DR-1 (Sands): Builders Group - Page 14

Jim Bruton · 17 September 2004, 02:38 PM

Von Grube,

Please send us pictures and we will promise to like you.

Welcome!

Jim

Lyle · 17 September 2004, 07:16 PM

Found out that a Sands triplane took to the air today--built by Ken Kellett for Kermit Weeks' collection. It's painted up like von Richthofen's last Dr.I. I managed to miss it flying, but saw it on display and it looks great. Using a Warner radial right now; to be re-engined with a 110 Le Rhone someday.

I really get a kick out of seeing what you guys are doing with your projects; I'm just an R/C modeler but it's really inspiring to see the great stuff here. Maybe I'll make the switch someday when I have the space to do something really big!

Fokker210 · 17 September 2004, 08:20 PM

Vongrube,
Glad to see you here ! Sounds like you are almost ready to fly ! I hope you are ready to answer the multitude of questions that will be coming your way

I know that I will have many ! Can't wait to see some pics !

Lyle,
I believe we all think of our projects as just models that we can sit in while we fly them !!

Jim Bruton · 18 September 2004, 04:45 AM

Hi Lyle,

It's your attention to the details that will make the larger models- the ones we get to sit in- much more authentic- stay tuned and don't hesitate to toss your hat into the ring! Lotsa help, support and encouragement to be found here.

Jim Bruton · 19 September 2004, 04:30 AM

Curious about G-force parameters. Anyone heard an Expert state what the +/- G-force range of a Sands Triplane is? Redfern said that with just the improvements in construction materials and methods, plus a few things learned in aeronautics in recent years, that he thought his DR-1 was a lot stronger than the original. And even Robert Baslee of Airdrome Aircraft says his all aluminum full scale DR-1 (with no spars by flying wires- helps the 400 hours building time- any takers?) has a +9/-6 G-load rating.

I don't know about anyone else here, but I want to be able to do some basic aerobatics in my aircraft- whatever was representative of things they pulled off while trying to stay alive in a dogfight. I know that no one did snap rolls for that purpose, and i don't look at this rudder and get the idea for snap rolls, etc. Also, just in case of emergency, does anyone know what the stall/spin characteristics of this plane are? I am guessing enough power might help pull out of a spin, but aerodynamically- i am most interested. You just never know!

worldcrusier · 20 September 2004, 02:05 PM

Well,
Last year I posted a series of pics of a load test I ran on a 'close to original' Spar. the last pic is below. the spars seem to be able to take much more than the 5g's that the germans tested. I to will probably do limited(very limited) aerobatics and based on my tests, I'm not concerned.

worldcrusier · 20 September 2004, 02:09 PM

There is about 1650 lbs on the half spar tested which should give in excess of 8 or 9 g's depending on how you calculate and based on the original weight.

vongrube · 20 September 2004, 02:14 PM

Will be posting pics of my plane soon.Though they're older pics (taken two years ago). Bought another engine this weekend for it. Looks like I got a good deal on it. Will have to be rebuilt and modified.
Decided NOT to paint the plane red. Too many red Fokkers out there. Will have to repaint the landing gear and stabilizer.
Model builders beware.....THIS is where your hobby ends up; bigger, and much more expensive!

vongrube

Jim Bruton · 20 September 2004, 02:45 PM

OK, Here is my rudder in progress. Stay tuned for more pics as it shapes up!

What do you all think of the revamp of the site? I got bumped down from Cadet to Observer! Oh well...

WorldCruiser, that's an ambitious test of the test spar! Thanks for going out on a limb to find out though. +9 is means I'll come apart before the plane does- suits me.

20 September 2004, 07:37 PM

I see this all the time; someone flying or displaying a nice bird and the next thing you know: "they built it”.

To the best of my knowledge, neither Kermit nor his team are responsible for building the DR1 he now has. As with most if not all of Kermit's planes, he purchased it from someone else. In this case, Hal Bishop of Gadsden built that Dr1. The Weeks team simply added a few bells and whistles. Although, I have never seen Kermit claim they built it, I’ve also never seen them disclaim the false impression either.