Maiden Flight- 1/4 Scale Siemens Schuckart D1

[Lucky Dog]

It flies!
After much last minute (more like 5 hours) of tweaking. Billy Thompson flew my 1/4 scale Siemens Schuckart D1 on it's maiden flight Sunday. Prior to the second flight, we found that a rudder hinges had become loose, and called it a day. Yes, I chickend out and didn't feel comfortable making the first flight myself. This was the first time I'd ever built anything like this. Plus, Bill has built and flown two of these (as Nieuport 17s) and I felt he'd be more likely to save the plane if there was real problem. I also wanted his assessment of power and flight behavior of mine compared to his.

Billy's assessment was that it may be a little underpowered (Ryobi 31cc that wasn't delivering the RPMs it had the day before), but otherwise flew great!

A few other small issues need to be resolved and, hopefully, I'll get some stick time in this holiday weekend.

There are still a number of detail issues to address. Install the gun, add the "spyder" framework to cowl, spinner, pilot, etc.

Many thanks to Art Shelton, Steve Percifield and (of course) Billy for their help. And to Rhonda Shelton for getting some great pictures. And the biggest thanks goes to my very patient wife Kathy, for her patience with me as maiden flight time grew near. I am a "Lucky Dog!"

[greenknight]

Congratulations! Love the color and markings your research on the SSW D.1 turned up. I look forward to seeing it at Dayton.

[deljon]

Looks great Mike, see ya in Dayton.

Del

[Tmoth4]

Congratulations! Isn't it great to see something you created like that actually fly!

Jim

P.S. The color scheme looks great, especially the top view.

[Lucky Dog]

Thanks for all the complimnets! I feel like a bit of a weenie for not having the guts to do the maiden flight (hadn't done that since I was a newbie).

[PfalzPflyer]

Great looking plane! Looks like you've got that scratchbuilding thing under control.

As for "chickening out" on the maiden, I don't think that's the case. You were fortunate enough to have available the skilled services of a good pilot who was already familiar with what the plane flies like. That only makes sense to me, and I would have done the same thing.

In fact, I usually have our club president do the maiden on any plane of mine that I'm unsure of, and I'm certain that it has saved at least one plane from the scrap pile.

Again, it's a great looking kite. I'm looking forward to seeing it at Dayton.

Dean in Omaha, a.k.a. "PfalzPflyer"

[Steve Percifield]

Mike did a great job on the SSD1. Looks better than the pictures show and inspite of power problems. flew really good. Good job Michael!!!
steve percifield

[Lucky Dog]

Originally Posted by Steve Percifield

Looks better than the pictures show

Jeez Steve, and I thought it looks pretty good in the pics....

[fltmech]

Great Job, and a really good looking SW D1. No, you didn't chicken out, you used common sense!