Vintage DC Series Profile Models

[WIDDOG]

The Trumpets of Jericho Guillow’s DC Series Kit # 35 JU 87 Stuka Dive Bomber. Until a few days ago I had no idea Guillow’s ever put out a Profile Model Kit. I was never really very interested in Profile Models till I learned Guillow’s had made a Series of them several decades ago. I found an ole plan online and decided to try one and see. WOW these kits are amazing fun to build! I had to scratch build from plans only. Also I had to learn how to make decals from tissue. I will try and fly my Stuka and report first good weather we get.

[kittyfritters]

Keith,

Great to see how enthusiastic you have become over these, but just a hint. If you look at the plans again you'll see that the wings are covered on the top side only. In the case of these models they will fly slower and have more lift with one side covered. Try the Bf-109 or the P-40. They are easier to trim and better fliers than the Stuka.

Howard

[WIDDOG]

Thanks for pointing out about not covering the bottom of the wings. Plans do say cover top of wing only. (My Bad)

BTW I am totally hooked on these kits. I’m going to try my all time fave the Zero next.

I flew the Stuka this morning very nice flights even with the bottom of the wing covered. I would describe it as flying too fast though, so it’s back to the beginning for me. I have learned a few things from the Stuka. First to start off with the complete set of plans including the elevator. Also I learned the hard way not to cover the bottom of the wing!

[WIDDOG]

I am going to post My Zero Build here and when I’m finished I’m going to send a picture off to “Model Of The Month”. If anyone notices anything that I’m doing wrong please feel free to post your concerns. I am definitely not an expert model builder and can take corrective criticisms well.
The other day, over the phone, I had the opportunity to tell Guillow’s my suggestion about plan sheets. I suggested that they reprint some of the old plans and sell them. I would buy my old plans from Guillow’s if it where possible. I was told they “Liked” the suggestion and would “Look into It”. Until than if that even happens I get the plans anyway I can.

Also I noticed this YouTube Video made by Guillow's. http://youtu.be/nhT3GBNbPlg Published on Jan 22, 2013

[Phugoid]

That video is very interesting, November 2013. Howard you must know something about this?!

Andrew

[kittyfritters]

That video is very interesting, November 2013. Howard you must know something about this?!

Andrew

Yes. They have been talking them up at the industry trade shows, but they are not making any promises about exactly when they will be released. Looks like the initial release will be six models, three military, and three civilian (well, actually, two civilian and one out of their imagination...look at the video again.) Guillow has not stopped being interesting by a long shot.

Howard

[WIDDOG]

Hi Howard,

Very exciting news you posted! IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) This is the best news that has come out of Guillow’s, well no offense to the new kits they have out, but this is great news. I’m sure these kits will be a huge success! I can hardly wait till the “Contests” start up.

[WIDDOG]

These kits are great for trying out new building methods. These kits in a “Laser” cut form and a copy of Don Ross’s book would be a powerful combination. I understand this “Bending” a Stringer to make the tail forms is a very old method but this will be the first time I personally have tried it. So far it’s working out really well for me. BTW the plans did not come with an elevator I drew mine myself. That is why it looks kind of funny on the plans sheet.

[Mitch]

A better way to bend balsa is make the template out of a styrafoam plate. They cut easy and you can sand to the shape. They are "tall" enough to hold the balsa. I make the template, pin to board with push pins, then wet my balsa with "Windex" the amonina helps lossen the fibers in the balsa.

My Fokker tail was made from 3 strips of 1/32 stock. For these small DC models I would use 2 strips.



Hope that helps for your next project... Mitch

[kittyfritters]

These kits are great for trying out new building methods. These kits in a “Laser” cut form and a copy of Don Ross’s book would be a powerful combination. I understand this “Bending” a Stringer to make the tail forms is a very old method but this will be the first time I personally have tried it. So far it’s working out really well for me. BTW the plans did not come with an elevator I drew mine myself. That is why it looks kind of funny on the plans sheet.

I commend your industry in learning new techniques. You'll find that learning to laminate curves will be very useful. However, from practical experience with these particular models, you might compare the flying of your model with laminated outlines with one that has the tail feathers simply cut from 1/32" sheet. Experience will show you where to put your efforts.

Howard

[WIDDOG]

Hi Howard,

Thanks for posting… Your posts are great and informative. On a picture of these kits I noticed that a lot of them had “Home Made” propellers. Did the Guillow’s 5 inch propeller (Red) come with the kits? Even my humble “Home Made” propeller did better than a Peck Polymer 4.25 inch prop trimmed to 3.75 inch.

[kittyfritters]

Hi Howard,

Thanks for posting… Your posts are great and informative. On a picture of these kits I noticed that a lot of them had “Home Made” propellers. Did the Guillow’s 5 inch propeller (Red) come with the kits? Even my humble “Home Made” propeller did better than a Peck Polymer 4.25 inch prop trimmed to 3.75 inch.

Thank you for the complement. It's been said that the worst balsa prop you make will be better than the best plastic prop you can buy. Well...maybe. Methinks that was said by someone who has never used an Ikara prop. I've done exceptional balsa props and some that were utter failures. Some people do very well with plastic props, if you want to build really light or if you are ever going to build something like a twin pusher or any other model that has to use left and right handed props on the same airplane you had better learn how to make your own.

This is a twin pusher, if you've never seen one.



Looking at your photo I have to ask, how are you trimming your tissue at the edges of the frames? I use a sanding block with 220 grit paper. It cuts the excess tissue right off. Also, the tissue looks a bit coarse, like silkspan. If it is silkspan (as supplied in the larger Guillow's kits) you can get much lighter with tissue. See if you can get Esaki tissue at a local hobby shop. Even a good, tight, domestic tissue, (Easybuilt sells some excellent ones.) will work better than silkspan for anything 24" span or less.

Still trying to be helpful.

Howard

[WIDDOG]

Hi Howard,

Great post very helpful! Let me explain some of my problems. You see the only Free Flight Model Airplane Club I know of in West Virginia is the one I started. Unfortunately not only am I a member I’m also the president. I tried going to the Senior Center and look for experienced model builders. I found a couple of people that where interested but none with experience. This forum has been very helpful to me. I really gain quite a lot from reading the posts.
You are totally correct about my Zero needing some work on appearance. I tried a couple of new methods. First being tissue decals and the second being adding lines via a Sharpie Marker. However, This Zero was built to be a test flying plane. After I get some of the “Raw” data I will work on a “Good” Zero. At the present time I’m kind of stuck for a propeller. I am going to send away for (see pic) this Ikara propeller you mentioned in your post. Also I will work on my Home Made propellers.

[WIDDOG]

I got a chance to do some flying. I learned that my “Home Made” propeller could not withstand the riggers of outdoor flying very well. I decided to revisit the plastic props. Since I wanted the system to, free wheel better and use a thicker 3/16 “ rubber motor, I decided to try a “Motor Tube”. I am not going with the “Motor Tube” to save weight. The Zero flies really well. I am just trying to get a bit more flying time out of this kit. I think it can handle the extra weight. I will re-fit my Zero for the “Motor Tub” and let you know how it works out for me. I understand this is not new stuff to a lot of the modeler’s on this forum. I do like reading the posts from the more advanced modeler so as always “Feed Back” is welcome.

[WIDDOG]

I fitted the “Motor Tube” with the Zero, I have to say that these kits really hold up well.