DR-1 (Sands): Builders Group - Page 59

baldeagle · 29 May 2005, 03:51 AM

I used to fly a Triplane with a 165 Warner at Old Rhinebeck from 1983 to 1986, and at the last Dayton WW1 Fly-in I flew Brian Coughlin's Triplane there from Syracuse, NY and in the show, it has a 125 Warner. There are some photos elsewhere on this forum somewhere of that.

Jim Bruton · 29 May 2005, 06:02 AM

Andrew,

Thanks for the info. I first flew in the front seat of a Stearman when I was 13 years old- that's what started all this fuss for me! Would love to hear more, whenever you can. Maybe when you return home I'll have to come down and video an interview with you about the DR1's flight characteristics! Would make for an good video stream from a friend's WW1 Fokker website....

Belli · 29 May 2005, 03:29 PM

Good day all,

Just a question as I get started, what wood was used for the original rib cap strips? Although everyone seems to be using spruce these days I don't believe they used spruce then. I remember Achim slicing up wood for his cap strips but the name was not familiar to me. (I would search for it but I am on dial up!)

Thanks
Greg
PS Hi Jim!

Jim Bruton · 29 May 2005, 05:39 PM

Hi Greg!

Long time, no news from you- hope all is well in South Africa!

If it wasn't spruce, I am guessing Fir? WorldCruiser would know, I would guess- he seems pretty up on these things. You going to go the original route? How did your research into making a Bamberg compass go?

Hope all is well with you my friend!

Jim

Aussie Fokker · 30 May 2005, 04:45 AM

Bald Eagle,

Thanks for the info and advice. I don't have easy access to a Stearman however I do fly a Tiger Moth a fair bit. I will look at doing some time from the front seat.

I found this link today which may be of interest to others. It's a short article on the Dr.1 owned by The Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop, Hampshire in the UK. The pilot, Major Nick O’Brien talks briefly on the Dr.1's handling characteristics.

http://www.flightonline.mcmail.com/fokker.htm

Regards
--
Aussie Fokker

Jim Bruton · 30 May 2005, 05:35 AM

Thanks Aussie Fokker!

More info about this, the better. I am envious of your open cockpit experience!

Jim Bruton · 30 May 2005, 05:38 PM

Fokker210,

how are those spars coming along?

Fokker210 · 30 May 2005, 07:12 PM

Jim,
The spars are slowly making progress but I was out of commission for a couple of weeks due to some minor surgery. Now that I have made a full recovery and ready to dive back in on the spars, I have been sent to Tupelo, MS for training all week.

I have finished the middle wing flange "ladders" and was getting prepared to start on the top before I left.

Also, I have made up some spar attach brackets with the CNC mill. I opted for the CAD-CAM route on these because I wanted to get the 2 degree angles just right. will post some photos when I return. The right machinery can make life much easier!

Hope all is well with everyone else here - any other updates ?
How about you, Jim ?
Fritz ?
Worldcruiser ?
Rex ?
Fokkerslow ?

Somebody throw me a bone - Tupelo is lonely !

baldeagle · 31 May 2005, 06:50 AM

Aussie,
Actually I have a couple hundred hours of Tiger Moth time, and it's not a bad trainer for that kind of stuff, as far as control feel and lack of control harmony. I would try it from the front some. And maybe wear blinders....

We're supposed to have a Triplane show up on set today, in fact it's the black one from the link a few posts above.

Jim Bruton · 31 May 2005, 07:38 AM

Hi Andrew,

Is the black triplane that's coming the one that was built in Texas a few years ago?