Dynam C-47

[doctormike]

I recieved my C-47 and it looks like a very nice, well made plane. The only thing I have doubts about is the tiny motor shafts. They look as if they would bend if you breathed on them too hard. I'm sure I'll be replacing them before long, changing to counter rotating. I'm going to strip the olive drab paint and repaint it silver, using an airline livery. Doc

[fhhuber]

The shafts are fine until serious impact... then they tend to break right at the transition from smooth to threaded. That leaves room to put a collet adapter on when it happens (if it ever happens).

I've broken a few props and haven't snapped mine yet.

*********

The change to counter rotating is simple: Swap 2 wires between ESC and motor... find the reverse pitch prop to match both sides (no known match to the Dynam original)

Note that the full scale did not have counter rotating props and there are some 70 year old DC3/C-47's flying in commercial service STILL.

[doctormike]

I probably will not do the counter rotation thing unless it tends to pull to the left badly. Windsor props are great replacement props. Doc

[xviper]

I had both the Dynam DC-3 and the HobbyKing C-47. I had high hopes for the HK C-47 but that one turned out to be much less a plane than everyone had hoped. It was under-powered, stalled easily, poor grass performance and somewhat delicate. By comparison, the Dynam was a far better airplane - reasonably priced, more than adequate power, adequate grass performance, simpler and better by design, flew more stable. I gave my DC-3 to a friend and sold my C-47. One day, when I make more space, I'll get the Dynam C-47. I really liked it a lot. The motor shafts are tougher than they look. Counter-rotating is not necessary as the plane tracks very straight. In contrast, the HK C-47 had counter-rotating props and that didn't help the plane at all. It still had a tendency to drop a wing and fall from the sky. The Dynam, however, with same rotation props flew straight and true. With it's big rudder, the lack of steerable tail wheel was not an issue.

[Alpha]

Doctormike, which airline livery are you going with?

I'd also be interested to hear your thoughts on the new tailwheel steering mechanism. As Xviper mentioned, the prior version of Dynam's C-47 didn't have a steerable tail wheel, which is the main reason why we haven't carried it for so long until recently. I flew Xplaneguy's model last year or so and felt immediately that it was a fun flying plane for the money but the lack of a steerable tail wheel would forever limit its market potential. Dynam finally made the change, which is what prompted us to add it to our lineup.

I plan on getting one eventually and commissioning Callie to create a set of Delta Airlines decals, then I'll cover the bird in aluminum tape.

[xviper]

Doctormike, which airline livery are you going with?

I'd also be interested to hear your thoughts on the new tailwheel steering mechanism. As Xviper mentioned, the prior version of Dynam's C-47 didn't have a steerable tail wheel, which is the main reason why we haven't carried it for so long until recently. I flew Xplaneguy's model last year or so and felt immediately that it was a fun flying plane for the money but the lack of a steerable tail wheel would forever limit its market potential. Dynam finally made the change, which is what prompted us to add it to our lineup.

I plan on getting one eventually and commissioning Callie to create a set of Delta Airlines decals, then I'll cover the bird in aluminum tape.

I had no idea the current one has a steerable tail wheel. That's a nice addition. You should add a notation to the description about this on your webpage for the product. I may have to get one sooner than later.
Oops, just noticed you did put in a notation about this.

[doctormike]

xviper...Thanks for the info! Alpha...It'll be a while before I maiden this baby because of my anal retentive scale enthusiasm, but, even though not scale, the tail wheel will really help with T&L's. Aluminum tape? Sounds a bit heavy, but shiney. I'm not sure what livery. I was a graphics artist for 12 years I might make up my own airline. It would really be fun to make it look like a beat up old island hopper, or boarder hopper, for you know what. I'm really into Trans Texas airways. (TTa we used to call it Tree Top airways) What a history! Finally wound up being UNITED. However there logo was a bit short of facinating.

[xviper]

Couldn't help myself. Our buck went up a tiny bit. My C-47 should be here next Tuesday.

[doctormike]

Are you going to leave yours as is? Mine is silver now and I'm applying my own livery design. I was looking at the directions and found two mistakes. They tell you to glue on the horizontal stab. first. If you do this, the control horn can't be glued in later. Glue the control horn in first. I also put the push rod connector on first. You'll see why. A hole will have to be drilled into the tail in order to tighten the connector.The connector will slide onto the rod as you slide the hor. stab. in to glue it. Also... they show the motor/ESC connection as black blue red. The motors run backwards this way. It should be black red blue. I'm sure there glue is ok, but I'm using E-6000. I didn't strip the factory paint. I applied 2 coats of Varathane for a primer, then sprayed on 3 light coats of Krylon metallic silver. I'll apply 2 coats of Varathane over the paint, and graphics. Doc

[doctormike]

A slight change... It's easier to glue the H. stab. in place without the rod in the connector. After the glue dries, just unscrew the servo arm, push the rod into the connnector and replace the servo arm. Doc

