RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
US185Damiani - Could we see a close up of the elevator control horns - would be rather relevant to my particular circumstances (see below) Some pics of my patented magnesium alloy control horns - pls bear in mind this is 'work in progress' as I am having to develope fettling skills, the lack of which have been the butt of some humour at work. Pics below Multi pic left to right - my first very crude attempt now successfully but messily jb welded to carbon tube. Next my mk 2 and mk3 versions, the part of the GF4 supplied with the kit, next a complete kit control horn that I didn't over sand, and then 2 magnesium 'billets'. 2nd picture shows the current 'mk4' in progress where fettling is getting better and the kit made horn
Posted on: 10/28/2009 9:38 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9208853

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
If thats real, it looks like our models. Or if thats a model, it looks real! So whats the story looks really interesting!
Posted on: 10/27/2009 6:28 PM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9207071

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
i'm just fettling up some new 'posh' ones, hopefully my fettling is now improved, will take some pics as I go so you can see it is not difficult
Posted on: 10/27/2009 12:47 PM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9206057

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
Well I mullered one mag control horn trying to drill a hole. So tried a couple of small holes in the carbon for the JB to get into and bobs yer uncle. Horn is solid as a rock on the carbon test bit, couldn't pull it off no matter how hard I tried. Good stuff that JB ! Will get back on the elevator soon, I'm on fitting the mid wing, bottom one seems ok, just so impatient now it looks like it's meant to fly
Posted on: 10/26/2009 8:43 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9202716

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
Thanks Del, i've got a 'test' bit of carbon tube now and give it a go
Posted on: 10/20/2009 11:37 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9188014

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
I did the control horn for the rudder no problem, sanding by hand and did one other. Left the others until I started on the elevator by which time I had a little 1" sander. Unfortunately I got a bit carried away and found i made the ends where the bolts go all brittle, too thin. Waiting for replacements but meanwhile have made some new ones in magnesium alloy (sometimes it's useful working in a mag foundry) Cut a little billet to size and then fettled it too shape. All seems good just depends on wether jb weld will glue metal to carbon fibre. Got to get a bit the right diameter to test. Being metal they look real, and are stronger and weigh the same as those supplied. Will post some pics later
Posted on: 10/16/2009 4:36 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9177382

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
Friend of mine bought the plan for the Mick Reeves 1/3 Camel and being a clever sod built it just from the plan. Had the maiden flight last weekend and it was superb. Let me have a go and it is as nice as my Busa 1/3 Pup to fly except faster and more responsive (with identical engine setup 38cc zenoah and Toni Clarke reduction gear for 32" prop). Absolutely no vices. Also got my Busa 1/3 pup out for the first time in 14 months (put off little jobs that needed doing to get her flyable and dont 14 months whiz by). This and the camel and filled me with enthusiasm to get my Triplane done to do battle. I'd forgotten how much presence 1/3 has in the air. I've started the fuse and the first side was really easy and dowels work really well. I mounted my 74cc twin Zenoah on the firewall like you did prior to assembly and she fits a treat. Granpappy I has got jus one li'l complaint on your pics, yes sir. You is jus so neat n' tidy it's giving me one o' them thar complexs. Yes sirree bob. I mean I's a got glue n bits of my skin stuck on the wood, lil bit o' blood n' grease and pepsi where I dun n' knocked over that thar damn can, again! shucks! (imagine Homer Simpson building a plane and you get the picture) Your build is just too damn neat. If you does any more o' these here build threads, you gonna have to look a bit more messy. (hawks spits) dang nabbit missed the spittoon and got it on my firewall. Yessiree you mess it up some, you stand back a little ways n' throw some grease n pepsi n splatter some pig manure around her. Otherwise yer mak'n us country boys look bad, n' that ain't right, no sir. Shur is a good job this humdingers gonna be covered, thats all i'm a gonna say (hawks spits) dang nabbit I got the rudder that time![:D] By for now Granpappy, i'm going out to shoot some varmints pester'n the chick'ns, you have a nice day ya all. p.s. Can anyone spot the deliberate mistake on the firewall? Awnser - Didnt put it flush with the bottom so is in line with dowels on the top, now the hatch on the top now can't sit properly. Nuts! I'll sand it down rather than crack it loose and add a bit on the bottom.
Posted on: 8/27/2009 4:19 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9045826

