Balse USA Fokker D.VIII/E.V

[Bookmaker]

These shots are more of the elevator and rudder work. Since I cut so far into the elevator leading edge for the control horn, I added a block to the back edge of the leading edge. It is a little thinner to keep from showing in the covering.

Then the rudder horn attached and elevator horns.

Later I cut the center dowel from between the elevators and have been able to temporarily hinge the rudder and elevators.

That how it sits at this point.

The next step is to attach the control cables to the horns, make supports for the rear of the cable sheaths then map out the exact locations where the cables exit the fuselage and pass through the stab. These maps will allow me to know exactly where to cut holes in the covering for the cables to ultimately pass.

[Bookmaker]

This evening I got the rudder control cables installed.

[deljon]

Dale.......Looking real good my friend. When are you going to have it ready for the maiden??
Are you going to try to make athe Ohio DP (July) or the Hooiser DP (Aug.) this year.
Would be good seeing you again.

Del

[Bookmaker]

Thanks, Del. When will I have it ready? Hummm! Let's see when I started it, I figured it to be a quick and easy build. That was March 2005
Let's say that I am not the fastest builder on the planet.

Seriously, I am back into working on it, but I probably cannot get it completed before tax season ends, although I am going to work on it a little here and there to help keep my sanity. I do hope to get it in the air late spring however.

I am not sure what events I can venture off to this year, other than those in the south east. My wife is trying to force me to spend a few days this summer with her brother's family on their sailboat in the Caribbean. However, I asked my Dad if he was interested in another big adventure - to Rhinebeck. But nothing is definite.

By the way, my wife had the panoramic photo of us modelers at Dayton nicely framed at a local frame shop. It now hangs on my office wall so I can see all your shining faces every day.

Dale

[Bookmaker]

I have completed the linkage for the tail surfaces. The elevators are operated using 2 servos, so I used separate channels in the transmitter. That allowed me to reverse one without an additional reverser in the lines.

[Bookmaker]

JUst a photobucket upload test

[Bookmaker]

I have installed the fuel tank, throttle servo, electronic kill switch and mount for manual kill switch. Need to wire this one still.

I am diddling with adding bits for a cockpit. The BUSA structure isn't real conducive to a scale cockpit. I think I will add a seat, control stick, mixture quadrant and compass and let it go at that. The pilot pretty much plugs the hole anyway.

I acquired dimensions of the full scale stick, stick top controls and mixture quadrant. That will give me a guide to shoot for.

Dale

[Bookmaker]

Progress on cockpit. This won't be a museum piece, but I think a nice addition.



Dale

[Bookmaker]

Haven't had much time to work on the Fokker due to work and hosting a warbird fly in last weekend. However, I did escape long enough to work on the seat frame.



After I built the frame I found out that I will have to modify more of the "non scale" internal bracing to get it in. No real big deal, but something else to modify.

Also, I had to completely reglue the control stick head. I initially glued it with CA, but dropped it and it all came apart. I reglued it with epoxy.

Dale

[vonSchaller]

Dale your flyer is really wonderful. I can remember when i began my D VIII some years ago. I reached exactly the progress you have now.....and then i lost my interest in it and gave it away....(yes me idiot)
I wish you all the passion you need to complete it.

BTW: Your little pilot is great but much toooo clean. Where`s the oil from the motor and the dust from the battlefield he flew over..?