Fokker DR-1 built from Dollar Tree foam board

[OV10]

OK pilots, I have become more or less a self proclaimed convert and addict to foam warbird ARF's. Of the 25 in the fleet I do have 5 balsa ARF's but nothing that has been built from a kit or scratch since I got back into this almost 5 years ago. Well a member in my club who is really into the FliteTest foam board planes inspired me to do a scratch build using the Dollar Tree foam board. Have been looking for a 1/8 scale DR-1 without any luck so thus the task to get back to a little ol' school of scratch building in a new age material. Just finished the final assembly(36 inch span) whereas it only needs the aileron controls connected and a paint job. Looking to have it ready for Show N Tell in January. I'll follow up with more pics when the paint has been done.



Best Regards,

[Prowler901]

That's so cool! Is this from your own plan? I'd love to build one. I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

[Alpha]

Now there's something you don't see every day! Are you working off plans? What's the power system? Will you use a wood prop? Where's the battery hatch?

[TiredIronGRB]

I love it, the cowl is cool.

[Grossman56]

That is REALLY cool Charlie!!!!!
Let me ask the dumb questions!!
The wings are flat, so is there a slight angle to provide lift?
What's the weight?
Amazing! Now to come up with an original paint scheme, why not like the ones in The Blue Max?

Grossman56

[Capt. Crunch]

Now thats cool!

What paint scheme you thinking of goin with? My vote is for the Red Baron

Is that dollar tree foam like EPO foam?

[OV10]

Now there's something you don't see every day! Are you working off plans? What's the power system? Will you use a wood prop? Where's the battery hatch?

Alpha,
It is a build from a set of tiled plans by Steve Shumate. He started a thread over on RCG back in Oct 2005 and provides the plans on post #4. Here's a link.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=425387

The power system is 3S with a 1300mAh battery with the battery hatch being very accessible(right in front of middle wing). Wooden prop I'd like to do but we'll see once I ring it out initially. Have yet to determine the pitch of the 12" prop. I also added two hatches on the bottom side for access to the ESC and Rx using blenderm tape and Du-Bro Cat#925 Hatch Latches. Servos are accessible from cockpit area. Wheels are the 3 inch Dubro Micro Sport.

Dan,
I'll cover your questions here also. No angle is required for the wing lift. Flat wing models have been around longer than you or I have been my friend. I can still remember flying Sterling Ringmaster U-control 049's that had flat balsa wings with no airfoil. My dad would always remind that you can fly a barn door with enough thrust. This presently weighs 1.6 pounds without the battery, prop or paint so I believe it will be just under 2lbs AUW. Remember I had Charlie n Snoopy in the Dyanm Waco, well Woodstock is going to pilot this one

I'm glad that I posted this and sparked a little diverse interest into the foam warbird arena.

Best regards,

[OV10]

Now thats cool!

What paint scheme you thinking of goin with? My vote is for the Red Baron

Is that dollar tree foam like EPO foam?

Crunch,
Yep, gotta go red n white with the eyes and stash on the cowl face. The DT foam is real fine celled with a paper layering on both sides.

[Alpha]

Steve Shumate! I haven't heard his name in a while! Good stuff there... On 3s I'm assuming something in the 3536 1100-1200kv range? 40A-50A ESC and 10x7 on 3s, but for a 12xX... I'm assuming you have Motocalc to narrow your choices.

With all that wing and 2lbs wet she'll be a floater!

[Ron1950]

that is cool...I have never been a good builder from plans myself if I was building one it would probably have 3 and a half wings when I finished

[Westsider]

You are a real gem Bronco man! :cool: That IS truly inspiring.

[Grossman56]

Yep that's pretty cool, may have to try that myself, have a lot of foam kicking around here.

Grossman56

[Teeks]

Nice build!

[OV10]

So after investing $40 in materials/electronics and 30 hrs of sweet(not sweat) equity it is done.
All the painting including the graphics was done by hand using acrylics from Walmart. Assembly was done with Foam-Tac and Gorilla.
It is using a 30A Dynam ESC with an Exceed RC Rocket 2220-1330kV motor turning a 10x4.7sf prop drawing 21A @WOT. Might bump the prop up to a 11x5.5sf cause I have some headroom to spare on current usage based on the results of maiden flying performance in the spring. Develops 280watts of power which is sufficient cause AUW is 2.2 lbs.
EDIT: As noted in my first post, span is 36".
I have a Dynam Waco that used to have Charlie and Snoopy going for a ride until Snoopy saw this bird and bailed on Charlie. That's OK because Woodstock has been whining to go for a ride for awhile. Hope ya'll enjoy the pics half as much as I did making my first scratch build in 40 years.

[wvrailfan]

That is cooler than the other side of the pillow! Nice work. What is the wing span?

[OV10]

Appreciate the accolade WV. The span is 36" (1/8 scale)

[dkalwishky]

Looks great OV10!

[Prowler901]

Lookin' great! Bet you can't wait till Spring. ;)

[Grossman56]

Excellent Charlie! Who says you can't build something from nothing!!

Grossman56

[TiredIronGRB]

Awesome workmanship, I love it.