Top Flite DC3 82.5" wingspan

Michael · October 26, 2013, 09:06:21 PM

My 2103/14 winter building project has just started.

This will be a balsa kit-built DC3, and will probably be finished in the Canadian scheme as in the image below.

There is a huge amount of balsa wood and plywood in this kit; see the image of the open box with a ruler across the box.

So far, I have spent over 2 hours just cutting apart and assembling the plans, and then removing most of the die-cut wood parts from their sheets and putting them into plastic bags, one for wing, fuselage, etc. You can get a sense of the size of the model by the photo of the fuselage side-view plan, also with a ruler on top for comparison.

I'm estimating that this will take about 4 months to build.

I will be using 2 E-Flite 32 brushless motors and 2 60 amp speed controls. I haven't figured out where everything will go, and I still have to order retracts.

imran13 · October 26, 2013, 09:26:28 PM

Looks like its going to be really nice once finished

Good luck with it Michael

Ededge2002 · October 26, 2013, 09:54:41 PM

Very nice Michael. I love your choice of schemes its gorgeous.

Michael · October 27, 2013, 01:12:19 PM

Construction started.

Stabilizer skeleton.

Wingnutz · October 27, 2013, 08:57:29 PM

Wow! Another cool build from the Rogozinsky workbench AND...done in CANADIAN COLOURS!

Great choices! I'm really interested in the retracts you're planning to use...scale?

Michael · October 27, 2013, 10:50:12 PM

Yes, well, nearly scale.

piker · October 27, 2013, 11:15:41 PM

Hey! I thought the Boss said you couldn't start building your new plane until you finished cleaning the garage!

Still, lookin' good!

Michael · October 27, 2013, 11:17:33 PM

Yes, well, nearly clean.

Wingnutz · October 28, 2013, 08:59:54 AM

Guessing you're planning the Robarts #619 mains retract system for your model.
1. Have you figured out how to drive these electrically or are you going to use the air system?
2. I don't see any oleo or spring action in these units...am I missing anything?
I'm really curious about these as I think they might work on the Avro Anson dad and I are building over the winter.
Good luck with your gooney bird!

Michael · October 28, 2013, 06:07:35 PM

This is what I'm planning for the retracts.

Top Flite DC-3 Electric Retracts

battlestu · October 28, 2013, 06:38:38 PM

very cool!

electroflyer · October 30, 2013, 09:25:15 AM

Nice Michael,

Where did you find that kit?

Glenn

Michael · October 30, 2013, 07:57:32 PM

The kit is still commercially available.

I got it at A+J's.

Papa · October 30, 2013, 09:51:15 PM

Robart Mfg. Ziroli DC-3/C-47 Electric Retracts

Here's the Zirolli electric conversion, looks real scale.

Jack.

Michael · November 02, 2013, 05:20:45 PM

Elevator construction done. That was quite a bit more work than I expected.

The fin is next, and it is a bit more complicated.