Building the Red Baron (Fokker DR1) fighter plane model kit

   
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WOODY'S WEB WORLD

A PERSONAL REVIEW OF THE "HACHETTE" WEEKLY MAGAZINE KIT BUILD (as it happens).

Picture shows illustration from cover of issue 2 of the    magazine.     

This is what the completed kit should look like if the pictures are to believed (accept it wont fly)  and skills required for the building of this kit are up to the challenge!

 Watch this site to see how it goes and  or let me know how your are getting on if you are into this same build project.

This website will be updated regularly to reflect build developments of the kit, so please return to this site in future. 

Technical specification for the real Fokker DR1 (source, the Hachette magazine):

Maker: Fokker Flugzeug-Werk.

Type: Single engine triplane.

Engine: 9 cylinder 4 stroke rotary * Oberursel UR II (110 bhp).

Wingspan: 7.19m (23ft 7inch).

Length: 5.77m (18ft 11 inch).

Height: 2.95m (8ft 6 inch).

Take off weight: 586kg (1,289 lb) empty.

Crew:   Single pilot

Armament: 2x7.92 Spandau LMG 08/15 machine guns.

Maximum speed: 165km/h (103 mph) at altitude of 4,267m (14,000 ft).

Maximum altitude: 5,944m (19,500ft)

Endurance: 1 hr 30 mins

* ROTARY engines have a fixed crank shaft, with cylinders (almost always in uneven numbers) and a crankcase which rotates along with the propeller. RADIAL Engines however have fixed crankcase and cylinders  (again almost always in uneven numbers) radiating from the center point of the engine, with the propeller fixed to the end of the crankshaft, which rotates. 

Web Links: ROTARY (www.keveney.com/gnome.html)  visit this excellent site, to see schematic representations of rotary engines design and function. It was certainly helpful to me to understand the complex machine designs involved to make a rotary engine work.  

Web Links: RADIAL (www.nomeking.com/radials.html)  visit this excellent site, to see complex and clever 3D graphical representations of radial engines design and function.  

Web pages have been built with MS Front Page 2000 & optimized for Outlook and Netscape browsers (without "favorites" window opened) and using a 56 kbps modem or better. DOUBLE CLICK ON  PICTURES WILL ENLARGE THEM.

This is an independent website, with no links existing between the author of this site and any of those who are involved in the development and distribution of the HACHETTE "RED BARON'S FIGHTER PLANE" publication, or any other commercial product referred to in this website.

DISCLAIMER: Any advice or tips included in this site, are on the basis that no responsibility will be accepted by the author, for any damage, injury or loss, which may be associated with the building of this kit, use of any tips and advice, or the use of any equipment. NOTE: RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFE USE OF PRODUCTS, KIT PARTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THIS PROJECT, IS THAT OF USER.

26 March 2004