Fokker DR 1 Triplane - Covering Question

[dniemira]

Hi All -

After about 40 years without building any models, I find myself getting back into the hobby. These Guillow's kits are STILL pretty great - completed a Spitfire, and now am working on the laser cut Fokker DR1 Triplane. Even my 18 year old daughter is appreciating these things!

Got all the Fokker frames built, sanded, etc, and am now ready to cover them with the tissue included in the kit. It's been a long time, and I'm a bit confused on the wings on this plane. THe trailing edge has a repeating scallop. Maybe my feathers are showing, but it seems to be just begging for a wrinkled mess.

Any of you DR1 builders have any tips on how to get a nice taut job on these wings? Is there some trick to attaching the paper to that edge, or is it easier than it seems.............. I'd hate to mess it up at this point.

[scigs30]

Since the airfoil is symmetrical, it is actually and easy covering job. I did fold a piece of sand paper and lightly sand the TE round so they are not square. Other than that it is actually pretty easy to cover, just keep the glue along the outside edges. Do a search and you will see my Fokker I just completed.

[erich]

I make slits in the overlap, at the center of and at each point of the the scallops. This lets the tissue fold over better. I make these cuts in the overlap wherever there's a curved section on the plane. Not sure if this is what others do, but it works for me.[/url][/code]

[erich]

The Fokker I just finished up:
[img]http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af110/erich4644/DR-1.jpg

erich[/img]

[erich]

Try that again:
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af11 ... 4/DR-1.jpg

erich

[dniemira]

Thanks for the info and the quick 'turn-around' guys.

I appreciate the tips and will try both rounding the TE per csigs30's suggestion, and cutting those slits in the scallop areas, as suggested by erich.

Took a look at both your finished products. WOW......... if mine comes out 1/2 as good as those Fokkers of yours, I'll be thrilled. If it manages not to be an embarrasment to me, I'll post the pictures when I get 'er done.

BTW - re: csigs30 comment in your thread. I have to agree with you - I think the quality of these Guillow's kits IS better than it was years ago when I was building 'em.

[Scott]

Your finished Fokker looks good.

[Bill Gaylord]

Probably a good place to put this. If I built one again, I would not use Econkote red, as it's too heavy for a plane this size, as well as adding tail weight, requiring added nose ballast. Microlite would have been much better, which is what I use now. Still, the plane flies on relatively low power at over 6oz, showing it's capability. I built this plane some years ago and would have done things differently, but it's flying better now with the wing incidences corrected a bit. Finally took a short clip, when it was too windy to fly it. The plane is a pretty robust build, and set down in the tall grass a bit hard, but with no damage. Ply LG struts and reinforced mounting areas help a good bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiWT4TN ... ature=plcp

[ADW 123]

I second scig's method for covering the Fokker DR-I