Fokker DVII (oz14390)

About this Plan

Fokker DVII. Radio control scale model WWI fighter biplane, for electric power.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "Fokker D.VII. I designed this one back in the 1990’s, using a geared Speed 400 (Olympus gearbox). With its rugby-shaped pinion gear, the Olympus gearbox made a rattling sound that actually sounded pretty scale (Yes, I have heard Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s restored, Mercedes-powered D.VII!).

Covering was white Litespan, trimmed with white Litespan I dyed with Rit fabric dye (takes a while, especially with the warm water I used to prevent shrinking the Litespan, but it worked just fine). The engine louvers were computer graphics, printed on clear LASER labels. The color scheme is scale – it shows the unarmed demonstrator Ernst Udet flew whilst trying to sell to the Swiss.

The framework is standard wooden construction. About the only unique construction bits were (1) the blue foam subwing between the main wheels and the (2) main wheels.

The latter I made by sandwiching a poplar (“lite”) ply disk between two balsa disks. Using a bolt as a mandrel, I chucked the bolt in a hand drill and CAREFULLY used both an X-Acto knife and sandpaper to ‘lathe’ the wheel blanks to shape. After that, I used plastic tubing as for axle bearings. These wheels work great on grass, (with occasional repainting) but wear out quickly on pavement.

The pilot was carved from blue foam; the dummy engine from blue foam and balsa. I left the cockpit area open, for cooling air exhaust.

Area 252 sq. inches
Span 31 in (top)
Weight, RTF: 20-24 oz"

CAD file

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