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cayuse
Mar 24, 2004, 12:58 PM
There are a number of threads on this model already, starting with it’s first appearance at the May ’03 Chilliwack rally, the plans thread, Morb’s beta build thread, etc., but the production kit is now finally available so here’s the official launch notice...

http://gvillette.rchomepage.com/dr1.jpg

2 years in development…
CAD designed in full 3D…
Laser cut for precise parts fit…
Combat tested against MH’s Sopwith Pup and MP’s SE5a…
Flown into walls, lampposts, the ground….
Even flown directly into a hovering SX2… with no permanent damage!

http://gvillette.rchomepage.com/Dr1animation.gif

One thing that scares me off of scale multi-wing models is the thought of making a less-than-perfect landing and catching a wing tip. This usually results in broken struts, wing mounts, ribs, cabane struts, etc. So, to avoid this unpleasantness we’ve incorporated a number of rare-earth magnets into the design to fasten the wings and struts. As anyone who has handled these little magnets will attest, they are darn hard to separate! We have designed them into this model so they will not separate under flight loads (even EXTREME flight loads) yet they will slide apart and let the aircraft components separate in the event of a crash.

Imagine dropping a wing on a hot landing and cartwheeling this little baby down the runway? We did it! (It wasn’t an accident, it was a “learning experience”.) It was flying again after some cosmetic touchups. All those wings and struts weren’t damaged because the magnets let them slide apart in the impact.

As well, this model is built using resilient Zepron foam sheeting for the wings and fuselage panels so it will take a beating and come back for more.

Enough about durability. This model was designed to fly on the good ol’ IPS DX-A drive and it really DOES fly on this system because it builds up light (~8 oz AUW with lipoly’s). Check out the videos on the website. No, it’s not a 3D machine, but it does have greater than 1:1 thrust:weight if you want to load it up with 3S1P lipoly’s.

No special equipment is required. Just take your GWS Pico gear out of your TM or LiteStik and drop it into this bird. A wing jig is part of the kit so proper wing alignment is easy. In fact, basic assembly should take no more than an evening.

The instruction manual is downloadable from the kit page on the website. Check it out.

Specs:
Span: 23"
Length: 20"
AUW: 8.25 oz. (with 9.6V, 370mAh Nimh)
Wing area: 260 sq.in.
Wing loading: 4.5 oz/sq.ft.
Construction: 1/8" sheet foam & balsa
Motor: GWS IPS DX-A
Prop: GWS 9x7
Battery: 8-Cell 370mAh Nimh, 2S1P or 3S1P 340mAh lipoly’s
Radio: GWS Pico R/E/T system

Kit contents:
Full-size CAD plan sheet (22" x 34")
Fully illustrated 15-page instruction manual
Laser-cut balsa internal fuselage parts (firewall, formers, battery box, etc)
Laser-cut foam wings, tail, and fuselage sheeting
Laser-cut wing alignment jig
Vac-formed cowling
Rare earth magnets (18) for mounting wings & struts
Pre-cut strut dowels
Carbon tail skid
Pre-formed music wire landing gear struts
1/32" music wire pushrods
Control horns
Wheel retainers
1-1/2" wheels
Profile pilot artwork
Iron Cross templates
Cockpit coaming material
Cowl screws, velcro, etc.

Price $54.95 +s&h

Cheers,

Gary

cayuse
Mar 24, 2004, 01:00 PM
Here’s a photo from the build sequence:

cayuse
Mar 24, 2004, 01:00 PM
And another:

cayuse
Mar 24, 2004, 01:03 PM
The landing gear wires are pre-bent:

Mike Hall
Mar 31, 2004, 08:10 PM
Any chance you can share you method of making the pre bent wire gear? By the way thats a very nice looking Triplane.

Thanks
Mike

David Hogue
Apr 01, 2004, 12:37 AM
Gary,

That looks awesome...I started one a long time ago using 3 litestik wings, but havent finished it...I may have to put one of these on my kit pile!

Thanks,
David

cayuse
Apr 01, 2004, 12:53 PM
Thanks guys,

The bent wire gear is nothing extremely special, except the dimensions which put the wheels in a good position for ground handling without looking too far off scale. AND, they're pre-bent in the kit, so you won't be fumbling with the pliers trying to duplicate the plans patterns.

At the top and bottom of each strut there's a 1/2-inch long section. At the top, these legs fit into plastic tubes that are bonded to formers. A rubber band strung across here keeps them in place. At the bottom, the legs are bonded to the axle using short pieces of heat shrink tubing.

David, yes! EVERYBODY needs a triplane in their hanger! ;)

Gary

Morb
Apr 17, 2004, 05:48 AM
Wow Gary,

Where the heck have I been to not of seen this thread. That Tri looks GREAT!!! Awesome job!!!

The balsa will make it a very quick build indeed....

Geof.
www.smoothair.ca