FTS Projects

AchimEngels · 30 March 2006, 10:58 AM

Hello Yeoman,

Thanks for the translation. I am always happy to learn more about your language. :-)

Here are some images of todays work and the first finished stabilizer minus covering.

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AchimEngels · 30 March 2006, 10:59 AM

Enjoy!

Achim

karrart · 30 March 2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brisfitworks

Achim:

Hi, I'm with the GWFM and a newbie to the forum. I am thoroughly impressed and pleased by your attention to details. I am an authenticity fanatic and truely understand the effort it takes. My hat is off to you and I bow.

I had to smile because of your Pfalz diversion. Back in the 80's I did an article for WW1 Aero about costruction techniques for RC modellers

Cheers,
Bill Batter.

Attachment 4978

YOU'RE the guy! I would stare and re-stare at that article. I always wondered if you finished the rest of the model.
Robert Karr
www.karrart.com

AchimEngels · 31 March 2006, 10:03 AM

Final preperations for the covering of the very first stabilizer.

Alexandra double checking with original febric sample to reproduce the seam correctly. I admit it is a O.A.W.- built D.VII fabric sample, but as close as we can get.

Fuselage sternpost during fitting

The first stabilizer and elevator with wooden post attached to the stabilizer

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AchimEngels · 31 March 2006, 10:10 AM

Elevator and stabilizer back on the fuselage.

Almost completed aft of the cockpit :-)

Out of focus Fokker D.VII rudders during first coating of two component rust protection. We use this for those rudders since it was requested by the new owners.

AchimEngels · 31 March 2006, 10:14 AM

And finally the same with the two foreign E.III rudders.

The plan is to start covering the reproduction of 228/18 first and to cover the parts of the other planes as they come together.

Olivers former D.VII will be completed without covering to have one plane to look at for our frequent visitors.It will be covered at the very end. Of course all envelopes will be sewn along with the others so covering of this plane can be done quick when required.

I am looking forward to the covering ot the first stabilizer tomorrow.

Enjoy!

Achim

brisfitworks · 31 March 2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karrart

YOU'RE the guy! I would stare and re-stare at that article. I always wondered if you finished the rest of the model.
Robert Karr
www.karrart.com

Wow! that was emphatic!
Thanks for the compliment.

There was never really a plan to finish the models: both the D.VII and the Pfalz were done purely for proof of an idea for the concept and to demonstrate, more directly when in hand, the strength and lightness of the construction method compared to typically RC modelling techniques.

One fellow took my D.VII fuse as a pattern and my jigs and extra tube and made up an entire fuselage in a weekend. I made some rollers and took 10mm dia. tube and made him the streamline struts for the wings and he finshed a flying model out of it.

Way back then, I also built a 1/4 scale Armstrong-Whitworth Siskin model of the fuselage structure but that was as part of an engineering study to recreate the missing dimensions for a full size replica yet to come.

Lately, I have considered finishing the Pfalz as a cutaway for our museum to display and using the D.VII as part of our replica D.VII display for visitors to understand what lay beneath the fabric.

Many Thanks,

Bill

AchimEngels · 1 April 2006, 08:25 AM

The envelope is put on the stabilizer

Family affairs.....:-)

The cable discs are secured in place by needles before the fabric is sewn to the ribs.

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AchimEngels · 1 April 2006, 08:26 AM

Not sure whether or not Fokker used to sew the fabric to the outer perimeter tubes or not, but I thought it a good idea to do it. The fabric is sewn to the wrapping of the tubes underneath.

Hot water is used to shrink the loose envelope onto te frame. Works out perfectly tight.

The stabilizer will be doped next week.

Enjoy!

Achim

jumpinjan · 1 April 2006, 09:18 AM

Achim,
I was wondering about the stitches that you are using. Perhaps you might want to use the Upholsterer's “Blind” stitch as shown. The intervals are approx 1" in length and then 1) a lot more tension can be applied without the bunching that you experienced and 2) a lot more cloth area is secured together.