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Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
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Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
I've been reading the stories and looking at all the old and and new builds. This can really breathe life back into a old bird. I built this DC-3 from what I believe came from American Modeler plans from the early 70's. Not being real impressed with the airline version, the militarized C-47 just had to be built. I built this plane 30 years ago and have carefully stored it all these years. Many mistakes were made in my early days of building.
Knowing what I know now, I would certainly have changed many of things, the airfoil being one of them. In order to retain the scale like appearance, I left it alone. The wing itself is entirely sheeted top and bottom so she's no featherweight. All in all the plane just draws attention and looks extremely cool in the air. My son recently treated me to what I think is the coolest part of the model, the cowlings. He spun these cowlings from aluminum and made these for me. I wanted to cut small slits around the perimeter of them and flap them out just like the real plane.
The two Cox Babe Bees needed the entire shotgun blast. This weekend they got the full treatment including polishing of the cranks. These are dual ported Bees from the 80's. Originally this troop carrier had 2 Black Widows up front. Those 2 got donated to the Brodak F-82 twin and these units were installed. The engines haven't been run yet and are eagerly waiting to rev to life.
Towards the fall of this year, I attend a contest in which there is a event known as fun scale. Basically you want a plane to resemble a real plane as accurately as possible and provide any documentation you can find. This isn't a stunt contest where your being scored on maneuvers, although any maneuver you do does get scored. You write down what maneuvers your going to do on your score sheet prior to flying and the order you plan to do them in. The most important part is doing 10 level laps for appearance at 4-5 feet in front of the judges. If all goes well, I plan to install and have a paratrooper disengage from the pushrod. The device is in the making and will be triggered when I give the model up elevator. In addition and this is still undecided, I want to make a hook and pick up a tow glider that was used for the paratroopers.If I can get this to work my son will be in the circle with me flying the glider right behind me as I tow it. I hope all goes well.
Knowing what I know now, I would certainly have changed many of things, the airfoil being one of them. In order to retain the scale like appearance, I left it alone. The wing itself is entirely sheeted top and bottom so she's no featherweight. All in all the plane just draws attention and looks extremely cool in the air. My son recently treated me to what I think is the coolest part of the model, the cowlings. He spun these cowlings from aluminum and made these for me. I wanted to cut small slits around the perimeter of them and flap them out just like the real plane.
The two Cox Babe Bees needed the entire shotgun blast. This weekend they got the full treatment including polishing of the cranks. These are dual ported Bees from the 80's. Originally this troop carrier had 2 Black Widows up front. Those 2 got donated to the Brodak F-82 twin and these units were installed. The engines haven't been run yet and are eagerly waiting to rev to life.
Towards the fall of this year, I attend a contest in which there is a event known as fun scale. Basically you want a plane to resemble a real plane as accurately as possible and provide any documentation you can find. This isn't a stunt contest where your being scored on maneuvers, although any maneuver you do does get scored. You write down what maneuvers your going to do on your score sheet prior to flying and the order you plan to do them in. The most important part is doing 10 level laps for appearance at 4-5 feet in front of the judges. If all goes well, I plan to install and have a paratrooper disengage from the pushrod. The device is in the making and will be triggered when I give the model up elevator. In addition and this is still undecided, I want to make a hook and pick up a tow glider that was used for the paratroopers.If I can get this to work my son will be in the circle with me flying the glider right behind me as I tow it. I hope all goes well.
Last edited by shawn cook on Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:22 pm; edited 2 times in total
Ken Cook- Top Poster
- Posts : 5494
Join date : 2012-03-27
Location : pennsylvania
RE: Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
Thank you for the compliment. After posting I was searching for the glider. I came across this particular one which is probably the correct size. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dumas-321-Waco-CG-4A-Kit-Glider-30-Wingspan-/400271863912?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d320ff068 I wouldn't do it as a built up although the fuse may have to be in order to keep it light. I'm just trying to figure out some way to eliminate the shock when I fly the model down using the hook to snag the glider. Ken
Ken Cook- Top Poster
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Join date : 2012-03-27
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Re: Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
Very nice! Have you had any trouble with getting the engines to run in unison?
