1/12 Messerschmitt Bf 109

[perttime]

It might be designed for Combat competition - but it is certainly scale enough for me.

[Timo Starkloff]

Thanks
Looks are also fine for me. I'm always thinking about building one in double size. Would be an easy built, light and with 1/6 one of my favourite sizes. Someone did that years ago and it worked fine. But too many other projects are waiting...

 

On 25th May 1944 there was a low level crash of a P-51 B Mustang and a Bf 109 G over my hometown Botenheim. I learned about the story only a few years ago. American pilot Joe Bennett managed a bailout and German pilot Hubert Heckmann crash landed a few kilometers further. They met shortly afterwards. Through much luck next meeting was 1991, 47 years later. They became friends. I found an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about this story and what can be learned for today:

https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/05/25/Dogfight-German-village-Botenheim-clash-eagles-Next-Page-Bill-Zlatos/stories/202005250021

Just recently I learned some facts about the background. Luftwaffe got under big pressure in 1944. Allied fighters, especially long range Mustangs flew missions with the clear goal to combat German fighter planes. Often the Allied bombers were the bait. Luftwaffe planes were produced in high numbers but good pilots got less and less. Training young pilots was shortened and they flew missions with only little hours on front line fighter aircraft. I don't know much details about the flying experience of Hubert Heckmann. But the American flight of Mustangs chased German fighters in South-West Germany and for Heckmann it was only his second combat mission, very nearly his last.

Timo

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 04/10/2020 21:47:38

[perttime]

Double size?

I suppose you would need to add a little structure in the wing. Maybe also in the fuselage. Most would want retracts in that size.

[Timo Starkloff]

The one who built the bigger 109 used a foam cut wing, covered with balsa. I only saw a few pictures, but it seems he didn't change too much concerning the fuselage. Since he is making and selling retracts, the landing gear was no problem

There are pictures of this 109 in Africa colours, interestingly he is using carbon fibre tubes for the landing gear.

www.einziehfahrwerk.de/index.php/beispiele/alle-beispiele

Timo

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 05/10/2020 19:49:33

[Timo Starkloff]

I've managed to publish a second video of the 109 with a different hand start as in the first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpxv3KgbnmQ

Timo

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 30/11/2020 19:22:43

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 30/11/2020 19:23:40

[perttime]

I like the slow passes and flying up close.

Looks like rc-network.de has had some update, and the link from youtube isn't quite right.

[Martin Gay]

Hello Timo,

I like your family of 109's, and the Yokosuka Ohka. I think these would be good candidates for slope soaring as unpowered PSS models.

Would you be willing to part with a copy of the various plans?

Martin.

[Timo Starkloff]

I've updated the RCN link, thanks Pert.

Hello Martin, I would be glad to help and to see one of my models slope flying. Especially the H-version should be a good glider. I have plans for several other 1/12 models, if you haven't decided yet what to build.

Timo

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 03/12/2020 21:11:31

[Timo Starkloff]

Concerning PSS: The last years I was busy applying unusual versions to my basic 109 plan. I occasionally did some work on the P1091 with the intention to use as many standard parts as possible. But it seems it gets a new plane, especially when it comes to the airfoil. SD6060 mod.12-10% will fly fine with motor and I think on the slope, but a thinner airfoil with a bit camber would be better perhaps for real thermalling.

In difference to the original draft, the model will have an enlarged tail, still looking small.

I'm still busy with the new home and workshop and then there's the Whirlwind waiting to be finished. But maybe the 1091 is something interesting for you, Martin? What kind of airfoil would you use?

http://www.luft46.com/roart/ro1091.html

Timo

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 05/12/2020 22:10:56

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 05/12/2020 22:11:16

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 05/12/2020 22:11:49

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 05/12/2020 22:11:59

[perttime]

The P1091 certainly looks like it would work for PSS.

I don't know enough about Combat, to estimate its possibilities there.

Now that you mentioned Luft46, there's a couple of favorites there:

- Blohm& Voss P.208 which is a bit unorthodox **LINK**

- Focke-Wulf Fighter Project with BMW 802 engine **LINK**

[Timo Starkloff]

Good luck for the Allies and todays modellers that the German engineers wasted precious time for fantasy planes. Beneath x-planes of other nations it's a big source of unusual ideas. My brother built some like the Bv 141, Junkers EF 128 and EF 112. He's the specialist for really exotic planes but I couldn't persuade him yet to publish plans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVOGwJ6Camw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUkec1rrWf0

https://wp.1dfh.de/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/modellflugtage-esslingen-20-09-2015/1dfh-200915-076.jpg

https://wp.1dfh.de/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/modellflugtage-esslingen-20-09-2015/1dfh-200915-075.jpg

Timo

Edited By Timo Starkloff on 06/12/2020 11:49:53

[perttime]

There were some cool UK designs from the end of the age of piston powered fighters, too. There's an old thread with Supermarine Spiteful/Seafang and some Hawker P1030 stuff **LINK**

[Martin Gay]

Hello Timo,

Surprisingly, a thin wing section is not a requirement for a PSS model. The past two mass builds (Hawker hurricane and NA Sabre) have use Eppler 374 and they soar rather well.

Admittedly we usually fly in good lift, the Sabre has flown (just) in 12mph winds on the Great Orme up to 45mph+ on the Lleyn Peninsular.

Here is a link to the current PSS mass build on this forum: PSSA Mass Build 2020 - North American F-86 Sabre | Model Flying

PM Sent.

Martin.

[Martin Gay]

My flying buddy is currently drawing up a PSS plan for a Me1106. the original design was very, very unstable in roll, so the wingspan and chord has been increased slightly. It has not yet flown.

[SA Allan]

I've bought plans and canopies from Timo, great guy to deal with.

Would be great to have a list of all his designs.

[Timo Starkloff]

Hello Martin

I followed the PSS mass builds of Skyhawks and Hurricanes closely. Amazing how many beautiful models have been built and flown, congratulations for that!

Concerning the P1091 airfoil. The SD6060 is an improvement on the E374 and beneath the S8052 one of my standard airfoils on my 1/12 models. 6060 or 6062 should be perfect on the slope but we have only small hills around around here. So I started searching for an alternative. 8-9% thickness leaves enough space for wing servos, the wing has a depth of 20cm. Interesting candidates could be the HN1033, AG24 for higher perfomance, S7012, S9000 or the AG35 series for easy building. Any other ideas?

Yes Pert, some of the British secret projects would be perfect for an rc model, too. There's just not enough time to build everything...

Timo

[Timo Starkloff]

Thanks, Allan

That list is getting quiet long...

Timo

[perttime]

AG03 has been mentioned as an easy to build glider airfoil because most of its bottom is flat. It is pretty thin.

[Timo Starkloff]

The AG03 is a great airfoil, but with 6% a bit thin for the 109. I flew it the first time on a small DLG glider and it's amazing. The next models have been the small indoor/outdoor Druine Turbulent and the 1/12 Ohka. It's fast and slow, suitable for very low Reyonold numbers, easy to build and there are no nasty habits. The best proof that from time to time it's worth to try a new airfoil.

Timo

[Timo Starkloff]

The 109s needed a replacement spinner. After testing several options, the 3d printed one from my brother worked best. After all, it’s a bit like Easter eggs painting ?

 

Timo

[Timo Starkloff]