Author: Joe Malinchak

Edition: Model Aviation - 2021/05
Page Numbers: 54, 55, 56
Red Cartoon Scale Fokker Dr.1 model flying outdoors

MICRO-FLYING

Red Cartoon Scale Fokker Dr.1 model flying outdoors
With its large wing area and light wing loading, the completed Cartoon Scale Fokker Dr.1 looks and flies great!

DR.1
CARTOON
SCALE KIT

By Joe Malinchak | joemal@echoes.net

I HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR Cartoon Scale models because you can increase the size of the wing, tail, and fuselage to design a model that looks great and has improved flight characteristics. Throughout the years, I have built Cartoon Scale airplanes in many different sizes, including my 1.5-inch wingspan version of Gordon Johnson’s great-flying Cartoon Scale Fokker Dr.1 design.

Gordon’s Dr.1 can fly slower than a Vapor, is maneuverable, and can even do loops with the right motor installed. Because of its popularity, many have requested that the model be made into a kit. Gordon has decided to make some kits for those who are interested.

Cartoon Scale Fokker Dr.1 Kit

The Cartoon Scale Fokker Dr.1 is designed to use Vapor equipment and can be flown indoors or outdoors in calm conditions. It has a 12-inch wingspan with a wing loading of only 84 ounces per square foot. The model features a skeletonized airframe that comes covered in beautiful red Mylar.

The kit includes laser-cut parts, paint masks, and the necessary hardware. You will need to add a receiver/servo brick from a Vapor, Mini Vapor, Vapor HP, or equivalent, and a 6mm or 7mm gearbox. I used the gearbox/motor out of a Vapor Lite HP and a 140 x 45 propeller from a standard Vapor for more power.

The model’s construction goes fairly quickly. I built it in just two nights, working at a leisurely pace.

Construction starts with the fuselage. You install the receiver/servo brick, gearbox, rudder, elevator, and the linkage then paint the crosses on the wing using the included laser-cut paint mask. This technique works great, but I decided to make some decals for my model to give it a different look. Gordon mentioned that decals might be included in the kit by the time you read this! You also need to color the wing struts and the edges of the covered foam parts. I used a red Sharpie marker because it was a good match with the covering.

Laser-cut kit parts and covered airframe components
Gordon Johnson’s Cartoon Scale Fokker Dr.1 kit includes laser-cut wood, skeletonized airframe parts covered in Mylar, hardware, and paint masks for the markings.
Decal paper, markings, and Krylon Crystal Clear spray
The author used white decal paper to make the markings on his model. The decals are sprayed with Krylon Crystal Clear to seal and protect them.
Sharpie markers and colored model parts
Sharpie markers were used to color the wheels, wing struts, and machine guns on the model.

Installing the wings and struts went smoothly because they fit perfectly in the laser-cut notches. After the wings are in place, you need to add the carbon-fiber bracing using the included 0.5mm carbon-fiber rod. All that is left is to make the landing gear. You bend the wire and install the laser-cut wheels.

My completed model weighed 20.1 grams ready-to-fly with a 70 mAh LiPo battery. This was right at the advertised weight. My first flights went well; however, I ended up using a larger battery to get more flight time.

Micro Flier Hip Hop II Grasshopper receiver and two servos resting on a hand
The new seven-channel Hip Hop II 900 MHz Grasshopper receiver is shown with two Micro Flier Radio 400mg LZ servos. It weighs 185mg and features large solder pads, a 3-amp ESC for a brushed motor, and an output for a brushless motor controller.
Micro Flier Radio transmitter with two small receivers on a blue background
The Micro Flier Radio seven-channel Hip Hop II 900 MHz transmitter is shown with the 185mg Grasshopper receiver and the new seven-channel 900 MHz 100mg Hip Hop II Rabbit receiver.

This is a fun, easy-to-build model. If you are interested in purchasing one, please send Gordon an email for pricing and more information. His contact information is listed in “Sources.”

Micro Flier Radio Hip Hop System

The Hip Hop System was developed by Martin Newell, with help from Bob Selman and Dave Burley, and has had some significant upgrades throughout the years. It uses 900 MHz band frequency-hopping spread-spectrum and provides a reliable radio system to fly the smallest and lightest micro RC models.

The new Hip Hop II 900 MHz seven-channel transmitter works with current Hip Hop II receivers and is backward compatible with Hip Hop I receivers. It has many new features, including a simpler binding method. It is programmable for up to 25 models and you can do mixing, half rates, and adjust the exponential. There is also a four- and five-channel transmitter available.

The new seven-channel Hip Hop II 900 MHz Rabbit receiver weighs only 100mg. It measures 5 X 5 X 2.5mm. The receiver is available with the wires added, or you can solder on your own. It has seven servo outputs and three actuator outputs. It has a 0.9-amp ESC for a brushed motor and a brushless motor output. It features a soft motor shutdown when low battery voltage is detected.

The seven-channel Hip Hop II 900 MHz Grasshopper receiver weighs only 185mg. It measures 10 X 10 X 2mm with larger solder pads than the Rabbit receiver. One great feature is that you can use both servos and actuators. It has seven servo outputs and three actuator outputs and features a 3-amp ESC for a brushed motor and a brushless motor output. It has a soft motor shutdown when low battery voltage is detected, and the aileron and elevator actuator outputs have a high-power amplifier.

SOURCES:

Gordon Johnson
gordon10402@gmail.com

Micro Flier Radio
(941) 377-9808
www.microflierradio.com