Re: Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
Generally, I don't have a problem with keeping the engines in synch. It may take one flight then a additional adjustment. The problem with a twin is when one engine quits. The outboard engine should quit first. With the inboard engine running, this will yaw the plane to the outside of the circle and maintain good line tension. When the inboard quits first the plane is now trying to fly into the circle. This plane isn't too bad but it certainly gets a bit light on the lines at that point.
The way to get the outboard to quit first, is to just start it first. This is a safety factor in my opinion as your now reaching over a running engine to start the other one. This has bit me doing this and I've also had my clip wire fall and get wrapped in the prop. I'm more into safety than going to the hospital so I start inboard first then move to the outboard. I used to have the Master Airscrew 6 x 3's. You may as well have scalpels running on there so I switched to the Cox rubber ducky props. Running a twin would certainly amaze you on how much power it has. You now have two engines to take you into the ground faster. Ken
The way to get the outboard to quit first, is to just start it first. This is a safety factor in my opinion as your now reaching over a running engine to start the other one. This has bit me doing this and I've also had my clip wire fall and get wrapped in the prop. I'm more into safety than going to the hospital so I start inboard first then move to the outboard. I used to have the Master Airscrew 6 x 3's. You may as well have scalpels running on there so I switched to the Cox rubber ducky props. Running a twin would certainly amaze you on how much power it has. You now have two engines to take you into the ground faster. Ken
Ken Cook- Top Poster
- Posts : 5494
Join date : 2012-03-27
Location : pennsylvania
Re: Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
That's great. When I saw the first pic I didn't even know it was a profile.
Before you take off, you can always top off the fuel on the inboard engine to keep it running longer. I'm sure you've figured that out.
Before you take off, you can always top off the fuel on the inboard engine to keep it running longer. I'm sure you've figured that out.
_________________
Don't Panic!
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
RknRusty- Rest In Peace
- Posts : 10869
Join date : 2011-08-10
Age : 68
Location : South Carolina, USA
Re: Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
Over-The-Top Cool! I think I have the article for this plane, and will scan it the moment I come across it! If you happen to remember the month/year of A.M.M. that had it, please let me know.
You're gonna have to get some video of this machine in action !
You're gonna have to get some video of this machine in action !
Kim- Top Poster
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Posts : 8537
Join date : 2011-09-06
Location : South East Missouri
Re: Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
Kim, I may be incorrect on this but did American Modeler change it's name in the later years? My father purchased the plans, and I diced them up to use as templates. I certainly wish I didn't do that. Every now and then I'll open a box and I'll find a paper template of a rib to those old plans. I was given several old magazines spanning from the late 50's to the 80's. I did come across this in one of them. Ken
Ken Cook- Top Poster
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Join date : 2012-03-27
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Re: Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
Yeah...think so...I can't recall the deal at the moment, but they DID change something in their mag's title. I do remember the article though, which had both ground and in-flight photos of the Gooney.
If you build another and want some detail photos let me know. We've got two based at my airport, one of them said to have been Hap Arnold's personal ride during WWII.
Later!
If you build another and want some detail photos let me know. We've got two based at my airport, one of them said to have been Hap Arnold's personal ride during WWII.
Later!
Kim- Top Poster
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Posts : 8537
Join date : 2011-09-06
Location : South East Missouri
Re: Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
Kim, I really enjoyed fixing this back up. It certainly needed some help in getting it back together. The engines were glued and wouldn't turn. The vertical stab was broken and the pushrod didn't move freely line it should've. I save all of my paints in a little metal cabinet. I was surprised that the blue underside which was Perfect brand was still good in the can. The paint had a crust inside the can but removing that revealed paint that was still useable. I had to open a patch up in the belly to fix the controls.
I never tried to do any maneuvers aside from a wingover as this plane just doesn't have what I call the "Feel". I came across the saucer while trying to find missing items for this plane. That will be my next restoration. I cleaned up another Babe bee just for it. Ken
I never tried to do any maneuvers aside from a wingover as this plane just doesn't have what I call the "Feel". I came across the saucer while trying to find missing items for this plane. That will be my next restoration. I cleaned up another Babe bee just for it. Ken
Ken Cook- Top Poster
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crankbndr- Top Poster
- Posts : 3073
Join date : 2011-12-10
Location : Homestead FL
Re: Rolled an oldie out of the hangar
Did you take your C-47 to Brodaks?
crankbndr- Top Poster
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Join date : 2011-12-10
Location : Homestead FL
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