Flite Fest 2022 Dawn Patrol Build Fokker D.VIII

[Yankee2003]

Here we go.
I will definitely Be going FT inspired build. If nothing else good happens I can take last place and make my fellow new participants less stressed about the build and more motivated to show up and fly. As mentioned before, this is my first ever Foamboard build. I am going to have to paint it up nice to hide the dead bodies. Should be fun.

 

[Ligbaer]

updates?

 

[CrashRecovery]

Good Luck

 

[Yankee2003]

updates?

Not yet. But soon. I am up in Washington state until Monday. Most of the work is being done in my head at this point.
I will be gathering up materials early next week. Thanks for checking in.

 

[Yankee2003]

Time to get started.
1) Decide on power system and how it will be integrated into the design.

Let me know if my thinking makes sense. Looking through what was laying around I am considering the following two options.
The balsa plan specifies the weight of a 1/6 scale Fokker D.VIII as 48 ounces if I remember correctly. Sounds a little light to me but I really don’t know. It has a 55 inch wingspan.

Battery 2200 3s
ESC. 50 Amps
Motor Options:

E-Flite Power 15
950 kv
sport flying up to. 1590 grams
575 watts
propeller 10x6 to 13x6.5

Rimfire .32
800 kv
sport flying up to 2950 grams
925 watts
propeller 12x6 to 13x8

The Rimfire seems like overkill for a WWI aircraft. The Power 15 may or may not be enough.
Does anyone have to experience to know which might be the best option?

 

[Ligbaer]

Time to get started.
1) Decide on power system and how it will be integrated into the design.

Let me know if my thinking makes sense. Looking through what was laying around I am considering the following two options.
The balsa plan specifies the weight of a 1/6 scale Fokker D.VIII as 48 ounces if I remember correctly. Sounds a little light to me but I really don’t know. It has a 55 inch wingspan.

Battery 2200 3s
ESC. 50 Amps
Motor Options:

E-Flite Power 15
950 kv
sport flying up to. 1590 grams
575 watts
propeller 10x6 to 13x6.5

Rimfire .32
800 kv
sport flying up to 2950 grams
925 watts
propeller 12x6 to 13x8

The Rimfire seems like overkill for a WWI aircraft. The Power 15 may or may not be enough.
Does anyone have to experience to know which might be the best option?

View attachment 216095

Rimfire 2 words: MO POWA

 

[Yankee2003]

Rimfire 2 words: MO POWA

Plus Rimfire is just fun to say.

 

[Ligbaer]

Plus Rimfire is just fun to say.

power 15 is dull RIMFIRE is enthuisastic

 

[FlyingTyger]

The Rimfire would allow you to turn a big diameter/low pitch prop. It would be a little more scale. Also, the D.VIII has a short nose so the weight of the bigger motor would help with balance.

 

[Yankee2003]

The Rimfire would allow you to turn a big diameter/low pitch prop. It would be a little more scale. Also, the D.VIII has a short nose so the weight of the bigger motor would help with balance.

Two very good points.
It’s settled then.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me out.

 

[wilmracer]

The Rimfire would allow you to turn a big diameter/low pitch prop. It would be a little more scale. Also, the D.VIII has a short nose so the weight of the bigger motor would help with balance.

Agreed. These models want thrust over speed and need nose weight.

 

[Yankee2003]

I have been “thinking” about how I would build my airplane but I have to admit I was a little paralyzed with the lack of knowledge on how to proceed. I have decided to give myself a chance to learn and make mistakes by first mocking up the fuselage in all foam. I will then go back and build the final fuselage with the appropriate balsa structure that I will need in place to support the motor, landing gear and wing Cabanes (if I spelled that right). I don’t want to even think about what my wire bending skills will look like.
Anyway here are a few pictures of my initial design ideas and mistakes. I am really learning a lot about foam cutting and glueing for sure. I believe in the long run this idea of mocking up a dummy fuselage will do me good.

 

[Tench745]

I have been “thinking” about how I would build my airplane but I have to admit I was a little paralyzed with the lack of knowledge on how to proceed. I have decided to give myself a chance to learn and make mistakes by first mocking up the fuselage in all foam. I will then go back and build the final fuselage with the appropriate balsa structure that I will need in place to support the motor, landing gear and wing Cabanes (if I spelled that right). I don’t want to even think about what my wire bending skills will look like.
Anyway here are a few pictures of my initial design ideas and mistakes. I am really learning a lot about foam cutting and glueing for sure. I believe in the long run this idea of mocking up a dummy fuselage will do me good

That's a good looking start. I'm a big fan of learning by doing. Sometimes you won't know what will or won't work until you try it. After you've tried enough things you get a lot better at eyeballing a solution.
I assume you've watched Willsonman's foam from balsa plans video series, so you've seen just how little wood is really necessary in some of these planes.

(And yes, you spelled cabanes correctly)

 

[Yankee2003]

First attempt at a Foamboard wing. First pictures are my estimating how it will go together. The next photos are of the wing together and then notes I wrote on the back of the things I would change. I know the Fokker DV.III has a weird lower wing dihedral, I just don’t know how to get there.

 

[Yankee2003]

Landing gear ….uuugh!
just a few pictures, it’s only landing gear.

As a side note….the red stain on my “bottom fuselage jig” is blood.….stupid wires.

 

[Baron VonHelton]

As a side note….the red stain on my “bottom fuselage jig” is blood.….stupid wires.

You have now been properly indoctrinated......LOL. I keep poking my fingers with stick pins. OUCH!

 

[Tench745]

First attempt at a Foamboard wing. First pictures are my estimating how it will go together. The next photos are of the wing together and then notes I wrote on the back of the things I would change. I know the Fokker DV.III has a weird lower wing dihedral, I just don’t know how to get there.

The D VIII didn't have a lower wing. What's the issue you're running into, maybe some of us can help bounce ideas?

 

[Yankee2003]

I have worked out some of the main components in foam now, wing, main fuselage, etc. Not in entirety but in theory and enough to have a broad but vague path forward. Something like a rough draft. Enough to begin the main build. I have shifted my main idea of the fuselage to make a simple frame structure (two main bulkheads) to support the majority of loads such as the engine, battery, esc, landing gear attachment points and wing cabanes. This will make up all the wood structure with the exception of servo rails, wing spars and wing attachement. The bottom of this section will remain open for cooling and any weight savings I can get.
Attached are pictures of the progress made so far on the main cage structure, and wing cabanes. From This point forward it should go much faster since it will mostly be a process of forming and glueing foamboard. I am so ready to move past the wire and patience bending labor of making the cabanes. The wood rails on top of the cabanes were to help stabilize and create the wire cabane structure.
I am thinking of maybe using them in some capacity for the wing attachment.
Anyway on to the remainder of the fuselage….or maybe the wing…I am just not ready to think about the wheels …one thing I am certain of….they will not hold a candle to the excellent post recently on wheels. Some great ideas and beautiful craftsmanship.
Very informative and inspiring.

 

[NM156]

Nice work! It inspires me to put mine in the dumpster

 

[Baron VonHelton]

Nice work! It inspires me to put mine in the dumpster

Yes, but if you did that, wouldn't that be a (operation) mind crime?