Hi guys,
Greetings again from the Himalayas.

Though I have searched high and wide the 'net have yet to come across FPV on an aero-towed glider. We're doing a group build of a Junkers Ju-52 trimotor from short kit. I've started doing an individual scratch-build of matching scale DFS-230 assault glider.

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Of all the WWII combat gliders the DFS-230 has the most ideal proportions for sport sailplane flight and excellent flight characteristics which I hope my scale model will inherit. If not, well, hasn't it already been often said in this forum "My math says 1:1 glide back home......even a library book could make that glide ratio."

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I'm building the -A2 tandem version which has FPV-favorable enlarged canopy.
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Build pics since work commenced last week:
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First avionics suite installed is RFD900 (900 MHz) telemetry radio modem. Since it's a two aircrew plane, might as well have clean uncluttered FPV video feed and let back-seater worry about flight and navigation data.
Glazed cockpit allows for two cameras, forward and rear-facing or a single one with limited pan and tilt. Plus, another camera embedded in wing all controlled via three-way switcher.
Nose will have HobbyKing Glider Nose Tow-Line Release mechanism and airframe will have flight stabilizer, perhaps APM 2.5 or 3.0. In theory, it'll be a lazy man's FPV bird being aero-towed by the three-IC-powered tug for most of the flight.

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mod edit
Corrected duplicate posts

Yes, very basic detachable scale cockpit and pilot will be done by buddy for static display as the Ju-52 mothership is flying scale. For that then the cameras will have to be removed.
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But no MG-34 machine guns, or braking rockets, or drogue parachute for now! WRT dimensions, stupid of me to forget to add that. Wingspan is 1.64-meters (64.5") with length (short tail moment) of 0.8175-meters (32").

Since you're in the Netherlands, you may be interested in this:
http://www.modelbouwforum.nl/forums/vliegende-schaalmodellen/191511-dfs-230-a2-assault-glider-scratchbuild.html#post3042450

The glider will get spoilers/airbrakes. With 250-feet towline, she'll be capable of maintaining 200-feet or so height advantage over the tow tug, be it Ju-52 or other. Thanks to Erik (KA6BR) for the documentation.
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I do have IC and electric power pods for gliders but I figure I'll just go wherever the Ju-52 or whatever tow-tug takes the DFS-230. I'll install hook next to landing skid for hi-starts but then again, I have numerous slopes to fly from here in the Himalayas. Can do a pretty good flight in formation with paragliding buddies from slope to landing field at stadium:
http://www.paraglidingassociationofindia.org/pgfest2012/bulbulay-dara-flying-site.html
Some more illustrations from the original DFS-230 Illustrated Parts Manual

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Thinking of installing HobbyKing strobe lights as well:

For a glider it sure had many lights. Anyone read German here?
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Servo controls are similar to original though I don't know if long ailerons functioned as flaps as well.
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The 'Mistel' composite was made famous by the Fw-190 and Ju-88 airframe pair. Yours is an interesting offshoot and will prove to be a most interesting build.

Please post detailed pictures.

Regards.

Just one humble query - I note that you have posted a a rather detailed log here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1136629&page=12

Why is it that www.rcindia.org members are not being presented with the same details? Perhaps, we are not perceived to be so educated or aware of WW2 history as our western counterparts?

I/we would hate to burst that bubble...................

burst away please. all my scratch builds get more attention on rcpak

i dont lg my builds on rcindia.... did it twice... no response. best
vikram reddy

 

Here is the plan of action

-Objective No 1 : Target weight under 8lbs.
Similarly sized models go from lows of 9 to highs of 12lbs sothis is going to be a challenge.

I have done the following:

- The Fuselage required skinning with 1/8" balsa planks glued edgewise and then filled and sanded to shape. A very tedious and weighty construction method.
In order to reduce glue weight, I wet whole balsa sheets and tied them around a large dia mailing tube to mould them to the fuse shape.

- The fin and rudder assembly had to be discarded and scratch built as the wood supplied was rock hard and the construction method was overkill.

- All blocks supplied, were hollowed to approximately 1/8" wall thickness after the outer face had been carved to shape.

- Part of the wing sheeting on the outer wings was done away with altogether.

- All ribs were extensively lightened with holes.

- Objective 2: Installation of retracts.

I discoverd that the Robart retracts supplied for the Topflite kit are not a straight fit for this kit as the airframe construction methods are completely different. This posed a lot of problems and and sctratchbuilding for the mounts to get the geometry right.

-Objective 3: Scale detailing.

This would have to be done very carefully in order not to bust the weight target. The most visible interior part of any aircraft is the cockpit. I wanted a full depth cockpit with detailed instruments, side walls and ofcourse, pilots. Even though it would not be that much visible once the aircraft was finished, I wanted to know that the 'office' was complete.

Weighing the pros and cons of a monokoted vs painted exterior (pun intended!), I decided to go for a monokote finish as it would be light and less messy.

The Dakota abounds with lumps, antennas pitot tubes etc. I wanted to represent some of the more prominent features so that the toy like effect of a monokote finish is mitigated.

-Objective 4: Lights

The Dakota has very prominent landing lights in the wing leading edge outboard of the engine nacelles. I wanted this to be a working feature on the model.

- Objective 5: Flaps

I wanted to install functioning split flaps as apart from looks they would be useful in landing.

Vikram would request you for source link for that long range 900mhz modem. Last I saw online it was not being shipped to india.

Sandy, I'm PM-you Seppo's info. Better you tell me what you need. I have few

http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php?18167-WWII-era-DFS-230-Assault-Glider-for-FPV-duties/page5
http://www.modelbouwforum.nl/forums/vliegende-schaalmodellen/191511-dfs-230-a2-assault-glider-scratchbuild-3.html
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1136629&page=12
http://www.retroplane.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=111104#111104
some more if you like can mirror here but hey, why should my daughters bother posting here if i get no responds? you understand?

Vikram

quite a nice effort, if you could split posts so that it is less intimidating, it would be nice, for us to go through. unnecessary posts by rcpak could be removed, people who need to could go there and see for themselves. not so great an effort, if you look at the way i have gone about it here, i guess would serve the purpose

You're right Gusty. Will do as advised. How's Secunderabad treating you?
Best
Vikram