My latest project

[Gabi]

This is a 1/6 scale gas-powered RC flying model of the Fokker DRI.  I began work on this model over 20 years ago and recently realized I really need to finish it.  So I have been working pretty steadily on it for the last few weeks.  The primary structure and control system work is pretty much finished and I am working on detailing the cockpit interior prior to covering the airframe with fabric.  The model has a 48" wingspan.

 

[Klaiber]

1 hour ago, Gabi said:

This is a 1/6 scale gas-powered RC flying model of the Fokker DRI.  I began work on this model over 20 years ago and recently realized I really need to finish it.  So I have been working pretty steadily on it for the last few weeks.  The primary structure and control system work is pretty much finished and I am working on detailing the cockpit interior prior to covering the airframe with fabric.  The model has a 48" wingspan.

 

That looks fantastic so far!  

[Gabi]

Just now, Klaiber said:

That looks fantastic so far!  

Thanks

[Labroisse]

That's super cool.

[Gabi]

Making good progress with the cockpit detailing...

 

[Klaiber]

That fine detail work must be challenging.  That was always the hardest part for me when model building.

It's looking great so far.

[Vonrd]

On 3/3/2025 at 4:03 PM, Gabi said:

gas-powered

What engine you going to use?

[Gabi]

6 hours ago, Vonrd said:

What engine you going to use?

I forget exactly what it is.  I bought the engine for it when I bought the kit (25 or so years ago).  It's in a box somewhere out in my workshop.  I need to find it...

[Gabi]

10 hours ago, Klaiber said:

That fine detail work must be challenging.  That was always the hardest part for me when model building.

It's looking great so far.

Thanks again.  I love doing this stuff.  None of those details are from the kit.  I'm building all those parts myself from scratch (i.e.  the instruments, rudder pedals, flight stick, pilot seat, etc.).

[wheelsup_cavu]

Amazing work.

Wheels

[Klaiber]

14 hours ago, Gabi said:

Thanks again.  I love doing this stuff.  None of those details are from the kit.  I'm building all those parts myself from scratch (i.e.  the instruments, rudder pedals, flight stick, pilot seat, etc.).

That's so cool.

[Gabi]

I have the cockpit interior details all finished now except for the compass.  I removed and remounted the altimeter because I wasn't happy with it before.  I also added the ignition switch and the fuel shutoff and mixture controls.  I still need to build the ammunition boxes and ammo feed guides.

[Gabi]

Added the fuel gauge on the forward deck, windscreen, and compass.

[Gabi]

Ammo feed guides and ammo box finished.  I also added the brass collection tubes (don't know what these are really called but they send the ejected brass cartridges to the forward section of the ammo box.

 

 

[Gabi]

Here are the engine and prop for my DRI.  The engine is a Magnum gp se .65.

 

[Vonrd]

It's a good engine but be sure to spend a fair amount of time breaking it in. Numerous 5 min runs with full cool down in between (as with any 2 stroke model engine). It did run really strong. 

I had one of those on a FW-190D9 that I spent a year building. I put all of the details in and had retracting gear and flaps. It was beautiful and won best of show at our club in Rhode Island. It flew well but was heavy due to all of the fancy details. After about 20 or so flights I let it get slow on base to final and did the classic stall / spin. Broke my heart. I carried the remains all the way to California with the thought of re-building but never got around to it.

Just a caution about watching the weight on a flying model.

[Gabi]

On 3/11/2025 at 9:45 PM, Vonrd said:

It's a good engine but be sure to spend a fair amount of time breaking it in. Numerous 5 min runs with full cool down in between (as with any 2 stroke model engine). It did run really strong. 

I had one of those on a FW-190D9 that I spent a year building. I put all of the details in and had retracting gear and flaps. It was beautiful and won best of show at our club in Rhode Island. It flew well but was heavy due to all of the fancy details. After about 20 or so flights I let it get slow on base to final and did the classic stall / spin. Broke my heart. I carried the remains all the way to California with the thought of re-building but never got around to it.

Just a caution about watching the weight on a flying model.

Thanks,  I will be sure to do that.  Sorry about the loss of your Focke Wulf.

[Gabi]

I'm still doing a little cleanup on this but I'm pretty proud of it. I made this totally from scratch, and it works...  as in it spins in the wind.

[wheelsup_cavu]

On 3/11/2025 at 9:45 PM, Vonrd said:

I had one of those on a FW-190D9 that I spent a year building. I put all of the details in and had retracting gear and flaps. It was beautiful and won best of show at our club in Rhode Island. It flew well but was heavy due to all of the fancy details. After about 20 or so flights I let it get slow on base to final and did the classic stall / spin. Broke my heart. I carried the remains all the way to California with the thought of re-building but never got around to it.

What a shame.
Have you built anything else since the accident?

Wheels

[Vonrd]

I was heavily into slope soaring and F3B until getting married in 2002. Now all flying is virtual. I do miss it some but now, at least, I don't worry any more about destroying things that I had poured lots of $ and effort into. 

[Gabi]

I started work on the fabric covering and paint. Just noticed the fabric tape on the right side  really frayed there when I doped it, ah well maybe I can trim and repaint it.

[Gabi]

All markings on the model are painted on.  I will not be using any decals at all.

 

[Gabi]

Fabric and paint work continue...

[Gabi]

[Gabi]

Added fuselage underside stitches.