The Triplane Tribuild! (Catchy, huh?)

[Vimana89]

Going to probably run to the store/take a break, but now ready to install electronics and mount wings.

 

[Vimana89]

About to set up a channel and test/dial in electronics. I positioned everything as forward as possible for best CG. I'll want to get to my receiver as often as I change what plane I fly, so I've cut a big opening at the front of the turtle deck thingy, and I will be attempting to make my cowl removable on and off with velcroinnovation time!

 

[Vimana89]

Have to do the other top cover/turtle deck part and test electronics still. I modified my cowl with some wires and a cutout to make room for motor cable, and I successfully made it detachable with Velcro!

 

[Vimana89]

Anyone who wants a quick detach cowl, use Velcro just like I did, or magnets(if they won't interfere with the motor?)

 

[buzzbomb]

Have to do the other top cover/turtle deck part and test electronics still. I modified my cowl with some wires and a cutout to make room for motor cable, and I successfully made it detachable with Velcro!

Very cool. I ended making mine removable by running a couple skewers through it, in true FT fashion.

 

[Vimana89]

Very cool. I ended making mine removable by running a couple skewers through it, in true FT fashion.

I haven't gotten along well with skewers so far, hence my alternative methods, but the idea FT had to use those for stuff was pretty ingenious, and it's that same type of innovation I try to employ for my stuff. I could see myself using them for a cowl, but I always fumble with them for hatches and they wear out fast for power pods. I knew I couldn't be the first person to want to make a cowl detachable-different methods, same idea👍

 

[buzzbomb]

I haven't gotten along well with skewers so far, hence my alternative methods, but the idea FT had to use those for stuff was pretty ingenious, and it's that same type of innovation I try to employ for my stuff. I could see myself using them for a cowl, but I always fumble with them for hatches and they wear out fast for power pods. I knew I couldn't be the first person to want to make a cowl detachable-different methods, same idea👍

Oh, no. The velcro is definitely better. I didn't put that much thought into it. I just ran some skewers through after I had to remove it.

 

[mayan]

Very cool. I ended making mine removable by running a couple skewers through it, in true FT fashion.

I never put the front piece on mine .

 

[Vimana89]

My plane only needs the prop mounted then good to go👍. The 3.7g servos work! It seems the design itself limits throws on elevator...can imagine pitch is sensitive. I got rid of the little reinforcing pieces you have to bevel for the top wing and put a single wood dowel pillar in their place. I cut down the canopy and ended it on the wing and left the front where the cowl slides over bare with my electronics. CG is perfect with an 850 seated and no added weight. Moving electronics forward and using little servos did it.Here's pics cowl on and off.

 

[buzzbomb]

My plane only needs the prop mounted then good to go👍. The 3.7g servos work! It seems the design itself limits throws on elevator...can imagine pitch is sensitive. I got rid of the little reinforcing pieces you have to bevel for the top wing and put a single wood dowel pillar in their place. I cut down the canopy and ended it on the wing and left the front where the cowl slides over bare with my electronics. CG is perfect with an 850 seated and no added weight. Moving electronics forward and using little servos did it.Here's pics cowl on and off.

You've got the best thought-out DR1 on this whole thread! Your maiden is going to be awesome!

 

[Vimana89]

You've got the best thought-out DR1 on this whole thread! Your maiden is going to be awesome!

Sure hope so👍

 

[Vimana89]

One prop down, going to need expo. Little more throttle and a lot less elevator on launch...

 

[Vimana89]

She flies! Back in one piece from a rough series of maiden flights with only a couple minor scratches. I went vert and stalled on my first launch and broke the prop. If I show that one I'll have to edit or label it at least pg-13😆. Second launch worked but might have slight CG issues. I'm trying to figure out where they put the helium🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈. I add in some down trim on elevator and it doesn't eliminate it completely but makes it manageable on flight 3. Flight 3 I get some nice slow cruising, a little high alpha, and some neat loops and flips just letting it balloon and stick mashing on full throttle. Will share footage when I get a chance!

 

[Vimana89]

I really like this plane even just from the little taste I got flying with the imperfections. I am going to not fly this one again until I address the ballooning (which could be CG) and possibly until I install some landing gear.

 

[mayan]

@Vimana89 the dr-1 does feel floaty dbl check your CG give it enough throttle and she’ll sweet. For sure a fun plane when you have a few flights with it.

 

[Vimana89]

@Vimana89 the dr-1 does feel floaty dbl check your CG give it enough throttle and she’ll sweet. For sure a fun plane when you have a few flights with it.

Yeah I'm going to take extra care with my CG and trim next time I launch. The last flight it didn't take a lot of effort to keep the nose down and flew really nice. The slow fly and the stability are just out of this world. Never seen a straight wing that high alphas this good either. Just mashing the stick around and giving some elevator at full throttle did some aerobatics with no effort. Controls are very sensitive and responsive especially pitch, but I was somewhat expecting that. I like how different this one feels to all the other planes I have.

 

[The Hangar]

This tri-plane has intrested me for quite some time. I might join after I finish my fb ultra stick, pietenpol, HB easy edge, my 3D bipe, viggen, and, oh, wait - I just finished my bravo so one plane down lol😆

 

[Vimana89]

Maiden compilation up! Nothing too fancy for most for the flying, but there is some low and slow around the 4:00 mark, some brief high alpha between 4:30 and 5:00 or so, and some full throttle loops/stick mashing randomness around 5:25. My first launch was a crash that only broke the prop, and that's in there, but had to cut it before the fffFFFF could be heard building up. Landing could have been a bit smoother, probably needs some gear.

 

[buzzbomb]

She flies! Back in one piece from a rough series of maiden flights with only a couple minor scratches. I went vert and stalled on my first launch and broke the prop. If I show that one I'll have to edit or label it at least pg-13😆. Second launch worked but might have slight CG issues. I'm trying to figure out where they put the helium🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈. I add in some down trim on elevator and it doesn't eliminate it completely but makes it manageable on flight 3. Flight 3 I get some nice slow cruising, a little high alpha, and some neat loops and flips just letting it balloon and stick mashing on full throttle. Will share footage when I get a chance!

Congrats @Vimana89! I told you she was handful, and also a blast! I never did completely explore the capabilities of the DR1.

I did, however put a 10 inch prop on it! Wheee! I don't want to double post the vid. Look here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/buzzbombtoo/videos?view_as=subscriber

for "DR110 inch prop", if you're curious. It was nuts! Your video popped up while I was writing this. Going to watch it now!

 

[Vimana89]

Congrats @Vimana89! I told you she was handful, and also a blast! I never did completely explore the capabilities of the DR1.

I did, however put a 10 inch prop on it! Wheee! I don't want to double post the vid. Look here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/buzzbombtoo/videos?view_as=subscriber

for "DR110 inch prop", if you're curious. It was nuts! Your video popped up while I was writing this. Going to watch it now!

Flew nice with the ten inch prop on the video I found. Ever find out what caused the crash? Maybe it's back earlier on this thread