1/4 Scale Albatros CIII, Gary Sunderland design
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1/4 Scale Albatros CIII, Gary Sunderland design
Previously I've built the DB Sport & Scale 86" wingspan Albatros C1 and it was very enjoyable to build and fly.
Two seaters being relatively rare as RC models and have a lot of presence (I feel) ,
I've bought the plan and wood pack from ADH publishing of the 1/4 Scale Alabatros CIII (114" wingspan) designed by Gary Sunderland,
He used a super tigre 45cc nitro engine and I am using the same.
Anyone built this or seen it fly ? Just doesn't seem to be any info on the net just odd pictures of Gary in Australia at club meets with CIII and other models.
I'll be starting my build next year (or sooner you know how we all start to twitch on our projects)
Two seaters being relatively rare as RC models and have a lot of presence (I feel) ,
I've bought the plan and wood pack from ADH publishing of the 1/4 Scale Alabatros CIII (114" wingspan) designed by Gary Sunderland,
He used a super tigre 45cc nitro engine and I am using the same.
Anyone built this or seen it fly ? Just doesn't seem to be any info on the net just odd pictures of Gary in Australia at club meets with CIII and other models.
I'll be starting my build next year (or sooner you know how we all start to twitch on our projects)
#3
Previously I've built the DB Sport & Scale 86" wingspan Albatros C1 and it was very enjoyable to build and fly.
Two seaters being relatively rare as RC models and have a lot of presence (I feel) ,
I've bought the plan and wood pack from ADH publishing of the 1/4 Scale Alabatros CIII (114" wingspan) designed by Gary Sunderland,
He used a super tigre 45cc nitro engine and I am using the same.
Anyone built this or seen it fly ? Just doesn't seem to be any info on the net just odd pictures of Gary in Australia at club meets with CIII and other models.
I'll be starting my build next year (or sooner you know how we all start to twitch on our projects)
Two seaters being relatively rare as RC models and have a lot of presence (I feel) ,
I've bought the plan and wood pack from ADH publishing of the 1/4 Scale Alabatros CIII (114" wingspan) designed by Gary Sunderland,
He used a super tigre 45cc nitro engine and I am using the same.
Anyone built this or seen it fly ? Just doesn't seem to be any info on the net just odd pictures of Gary in Australia at club meets with CIII and other models.
I'll be starting my build next year (or sooner you know how we all start to twitch on our projects)
I also have the DB Albatros C.I, unbuilt. It came as a plan and pattern, which means only ribs and some patterns for you to cut. I also wish the plans were geared for the scratchbuilder, with dimensions instead of reference numbers. I'm sure it will make into a fine flyer someday once I actually sit down and build the thing!
Gary Sunderland's designs aren't too easy to build. I understand he designed full-scale gliders. I hope the paucity of info on that model doesn't dissuade you from building it. The C.III would be spectacular!
Last edited by Stachel; 10-08-2016 at 07:31 AM.
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Many thanks for the replies.
Stachel i've built the DB one and it flies well.
It seems that builds of 1/4 Scale Albatros CIII designed by Gary Sunderland are scarce.
some pics of Mr Sunderland and the model he designed and built ( found on the internet )
Stachel i've built the DB one and it flies well.
It seems that builds of 1/4 Scale Albatros CIII designed by Gary Sunderland are scarce.
some pics of Mr Sunderland and the model he designed and built ( found on the internet )
Last edited by Alistair; 10-11-2016 at 04:08 AM.
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Just about to start this build (having discovered a youtube video of Gary flying his)
https://youtu.be/-y3llEmBc1Y
https://youtu.be/-y3llEmBc1Y
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Sorry if I'm teaching the proverbial grandmothers how to suck eggs, but when German aircraft were supplied to the Turkish Army in the First World War, some Turks objected to flying an aircraft marked with a cross. It was painted out and Turkish and German airmen flew aircraft marked with a black square inside a white border. When Kemal Attaturk set up the modern Turkish state in the 1920s, the colour of the marking was changed from black to red which remains the marking of the Turkish air force to this day.
#10
Gary Sunderland passed away on November 3rd of this year. A great loss of a terrific modeler and designer. He was 83 and died what he loved doing most, flying at his field.
