Building/Flying kit 902 Bird Dog

[WIDDOG]

Mitch, Wildpig Thanks for the posts.

I was really going to quit awhile ago. I would have if not for Mitch's Threads about "Mass Launch" competitions. Also his advice is solid and really helped me along as well. I would really like it if Morgantown WV had a Free Flight Flying Club. I have had a few people ask me to start one up. Before I could, I had to get some "Street Cred" in the flying department. I've been working very hard on my flying. I have gotten much better. Also my videoing has come along way. I definitely have the heart and determination to start up a club. Now that I have a couple of models that I have confidence in I may go a town over and talk to the RC models. Also I'm going to take Mitch's advice and join the FAC.

[stx44]

Yes, mine did come out with less dihedral than planned.

IMO the weak point of this kit is the wing/fuesalage joint, and I found on my first BD the wings werent aligned. This time I came up with a plan to fix these: I created two extra notches in the bottom of the innermost ribs, and ran a couple of short spars between.

Seemed a good plan, but there was less dihedral at the end of the build than expected.

I also hate working with the clear plastic, and as you cant see anything worthwhile inside, Ichanged this too- I ended up tissue covering the sides and using paper for the screens, and just painted it. I used to do this 30 years ago when I was last building and flying.

[WIDDOG]

Hi Stx44 thanks for posting.

I agree with you that the fuselage and the wing connection is the weakest point. I think the designer of the Bird Dog kit was going for more lift and less speed kind of crash defense. IMHO with more dihedral there is less chance of it doing a wing stall into the ground and hitting on its wings.

Also IMHO this kit is a high difficulty level kit to build! Since I'm not a beginner nor is Stx44 I recommend a low wing kit from the 900 Series. I would probably recommend a 600 Series kit but I have not built one yet I don't really know.

[Mitch]

Hey Guys...

I think you are ALL doing a GREAT job! High wing, low wing. I think ALL scale models are a challenge... But I say, Build what you LOVE and you will always be HAPPY. Sure there are challenges, but scale models make me happy. And that is why I am in this hobby.

Dog... I am glad you are going to join FAC, but don't always rely on my advice... It was only about a year ago I finally got my first Guillow's to REALLY fly... Then I thought... "Why did this take me so long?" I suppose other things in life get in the way.

Mitch

[stx44]

I agree with with you Widdog about the difficulty of the kit- ive built the Skyraider and its a breeze by comparison.

Its a source of argument between my father and I now- he has been teaching air cadets to build planes for some years, and swears by the bird dog as THE kit to use. (its also how I got back into the hobby- he gave me one and said "bet you cant make that fly!".

But I HAD to make a second one, cos the first was such a disaster! I was amazed it flew at all.... (it did - briefly, and in 15 foot circles because everything was warped and out of alignment, til it eventually dove in and snapped a wing off)

My plan is to do the trojan in the near future (theres an 80% complete Typhoon underway ATM), and possibly another Skyraider- of the 900s, I think it has the most potential with its big wing and surprisingly light weight (initial impression is that the Typhoon will be very nose heavy because of the radiator block).

However, I would like to have a crack at a 500.... maybe a hellcat?

Anyway- thanks to the suggestions in this forum, I have rough carved a wooden noseblock to go UNDER the plastic nose cowl on the bird dog. I now have to wait for the glue to dry to re balance. Just as well the weather makes it a no flying day here anyways....

[1778ppr]

WOW, I was going to build along with you Widdog and you are already flying yours! Mine is still on the building board.

I agree that the Sky Raider is easier to build. I decided to build the BD because it has been said that a high wing plane is easier to trim and there for fly. I’m trying to build box stock. My kit wood out of the box weighs 22 grams (that’s the whole sheets not just the parts). I hope I can get the plane to weigh less that 20 grams minus rubber when done.

Widdog your planes fly so nice! Your videos are motivating me to get in the air via rubber power. I ordered 2 Guillows “Flying Machines” just for fun. I’ll try and get those trimmed and flying.

Stx44 I like your BD. I plan to make mine the same color scheme.

Thanks for starting this thread.
John

[WIDDOG]

Hi John thanks for posting,

Here is a even better video by John Cooper.
http://youtu.be/X3_7jYIif2Q

Under comments he says. "He Replaces A lot of the Stock Balsa With Contest Balsa Wood"

I used to use the stock kit wood. However, I feel there are too many variables in stock wood. There are weight issues, strength issues and the sheets differ greatly in quality from each other. Also I'm starting to get better at what's called "Grain Pattern". Which is cutting out the part with or against the grain to make them their strongest. Now don't get me wrong. I don't want Guillow's to use better wood or to go to Laser Cutting. I actually commend Guillow's for the great job they do. In the past I have built the kits with stock wood and they flew. They don't fly very far but they did fly is what is important to know.

I as a kid/teenager I built/flew Guillow's kits. We didn't have "Gaming" and we liked it like that. Unfortunately there was no known flying groups in my area growing up. I had to relay a lot on my father to show me how to build. My father did not know very much about flying models though. As a teenager I did buy the book written by Don Ross. He even autographed my book for me before they sent it to me. Anyway although I used kit wood and kit rubber motors I did have some success with the Lancer and Arrow kits.

Anyway here is a site that calculates wood weights.
http://www.nclra.org/Programs/BalsaDensity.php

BTW I use 5 lbs graded Contest Balsa Wood. on all my parts. Since I post builds I really should add weights to the build. As far as cutting out the parts goes there really are not that many parts to cut out per kit. The benefits of using Contest Balsa Wood definitely makes it worth the extra effort.

[WIDDOG]

[quote="1778ppr". I ordered 2 Guillows “Flying Machines” just for fun. I’ll try and get those trimmed and flying.[/quote]
I think that is great! I had a very similar kit Sig Mfg Uncle Sam. I drilled a hole in the rear of the model and was able to chuck it into my winding stooge. I put a motor X 2 length and stretch wound it. I even have a video of it. http://youtu.be/CfpWzAX2zIY

I also have a video of Bird Dog with 3/32 inch thick rubber motor x 2 length x 2 loops or 8 strands. PP 6 inch propeller. I/16 inch shim pure downward thrust.

http://youtu.be/nHXhz9eQK9g

[Mitch]

Ouch again! I think you need to find a bigger flying field, or move to the outfield! Mitch

[Wildpig]

I also have a video of Bird Dog with 3/32 inch thick rubber motor x 2 length x 2 loops or 8 strands. PP 6 inch propeller. I/16 inch shim pure downward thrust.

http://youtu.be/nHXhz9eQK9g

Hey, "dawg",
That sure is a nice flying model. First flight in the video was pretty and another wheel landing on the dirt "runway".

[Phugoid]

Nice fights Dawg, brilliant landing on the first vid!

Andrew

[WIDDOG]

Thank you Gentlemen! Also LOL good stuff.

I am joining FAC and trying to start up a FF Flying Club here in Morgantown WV. I really have been working on my flying and videoing lately. Thanks for watching and commenting. Also thanks for the advice I hope you guys keep it coming!

[WIDDOG]

I joined the FAC (Flying Aces Club) today. http://youtu.be/8EpghGssjVw

[duk774]

Really nice video Dog! I'm impressed the aircraft landed on its wheels! I always thought they were supposed to land nose first

[WIDDOG]

Thanks Bill,

I must say this is and all the 900 Series kits are well designed. I wonder who actually did design them?