Fokker Triplane build

[Dogtail2]

One of the fuselage sides tack welded together.

 

[Dogtail2]

Basic fuselage tack welded.

 

 

[Dogtail2]

Steel tube quadrants, which are welded into the corners of the fuselage frame, for the internal wire bracing.

 

[Flintstone]

I have just seen your DR1 thread and I am very impressed! At your current rate of progress, when do you think you will complete it and how long will it take to get flight approval?

[Dogtail2]

17 hours ago, Flintstone said:

I have just seen your DR1 thread and I am very impressed! At your current rate of progress, when do you think you will complete it and how long will it take to get flight approval?

Thanks. 

4 to 5 years from start to finish is a reasonable time frame for one of these,  It's comes down to how much time one puts in.   Approval for test flying usually takes about a month after the final paper work goes in.  

[Flintstone]

5 hours ago, Dogtail2 said:

Thanks. 

4 to 5 years from start to finish is a reasonable time frame for one of these,  It's comes down to how much time one puts in.   Approval for test flying usually takes about a month after the final paper work goes in.  

Thank you.

I am sure you will have a great replica that will be exhilarating to fly!

[Dogtail2]

Fokker rudder under construction. 

 

[Dogtail2]

Making control horns from streamline section tube.

 

 

[Malc2]

On 4/2/2023 at 10:32 AM, Dogtail2 said:

Fokker rudder under construction. 

 

 

How did you form the taper in the main vertical tube?

The rings near the bottom look to be machined in, so is the whole tube machined?

[Dogtail2]

12 hours ago, Malc2 said:

 

How did you form the taper in the main vertical tube?

The rings near the bottom look to be machined in, so is the whole tube machined?

The taper is made by cutting V shaped pieces from each side of the tube, and then squeezing together in a vice and welding up the seams. 

The rings are just short lengths of tube which will be welded in place to retain the hinges.

[Malc2]

Ah, thanks, you have made such a good job of hiding the weld seams I thought there were none!

 

Your progress is very rapid, how many hours a week do you estimate you spend in it?

 

M.

Edited April 5, 2023 by Malc2

[Dogtail2]

2 hours ago, Malc2 said:

Your progress is very rapid, how many hours a week do you estimate you spend in it?

 

 

Thanks,

Usually spend 2 to 3 hours a day, unless something else gets in the way.  

[Dogtail2]

 

Test fit of tail feathers.

 

[Dogtail2]

Test fit of tailplane struts.

 

 

[Dogtail2]

Test fit of seat frame.

 

[Twobad]

3 minutes ago, Dogtail2 said:

Test fit of seat frame.

 

This going quicker than the build of my model!

[Dogtail2]

8 hours ago, Twobad said:

This going quicker than the build of my model!

The beauty of welded steel tube construction.........unlike the Camel which is a bear to build -  dozens of finely sculpted pieces of wood held together with zillions of complicated metal fittings.

[Dogtail2]

Test fit of center wing spar on fuselage.

 

[Dogtail2]

Test fit of lower spar on fuselage and upper spar on cabane struts.  Outboard struts borrowed temporarily from another Triplane.

 

[Twobad]

On 5/4/2023 at 6:18 PM, Dogtail2 said:

Test fit of lower spar on fuselage and upper spar on cabane struts.  Outboard struts borrowed temporarily from another Triplane.

 

Seeing that mocked up must be a bit exciting.

[mick]

will follow this build, just wondering can you fly

[Dogtail2]

10 hours ago, Twobad said:

Seeing that mocked up must be a bit exciting.

Yes, definitely a big milestone.🙂 

[Dogtail2]

3 hours ago, mick said:

will follow this build, just wondering can you fly

Thanks.

Yes, flying is my first passion. My usual machine is a Pitts S1S

 

.

 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

5 hours ago, Dogtail2 said:

Thanks.

Yes, flying is my first passion. My usual machine is a Pitts S1S

 

.

 

Well then you for sure have experience with small tail dragging bi-planes. 

[Dogtail2]

15 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Well then you for sure have experience with small tail dragging bi-planes. 

Yes...but... 

The Fokker Dr1 does have it's own unique handling issues...... visibility forward on the ground is nil, and maneuvering on the ground is difficult with the fixed tailskid , Unstable in yaw. Crosswinds are interesting, but even worse is a dead calm. 

All part of the fun.🫰