My 90% Fokker DVII project

Von Writter · 2 July 2006, 11:12 AM

Hi All;
I thought I would post a few photos of a project I am working on. I've been a little hesitant to post regarding a less than full scale plane as the quality and accuracy of most all of the projects here are of amazing workmanship and authenticity. But I have had a few people encourage me that this would be of some interest so here it goes. I will preface this with the Caveat that I'm building this plane for a daily flyer so to speak and the hangers around here do not permit (nor does my working space) the sheltering of a 9'6" tall plane. Mine is scaled down as a result to about 8'6" and that will just squeak under some doors. I do want the external details as close as I can make them and still finnish before I loose my medical due to age

This is a picture of the engine for my DVII. It is a Ford 250 CID with an RWS PSRU from Tracey Crook in Florida. The drive has over 1600 trouble free flight hours on it so it is a good one. You may note that I will have room above the PSRU for a radiator which will be out in cool air so heating issues shouldn't be a problem (knock on wood )
It will be spinning this prop

That my dear wife is struggling ot hold up.

It is made as close to a Axial as I could but is 96" X86" so around 90%. It is from Black walnut and Maple.

The fuselage is coming along and is farther than this photo. I have the cabaines on now but am now focusing on getting the engine running on a test stand so as to work out the inevitable bugs.
Regards;
Troy Wright

Von Writter · 2 July 2006, 11:17 AM

For some reason my engine picture didn't come through so I'll try it again here

Jeff Brooks · 2 July 2006, 11:22 AM

it looks great! I love that prop! where did you get it? what size axle & wheels are you gonna use?

Jasta 5 Von Muller · 2 July 2006, 11:28 AM

Very nice!!!!!!!! I root you on to finish this project..... Nice prop!!

RobW · 2 July 2006, 12:11 PM

Looks good. Looking forward to seeing it grow.

Rob W

Von Writter · 2 July 2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Brooks

it looks great! I love that prop! where did you get it? what size axle & wheels are you gonna use?

Thanks Jeff;
The prop was made by Culver Props especially for me and now has correct Axial transfers on it from Fred Murrin. They can only go 102" long but since I only needed 96" to be 90% it wasn't a problem. My friend Douwe Bloomberg is having one made for his SE5a. Mine cost $1000.00 and that included a custom made blank as well.
As to the wheels and tires. I'm using a custom deep hub with oilite bushings with an axle dia of 1.625 and 1.25" axle stubs to go through the wheels. The rims are 19" dia made from Harley rim and spokes. The tires are Heavy use desert racing knobby tires which I've cut and smoothed

(Nasty job) Over all they are around 26" dia. So a bit small for your full size but near bang on for 90% ish. I saw your axle box pressings and if they were 1 3/4 I'd be begging you to do a set for me. As it is I'll be stealing your press idea

Any tricks you learned making them that I could benefit from?
What are you using in your DVII for an engine?http://www.mykitplane.com/Planes/Peo...s/scan0002.jpg
This is an Engine a friend of mine is testing now it is spinning a 114" Axial prop at 1250 on the ground and seems to be a very nice conversion. No cooling problems ect..
Regards;
Troy W.

Von Writter · 2 July 2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobW

Looks good. Looking forward to seeing it grow.

Rob W

Every time I do something on it it seems to Grow!! and my shop to shrink

Troy W.

Jeff Brooks · 2 July 2006, 07:50 PM

Actually, I asked what size axle cause I was gonna ship you a couple of openings for you ... just to add my support. Too bad your axle is 1/4 inch smaller.
The issue I found to making those openings is making sure the opening has no burs or nicks in the metal ... any imperfections cause it to tear. The other thing that helped was someone in the Sands builders forum mentioned about doing the bends in sections in stead of all at one time. So I made several passes to let the metal recover after each attempt. This helped too.

T am interested in having a prop like yours made. I will be running a 200HP Ranger also. Having the right prop will make all the difference.

Jeff Brooks · 2 July 2006, 07:50 PM

cutting the knobs off the tires looks like hard work...

greatwarpilot · 2 July 2006, 08:22 PM

Troy,

Your project looks like its really coming along! Thanks for sharing the great photos with us.

That sounds like a great price on the prop. If possible could you please PM or Email me with the contact info for the people you had make it?

We seem to have perpetual issues trying to find the right prop for our Ranger powered DVII. At the moment we have a big club on there that doesn't seem to do the trick, and are trying a standard Cornell prop next. In any case, neither looks very good on the airplane and it'd be nice to get something that at least looks more like yours (rather than the prop from a WWII trainer!).

Back to your question in the other thread, I'm not sure what you mean by lash. As I was told by the last person to fly the SE5 with the Blanton, the prop seemed to have play forward and backwards. The same kind of effect you'd get if sliding the prop and hub off the crank, although less pronounced.

You're right on the high RPM also. It was rather unconventional for an aircraft, and it could get pilots into trouble on final. If they brought the power back to a point that was appropriate for final approach the engine was still roaring away at a relatively high RPM, and this made far more noise in the cockpit than an approach would with an aircraft engine at idle or low power.

I'm rather glad that the airplane was converted to a Ranger before I got checked out in it. I've yet to hear a really reassuring PIREP of an airplane with an auto engine/PSRU combination. Your attempt sounds rather encouraging though, and I hope it works out well!

In any case, you have a nice airplane on the go. If for some reason the Ford doesn't work out would you have room in that scale cowl to put a Ranger in? Being reduced scale perhaps the typically under-weight Ranger problem would be less of an issue in your bird. Just a thought.

Cheers

Edward

P.S. - Please keep up apprised of your progress. I look forward to following the project.