1/2 Scale Pfalz DXII

ProfLooney · 24 March 2009, 06:58 PM

Hi guys yesterday I got commissioned to do a Pfalz DXII for a client in the UK. There is a possibility of a couple more being wanted, butfor now concentrating on this one.

I have started to design today and once I get some drawings done I will post more info. The designing of the fuse takes the longest as its the most painstaking to do in Solidworks as it takes a lot of tweeking to get the fuse to loft properly. once that is done I will be ordering the fuse formers and frame the fuse up first. By doing the fuse first I can get all the attachment points for the wing and tailfeathers figured out so that I can order the supplies.

Rough Dimensions

177"ish WS
158"ish length
55"ish height

If I get the fuse going good and tailfeathers on theres a good chance I will drag it along with me to Dayton this fall but wont guarantee anything as I will be working hard to get my bristol fighter built. My parts should be done tomorrow as they hadnt finished water jetting my metal fittings as of today . hope to get my kit early next week in my hands

Joe

Mode One · 25 March 2009, 05:40 AM

Why doesn't the link to the Roland DVIb work?

jumpinjan · 25 March 2009, 05:54 AM

It works...
Roland DVIb Project
And here's the Pfalz link
Great War R/C

Mode One · 25 March 2009, 06:22 AM

It wasn't working when I tried 45 minutes ago. Thanks! Do these airplanes fly, or are they museum pieces?

Kaiser Bill · 25 March 2009, 06:35 AM

Prof...best of luck with your commission. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Kaiser Bill

ProfLooney · 25 March 2009, 08:36 AM

oh they definately gonna fly. I got word my metal fittings should be in and so my Bristol fighter kit should be here soon.

I spent last night working on lofting the fuse. I will post more this afternoon as I have to run for now.

ProfLooney · 26 March 2009, 12:56 AM

Well guys I posted quite a bit tonight on my lofting attempt for the Pfalz. I was able to get a perfect loft on my second attempt. Next thing to do is mirror the shell, knit it together,and thicken it to my sheeting thickness.

I will only have to make a couple extra formers for the ones that are at an angle in the rear of the plane. then I can notch for stringers and hollow out the centers. once I get that done I will tinker with a couple other small items and send off to have my formers laser cut. I want to frame up the fuse and tailfeathers first and make sure everythings going good there. then do some interior detailing for the cockpit. once that much is done I will order the wing kit and get working on those. I may order a few ribs with the fuse parts to do the wing center section on top so I can set the cabanes etc.

Joe

PS there is a complete documentary with more pics on my site

Maxim08 · 26 March 2009, 09:12 AM

Hey Professor,
Are you going to make the fuselage in the original fashion ie wound veneer?
In one of the early modelling issues of WW1 Aero there was an interesting article by Wally Batter about a 1/4 scale fuselage that he and his son built using the traditional technique. I have handled that shell several times and it is remarkably strong and light. Bill Batter (Wally's son) has a fairly standard practise of allowing two people to grasp either end and try to deform the shell by twisting. No on has done it yet.
Regards,
John

ProfLooney · 26 March 2009, 09:25 AM

Hi John no this fuse I will cheat on the shell due toi costs in vloved in materials IE 1/16th ply for the fuse shell lams on this one Plus the cost making the plugs for compressing everything together.

I will be using 3/32 balsa for fuse sheeting and glass it which though wont be the same as original will be a composite fuse to keep in the spirit.

for those curious about what John is talking about this was the procedure

the fuse had strips of 3 ply laid in molds at 45 degrees then loaded down with resins. A layer of cloth strips were run along the length at 90 degrees and then a second layer of wood strips were laid at 45 degrees opposite of the first wood strips and then the laminations were compressed together until cured.

Once cured the panels were trimmed and glued and nailed to the fuse formers. once both halves were attached to the fuse assembly a layer of cloth was resined onto the fuse to provide a smooth airflow. this became one of the first semi composit fuse skins of the age

ProfLooney · 26 March 2009, 12:17 PM

Ok where I am currently at is that I cut out the cockpit and the engine bay area. I also cut out the engine hood and threw together a rough assembly for show.