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I am saddened to hear he has died, it's a sort of memorial that people will be making 'Gary Sunderland Designs' for years to come.
I've decided to start my build (even though I have other projects on the go) There is a write up in 'Flying Scale Models' magazine article of Gary's original build (with pictures) and descriptions.
Reading the article again and looking at the build pictures was the final push to 'tip me over the edge' and start building.
(Appeared in Flying Scale Models January 2010)
I have been collecting 'bits' for the build for some time. I have 8" spoked wheels, a new Super Tigre 45cc (as used by Gary) and the wood pack which consists of lots of laser cut ribs, assorted ply formers and ply tail/rudder/elevators pre-cut.
At 114" this is the largest wingspan model i've attempted (built a GTM 1/3 Dr1 previously and various 1/4 scale WWI stuff and got a 108" 1/8 scale vickers vimy still in progress)
Main lesson i've learnt on building big models, is to try and 'pace' the build. You can charge in full of enthusiasm and get lots of visible results, fuselage built, wings built etc.
But then you realise its all the other 'stuff' takes most of the time. I've found you can run out of enthusiasm with lots of work but little visible result to show for it.
.e,g. on the 1/3 Dr1 i put it to one side for a 'month' (that turned into 4 years) came back to it and finished it and wondered why I had stopped.
So this is going to be a long paced slog. I'm aiming for just basic 'stand off' scale detail. (The further you stand off - the more scale it looks )
p.s. I uploaded the picture. found it was upside down. deleted it, corrected and re-uploaded. however i still have an upside down thumbnail i can't seem to get rid of ???
I've decided to start my build (even though I have other projects on the go) There is a write up in 'Flying Scale Models' magazine article of Gary's original build (with pictures) and descriptions.
Reading the article again and looking at the build pictures was the final push to 'tip me over the edge' and start building.
(Appeared in Flying Scale Models January 2010)
I have been collecting 'bits' for the build for some time. I have 8" spoked wheels, a new Super Tigre 45cc (as used by Gary) and the wood pack which consists of lots of laser cut ribs, assorted ply formers and ply tail/rudder/elevators pre-cut.
At 114" this is the largest wingspan model i've attempted (built a GTM 1/3 Dr1 previously and various 1/4 scale WWI stuff and got a 108" 1/8 scale vickers vimy still in progress)
Main lesson i've learnt on building big models, is to try and 'pace' the build. You can charge in full of enthusiasm and get lots of visible results, fuselage built, wings built etc.
But then you realise its all the other 'stuff' takes most of the time. I've found you can run out of enthusiasm with lots of work but little visible result to show for it.
.e,g. on the 1/3 Dr1 i put it to one side for a 'month' (that turned into 4 years) came back to it and finished it and wondered why I had stopped.
So this is going to be a long paced slog. I'm aiming for just basic 'stand off' scale detail. (The further you stand off - the more scale it looks )
p.s. I uploaded the picture. found it was upside down. deleted it, corrected and re-uploaded. however i still have an upside down thumbnail i can't seem to get rid of ???
Last edited by Alistair; 11-25-2016 at 06:21 AM.
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Discovered the first 'Mistake' - and its not mine ! Wood pack has supplied two rudders and one elevator. !
It's sort of understandable, the elevators are actually bigger than the rudder ! so probably someone assumed the larger must be the rudder
It's sort of understandable, the elevators are actually bigger than the rudder ! so probably someone assumed the larger must be the rudder
Last edited by Alistair; 11-26-2016 at 02:44 AM.
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Its irritating though, ok just trace round the one elevator in same thickness ply and cut it out and it's done. But I paid £175 for the wood pack precisely to save time cutting out and shaping stuff (i.e. wing ribs) The value of the 'wood' i'd guess at under £30. Emailed for a replacement out of principle, even though I bought the wood pack something over a year ago (possibly even two - you know how time flies)
The longerorns are down as 3/16 pine. I'm thinking spruce or cyprius or pretty much any hardwood with some flexibility would do ? Pine isn't really the common modelling material in the UK ? Anyone any thoughts ?
