DR-1 (Sands): Builders Group - Page 153

greatwarpilot · 8 September 2006, 08:09 AM

Hey Jim,

I'm not sure how specific the Sands plans are when it comes to inspection ports, but when we put them on our triplane's top wing we basically put them where we knew we'd need them.

Here is a shot of the underside right before it went on the airplane and you can see most of the inspection ports opened up.

Not sure if this is helpful, but it does allow us to insert and remove those forward bolts on the cabanes that you're talking about.

You'll also not inspection ports for each aileron hinge and I believe one of the cabane ports doubles to give access to a pulley in the aileron control cable circuit.

Cheers

Edward

Sgt Pepper · 8 September 2006, 10:16 AM

Last month the volunteers at Kingsbury attached the center wing to our DR 1. Yeah!

We have another work-weekend to attach the other the wings tomorrow.

We still have to finish the aluminum flarings around the center wing/fuselage, and the cowl, but the day is fast approaching when she'll fly. The 80 hp LeRhone has been overhauled and is off camera waiting to go.

When we hit this stage in the building process, we suddenly had to shift our focus from the big items to little things like access panels, throttle linkages, windshield, control cables, etc. So it looks like very little progress is being made, but it's just that the progress that is being made isn't as noticable.

In the bg you see Kelly - a volunteer - who is resting after a difficult session of attaching the cabane struts. Also you see the D VII that is completed and waiting final engine mods to the inverted Gypsy Queen. The prop is sitting in the box waiting to be bolted on.

I have also included a pix of a 3D model I made this week of a Siemens-Schuckert rotary. It's a work in progress.

Jim Bruton · 8 September 2006, 03:05 PM

Thanks Edward!

Your photo exactly answers my question! You simply put an inspection plate right there- perfectly practical. I have heard that the original DR-1 did NOT have an access there- you simply had better not damage the bolt or you had a problem. I have also heard that sometimes field modifications were made to give access....so we'll figure something out in between.

Many thanks again!

Sgt. Pepper, congratulations on a beautiful aircraft- do please post your photos here as you get those other wings in place. Do you have a take off date yet? =-)

Jim

Charles Neely · 8 September 2006, 07:01 PM

Jim,

Keep us informed. I can't promise to come, but it would be great to attend a "covering party" for your bird. My favorite beer is FREE, cold and wet.
Charlie

Dogtail2 · 9 September 2006, 03:59 PM

Finished the tail feathers and mounted them on the fuselage. Its starting to look like an aeroplane!

Also fitted the tailplane struts. Had to tweek the fuselage bracket to make sure the streamline tube faces the airflow correctly. If made as per Sands drawing they would face down slightly.

Also tack welded brake parts together.

Anyone intending to fit brakes to their machine should check out the Wicks website. They have the Dr 1 brake kit listed at $804 which is an absolute steal!

Do the maths.

Dogtail2 · 9 September 2006, 04:25 PM

Brakes

Seat frame

Regards,

Pete

Fokker210 · 9 September 2006, 09:12 PM

Pete,
Outstanding work !
Sorry so late in responding to your earlier Spandau question - Although I have'nt had a chance to accurately weigh them, I would guesstimate my guns to wiegh about seven pounds each.

Between you, Jim, Fritz, JoePilot and all the others who have made serious headway on your fuselages - stand by....I will be heaping the questions on you guys as I start mine !

Andy

Dogtail2 · 10 September 2006, 12:51 AM

Hi Andy,

Good luck with your fuselage, and ask away.
Actually I have a question for you regarding the undercarriage. What size tube did you use for the 2 tubes which run each side of the axle and join the shock boxes? The plans call for 13/16" dia. x .049w. I can not find anyone who stocks this size. If you know of a stockist let me know. I tried all the usual, Aircraft Spruce,Wicks etc.

Thanks, Pete

Jim Bruton · 10 September 2006, 02:18 PM

Pete,

What great progress you are making! What's next? Landing gear? Again, nicely done!

Jim

Fokker210 · 10 September 2006, 02:50 PM

Pete,
I ran into the same problem trying to find that correct size tubing - I went ahead and settled for the 13/16" X .120 wall tubing available from Wick's. A little thicker wall than what the plans call for but it was really all I could find.....maybe the size on the drawings was a little more readily available in 1972 ???

Andy