DC 3 Dakota

[David Jones]

Just a couple of photo's of the Dak at the Northern Modeling Exhibition at Manchester this weekend. It's the first time its been fully assembled with both engines in and props attached. They will be stripped out today, along with the U/C and the whole thing handed over to Alan for glass clothing. I'll post more pictures once its been sprayed with primer and ready for test flying.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

And in the backgorund is the Adfa model fournier that Dave built last year, gets through some glue, dunee??

[paul smith]

wow really nice job that
i hope mine looks as good when i eventually finish it in another couple of years lol
i bet you felt proud

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Dave is a modest chap, but i can tell you, it got LOADS of great comments, he actualy had three models there he had built, the other one is a Vampire, built for another mate,

[David Brown]

Hi Paul, got your PM but replies to you are disabled, you can contact me on 07968254056.

cheers Dave

[David Jones]

Its been a while since my last update, but getting the installation in takes longer than you think. Everything now is pretty much up and running, apart from the flaps, the servos need programming, and by someone who knows how...I think its going to be a job for Mike Altham, he's pretty good with electric wizardry. We took the model down to our local club field where we were able to get the engines to run in synch with one another, (we'd run them in separately on another model). I'm really pleased with the final result for this, the two 38's sound absolutely brilliant at both tick over, cruise and top end revs. My mate Alan has done a cracking job in making up the exhausts and cutting to the cowls for a lovely fit. The engines are finished off with a pair of beautiful stainless steel spinners made for me by my other mate Alan (Cantwell).

The first photo shows the model without the nose cone so you can see the "service" panel I've made up which houses the two switches, air valve and charging sockets. These will be concealed behind the door immediately aft of the cockpit windows. We have sorted out a high torque starter for the engines, but Alan prefers to start them by hand when he can, being new to petrol engines, I was surprised at just how easily he was able to start them.

[David Jones]

The model tracked nice and straight up and down the pad and it was obvious she just wanted to get airborn. We took the taxi runs nice and steady but there was definately daylight visible under the tailwheel on several occasions. It was then time to take a photo of yours truly along with Alan before I taxied her back to the pits and no, that broad smile hasn't worn off yet. There's not much left to do now, just the flaps, balancing and flight batteries and then it will be time for her maiden flight. I'll write a further update once that has taken place.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

GREAT day Dave, he is still grinning you know,!!!! well, Elvington draws closer, she will be a pussycat,

[paul smith]

Hey Dave
what a gorgeous model its really looking great am in absolute awe of your craftsmanship, look even better with a scale cockpit lol
glad it all went well

[chris willis]

Very nice indeed

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

i think its those spinners that set it off,

[richard armstrong]

i am about to start my DC3 build?

would like to know did you make the tail fin removable or fixed

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Its fixed, the tailplane halves come off though, that was a very neccasary mod, the fin can go down the middle of the car, but not with the tailplanes on,

[richard armstrong]

Its fixed, the tailplane halves come off though, that was a very neccasary mod, the fin can go down the middle of the car, but not with the tailplanes on,

thanks alan

one other thing the

dc3 trims are the fixed

how are they controllered was no sure if to build them in? close up photos would help me please?

ric

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Are they trims, or are they boost tabs? i dont think Dave has fitted them, he is away for a few days, he will comment when he sees this

[richard armstrong]

thanks

[David Jones]

Hi Richard, the trim tabs in the rudder and elevators are as per the plan and are only cosmetic. I built the control surfaces whole at first, then cut out for the tabs. The tabs are shaped from soft balsa to blend in. The control surfaces and the tabs were then covered in solartex and "hinged" with 1/32" ply to keep the tabs fixed in a neutral position. I've seen them hinged with mylar on other models but I wanted these to be solidly fixed so as not to induce any flutter. If you scroll back to page two of this build thread, you will see one or two close up photo's of the tail end where the tabs are clearly visible. I have not fitted any tabs in the ailerons. Hope this helps, Jonesey.

[paul smith]

or you can painstakingly add a trim tab to the rudder hmmm ill work out where ill feed the servo lead later lol

[richard armstrong]

thnks dave for the help, fixed tabs it is

wanted to know if either i go for the evo 40cc or the dle 35cc, not keen on z38s and the price, i will have to add lead,

also i will split the tail and at f10 cut the tail off for transporting

has any on got an spare 70g cloth left so i can have a sample

dave are going to be at Elvington i am on gate duty on Saturday, but arriving late Thursday

[David Jones]

Hi Richard, if all goes to plan we should be at Elvington either late Thursday night or early Friday morning, it all depends on wether we can programm the flap servos or not. Amongst the other bits and bobs I've aquired, I have a full tail section from a crashed model, it looks as though its split at F10. With the fin/rudder and full tailplane in situ, its still a big lump in its own right so, unless you have a car with plenty of space in it, or access to a trailer, I'd consider making the tailplanes removeable, it makes handling the fuselage a lot easier. I'll bring you a sample of the 70 grm cloth, if we don't meet up at Elvington, I'll get back to you for your address and pop a piece in the post.
As far as engines are concerned, if the DLE 35 is anywhere near as powerfull as the Zenoah 38, which at the end of the day is just a reliable "cooker", you'll have plenty of power. I'm certain my model will stooge around all day on half throttle just like my mates B25 Mitchell. Jonesey.