The longerorns are down as 3/16 pine. I'm thinking spruce or cyprius or pretty much any hardwood with some flexibility would do ? Pine isn't really the common modelling material in the UK ? Anyone any thoughts ?
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Found a mix of 3/16 hardwood in my 'stores'. Not sure which wood is what, however i've decided to mix them for each side because I don't have enough of the same wood to do both (But make the mix the same on both sides)
There isn't an allowance for joining on the plan ? Or rather not for 3ft sticks so a joint is required top and bottom longerons (approx 68" total length required)
i've decided to put a doubler between two uprights at each join
Gary had to put 1kg of lead ballast up the front (even with a 45cc super tigre engine) so it's reassuring to know forward of C.of G. i can pretty much do what I like
There isn't an allowance for joining on the plan ? Or rather not for 3ft sticks so a joint is required top and bottom longerons (approx 68" total length required)
i've decided to put a doubler between two uprights at each join
Gary had to put 1kg of lead ballast up the front (even with a 45cc super tigre engine) so it's reassuring to know forward of C.of G. i can pretty much do what I like
Last edited by Alistair; 11-26-2016 at 06:29 AM.
#21
Hi,
I've had problems with the wood in these semi kits, but not always the same thing. For instance, my Sunderland D.VII parts had the lite-ply tail surfaces all nicely cut out but they weighed a ton. On my Be2e, I also got two rudders but at least they were out of balsa this time. It's very frustrating to look at the plans at a particular part and then finding out it wasn't cut correctly, or not even there in the box. Sometimes it's just quicker to scratch build what's not there!
I miss the days of VK Model Aircraft...those were superb kits.
It's looking good Alistair, great progress. These models are a great tribute to Mr. Sunderland.
I've had problems with the wood in these semi kits, but not always the same thing. For instance, my Sunderland D.VII parts had the lite-ply tail surfaces all nicely cut out but they weighed a ton. On my Be2e, I also got two rudders but at least they were out of balsa this time. It's very frustrating to look at the plans at a particular part and then finding out it wasn't cut correctly, or not even there in the box. Sometimes it's just quicker to scratch build what's not there!
I miss the days of VK Model Aircraft...those were superb kits.
It's looking good Alistair, great progress. These models are a great tribute to Mr. Sunderland.
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Thanks Stachl, the first part of a build is always rewarding because you get a lot of results relatively quickly. This 'kit' may be short an elevator but I thought i would have to make engine bearers, so was really pleased to find really nice pre-shaped engine bearers ready to fit.
Did you have any major problems with the D.VII ? I've also got a Gary Sunderland FE8 to build and the wood pack to build.
Did you have any major problems with the D.VII ? I've also got a Gary Sunderland FE8 to build and the wood pack to build.
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Starting adding plywood. Think i've done 2 mistakes. I added forward support for pylons/landing gear then realised you need to get the fuse side covered in plywood then add this after adding the engine bearers in first.. (so I cut it off to put back later) I think the same for the rear pylon and landing gear supports but left them as it
doesn't seem to hurt ? doh!
The balsa inside is for behind the plywood join, to give it something to stick to.
doesn't seem to hurt ? doh!
The balsa inside is for behind the plywood join, to give it something to stick to.
#24
I also got that FE8 but it looks to be way beyond my skills. A novelty to look at now and then.
Lyle
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Bad luck on the accident - we've all done the same !
I did have a look at the FE8, it looked complicated and likewise i put it back in a box for another day (although really it should be easier only having 'booms' rather than a fuse) I suspect a lot of the 'complexity' is just being 'different'.
Assembling the fuselage, all going remarkably well (which has got me worried) although the topped notch thingies for stringers, two of them appear to be longer than they should be. I've just centred them up with the others and will cut off the overhang.
I did have a look at the FE8, it looked complicated and likewise i put it back in a box for another day (although really it should be easier only having 'booms' rather than a fuse) I suspect a lot of the 'complexity' is just being 'different'.
Assembling the fuselage, all going remarkably well (which has got me worried) although the topped notch thingies for stringers, two of them appear to be longer than they should be. I've just centred them up with the others and will cut off the overhang.
Last edited by Alistair; 11-28-2016 at 01:21 AM.