Dalotel DM 165 Viking 1:33

[redhorse]

Greetings everyone. I've started on my first airplane card model and I'll use it as my first build thread on Paper Modelers. This is a 1969 French aerobatic plane, and since it's my first shot at a plane it's a freebee so I can print out a lot of extra parts if I need to

The downloads are here: Dalotel 1/33

There are 9 pages of parts that need to be printed on two thicknesses of card and a couple pages of drawings. There are also instructions in French. Since my French is pretty poor to say the least, I ran it through the google translator. Always a source of amusement, but at least I get the general idea.

[redhorse]

I'm going to build it in the order the instuctions go, which starts with the tailplane.

The ribs in the rudder are too big so that they can be trimmed down for an exact fit. Also, parts D12 and D26 are numbered incorrectly. D12 seems to be D26 and vice versa.

Now back to work...

[redhorse]

The control surfaces are positionable, but you have to decide which way you want them as you build. The first picture is the hinges for the rudder cut so that it will be turning right.

Then more of the vertical stabilizer/rudder. 25 parts in this assembly. So far the fit isn't bad. I'm not sure why the instructions have me starting with the tailplane, but I did leave the control horns off until the plane is assembled.

Next is the horizontal stabilizer...

[Leif Ohlsson]

I am glad to see you building one of Philippe Rennesson's fine models. The others are the Pou du Ciel (Flying Flea), and the Fauvel tailless gliders. All of them available for free.

L.

[dansls1]

Looks like a good start, although I agree it's an odd build order to start with the vert stabilizer.

[boosed]

It's always a pleasure to see such fine craftsmanship. I anticipate learning a lot from this build thread. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

Don

[redhorse]

Lief, thanks for the link. I'd seen the Pou du Ciel but not the gliders! Those look really nice.

I'm hoping this turns out well, and so far so good. I will say the frames need to be sanded down quite a bit for the skins to fit on the horizontal stab and the elevator. Although, that may just be me...

Well, here are the latest photos. It looks like the engine cowling will be next. Interesting...

[redhorse]

I was able to finish the cowl today. There was one part I couldn't figure out where to put. The translator didn't help so I guessed a bit. It's an egg shaped black disc that I think is supposed to represent the revised under cowl position of the exhaust. I think I'll need to build the fuselage before I can tell if it works there. I'll cut it off and improvise if it doesn't...

The front end formers require a bit of whittling and sanding for the correct curve, but everything ended up fitting pretty well.

Anyhow, here are photos of my progress so far. Next step is the main landing gear. I've never made airplane wheels before with paper, so this should be interesting.

[Leif Ohlsson]

You don't suppose part C23 ought to be shaped? The many cuts seem to imply that.

The instructions seem to say something about shaping, a drop of water, and mounting on the cowling according to the photos of the model or the real thing.

Trouble is I haven't found any photos of either the model or the full-size that show the underside of the cowling. But there is one photo of the model showing a bulge resembling part C23 on the top of the cowling, slightly off-center. And I found one full-size which shows the same thing. (Source: Dalotel DM-165)

In that case I suppose the white area of part C23 is meant to be kept while shaping, then cut clean. Might be a good way of shaping parts like these!

But I don't know what to do with the area where you glued the part. Something obviously is meant to be done with it after final assembly. Perhaps cutting out an opening?

Leif

PS. For those interested, see Philippe Rennesson's photos of the build. Those really interested can download the model here (including instructions & parts list in French).

[dansls1]

I agree with Leif, the bulge is for the top pilot's left of the cowling. I think you could form that without the notches and white part left on if you worked at it.

Not sure about what should be on the bottom though - I went to open the kit up to figure it out and it crashed my computer. Will try later, but I hear the son banging away and should get him up before it wakes SWMBO