and the C of G.

Any help very much appreciated.

Cheers

Jason

I saw one of Al masters DO-335's fly several years ago....I believe it was the smaller size but it was a real bear in the air.....very tough to keep straight and level...the poor pilot nearly lost the plane several times before bringing it in for a thudding landing. I suspect the CG was too far aft as the plane would snap and roll, recover, snap, roll recover...ect...the pilot finally got some semblance of control as he flew it straight and level but pretty quickly, it would snap and roll...he was really lucky to get the plane back in one piece......

Hi Jason, I was thinking Al Masters plans also. Just checked and here are the sizes that he has available:

56" glow (2x.25) 70" electric
70" glow (.40-.60 front, .40 rear)
81" glow (.60-1.08 front, .60 rear)
You can write to Al at:

Al Masters
20026 Frazier Dr.
Rocky River, OH 44116

Then I thought maybe Don Smith but his are:

DORNIER DO 335
Scale 1/5/5
Wingspan 98.8 in. / Length 99.2 in

But since you say it's around 90" you have me stumped too? I will keep checking around. This is going to bug me as I thought I knew most of the Luftwaffe stuff available???
Good luck,
Rob Bailey / Pickupsticks

I have the Al Masters 1/8 scale electric plans if they might help not sure of the ws but if you think they will help let me know what ya need.

Joe

Thanks Rob, LA7flier & Professor Looney for your replies.

Really after the control throws/movements as the plane didn't come with a plan - c of g marked on the airframe but looks suspiciously aft.

Also looking for anyone who knew what they flew like - it has lots of wing area & the trike u/c should make it a ***** cat. However it may be underpowered with Zenoah 45cc in the front and a mid-mounted Zenoah 23cc with an extension shaft & pusher prop in the rear. Weight am guessing to be 27-32lbs.

Thanks

Jason

I helped a buddy of mine build the don smith one and had an st2500 in front and rear and it flew fine on them.

Joe

ProfLooney. So your friend didn't have any problems with the 2500's being inverted? I've heard stories that they are a total |3itch to start. I had considered Super Tigre engines for Don Smith's DO 335, but then I was told of their down side. Did your friend always start the plane on it's back? Thanks.

Later,

Mike

No he started it normally. once they are broke in good you shouldnt have a problem. One thing he was told was to make sure and keep the fuel tank low in the fuse that the reason they have probs is from the tanks being mounted too high thus always draining into the carb and flooding them.

Joe

Thanks Joe. I think I'll change my mind about building the Helldiver instead of the 335. The cost of two F.P. or 3W engines was a bit too much. Now that I there is a cheaper alternative for power, I'm changing my winter project back to the Dornier. I like the looks of the 335 a lot more than the Helldiver anyway. Although, I'd still like to build the Beast some day.

Later,

Mike

Haha and I am waiting for a set of Helldiver plans to be sent to me so I can blow them up


Joe

LA7flier,

Definitely sounds like the CG was too far aft on the one you saw. The ones I have seen and have flown have all been very striaght and true fliers. They behave more like a pattern plane than a big warbird.


Jason,

Had a busy weekend, didn't get a chance to break my plans out. I will try and get you the CG and the control throws in the next night or two. Sorry about the wait.

Heres a couple pics from our D0335 framed up

Joe

pic 2

BTW this is the Don Smith 335

Thanks for the pics Joe. I have a much better idea of the overall size. The plans just don't do it justice. So, are you going with the Super Tigres, or are you looking at other engines? The ones I had originally consider were the F.P. or Taurus 3.2/2.6, or even Laser 300/200. Of course, they are all mega bucks (unless you have the budget for it). Also, what are the plans for the retracts? This was another of the stumbling blocks with the plane. The last information I had was that Robart was still working on the set and I would probably need to get retracts custom made. Any new word on about this? Thanks again.

Later,

Mike

Those pics are from little over a year ago he finished the plane flew it several times then he had to move so i havent heard lately how hes doing. he used i believe it was supre tiger 2500's I dont think he used 3000's but he used the supertigers. for the retracts he had robarts custom do them for him and i think they charged him 750 to make them.

Joe

Oh well, at least the engines will be less than I thought. I guess the DO 335 isn't popular enough for Robarts to produce retracts for it. Custom order it is then. I'll start saving now.

Mike