RE: balsa usa EINDECKER , info
I've got a Balsa USA 90 size eindecker which I built and have flown quite a lot but not for a few months as engine bearings went. Got a saito 90 twin fourstroke up front. I didnt add any weight but as I recall rx battery was forward. No vices whatsoever. Flies in a very nice and scale manner with the 90 fs and sounds really good.
Posted on: 8/20/2009 6:32 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9030242

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
(American Accent) Dear Granpappy I've been mighty slow building this here contraption, (hawks, spits 'ting' of spittoon) I's only done the top wing, rudder and the dang blasted unnner carriage, mostly coz time she jus' flies by, partly coz building these dagnabbit contraptions is sort of new to me. This humdinger she's only my 3rd build and she sure is big, n' different. Yes sirrreee. But I don't want you to worry Granpappy, no Sir! This here Gran kid is gonna see her through, yes sirrreee (Hawks, spits, 'ting' of spitton) I is gonna have this little darling built n' flown in 2009, so don' you fret, ya hear! I got me an engine, nice Zenoah 74 twin and lots o' black solartex as she's gonna be the black fokker of that thar fellah jacobs. (Hawks, spits, 'ting' of spittoon) Also got me one of them thar nice 'aces of iron' third scale German pilots and he's all painted up and rar'n to get at them limeys. Well thats all I is got to say for now Granpaps Sincerely Your Grand Kid
Posted on: 6/30/2009 8:39 PM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8895998

RE: Hangar 9 Pawnee 80
I got this kit and was very impressed with the quality as others have already said. Initially put a 52 two stroke in but due to the noise and the fact that I was flying on 1/4 throttle I put in a saito 56. Initially I didnt think the latter would be suitable as it's below the recommended engines however it flies a treat on 1/2 throttle. Very nice and much more pleasant sound.
Posted on: 5/24/2009 3:55 PM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8794884

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
Hi Jim I think your going to upset the scale purists [X(][X(][X(][X(] That's a nice paint job, reminded me of the motorbikes, I couldnt help thinking, some chrome would look really nice! Congrats on maiden flight [:D] Don't get me wrong, I like it, the beauty of model flying is that the only one you need to make happy is yourself.[;)]
Posted on: 4/25/2009 5:00 PM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8645739

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
On watching (and hearing) the video of the two 1/3 DR1's I much preferred the sound of the roto twin to the fuji single. I was a bit worried about the extra weight but Glen reckons the DR will like it and thinking about it the weight difference is not that great because there is no battery to carry
Posted on: 2/26/2009 4:35 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8519753

RE: Fokker DRI Build Along
I flew mine 3 weeks back, short flight, thought it went dead stick but the throttle link pulled thru, so the spring on the throttle pulled it down to idle, put it down with no problems as it flew light as a feather. I have the crrc pro 26cc petrol with 16x8 prop. Mine balanced perfectly too! and it flies nice, 26cc petrol engine is just right.
Posted on: 2/19/2009 9:54 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8494289

RE: Glenn Torrence (GTM) 1/3 Scale Dr.1 Build Along
Just started on mine, almost certainly will be covered in solartex, was going to use a zenoah 62 with Mick Reeves reduction gear but the friend who was going to sell it to me is using it for a Mick Reeves 1/3 camel he's building. I've bought a zenoah74 twin for it now
Posted on: 2/18/2009 8:37 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8490000

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Video is a good idea, more interesting that pics. Next time I'm out with mine will try and do a video for encouragement of others still to have their maiden flight. It does fly luvvly jubbly[:D]
Posted on: 11/14/2008 6:06 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8146052

