[SavardStephane]

I have a spare engine and I want to build a WWI combat plane (the SE5a to start with). Having built two WWII combat planes, I've got a good idea of building both the wings, the fuselage and tail. But I've not been able to find info on how to attach the top wing!

I've tried studying pictures of the other WWI planes on the forum, but I'm coming up at a blank, any help? The plane will be made of coroplast, no foam.

I won't be flying any official combat rounds with this, just friendly 'stick-a-streamer-on-the-plane-and-go-until-fuel-runs-out' club combat

[Rpage]

Please post build photos if you can. I also want to build an SE5a for combat. You have plans already for a coro SE5a?

As to struts, I would imagine they would be bolted or pinned. Maybe make a ply rib that has two tabs coming out of the wing to attach the struts to? That is just my guess. I have never seen a photo that is close enough for mr to tell for sure.

Anyway, if you can please post progress! I have coro ordered and might follow along

[BillO]

Contact Canadianice here on RCC. He's an expert builder...

I think he may have a short kit of the SE5 you want.

Good flying.

[SavardStephane]

I'll try to post build pictures if I remember to take some. As for plans, I'm just going to use three views and rely on my past experience building both an ME109 and a Mig7 combat planes.

But no short kit for me, I'd rather have the fun of building it for myself The strut attachments (especially at the center section of the wing) are what's causing me to scratch my head. I have the exactly the same problem - no pictures I've found are close enough to show how they attach inside the wing.

[Rpage]

Where are you guys getting wheels for 1/8th scale WWI planes? I know that dubro has a very expensive set. Does someone else sell them at a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Bob Byrnes]

Small squares of ply glued inside the wing before you glue down the top are used as attachment points. For the interplane struts screw on small angles of aluminum or gutter pipe. The top wing the angles screw into the ply throught the bottom. On the bottom wing you can screw the angle into the ply on the lower surface and then it protrudes through a small slit in the upper wing surface. It is then an easy thing to use short lengths of thin ply to make interplane struts and screw them to the angles. Some guys attach the top wing with elastics like the lower wing attachment to the fuse. The idea is it provides some shock absorption in the event of a midair or ground loop. You can make cabanes from music wire and then solder on a piece of tubing with a flattened end that you drill a hole through and then screw them into the ply pieces glued inside the wing. Just be sure you don't build in an incorrect angle of attack. Use a small piece of coro as a base and a small level to set the cabanes up. The SE5 is fairly easy since the flat centre section makes the job simple. Most of the guys use some sort of minimum wooden structure inside the front half of the WW1 fuselages to enable the attachment of cabanes, the servo installation etc. Get your stuff as close to the front as possible for balance. Most of the WW1's are so short in the nose they are hard to balance. The SE5 is better that way also since it has a longer nose than most of the radial engined birds. The London guys and the fellows in the Toronto club are the real experts.....

[SavardStephane]

Thanks Bob, that was exactly the type of information I was looking for!

[canadianice]

We use baby buggy wheels from a stroller from Kmart or Wall mart, Zellers.They are about 15 bucks and they have 8 wheels on them and are perfet size for our planes.
As for attaching the top wings as Bob said you glue blocks in before you fold the corro. I have used the rubber band and also used landing gear straps screwed to the block and over the wire, as well as Zip ties over and through the top wing all work well.

[Rpage]

canadianice,

Thanks on the wheels information. I checked them out at Walmart the other day and there are some cool ones.

Sent you a PM about the SE5a short kit. Thanks!

Rick

[PfalzPflyer]

Just curious, what servos are you guys using on these planes?

Being that these planes are for "combat" (and therefore somewhat expendable), I assume that you're using the cheapest things that will still get the job done reliably, while still trying to keep the weight and size down.

I was thinking GWS.