Dumas Aeronca C-3 Electric RC Airplane
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- čas přidán 6. 08. 2024
- Dumas Aeronca C-3 Electric RC Airplane
The Aeronca C-3 was a popular light aircraft built in the mid-1930s that offered pilots an inexpensive way to get into the air with their own aircraft.
The Aeronca C-3 offers an ideal candidate for an RC model of an electric airplane that has plenty of wing area, character and low speed flight characteristics for the RC pilot.
The Dumas kit of the Aeronca C-3 was designed by Pat Trittle, perhaps one of the most prolific electric RC model aircraft designers out there. Pat did a superb job with a complete set of plans, laser cut balsa wood and even a fuselage jig to properly build the unique fuselage.
The written instructions match the plans very well. As it can be a somewhat complicated kit, do ensure that your build step outlined in the instructions matches what is shown on the plans.
My C-3 took right off on its first flight and handled very well.
Here is a link to my CZcams Channel:
/ timmckay56
Many thanks in advance for a post of this video on Facebook, it truly helps the channel a lot!
Regards,
Tim
Link to RC Groups Pat Trittle build:
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...
Hardware used in my C-3 build:
Motor: Park 250 (www.StevensAero.com)
ESC: Castle Talon 15
Servos: Hitec HS40
Receiver: Spektrum AR410
Small 2-cell lipo battery
ParkLite iron on covering
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - C-3 history
02:53 - Kit unbox
07:02 - Fuselage build
12:50 - Wing build
18:27 - B-17 fly by
18:56 - Fuselage details
21:37 - Wing details
24:36 - Covering
25:44 - C-2 vs C-3
26:40 - Completed model
28:04 - Test flights
29:21 - Debrief
Wow, A++. Beautifully built, and covered, and then the rigging. Pretty enough to hang on display, especially with the frame still visible. These stick type fuselages are unnerving to me (prefer Guillow's method of keels, ribs, etc). Maybe it's time to try one again, pretty sure I have a Dumas kit or two in my stash. Fun video, thanks.
Rob: Glad you like it! Tim
@@TimMcKay56 I'm going to try one of these, have a vintage Sterling kit on the way (36 inch wingspan). Not sure about power...I might finish it up with one of several Cox motors that I have running well at the moment. Lots of nostalgia with these planes....back in the early 60s my father loved Aeroncas and flew the Champ, tricycle geared Traveler, and even did part of his multi in the twin-engined Lancer. My very first balsa model back in the day was the Guillow's champ. Great times...
Fully agree! Tim
@@TimMcKay56 Update, I finished and flew the Sterling kit! Channels were rudder and elevator, power was a Cox .020 Tee Dee. Silkspan coverd. Flew beautifully and incredibly scale. It's a fantastic kit, highly recommend to anybody who likes this plane or the older flyers in general. It's long out of production but worth the effort to track down.
Rob: Many thanks for this update, congrats on your test flight! Tim
You could turn the engine 45 degrees to get it higher
I've always liked that Aeronca series!!
LV: Thanks for the tip! Tim
Thanks for the inspiration to start building again after 25 years
Love your videos
Ed: Glad to hear it! Tim
Some possible improvements: Block up the outer trailing edge of each wing panel about 3/16 inch during construction for "wing tip washout" to help with lateral stability. Have the motor pointed a little down and to the right to help with pitch sensitivity. Model flew as if it was a little tail heavy, move battery forward a little or add a little lead or coil of solder in front of cowl. The typical long , but thin, ( high aspect ratio) wings made Aeroncas somewhat laterally unstable. Very nicely made video of a challenging model build, nicely complete kit by Dumas.
Gary: Great suggestion. With the low power motor, the full scale C-3 was almost a powered glider. Dumas did a great job with the kit, but all thanks to Pat Trittle for the innovative design! Tim
Pretty sweet plane . I was wanting to build one like the yellow Oldsmobile one . very cool covering job .
Thanks for checking in! Aeronca was a fin plane. 😊 Tim
Cool that you have WW2 aircraft flying casually by your home. Wow.
Chilarai: Yes, that was a nice treat! Tim
I really enjoy these in depth builds you do Tim
David: Many thanks! Tim
Excellent job, Tim. Your videos are very detailed. Thank you!
John: Thanks for watching! Tim
Very nice......classic!!
LJ: Glad you liked it! Tim
Wow what a coincidence! I had been following your work on the guillows conversions and stumbled upon the rc dumas kits. picked mine up the week before you post this video!
Jacob: Dumas does a great job with their kits, best of luck with yours! Tim
Another great video, as usual. Really neat looking plane but I think a little out of my limited model building attributes, ;). Keep up the great work, love watching your videos.
Danny: Many thanks! Tim
Nice work! BTW your camera operator is very good and very stable. It looks like they are hand holding the cam as well. That's hard to do while being stable. I am a part time cam operator for a national program and we have tripods which make it easier. Just wanted to give kudos to your camera op.
Steve: My lovely wife does all the camera work, hand held iPhone. She is a natural! Tim
I highly recommend Pat Tritle designs for scale-like, slow flying calm air models that can be flown in fairly small spaces. They are a step up in flyability from Guillows kits and designed for electric power. Tritle designs are sold by Brodak as laser cut "full kits" and by Manzano Laser Works as laser cut "short kits" . Short kits do not include detailed instructions and some of the balsa sticks etc., needed to complete the build.
Gary: Fully agree, Pat's designs are without peer. Tim
Not to mention Pat sells a lot of his kits on his own website.
@@scotabot7826 No, not anymore, his designs are now sold by Brodak as Dare brand "full" kits and as "short" kits by Manzano Laser Works,
Top notch video and build! Good work.
