Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
11-04-2008, 07:58 AM
#126
RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Congratulations! I have to admire you courage to willingly run out of gas on a maiden flight. But one of the facts related in Sagitarius Rising was that to get your pilot's wings, British pilots back in WWI were required to take off, climb to a "safe" height, then switch off the engine and glide back down for a landing. I can't imagine voluntarily going deadstick! You're a braver man than me.
That having been said, I have purposely flown a model until it ran out of gas. I was flying an Ugly Stik type model with a 2-stroke and the carb unit came loose (as we discovered later) and this left the engine running wide open with no throttle control. So for the next 30 minutes I few around the field in high circles wondering if that was going to be the last circuit or not and always thinking about what I'd do if it stopped at that point.
That was the longest flight of my RC flying career!
That having been said, I have purposely flown a model until it ran out of gas. I was flying an Ugly Stik type model with a 2-stroke and the carb unit came loose (as we discovered later) and this left the engine running wide open with no throttle control. So for the next 30 minutes I few around the field in high circles wondering if that was going to be the last circuit or not and always thinking about what I'd do if it stopped at that point.
That was the longest flight of my RC flying career!
11-04-2008, 10:08 AM
#127
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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.
11-04-2008, 11:35 AM
#128
RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Still a bold thing to do. The positive side of flying in bad weather is that you can be sure thing's will only get better! 
At my field there is a significant cross-wind at least half the time (all year round) and taking off into the wind means heading the model out towards a 50 foot cliff (think "carrier landing" on a rice field).
At my field there is a significant cross-wind at least half the time (all year round) and taking off into the wind means heading the model out towards a 50 foot cliff (think "carrier landing" on a rice field).
11-04-2008, 04:16 PM
#129
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RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
I am glad your flight went well. I will have mine ready soon. The only bad thing is sometimes the weater in Tn can be unpredictable this time of year. I used to belong to a club in which the runway was set up like a carrier. We had a dog leg for crosswind days which helped but I saw many planes dissapear over the edge,
In fact most crashes at the field where on that side, I nicknamed it "mig alley"
11-13-2008, 05:11 PM
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RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Not yet, I haven't had time to finish. But hopefully I will be ready to try it in "a couple weeks"
11-14-2008, 06:06 AM
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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
02-09-2009, 12:50 PM
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RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Well I finally finished her ! I hope to maiden her as soon as I can and post some Pics from the field. My flying buddy has already got a few flights on his.
02-13-2009, 07:52 PM
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RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Just got to maiden her today ! It flies great ! It was better than a trainer in my opinion. Here is mine and my flying buddies at show & tell after the meeting last night. Mine has the flying wires while he opted to take his off.
02-21-2009, 09:26 AM
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RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Got to fly her again yesterday. So far I have 8 flights on it and my flying buddy has 9 on his. They practically land & take off by themselves. It does require a bit of rudder in the turns to make it smooth. Here are some more pics.
02-21-2009, 09:44 AM
#139
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RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
ORIGINAL: Dead eyes
Got to fly her again yesterday. So far I have 8 flights on it and my flying buddy has 9 on his. They practically land & take off by themselves. It does require a bit of rudder in the turns to make it smooth. Here are some more pics.
Got to fly her again yesterday. So far I have 8 flights on it and my flying buddy has 9 on his. They practically land & take off by themselves. It does require a bit of rudder in the turns to make it smooth. Here are some more pics.
04-18-2009, 07:02 AM
#142
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RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
ORIGINAL: Dead eyes
A picuture of mine doing a low & slow flyby.
A picuture of mine doing a low & slow flyby.
I love the slow flyby!The other day I lost mine in the sun. When I regained sight I thought it was inverted. You know the rest of the story.[&o]
Well, it wasn't to bad but I messed up the gear to the point I'm making all new. I made the original gear with coldroll steal from HomeDepot. The metal I heated and bent became brittle and snapped. I ordered a mess of music wire and a K&S bender. I've read that cold bending is the way to go. I've made some jigs and I'm making a few carrage assemblies. Gotta have the extra!
04-20-2009, 03:17 PM
#143
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RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
My gear is holding up pretty good so far, but I may build a spare set just in case. Thanks for the reply.
02-28-2011, 06:22 AM
#145
RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Pardon me for reserecting an old thread, but...I've finally started my BUSA E-III 90. Began the fuse on Monday 2/21, following Abufletcher's lead I've "redesigned" the aft fuse to have an open framework. Not for scale purposes but to just lighten the back end.
Finished the right wing panel (except for the ailerons) yesterday in about 3 hours.
The goal is to be flying by my 56th birthday on 4/12/11.
Pictures to follow
Tom
Finished the right wing panel (except for the ailerons) yesterday in about 3 hours.
The goal is to be flying by my 56th birthday on 4/12/11.
Pictures to follow
Tom
03-01-2011, 02:21 PM
#147
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RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Here's a page I saved for when I do my new Eindecker. It may be helpful.
[link]http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/mark_hayward/fokker_eiii/index.php?Page=1[/link][link]http://www.angelfire.com/indie/aerostuff/eindeckero.htm[/link]
[link]http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/mark_hayward/fokker_eiii/index.php?Page=1[/link][link]http://www.angelfire.com/indie/aerostuff/eindeckero.htm[/link]
03-23-2011, 07:31 AM
#148
RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Well a month has past and I have 24 days left till my target date of getting this thing flying.
Sorry but no pix yet. All of the major assemblies are completed up to the sanding point. The new cross bracing in the tail looks great and is keeping the tail end square. I'm hung up on what do I want to use for fuel proofing and how do I realy want to sand the dihedral into the wing roots.
24 days, I'd better get back to working at least one hour a day.
Tom
Sorry but no pix yet. All of the major assemblies are completed up to the sanding point. The new cross bracing in the tail looks great and is keeping the tail end square. I'm hung up on what do I want to use for fuel proofing and how do I realy want to sand the dihedral into the wing roots.
24 days, I'd better get back to working at least one hour a day.
Tom
04-04-2011, 07:01 AM
#149
RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
Well down to 12 days till I'm supposed to be flying this plane. Wings joined together yesterday. I'm a bit disappointed that it seems some parts have been left out of the kit or are not the correct size. The 5/8ths by 1-1/8 block that is the wing hold down block is too short by about an 1/8 inch at either end. Then again the pictures in the book show the innermost ribs on top of the fuselage, my ribs fall outboard of the fuselage. Shoot I'll be happy if it just flys well.
04-25-2011, 06:32 PM
#150
RE: Balsa USA Fokker E . III Eindecker build
I didn't make my original date, also don't think I'll make my alterante date. I might make the end of May for sure.
Progress so far
My lightened fuselage and the wings. I've got the tail feather covered but the pic didn't come through.
Progress so far
My lightened fuselage and the wings. I've got the tail feather covered but the pic didn't come through.