[xviper]

Hi Doc, thanks for the tips. This will be my second Dynam DC-3/C-47 and my third if you count the HobbyKing 1600mm "Jungle Skippers" version (which I thoroughly did NOT like).
Yes, I'll be leaving it as is. I'm not very skilled nor am I very imaginative or patient when it comes to redoing the exterior appearance of a model. Even when I went through my plastic model phase, I only put them together. I never painted them and only put on the big decals. I had almost 3 dozen of them hanging from the garage ceiling by the time I stopped. My RC models have since replaced them in the garage and in the basement.
I have an extra pair of counter-rotating MAS 3-blade props in the proper size that I got for my HobbyKing Skymule and HobbyKing Canadair C-415 water bomber, so I'll be changing rotation of one of the motors anyway. I'm a big fan of FoamTac for putting most planes together. I rarely use the glue that is provided. I'll also use epoxy and CA where those may be a better choice.
I usually take a very close look at the directions and do a test fit before doing the final assembly. This shows all the quirks and areas that need to be "altered". As for the connector, I can't remember exactly what they look like but if it's those kinds that has the set screw on one end that tighten up against the rod that slides through, I'll look at the possibility of turning it around on the horn so you tighten it from the outside. The steerable tail wheel will be a nice touch.
As you first mentioned, the motor shafts can be delicate. They are the same motors/shafts that are used on their Gr. Cruiser and I believe their Catalina. If you have a blade strike, there is a better than average chance of bending or breaking one of the shafts.

[doctormike]

Yup... I built more plastic models than I could begin to count. I did put the decals on them. I finally came up with an airline name and slogan, fitting for the old lumbering DC-3's. SILVER SLOTH AIRWAYS.....Fly the sloth, we eventually get you there. I used to be paid to make this stuff up! Doc

[fhhuber]

3 DC-3 / C-47's for me...

2 of the Polks. Both crashed in the same tree. i have 2 of the indestructible fuselages (you can take the thing and beat on a tree with it all day... might not even scratch it), one left wing panel, one center and one set of tail-planes left.

And the Dynam.... which crashed in the SAME TREE. Just ordered the replacement wing set...

[doctormike]

The only thing I've found, so far on my C-47, that I'm unhappy with, is that the foam surface is extremly fragile. It hardly takes anything to puncture or dent it. I wish they had used more up to date foam on it. Doc

[xviper]

The only thing I've found, so far on my C-47, that I'm unhappy with, is that the foam surface is extremly fragile. It hardly takes anything to puncture or dent it. I wish they had used more up to date foam on it. Doc

I had the SkyBus the last time and on white, dents and finger impressions weren't that visible. With this one, I think I'm going to paint a layer of Mod Podge to help protect it. Mine arrived yesterday. I'll unpack it today and make sure all the parts are in good shape, present and accounted for.
Have you flown yours yet?

[doctormike]

Nope. I'm not even close. Still working on the graphics. I put larger low bounce wheels on it. Quite an undertaking, since the axles are glued in. If you are interested, I'll tell you how I did it. The Krylon metallic silver worked very well. Some guys are lucky enough to be happy with just slamming a plane together, and flying it. I'm cursed with a perfection gene. It makes it REALLY bad if I crash one! Doc

[xviper]

Nope. I'm not even close. Still working on the graphics. I put larger low bounce wheels on it. Quite an undertaking, since the axles are glued in. If you are interested, I'll tell you how I did it. The Krylon metallic silver worked very well. Some guys are lucky enough to be happy with just slamming a plane together, and flying it. I'm cursed with a perfection gene. It makes it REALLY bad if I crash one! Doc

Doc, I think a write up about your wheel mod would be of value to everyone and you should post it up here for all to see.
I'm not a perfectionist by any means as my planes get dings and rash from just moving them in and out of my little car. And like you said, I feel really bad if I spend too much time on one and it goes down on the first couple of flights. I focus on the mechanics and set up but when it comes to finishing details for appearance, stock is good for me. If I spend too much time to make it look right, I don't feel like flying it anymore.

[doctormike]

I have a dynam Tiger Moth that I did a custom paint job on. I can't seem to get the nerve to maiden it. If I do a description of my DC-3 L.G. mod, I'll put it in "Tips and tricks". It will be long, and I think we are only allowed 15 minutes to place a post. However I believe it will save and you can begin where you left off. Doc

[xviper]

I have a dynam Tiger Moth that I did a custom paint job on. I can't seem to get the nerve to maiden it. If I do a description of my DC-3 L.G. mod, I'll put it in "Tips and tricks". It will be long, and I think we are only allowed 15 minutes to place a post. However I believe it will save and you can begin where you left off. Doc

Or do what I used to do in my old sports car forums. I'd do the whole write up in a word processing program (Word or Word Perfect type of thing). Have all the picture attachments all lined up, ready to go. When done, just "copy/paste" the document into the post and insert pictures where you like.

[xviper]

Finished mine today.