Freewing SBD-5 Dauntless - Tips??

[Rocketeer]

Greetings Gang,

I am brand new to this forum and thought I'd waist no time in seeking wisdom.
I have a preference for the 1400mm series warbirds and currently fly the T-28, Corsair, A1 Skyraider and just recently purchased the SBD-5 Dauntless (my primary concern here).

Has anyone had an opportunity to build/fly this plane and be willing to share some insights/experiences, high-lights or low-lights?

I'm am really excited to receive this plane as the attention to detail looks amazing!!

Thanks in advance

[JTClark]

Re: Freewing SBD-5 Dauntless - Tips??

Rocketeer,

The Freewing SBD is a great detailed warbird. I have had mine for almost a year now and have had many enjoyable flights and a few I'd like to forget. I am more than happy to pass along any helpful tips. I quickly learned that you need to gradually increase throttle at takeoff. This bird torques hard left if you start out too fast. Like the real SBD, this plane is not fast. You will want to take of the drop tanks when you fly to minimize as much drag as possible. It was meant for high altitude dives for bombing and the split flaps are fun to use for just that. The flaps will not close flush but I described how I addressed that in another forum section with magnets under community support. If you search this forum you will find it and other comments. It does have enough power for rolls and loops coming out of a dive but it best flies scale like and looks great in the air and ground. You will need to keep about 1/3 - 1/4 throttle for landing or she'll tip stall. Within this forum are instructions from MRC to open up the canopy for an even more scale detail look. For some reason that I have not been able to determine my last few flights I experienced very weak power even with fresh and fully charged batteries. The plane flew very slow and a bit unresponsive. It now sits idle in my hanger because I enjoy faster planes now after moving on from the SBD. I'm sure you will enjoy flying this plane.

[CAPT.Mike]

Re: Freewing SBD-5 Dauntless - Tips??

Ahoy there, be sure to add 3-4 oz to the nose to make it feel like a warbird. This bird is so scale. People dog it for being slow. I love this plane because you cane enjoy the detail as it fly's by. It looks great if you cut the canopy to scale. To close the flaps once setup, take small plastic quick grips and press the flaps gently.
Use a hair dryer that has heat as well as cold air. Heat the flaps don't burn them or alligator the foam, then apply the cold setting. Take off the clamps and presto they should close together when shut.


Happy landings.

[Rocketeer]

Re: Freewing SBD-5 Dauntless - Tips??

Greetings Cap, JT

Thanks for the tips.
As I've finally completed the build of my giant A1 Skyraider, I'm ready to 'dive' into the SBD Dauntless - see what I did there? - <smiley image="smiley_grin.gif"/>

I really can't wait to get started!!

Thanks again

Bill L.
in Oklahoma