Cartoon Scale Meets World War I Aviation

Review

Buzzard Models Fokkerish DR1

By Stan Alexander | [email protected]
Photos by the author
As seen in the June 2022 issue of Model Aviation.

AT TIMES, YOU MIGHT WANT something different than what you are used to flying. A local group of modelers flies indoors at the Charlie Daniels Park gym in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. It’s not really what one would consider a fun-fly, but we get together when we can and try to learn more about flight, do some flying, and see what’s new.

I stumbled across this model while looking for an indoor project that would be quick and simple to assemble and didn’t require much building. The Buzzard Models website has several models that are what I would call Cartoon Scale, and this is one of them.

They are lightweight and quickly assembled. A construction manual is online that you can download or you can just build it at your desk. Glue recommendations for different areas are included with the step-by-step instructions. A power pack is also offered, with servos, a motor, and the ESC. I recommend a simple four-channel receiver for micro-type aircraft that is sold separately.

The kit is complete with the wheels, gear, clevises, and control rods included. All of the precut Depron sheets and the smaller parts are held in place with easily cut tabs. I pulled out a couple of books about the Fokker Dr.I and produced a color scheme that would show up in the gym or outside on a calm evening.

the contents of the kit box and the power combination — The contents of the kit box and the power combination and receiver.

I wanted a custom color scheme and went to the local Michaels craft store. Finding some acrylic paint, I brought home green, sky blue, brown, and black. All of the white surfaces are just the raw Depron pieces.

I took measurements and photographed the airframe that I wanted to model. My go-to source for markings is Callie Graphics. Her quality is worth waiting for, and it took about a month for the delivery. The markings all fit the specifications that I sent her and, even over the painted areas, the transfers went on easily. Just peel back the backing sheet, put it in place on a painted panel, press it down, and let it set for roughly two hours.

dry fit the fuselage sides and formers — Dry-fit the fuselage sides and formers then glue them with 5-minute epoxy or foamsafe CA adhesive.

Unlike when using these markings on MonoKote and other applications, do not wet them. That would take the paint off. Carefully pull the top sheet back and voilà, you have your marking. Just know that once it’s down, you can’t get it up, which is a good thing! I also used a gift card to gently smooth the markings down.

The full-scale Fokker Dr.I aircraft was painted with a brush. The paint was applied quickly and looked sloppy. Care must be taken to paint the different wings, tail surfaces, fuselage, and cowling before assembly. Add a few drops of paint at the leading edge of the wing surface. The paint I used was DecoArt Americana acrylic paint, and the colors were Lamp Black, Medium Green, Whispering Turquoise, and Dark Chocolate.

Go with the saying, "Less is more." I always start with the bottom front edge then take a tissue, wad it up, pull the paint down, and spread it out as thin as possible. The wingspan on this one is only 25 inches, so the weight can quickly add up.

I masked off the horizontal stabilizer and added the black panel to the right side using the same method. For the fuselage, I waited until I had the center wing in place and started at the top and pulled it down with the tissue.

Assemble the model according to the downloadable photo booklet and be sure to dry-fit all of the parts because there is a certain order to making it all work. Be sure that the top fuselage piece is carefully fitted. A little trial and error before adding the glue helps the process. Wing braces, which are bamboo skewers, are supplied with the kit. I elected to use much thinner and lighter-weight carbon-fiber sticks from my local hobby shop. I’ll add two more to the top and middle wings as well. For approximately $120, you can have something that looks far different from the normal indoor model.

the completed model turned out nice — The completed model turned out nice. The motor is fitted to the outside of the the cowling.

after the wing halves were glued together — After the wing halves were glued together, the author sanded a slight bevel on them to provide dihedral.

At a Glance

Specifications

Wingspan: 25 inches

Wing area: 357 sq. in.

Length: 25 inches

Weight: 7 ounces

Power system: 250-series Cobra outrunner motor; 6-amp ESC

Battery: 450 mAh 2S LiPo

Servos: Two PDI 1143 HB

Receiver: Four-channel DSM2

Propeller: APC 9 × 3.7 slow flyer

Flight times: 5 minutes

Price: $44.95; Power

Combo: $49.99

Pluses

Model has a thorough instruction booklet with photos showing the airframe assembly.
Lists power package with ESC, motor, servos, and propeller.
All components available on the company’s website.

Minuses

No place is shown for the battery location.

Manufacturer/Distributor

Buzzard Models

www.buzzardmodels.com

the author flew the fokkerish indoors at the park gym — The author flew the Fokkerish indoors at the park gym. The model is stable in flight and can comfortably be flown in a gym.

Flights took place at the Charlie Daniels Park gym. The first flight required adjustments to the elevator with some downtrim. After that, the Buzzard Models Fokkerish DR1 flew pretty much wherever I pointed it. I set up the rudder on the aileron channel, which worked well. After a couple of trim flights and getting used to the model, it flew well. The model is capable of basic aerobatics that can be performed with rudder, elevator, and throttle.

I’m looking forward to more flights with this one. It is just a fun project!