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Looking forward to hearing of your maiden - good luck !
Posted on: 11/13/2008 3:47 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8142561

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
It wasnt the maiden flight, I did that when it was really windy and the model handled the wind without any problems. The 2nd flight was a different day altogether, really nice conditions and its previous performance in high wind had given me a lot of confidence that it had no vices.
Posted on: 11/4/2008 10:08 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8114202

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Bit of encouragement for deadeyes - Had my eindecker flying last sunday in ideal conditions, just a gentle breeze, and she chugged about beautifully scale like with the saito 90 twin on half throttle and looked and sounded really good with a lot of presence in the air, yet flew so easily it would make a good trainer. Deliberately ran out of fuel (with plenty of height) to see how long it would last (22 mins and I cant squeeze a bigger tank in) even deadstick landing was piece of cake. Next flight I'm gonna throw her around abit to see how she loops and rolls, I doubt she'll knife edge[;)]. The Balsa USA Eindecker 90 kit, all scale detail quibbles aside, is a real pleasure to fly. [:)]
Posted on: 11/4/2008 7:43 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8113911

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Its not all negative though as the guy who founded Honda said (pertinent being your in Japan) "the 1% we call success comes from 99% we call failure". I did all new functional rigging that incorporated dihedral (which was my first time rigging experience) and was rewarded with one lovely flight before the final one and gained a lot of other experience, i.e. its better to build it myself. Lack of dihedral may have been obvious with hindsight, but then again I was assured it had flown and flew very nicely. This and many other aspects meant this was a total lie (more experience gained). I think buying scale models has a lot in common with buying used cars and used car dealers. ARTF are great value but totally souless
Posted on: 10/29/2008 5:10 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8094956

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
This was my one, action man was exact scale size which was handy. On the good side i've still got the remains so can reuse struts, engine details etc ribs as patterns etc. (Wheels I used on my eindecker) It was a harsh lesson in not buying a model unless you know/trust the person concerned and/or have seen it flying. Lying git on ebay said it had flown and flew nice.[>:] Lying git! [:'(]Even more irritating was having totally re-rigged it to get dihedral, changed engine (had a laser V twin that ran for exactly 8 minutes because the tank was impossibly low down for it to suck fuel longer than that and impossible to raise the tank (plan called for an inverted single cylinder) and had finally got it flying beautifully then disaster because of impracticable scale detail. A very expensive lesson which is a major reason why now i build my own. Then i've got no one to blame except myself. But eventually I shall build the RE8 as my first venture into solely from plan
Posted on: 10/28/2008 12:49 PM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8092605

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
[quote]ORIGINAL: Dead eyes I am so glad I started this thread. I have learned much Eindeckers during this build and hopefully others can use this info to make theirs better in the future. I enjoy building and it never ceases to amaze me how you see so few "kit built planes at the field" these days. Most people just bring those "ARFS" which all look the same. I understand how somepeople have little spare time these days but theres nothing that relaxes me more than going to my shop and sanding some balsa. [/quote] I used to be all ARTF unless I bought a 2nd hand 'kit made' model. But then I had a bad experience with a very nice RE8, almost trashed it because the tailplane angle was wrong, and no dihedral skidded all over the place. Fixed these, got it flying nice, then trashed it because it was so 'scale' the scale elevator connection (buried inside the fuse) came off in flight. Came to the conclusion if I want a nice WWI model thats different then I have to build it myself. Still got the plan for the RE8 which is a future project. All scale complaints aside I am very glad I chose the BUSA eindecker as my first foray into actually building a kit. It was, as described, easy build and very relaxing and so satisfying. Now I doubt I will ever look at ARTF again, I am that smitten with 'balsa bashing'.[:D]. Good luck with the albatross, 2 seaters seem to have much more prescence in the air
Posted on: 10/28/2008 6:37 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8091882

