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Building Tips and technical articles. => 1/2 A building. => Topic started by: DanielGelinas on January 09, 2013, 06:44:29 PM

Title: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: DanielGelinas on January 09, 2013, 06:44:29 PM
Hi guys,

Do any of you remember a great article and plans to build (3) WW1 dogfighters, in MAN '73 or '74? I had actually ordered the full size plans at the time but they were lost when I started flirting with girls. LL~

I believe there was the Sopwith Camel, Fokker triplane and another one which I don't recall. These planes seemed like they had fun written all over them, and could stunt and dogfight. I would like to try and find the article and maybe the plans again to actually build these three 1/2a planes.

Thanks for any help! :)

-Dan H^^
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: pat king on January 10, 2013, 06:51:59 AM
I have laser cut sheet wing kits for the Dr1 and Sopwith Camel. They are for radial mount 1/2A engines.
Pat
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: john vlna on January 10, 2013, 07:21:59 AM
Biped and triples, monsters and monoplanes. Both plans available for free on hip pocket aeronautics
I'll paste the links when I get to my computer, can't figure it out on this silly ipad
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: john vlna on January 10, 2013, 07:42:57 AM
Bipes and Tripes      http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/hpa_plans/details.php?image_id=312&mode=search

Monsters and Monoplanes  http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/hpa_plans/details.php?image_id=1127&mode=search

You have to register to download, but it is free.

Both planes are still available from the AMA plans Store, cheaper than downloading and printing at staples.

I loved these articles, built several of the planes and currently have a twin bomber from the Monsters article. I'll post a pic when I find one.
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: john vlna on January 10, 2013, 09:16:07 AM
Couldn't find a completed picture, but here are couple construction shots. I originally built it for two reed valves, but near the end I switched to electric. The camo is tissue printed on my computer.
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: DanielGelinas on January 10, 2013, 12:48:01 PM
Thanks John!

That's a nice looking plane you have there!
I'm assuming it ran on two cox .049 engines?

-Dan
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: john vlna on January 10, 2013, 03:10:57 PM
Dan,
it flies OK on on two .049 reed valves.All the models I've built from these two planes are fine with .049's. I just like electric power better, switched over about 4 years ago and hardly touch a glow motor anymore.
John
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: Larry Renger on January 17, 2013, 11:57:07 AM
How did you bend the landing gear tight around the wheels?
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: john vlna on January 19, 2013, 04:33:41 PM
Larry,
I used two needle nose channel lock pliers. It is difficult, and I didn't get it right the first time, but it can be done. There might be a better way but this works.
John
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: don Burke on January 19, 2013, 09:11:22 PM
How did you bend the landing gear tight around the wheels?
How about bending a rectangle from one piece of wire.  The end split would be at the cl of the axle.  drill the wheels out for a piece of copper tubing for the real axle.  Carefully solder the wire to the tubing after installing the wheels.  Have to be quick about the soldering so the wheels don't melt, unless using metal hub wheels.
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: john vlna on January 19, 2013, 09:31:02 PM
Don,
Sounds like it would work. You are right on the soldering, the wheels I used were plastic. I am sure they couldn't take much heat.
john
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach on January 19, 2013, 10:26:31 PM
What about doing the same thing, but use JB weld instead?
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: don Burke on January 20, 2013, 05:33:04 AM
What about doing the same thing, but use JB weld instead?
Hadn't thought about epoxy.  But I was thinking that if the tube was soldered to the outboard leg along with a small washer before installing wheels, then the inboard leg could be snapped in place after the wheels.  Use J-B or solder to secure the inboard leg to the tube.
(corrected spelling, darn keyboard doesn't do what I thought it did1)
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: john vlna on January 20, 2013, 06:08:56 AM
I think JB weld would work, I am not completely happy with the current gear anyway. Since they are removable I think I'll put it on the todo list. Thanks for the ideas.
John
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: Larry Renger on January 20, 2013, 08:24:18 AM
Indeed, excellent ideas. With the whole tube length for a bond, it should be bulletproof.
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: don Burke on January 20, 2013, 12:03:09 PM
Indeed, excellent ideas. With the whole tube length for a bond, it should be bulletproof.
Another thought, make two [] shaped pieces of wire, top ones mount in a slot behind the engine so they don't need any joiner.  Make the tube joiner for the axle as noted.
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach on January 20, 2013, 12:29:28 PM
Now thats a good idea.  I hates smart peoples! LL~ H^^
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: don Burke on January 20, 2013, 08:02:45 PM
Now thats a good idea.  I hates smart peoples! LL~ H^^
Not smart, it helps to just know a lot of 'sperienced peoples.
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: Air Ministry . on January 21, 2013, 07:54:54 PM
Why dont you try the Barling Bomber .  ;D

(http://www.barewalls.com/i/c/416639_Witteman-Lewis-Barling-Bomber.jpg)

 :P (http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfI43CbpPBJN8AOpaw4qGdGgPr9HYFM5P-88QCAuxYERA51Heuq5pHS126)

(http://airminded.org/wp-content/img/aircraft/_tarrant-tabor.jpg)

my god , theres more than one of them .  :! http://airminded.org/2009/03/30/bigger-not-better/
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: Sheldon Hartwell on January 23, 2013, 05:48:55 PM
        Boy, that would be an ambitious project, even on a 1/2 A size. But then again, don't we all love a challenge ?
                                                                                                           Sheldon
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: john vlna on January 23, 2013, 09:43:15 PM
If I decide to build another, this is the one
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: Douglas Ames on January 23, 2013, 11:43:46 PM
Why dont you try the Barling Bomber .  ;D


 :P (http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfI43CbpPBJN8AOpaw4qGdGgPr9HYFM5P-88QCAuxYERA51Heuq5pHS126)

(http://airminded.org/wp-content/img/aircraft/_tarrant-tabor.jpg)

my god , theres more than one of them . 

"They go upty-up-up, they go down-dity-down down..."
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: bob werle on March 13, 2013, 06:52:36 PM
They say the ground crew would put a chicken between he wings and if if got out there was a wire missing,so I was trold.
Bob
Title: Re: WWI fighter planes 1/2a
Post by: BrianW517 on March 14, 2013, 11:07:38 PM
Don,
Sounds like it would work. You are right on the soldering, the wheels I used were plastic. I am sure they couldn't take much heat.
john
              H^^ Trust me from my experience that plastic wheel hate heat.  y1