Top Flite DC3 82.5" wingspan

Gregor77 · September 06, 2015, 06:43:44 AM

Looking good. Keep at it!

Michael · September 07, 2015, 02:19:01 PM

Fuselage ready for painting.

Wing dihedral reset.

Wing substructure repaired, strengthened and bolstered.

Retracts and new props ordered; approx. $300.

Michael · September 07, 2015, 03:25:56 PM

A bit more progress.

I can't do much more on the wing until I install the new retracts, which arrive next weekend.

Maybe I'll paint the fuselage this week.

Michael · September 07, 2015, 05:00:02 PM

Top of the wing.

Papa · September 07, 2015, 07:26:09 PM

Boy even for you that is fast.

You must be enjoying it.

Jack.

Michael · September 11, 2015, 07:14:13 PM

Fuselage done. Not as nice as when new, but it'll look just fine when flying in the air.

sihinch · September 11, 2015, 07:35:58 PM

Congratulations!

Michael · September 12, 2015, 05:16:18 PM

Retracts purchased and installation in progress.

wollins · September 12, 2015, 08:40:35 PM

Where are those for sale Mike?

Colin

Michael · September 13, 2015, 07:44:05 AM

They are made by Robart, and I had A+Js order them for me.

http://robart.com/products/top-flite-dc-3-pneumatic-main-retracts

wollins · September 13, 2015, 10:56:06 AM

Thanks Mike ... Awesome repair by the way.

Colin

Frank v B · September 16, 2015, 10:02:23 PM

Great test flight this evening Michael. I am sure it will fly better with two props!

Two things are for sure: we both would have panicked if we knew one prop was missing; and, 2) We would have been in significant trouble if you would have deployed flaps.

Sure a case of "ignorance is bliss"

Frank

ps: for those of you who did not see it, there was a noise at about 25' altitude after take-off and something flew off. We all thought it was a hatch or a cowl. No-one realized the starboard prop was missing until just before touchdown.

wollins · September 17, 2015, 08:48:32 AM

Hmmm ... so it flew on one motor without noticeably affecting the flight characteristics?

Colin

Michael · September 17, 2015, 02:07:41 PM

I'm waiting for Jack to issue a 'Tickler'.

After that, I'll post about the flight.

Michael · September 17, 2015, 05:56:05 PM

As Frank mentioned, I re-maidened my DC3, after extensive repairs, which included putting on new propellers.

Frank, Glenn and Greg C all stood by to help me in case I needed help.

The plane taxied well, but upon increased throttle, the model veered right. (see photo below). I wasn't sure what happened but I corrected the direction and took off. After only a few seconds it sounded like something broke loose and we saw something fall. We thought it might be a battery hatch or a damaged nacelle cowl; we weren't sure.

Frank immediately suggested landing, but the plane was actually flying nicely so I decided to keep flying. It did need some trim here and there, and it did seem a little slower than I remembered, but it was really flying well!

I kept flying and even did a couple lower passes, where it became evident that nothing from the structure of the plane was missing.

After a few more circuits, I prepared to land. As the plane slowed it was apparent that a propeller was missing!

Frank is right that I might have been more nervous and not handled it well had I been aware, but as it is, the model is well engineered, and flies quite well on one motor.

The repair is minor, and I will use a bit of 'locktite' on the prop adapter.

I'm really happy that the plane is now flyable, and I look forward to another season of enjoyment with it.

The photo (from after the flight) below shows a prop missing on one side, and the hole it made in the fuselage.