Which Model should I get ?

Dino · 10 December 2005, 06:44 PM

Hello Everyone

At long last I'm going to dip my toe in the world of WW1 models. Been building flying experience for 3-4 years now, firstly with gliders and lately aerobatics/3d type models.

Looking for advice though, I'm seriously looking at the Arizona Model Aircrafters Fokker D7...rationale...ARF ( sad I know but 2 small kids and a heavy work schedule means its this way or no way....plus I must be the worlds slowest builder

)....even though ARF still lets me deatil andpaint to my desire......slightly bigger model ( bigger flys better) and I've read numerous times that the D7 is an ideal entry into WW1 and biplanes.

Does anyone have feedback specifically on the ARF from Arizona and/or suggestions as to alternatives in approximately the same size/engine range ?

Look forward to your feedback.

Dino, Sydney, Australia

jtisch · 10 December 2005, 07:32 PM

Dino,

I believe you are talking about the 1/4 scale Arizona Models Fokker DVII ARF, are you not? If you are, I have purchased one of those.

J

Dino · 10 December 2005, 10:13 PM

Apologies, yes its the 1/4 scale that I am interested in, whats your impressions re overall quality and most importantly flyability, what motor did you go with ?

jtisch · 10 December 2005, 11:42 PM

Dino,

No apologies needed. First of all, welcome to the 'drome! Second, I might give you competition for title of world's slowest builder and I don't even have children! My GTM Fokker DRI is going on three years now and it is a fantastic kit! I haven't finished the AZM DVII for a variety of reasons, being a slow builder is one of them. I bought a ROTO 35 for power for my DVII, but I wouldn't worry too much about the power plant. I have seen DVII's (1/4) with engines from Super Tigre 2500's on up and they all fly well, it just depends how much extra power you want for stunting or "get out of trouble" ability, plus also depending on the weight of your plane.

The only thing I will say for now is that the AZM DVII is not an "Almost Ready to Fly" model like you might think of from Great Planes or Hangar 9 or the like. There is still a lot of work to do.
You might want to check out RCM magazine here in the states as they had a review of it sometime this year, I think.

J

TomVrille · 11 December 2005, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtisch

Dino,

The only thing I will say for now is that the AZM DVII is not an "Almost Ready to Fly" model like you might think of from Great Planes or Hangar 9 or the like. There is still a lot of work to do.
You might want to check out RCM magazine here in the states as they had a review of it sometime this year, I think.

J

By all means, check out the RCM review of the Arizona Model Aircrafters D-VII 'ARF'. The review is in the June 2005 issue, which happens to be the last issue published. RCM is currently being sold, and the nature of the magazine which will emerge after the sale has yet to be determined. You can, however, still view the article at the RCM website which has been maintained. Go to:

www.rcmmagazine.com

Welcome to the Forum and the wonderful world of fabric, wire, and preprinted lozenge covering!!

Dino · 11 December 2005, 12:02 PM

I've tried to access the RCM article online but it does not seem to be accessible to the general public.....I am prompted for my RCM subscriber number....but I'm not a subscriber.

I have not seen this issue in Australia and given the cirumstances I doubt whether we will.

Any other avenue to get a copy ?

I'm also searching the web for other models as per my original pots but not much out there in ARF land, mainly kits as per Balso USA, Glen Torrence or scratchbuilt whihc is deifnitely not where I want to go

Regards Dino

Tmoth4 · 12 December 2005, 05:06 AM

Hi,
You might consider the Balsa USA Fokker DVII. Their kits go together very fast and the instruction manuals are excellent. I have a friend who's building one as his first WW1 model (he flies ARFs almost exclusively) and he had it all framed up in just a few weeks. There are a couple of threads about this kit on Rcscalebuilder.com. that you might find informative. You'll have to register to view the forums, but it's free.

Jim

TomVrille · 12 December 2005, 09:48 AM

Hi Dino..
Sorry about the bum steer on the RCM website. I was a subscriber until the magazine's demise, but I was unable to log in as well. It appears that the site is not as well maintained as I had supposed! Perhaps some other former subscriber with decent scanning capability can fill the breech.

P.S.....The high points of the article were that:
1. Construction time from opening the box to ready for flight test ~ 150 hours.
2. Model covered in white iron-on fabric, requiring a painted finish of the modelers choice.
3. Engine choice Zenoah G-45 (snug fit requiring some material removal), 20x10 prop
4. Materials and accessories excellent, as was packaging for shipping.
5. Flying performance good.
6. Ballast not required to achieve specified c.g.

papermache · 29 December 2005, 11:32 PM

If it takes 150 hours to assemble, that's truly not much of an ARF! 150 hours is 3.75 40-hour WEEKS! or 37.5 4-hour at-home evenings (which you might get 3 of if you work a 40-hour week) I'd say that in that amount of time I cvould have a BUSA kit framed up, assembled, covered with solartex and painted.
One thing to ask yourself would have to concern the use of lozenge camoflage, which was used in probably the majority of D-VIIs. The Arizona ARF is covered with white material. So if you want to use lozenge camo you either have to strip off the covering or paint the lozenge yourself. Niether of these options is a whole lot of fun. Arizona says that they'll cover it with their lozenge "for an extra charge", and considering the cost of their lozenge fabric, I don't even want to GUESS how much THAT would be! Of course, you could do Herman Goering's color scheme.
Think about a BUSA kit. You'd be in for a bit less detail, but then again you might be less inclined to throttle one of your children if they poke a hole in the covering (just kidding of course) At least you'd have some money left over for ice cream. Good Luck.

papermache

jtisch · 5 January 2006, 12:22 PM

Dino,

If you are really pressed for time, you might want to think about a Great Planes Fokker DRI ARF. I don't have one mysef but I know enough guys who have them to say that they fly very well. Also, if you want to make it look much nicer, you can pull off the plastic film covering and re-cover it with an iron-on fabric. This will also allow you to choose your color scheme. I have seen a couple of recovered DRIs and they look pretty darn good. They are not 1/4 scale (more like @1/5th). I heard that they were discontinued recently but there should be some still hanging around on shelves somewhere.

J