FTS Projects - Page 4

Ross_Moorhouse · 26 February 2003, 01:28 PM

Can I ask why arent you using a TIG welder? Thats what we used to use for wieling helicopter and Ag plane frames. All the frames are made out of cromly {spelling}

Easy to control the heat and the weld bead with a TIG.

AchimEngels · 27 February 2003, 02:51 AM

Hi,

Just because they did not do it back then that way

(no TIG available at that time)

Actually we are doing two Fokker D.VII here. One will be Wulffo´s and it will get the German Experimental traffic certificate. We will "WIG" (this is TIG in German) weld this one. The second aircraft will be done to the same standards in all details, but without the traffic certificate. This one will be welded as was back then using oxyacethylene. This is our own aircraft then.

I agree that TIG is more comfortable and won´t spread the heat too much over the material, but with respect to authenticity we will do ours oxyacethylene.

Best

Achim

Ross_Moorhouse · 27 February 2003, 06:58 PM

Ok I understand now. I didnt even think of the way it was done way back then.

AchimEngels · 1 March 2003, 10:06 AM

Well, The first tailplane is allmost done by now. Just as I started to post this I discovered that I forgott to bring my digital camara with me to my home. :-[

Damned thing!

Images follow next week!!!

Achim

AchimEngels · 3 March 2003, 08:29 AM

So, This is now next week, isn´t it? *;D

I know it is not yet finished completely, but it is almost done!

Unfortunately the images are not as clear as I have hoped, but better ones will follow.

This is just a "warm up" piece to see how things work out. it is welded oxyacetylene. No major or unexpected difficulties experienced so far. We will make some more special tools to make it more easy to do the one for our Fokker D.VII and after we have checked them by doing our´s we will invest our knowledge and skills earned into doing Wulffo´s "flying" *;D stabilizer using TIG (WIG).

Hope you like it so far!

Enjoy!

Achim

Boneman · 3 March 2003, 09:26 AM

You guys are great! I just discovered this site a couple of days ago and cannot pull myself away. I am really enjoying Achim’s posts and will hopefully follow his project(s) to completion. I am also impressed with the depth of knowledge and references available on this web site. I have wanted to build my own aircraft for some time now and I have always been a WWI aviation buff, so this is the best of both worlds. I’ve seen a few 2/3 and/or 80% replicas but I don’t think I ever seen a full size replica so I never gave much thought to building one. I think my mind may be changing. At least now I have a source to gather info and get started planning. Keep up the good work and great posts.

Brad

AchimEngels · 8 March 2003, 10:30 AM

Hey Boneman!

That´s the way it should be! Feel encouraged to start working on your own project soon *

By the way: today we got a unexpected visit from the official construction supervisor for our homebuilt project. It was the first time he inspected the workshop and our first parts. He was very pleased with what he saw and gave his approval to go on with the construction. This was one of the first barriers we have to take when getting the aircraft actually in the air finally.

After this successfull ending of the day we decided to put together a small airplane with what parts we already have at hand. Here I go!!!!