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
I had to sell off a lot of models to finance these e.g. my hannibal etc so I could to finance the kits I wanted to build myself. These combined with my 1/3 pup (built by a friend) will be my fleet. umm got a flair taube as well and an albatross C1 2 seater that I bought off ebay, both fly lovely. But they may have to go for space. Looking forward to hearing Dead Eyes when he has had his maiden flight, all scale quibbles aside they do fly nice.
Posted on: 10/27/2008 12:46 PM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8089324

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
I've got the 1/3 scale kit of the DR1 from Glen Torrance models (glad I bought it in August when the exchange rate was better than it is now) and I think that is 'scale' certainly he seems to have put a lot more thought into his kits.. Certainly the quality in the box looks good. Thats my project after the BUSA 1/4 triplane and I'm really looking forward to the build.
Posted on: 10/27/2008 11:54 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8089178

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
I think the crux is most just dont know how they looked and/or are happy with something that looks 'like' it. E.g. I am generally happy with my eindecker but I am peeved that I rushed into it and like you, as my first actual build, expected more scale. A 2nd time around I could make it much more scale without any risk to flying qualities. In fact I would go for the 1/3 scale from say SR Batteries or proctor but with more research on how scale they were. Many aspects you can understand for practical reasons e.g. not having wing warping. But other aspects e.g. the fin on the BUSA eindecker - why on earth didnt they just make it a full rudder? The wire tail skid - the functioning bungeed real type I have on my 1/3 scale BUSA sopwith pup and its not rocket science to make, and how people put tail wheels on seems to totally defeat the object . The slab sides, it wouldnt have been hard to make box section etc etc blah blah For years I was very happy with the hannibal then as I became more interested in WWI began to notice the details (or lack of) that meant it looked like nothing in particular . I think as you find your niche in model flying (mines WW1 and begining to look at pre-war with interest) you become more discerning. If you look at some of the ARTF WWI offerings well, jeez![>:] Dont get me wrong, I'm not into 'museum' standard just that it has too look good in the air with the practicalities of transport and flying in mind. But e.g. the fin on the eindecker is absurd when a full rudder is nothing to make.
Posted on: 10/27/2008 10:43 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8088967

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
My maiden flight was very windy but it coped with that no problem. How did the pup go ?
Posted on: 10/27/2008 10:04 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8088758

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Well it went home in one piece so thats got to be a plus. Love the colour scheme[:)] The green eindecker I got from a pic on the web of a full size in a museum in Berlin and I thought it would be different from the standard linen. (I like to be different) It was that or go for British markings as they captured one and painted it probably PC10 with roundels etc Doing the Balsa USA 1/4 DR1 triplane now and spoilt for choice on colour schemes but definitely wont be the red baron[;)]
Posted on: 10/27/2008 10:01 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8088871

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
[quote]ORIGINAL: abufletcher That's the problem with "going scale," once you improve one area of the model, you feel you need to go back and redo some other part. And so it goes until eventually you've redone everything 10 times! Seriously, the best thing is just to get the Eindecker finished and have some fun with it up in the air! [/quote] My flair hannibal was lovely to fly but didnt look like an eindecker or anything in particular other than a world war 1 style monoplane and that always irritated me. The Balsa USA eindecker is not very scale however at least it looks like an eindecker and I am very pleased how it flies.
Posted on: 10/27/2008 6:15 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8088493

RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Looking good ! I've hand painted lettering on mine and crosses etc and it looks more realistic being not perfect (I think)
Posted on: 10/23/2008 10:44 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8077188

RE: DeHavilland Mosquito
Very very nice. Love the eindecker and especially the Handley Page, seen the full size real mcoy of both recently at the science museum here in london !
Posted on: 10/21/2008 4:20 PM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8070826

RE: DeHavilland Mosquito
Hi David Great pics. Just had my maiden flight of my first 'build' from a box of wood kit, a Balsa USA Eindecker (80" wingspan) and she flew lovely
Posted on: 10/20/2008 5:27 AM by Author "Alistair" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8065748