Chris Freeman 3

Very nice collection of Warbirds

Africa is a long way away! transport and taxes are a big problem!

Stunning!

Please show, should be very nice. not seen one yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_L5NluJFGw

The Mustang was originally set up for a 45cc Super Tigre but we changed our minds to try it as electric. It is strange how on a project like this you start doubting some of the work done as I had made up my own templates for the wing section, retract mounts and then CG. I had no plans only the original foam wing which was not cut so an exact replica was not easy to make. The stab was also changed to make it more scale. The Byron is a 40 year old design that originally had a Quadra 35cc on a gear drive with big plastic 4 bladed props. I decided to get the airframe flying to see if it all worked out. CG was a little forward according to my calculations but close to what Byron recommended. As you can see we are now mid winter in South Africa so the ground is very hard and dusty with lots of grass fires. v=x_L5NluJFGw

Is there enough exit area in the cowl area, it could be that you have air pressure in the cowl. Around cowl can be hard to get the correct airflow through it. Can it be flown without the cowl?

That is a serious amount of up for the take off and landing!

Very nice project, building 3 is very brave but nice to know that my son and I am not the only DC3 suckers! We have had and have more than we should! Will be following the progress

I once lost a wheel whilst at the field and did not have a wheel colar to fix it so I thought my flying was over for the day. An experienced modeler came over and asked if I had cyno which I did have so he used a little on the axel and then used a thread from a cleaning cloth wound that around the axel. Once enough was bound another bit of cyno was applied to the thread. That wheel was held on that way until the airframe was retired. I use this method on all my smaller aircraft and often use it for added security outside of the wheel collar. Care must taken not to glue the wheel to the axel!

Very nice gift, I am still working through it. Some nice articles. I must say I still enjoy the printed version but with South Africa's postal service it is no longer a option.

Sad how our hobby is shrinking.

Boys will be Boys.docx

This is the Mustang that was flown, Wessie is busy with a refurbishment and wanted to see how it flew before doing the final detailing. Flies very well with plenty of power and nice sound as well.

We had a Bank Holiday in South Africa so managed 3 days of flying. Byron was a busy boy as he had some test flying to do. We flew the Beaufighter which gave him a hard time and also a big Mustang for a friend. He also played with my Mick Reeves designed 1/6 Spitfire which I scratch built. Great flying aircraft and is my 4th one I have built. I did my usual poor filming but you can see how well it flies. Just added another 100 grams of lead to the nose as it was originally balanced before painting.

What a great forum this is to be able to discuss the airframe directly with the designer, brave man Richard. I am sure you must have some interesting stories about some failures that were built! I was once at a South African event with David Boddington when a modeller as David if he knew of any problems with the 1/4 scale Pups ailerons as his one shed its ailerons. David asked what motor was used and the gent replied that it was an ST 3250! David being the gent he was replied that he did not know of any issues.

The South African Airforce has just retired its last Turbo DC3's, they were used for maritime patrol, they replaced the Shackletons!

When I worked at South African Airways we used to have an Historic Flight that had a DC3. In the 90's I built a DB DC 3 and would go to the hanger to get detail for my model, when it was completed I took it to the hanger to show the guys and left it under the nose of the real one. Later in the day when I went collect it someone had cut coke cans and made the drip trays and hung them under the cowl's!

From a 2004 Model World mag from a wife's perspective!

Byron and I have often spoken about making our own pilots but have never actually done it the old way with making a plug then a mould and then casting it. Byron did 3d print a pilot for the MB5 but was not over happy with it. We do not use the printer enough to get the best products from it. Byron's wife is very artistic and was volunteered to make us a pilot from moulding clay. The pilot was very realistic so a silicon mould was made and then the first pilot was cast in resin and came out very well and is light. All we need to do is to get the painting right.

My son Byron grew up with both Grandads being modellers and most of my friends as well. when he saw my then brother in laws new garage he looked for a while and then said, shame you have no aeroplanes, you must ask my dad as he has lots! Byron thought all garages had aeroplanes in them!