Flaps on DC 3

[David Jones]

Hi chaps, I've started putting the radio gear into my Ziroli DC 3 Dakota and hooking up the control surfaces. Has anybody got an idea as to how much flap I should dial in. My radio is a JR DSX9, which has a 3 position switch for flaps, so I can have them partially down and fully down. Any suggestions for the two positions would be most welcome. The model has four split flaps in total, two long ones on the centre section and a shorter one on each wing panel. Thanks in advance for any response.
Jonesey.

[Keith Mitchell]

David - 20 deg's half flap; 40 deg's full. When familiar with the model you may want to increase full to 50 deg's, but no more than that.......
K.

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Dave---please put the flaps on the side slider control---that way we can gauge whats needed on the test flights---if you prefer later you can put on the 2 position switch when we see whats needed----DAVE

[Phil Clark]

On mine & Andrew's 16ft Dak from a few years ago, I had approx. 20 deg as 1st stage, then as much as I could get as full.......this was at least 60 degrees if not a bit more. REALLY put the brakes on with full flap but remained very stable with full elevator authority. We found we needed the drag.....40 degrees isn't enough and she'll be very floaty on that.

Phil

[David Jones]

Keith and Phil, thanks for your input, it's much appreciated. I hadn't thought about the side slider that Dave has mentioned, I'll have to learn how that works on the Tx. (sticking bits of balsa together is far more preferable, and easier, than trying to navigate my way around programming new radio gear).

As Dave will be test flying the model I'll acquiesce to his wishes. I'll dial in plenty of throw so that the flaps can be fed in "proportionately" as opposed to a set ammount. By the end of the tests I'm sure we'll know then the best two positions. Once this has been sorted, assuming all goes well, I'll put the results on the build thread as I know that at least one other member has a DC3 on the building board. This is certainly "seat of the pants" stuff isn't it? Dave, which side slider do you want the flaps on, left or right?

Onced again chaps, thanks for your advice, it just goes to show how really usefull this forum can be.
Jonesey.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Dave, i have a littlee widget at work i can bring home, (no, i am not nicking it, its mine,) we can set the flap to various angles with the slider, and mark the tranny slide position with the various angles, sticky tape, indible pen, owt you want, this is how i do my gliders, works a treat

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Dave---left side for me please---you know it makes sense !!! as much movement as you can get for landing---my 22ft Dak has at least 60% to slow it down as it is a floater---yours will be more heavily loaded and wont me as slippy but best to have more to start with and we can cut it down once flown---DAVE

[David Jones]

Flaps asigned to the left hand slide controler, I told you it would be easy. The throw extends to about 65 degrees at the moment, but I can make it more if required. Travel time slowed to approx 3 seconds, looking good.
Jonesey.

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Dave---that sounds good for starters----DAVE