Peter: Thanks for watching! Tim
This is just a great video. So glad I discovered this channel. In the past I have only flown control line very simple .049 planes. I think you have inspired me to tackle some electric RC planes.
Bill: Give electrics a try! www.HorizonzHobby.com has some great ready to fly kits, good tech support. Do join a local RC club as well, members always ready to assist. Tim
Loved the build. Can’t wait until this pandemic is fully over so I can join a flight club and get some help learning to fly
MB: No worries. While you are waiting to rejoin your RC club, do consider a computer flight simulator, such as Real Flight. The sims these days truly work well and aid a lot with flying skills. Tim
@@TimMcKay56 I may give a flight sim a try I’m just on a tight budget these days. Also I built your 20”square plane this past Saturday and got some decent 100’ straight runs. My yards a bit tight so I struggled every time I tried to turn but will try again this weekend at a park.
MB: Sounds good! Perhaps add a bit more throw to the elevens for greater control. Tim
Meant elevons. Tim
Thumbs up just for the B17 flyby!
Chris: Thanks! Tim
Very nice Tim, really enjoy your vids. What’s next on the bench?
FSM: Experimenting with a 3/16" foam board flat wing, light weight model. We'll see! Tim
Could wash out tips a bit to avoid wing dropping.
Good point! Tim
Greetings,
The Dumas kit is for an Aeronca C-3, not a C-2.
The C-3 came in a couple variants over its production life.
The Dumas kit is of the version commonly known as the “Razorback”.
It was the bare minimum aircraft; two wings, two cylinders, and two seats.
Not much else.
The version you refer to was introduced later in the production run.
It was marketed as the “Master”.
The fuselage structure was basically the same, but the fomers fairings aft of the wing were reshaped to improve airflow and to accommodate a cabin enclosure..
The engine power was also increased and the landing gear improved.
I believe this was done to make the Master more competitive with the Taylor Cub.
The Razorback was just a little TOO basic.
Let’s be careful out there.
James: Great update, thanks! Tim
Tim, thanks for all of your great videos. Interesting to see your catch with kit actually being a C2. I built a Sterling version back in the early '70s, and I just received the exact same vintage kit on ebay (rubber or Cox .020). Guess what? Also appears to be a C2 - single seat, razor back. I wonder how the error propagated for so long?
Steve: No idea on the C2 item, but a fun kit to build and fly. 😁 Tim
Might I add, that there were 2, C-3 versions. C-3 Collegian, with the razorback, and C-3 Master, which had he turtle back fuselage.
@@cecilkoselke7878 Cecil: Excellent update, I was not aware of the two C-3 variants. Tim
Neat model thanks for the review. It looks like you have old approach light towers along your field? What are they from?
John: Just regular electrical transmission lines at the rear of our field. Out in the middle of nowhere. Tim
@@TimMcKay56 thanks did not see any wires in them
@@johnmajane3731 I'll have to take a second look! Tim
@@TimMcKay56 the towers with what appears to be a platform and three pieces sticking out the top.
Hi Tim great Job, you are an artist, please could you confirm if the motor is park bl250 55w/2200Kv, thanks in advance, i want to build the same dumas model
Marco: Yes, that is it! Tim
Those look like runway approach lights in the field of your flying site??
No, just nearby power lines. 😊 Tim
Hey, Tim.
Dumas produces such an extensive, really nice line of kits at very reasonable prices.
Let's see how you fared with yours...
Richard: Very pleased with the Dumas kit of the C-3. Tim
@@TimMcKay56
I'm working on their Stinson Voyager as I write this.
Glad you're happy with your Aeronca. But let's see what can be done about those tip stalls...
The tip stalks are a bit worrisome. I’m pretty sure there is a slight warp somewhere in the wing, need to twist it out. 🤔😊 Tim
@@TimMcKay56
The plans for my Stinson call for 3/16" of washout in both wing tips.
I would start there.
Also, a couple of degrees of down and right thrust usually help.
Pretty standard stuff, really.
But it was a fun build, right?
P.S. I have a sudden craving for butterscotch. I don't know why...
I’m familiar with washout. The issue with the C-3 are the unusually long wings. Quite unusual. But needed for the 36 hp engine, as the C-3 is essentially a powered glider. RC model wings can tolerate very little warping. Tim
Hey everyone, I need help. I just finished building a 24” wing of my own design, at half throttle the esc is rebooting. Anyone knows what is going on?
Ps. Incredible build!!
Sebastian: Sorry, no idea on this one. If an older ESC, maybe try a new one. May just be a bad ESC. Tim
@@TimMcKay56 much appreciated, it was me 😅 it wasn’t properly connected so not much current passed the maiden actually went impressively well. Thanks to you actually :)
Glad it all worked out! Tim
Hey, Tim, Pat's last name is not "trittle" (rhymes with "brittle")... Pat says "Tritle" (rhymes with "bridle"). I asked him about this once, just to be sure.
👍🏻😊 Tim
👍🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Thanks! Tim
No enginedetail which is quite important in this plane's twin apposed engine.
👍🏻😊 Tim
The Guillows, Sterling keel and ribs fuselage construction design is too heavy and way overbuilt for these small, light airplanes. Dumas got it right along with Keil Kraft, Comet, and many others, whose airplanes build fairly light, are structurally sound, and can actually fly well without modification, especially not at jet-like airspeeds in order to stay in the air because of their high wing loadings.
These low Reynolds Number wings need all the help they can get and a lower wing loading is the key. Also, improving their airfoils to a slightly undercambered profile makes a big difference. If absolute scale proportions are not important, moderately increasing wingspan makes a big improvement as well.
Those old Guillows, etc. kits can be modified by cutting away a lot of the internal fuselage structure, but you're better off starting with a more intelligent and useful lightweight design, to begin with.
Yup, Dumas did a good job with their C-3 kit. Tim