[WWI] DML Wings Fokker Dr.1 and Spad XIII

[Stephen Auslender]

D,
In the old days we never used tissue paper. It was always doped silk or 
nylon fabrics and we flew U-control, not RC.
U-control is a much more direct control over the plane as the models were 
always way overpowered and at times we actually pulled the models (we 
weren't supposed to) especially in combat flying against another flyer in 
the circle with you. U-Control was sort of the "brute force" method of 
flying models. A lot of us liked to fly with biplanes and often flew WW1 
planes. But they were almost all semi-scale. Later on we simplified and just 
used profile fuselages, rather then full round.
I got out of flying models before Radio Control became ready-made and 
affordable.
Stephen

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Diego Fernetti" <dfernet0 at rosario.gov.ar>
To: "World War I Modeling Mailing List" <wwi at wwi-models.org>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 11:50 AM
Subject: Re: [WWI] DML Wings Fokker Dr.1 and Spad XIII


> Stephen!
>> If that is the case, then cannot one simply attach sandpaper to a 
>> cylindrical surface, and sand the ballooning down a bit? That would be 
>> for a plastic model kit.
>
> That's a good idea. IIRC the kit has a deep trench molded along most of 
> the rib, so careful sanding might be enough.
>
>> Also, how does one control the ballooning on a stick and tissue (well, 
>> stick and special fabrics these days) flying model? That always 
>> intrerested me in the old days when I was flying models but then we just 
>> used a modern airfoil shape and forgot all about scale.
>
> Modern airfoils fly better! Miniature wings just don't behave as the 1:1 
> airfoils do, as there are many aerodynamical factors involved. There's 
> also the factor that tissue paper don't have the same properties 
> (elasticity, shrinkage rates) that real doped fabric had. Mind, modern 
> reproductions using modern fabrics make that repros don't fly the same way 
> they used to with natural linens.
> D.
>