Author Topic: Rebuilt Dragon ready for VSC (Read 3323 times)

Jim Kraft · « **on:** February 19, 2007, 10:26:37 AM »

The Dragon is back from the ashes after a really spectacular crash at VSC few years ago. In the heat of competition, I got the lines hooked up backwards. Did a lot of very fast inside loops before I pancaked it in. It hit hard enough to spring it back into the air about 20 feet. Amazingly, it did not break anything but the wing. So, I built a new wing using the old wing tips, and viola! she's ready to fly again. Another reason to rebuild it was that it won the spirit of 52 award in 2003 at VSC.

RC Storick · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2007, 11:55:51 AM »

Great workmanship! Looks good.

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2007, 12:51:51 PM »

Thanks Robert; Coming from you, that means alot. I can't begin to build and finish like you, but I do have fun trying.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2007, 07:33:38 PM »

Jim, it looks better than any I have done. See ya at VSC? DOC Holliday

Joe Gilbert · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2007, 08:59:25 PM »

Looks good Jim, Ran the old Super Cyclone today man is it loud, looking forward to Tucson.

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2007, 09:02:29 PM »

Ya'll have fun in Tucson. Looks like I'll have to miss this one. Darn!!!

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:15:05 AM »

Hey Doc; You have that really neat dragon painted on yours. Joe; Get some ear muffs. Cykes are ear piercing. Elwyn; We are really going to miss you. I don't know if I can fly without your camera in the background.

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:44:32 PM »

I'm definitely gonna miss seeing everybody this year. I'm hoping maybe making it out to Brodaks for the first time if everything falls into place.

Richard Grogan · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2007, 05:22:43 PM »

That there dope job looks like monokote on the wings Jim!

Very pretty plane, you do nice work!

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2007, 08:23:37 PM »

Thanks Richard; All Sig dope. All brushed. I have three air brushes, and one spray gun, and I seem to do just as well with a brush. I seem to get ready to finish my planes when the weather is lousy, and to cold in the garage. So, I finish them in the basement. My wife loves the aroma wafting through the house.

Phil Bare · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2007, 06:24:59 PM »

Jim, the Dragon is great, what engine do you have in it?? Another one that I will have to build.........BTW, you have snail mail coming your way from me....

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2007, 08:35:48 PM »

Hi Phil; This one has one of Larry Fosters Fox 35's with a 10-5 APC prop. I had it out the last couple of days, and it fly's very well. It weighs about 34.5 oz. which gives a wing loading of about 10.5 oz. per square ft. I originally scratch built it off of Don Hutchinsons plans, that are available through PAMPA. Since it has a fairly low wing, it also has .4" diehedral in each wing tip. Looks very nice in the air, and fly's vertical and overhead 8's very well. Old Madman Yates knew what he was doing back in 1947.

Phil Bare · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2007, 06:56:32 AM »

Beautifull airplane and beautifull work Jim, you are an inspiration..:-)
My building schedual is getting rather extended.but the Yates Dragon is a definate (have to)......PHil

dave shirley jr · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2007, 11:26:37 AM »

Hi jim
I just finsihed framing up a dragon from plans drawn by john pond
they show 1" dihedral per tip.
which ones are correct?
i hope mine flies ok with this much dihedral
dave jr

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2007, 03:19:01 PM »

Hi Dave; I just checked my plan, and it shows 1 degree or .4" at each tip. Put light wheels on it and it should be OK. It is a little hard from the center of the circle to tell if the plane is flying level or not with the dihedral. I look at the wheels to see how they line up. Looking at the plan and measuring up from the wing center line, it looks like 1" might be better, although mine hangs straight down from the leadouts. I bet you will be fine with 1".

dave shirley jr · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2007, 03:41:36 PM »

Thanks Jim

I'll check the vertical G/G when i get it together and use wheels that work the best
thanks
Dave jr.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2007, 07:46:26 AM »

Jim & Dave, I built my Dragon from an RSM Kit and the plans on it show 1 inch dihedral. Also I think mine is a little fatter in the fuse. DOC Holliday

dave shirley jr · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2007, 10:24:13 AM »

HI Doc
is that 1" per side?
thats what mine showed
anyway its too late to cut it apart so it is what it is
I should have it at tucson. we will see you there
Dave jr.

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2007, 11:38:38 AM »

Hey Dave; I just looked at a small drawing I have of the original plan from Air World in 1947, and it shows 1" under each tip just as your plan shows. I think maybe the reason for the change is the original was flown with a spark 60 engine, which would make it a little more top heavy. I just hung mine again, and it does hang just a little off, so I think yours will be just right. We will have fun at Tucson.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2007, 11:39:37 AM »

I used only 1 inch dihedral. I guess I should say out board panel flat and inboard 1 inch propped up. Maybe thats why I have so much fun with it. DOC Holliday