Fokker DVII EP (oz15143)

About this Plan

Fokker DVII EP. Radio control scale model, for electric power. Wingspan 43-1/2 in.

Quote: "Free Pull-Out Plan. Fokker DVII for EP (or if you must, .20 IC power). Boddo never actually got round to publishing the EP version of his small WW1I fighter design, so we picked it up and offer it to you now.

As 2014 is the centenary of the Great War, we have featured quite a few plans for WW1 fighters in recent months, so that you may, if you wish, join in the WWI themed fly-ins which I am sure will take place up and down the country over the next few years.

Boddo's design for the iconic German fighter, arguably the best fighting machine to evolve during the conflict, is not new, but with the popularity of electric power going from strength to strength, we felt it right that we update the design for EP and offer it to you, in case you missed it first time around.

The electric mods have not been proven yet, as no prototype has yet been built, but relying on Boddo's superb design skills and vast experience (and the proven flying ability of the IC original), we have no doubt it will make a superb flyer - if you build one, please let us know how you get on.

Although the Fokker DVII did not come into service until April 1918, it soon built up the reputation of being the finest fighter aircraft produced by Germany and better than most of the allied aircraft. Only in terms of performance at altitude and climb rate was it inferior to the contemporary allied scouts and even these disadvantages were nullified by the introduction of a more powerful BMW engine.

By the end of the war, over a thousand DVIIs had been delivered to the Jastas and squadrons. After the war, the Fokker D7s continued in service in many countries and examples were still flying in the 1930's. Probably the majority of the examples remaining in flying condition were used - and destroyed - in the making of the film classic 'Hell's Angels.'

For many years, the design of the DVII was credited to Anthony Fokker himself, but it was later discovered that all of the design work was attributed to Reinhold Platz.

Fortunately, the D7 has been well documented and there are ample references for those of you that wish to make a truly detailed model with an authentic colour scheme. There are certainly plenty of colour schemes to choose from, ranging from the outrageously garish to the all-white aircraft used by Herman Goering. Useful information can be obtained from the following publications:

War Birds - Military Aircraft of the First World War.
Fokker the man and the aircraft.
Profile Publications.
ADH Publications Plans Service.

Just for the record, the model presented here was designed by David Boddington with constructional intrusions (and unauthorised modifications) by Ken Sheppard and Mike Reynolds.

Construction: As always, do check carefully through the drawings and instructions until you fully understand the construction and sequence of building. When you are clear on this point it is time to decide on the motor and radio equipment you are to use. Accurately draw onto the plan the position of the equipment so that you can build in such items as servo bearers, pushrods, etc.

Some thought must be given to the flight battery position to allow easy access for charging and to allow fine tuning of the CG position by moving the battery forward or aft as appropriate. The plan shows our estimated battery position given the nose and tail moments involved - it could be placed under the dummy engine which is designed to be removable as per the original design, or else fitted lower in the fuselage, accessed, say, by a hatch built into the bottom fuselage surface. Any modern RC outfit will fit into the D.VII fuselage without problems, but if using standard size servos in the fuselage keep then well forward - the position shown on the plan is for mini size servos.

We have modified the aileron servo position from a centrally placed single servo, operating wire pushrods and bellcranks, for the more modern and usually preferred method of individual servos in the wing panels, which tend to give better 'slop-free' operation, micro servos here would be fine. It is recommended that aileron control is incorporated, but if you prefer, you can build it as a 3-channel model, but if this is the case, Boddo's suggestion would be to either incorporate dihedral into the wings or washout, the latter could be built into the wing in a progressive form or by setting up the ailerons. Standard pushrods can be used for rudder and elevator control linkages or a more scale closed loop system may be incorporated. However, you may find the route for the elevator control cables a bit more difficult as the 'up' lines will need to pass through the tailplane.

Cooling of the electric motor must also be organised with adequate outlets on the underside of the fuselage, or at the rear of the dummy engine position on the top of the fuselage. A fine wire mesh grille can be used to simulate the grille on the full-size aircraft, but ensure that cooling air can pass over the motor, esc and battery.

Conventional construction is featured throughout the model, but this aircraft is certainly not for the beginner and Boddo assumed that all prospective builders would have at least two or three models 'under their belt'. Construction notes are, therefore, fairly basic..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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