Three Flights by Fokker, Bellanca & Argosy - Model Airplanes

Film is a series of flights by the rubber-powered free-flight models built by Dave Mitchell, flown at the Cow Palace near Culpepper, VA. The 24" Fokker Dr.1 triplane is from the Ozark Model Aviation short kit, flown on it's very first trim session. (still needs a few last scale details.) Next is the 54" Bellanca CF with a beautiful thermal flight. Lastly, comes the 24" 1926 Armstrong Whitworth AW.154 Argosy. Filmed by Walt Farrell. Photos by Dave Mitchell & Clive Gamble. Drawing by Dave Mitchell. Music via motionarray.com
Fokker Dr.1 short kit: www.ozarkmodela...
Geneseo FAC Nats Journals from 2016 & 2018: www.maxfliart.com
For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
www.easybuiltmo...
www.volareprodu...
www.flyingacesc...
outerzone.co.u...
National Free Flight Society - freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - www.ffscale.co.uk/
www.freeflight...
Flying Aces Club merchandise: www.cafepress....
Center of Gravity merchandise: www.cafepress....

[@randall4411]

Never thought I'd see a tri-plane fly like that with rubber power . Wow

[@randallmarsh446]

Me either.. id sure like to find the kit for that .

[@VitalityMassage]

That second flight you got it dialed right in! Flew so HIGH! Fantastic! Beautiful craftsmanship too. Congrats and thanks for this wonderful video. Loved the music! So peaceful I subscribed.

The best ever reason to see the sky. Celebrates the best part of our planet, the air. Take a breath to remember. Nice!

[@jeffmullinix7916]

This is how I started when I was a little kid . My grandmother bought me a big box of balsa , rubber bands , covering and some propellers . I used to draw up my plans not to big of planes so I would not use up all the wood and covering . Most of the planes I built was under 20 inch wing span . I really like the old prewar war 1 airplanes and I really liked the pre 50's gliders . I think those planes was a work of art . I still think that . I only had a few that flew really well but nothing like this .

[@doveboyz857]

You Sir, are a magician! You create kinetic art! Thanks for sharing ❤️🙏👍

[@bkreed27]

I am dealing with a very difficult health issue and I find your videos, especially this one, to be very inspiring. Takes my mind off my troubles for a bit. Thanks.

[@maxfliart]

Thx. Glad they're helping. It's always good to have a few options to momentarily get away from the daily grind.

[@laramiemoreau429]

What truly beutiful model airplanes! Rubber-power Free-flight at it's very best! I love it so! Laramie.

[@rickhall4318]

I'm dying for a build video on these three ships. Tom, I have noticed one unfortunate flaw in all of your videos... they end. And ever too quickly.

[@nagktmr]

What a beautiful flight! Well, the birds come to see it too.

[@akula9713]

I wished I lived somewhere where there were calm no wind days. It’s always windy on the North Sea Coast. Excellent video!

[@troymolitor7766]

Thank you for sharing this with us. I had smile on my face the entire time. Wow. All were fantastic flights. Well done.

[@xpump876]

The Dr1 has a great color scheme and it fly's great. That Bellanca CF was just gorgeous. I have always loved that particular plane and era of flight.

[@me262a1]

A lot has been said about the first two planes, all true, but I think the Argosy was the standout. It looks like there is so much that has to be spot on just to get a decent glide let alone a flight like that. Hat's off to Dave.

[@jonknust9784]

OMG you are killing me with these beautiful model airplanes!! You have inspired me to take up my childhood hobby again. Cheers!

[@CafeenMan]

Bellanca climbs right to the point of a full stall and then levels, thinks about it a second and decides to fly instead of stall and drop nose. Perfect.

[@jorgerostagnol3602]

Hola!!! Que calidad de aviones hermosos, te comparto mi alegria.gracias. desde Colonia Uruguay.

[@flycubfly]

Beautiful , flight times are absolutely amazing.

[@CafeenMan]

I'm amazed this flies as long as it does. Model has so much wood in it. I'd expect it to be a great small-field RC model but not a great rubber free flight. Shows what I know.

[@rossoporco3176]

I always enjoy your videos every time. First, I like your selections of the models of the aircrafts. Every frameworks are neatly done and furnished with thin paper with clear detail printings. I thank you very much for your videos and would like you to continue the activities!!!

[@stevenmohr4588]

Wow 😮 what a model master builder. 👌👏👏👏👏

[@davidramsey8631]

Wow, Look great, flies better. I can't decide. Fantastic builds, Thank you for your effort to bring this to everyone.

[@gord-tj6qs]

these are fantastically intricate and authentic balsa models!!! and they fly!! hats off to the builder, mr. Mitchell. his work is inspiring me to construct a guillows fokker triplane.

[@ashcustomworks]

Magnificent flights. Inspiring. Your audible delight at the first flight is infectious.

[@zas5892]

You truly are the man for rubber powered flight unbelievable this is better than watching RC airplanes perfect flights you're quite the airplane Builder I will have to say amazing man just amazing and great photo work too you work the camera perfectly it's nice I've got all these saved so I can watch them anytime it's nice and I love where you live even though I love California and where I live I love where you live

[@wayneandrus240]

How tremendous!! Great aeromodeling and great Art!!!

[@rodchurchill5576]

All I can say is Wow , you are one awesome builder

[@andrewtolley3706]

Three new aeronautical marvels, a master at work. thank you.

[@walk4718]

I thought the Fokker was totally awesome until you launched the Bellanca. What an elegant bird. Incredible lengthy flight.

[@RC-Flight]

A Simply beautiful flyer, and a nice video too!!

[@petworthtraction]

Real nice planes and flights Dave. Thanks for shooting and sharing.

[@dansmith7617]

Dang...I didn't watch the whole darn video. That Argosy! Be still my heart. It's tough to get a paper airplane to fly and you guys do these. Incredible.

[@K3Flyguy]

All were excellent in their own way, I enjoyed the Bellanca the best. I like how you understand how to make your models fly like they were designed to!! Some guys just strapping enough HP to fly a brick on to the front of a piece of 2x4 lumber and fly it. There is no grace in flying bricks. Thank you for sharing your passion with us!

[@p51amustang]

Hat's off to you guys. Amazing flights.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Just stunning Tom, I'm building as I watch, my little Guillow's Bird Dog looks like it's made from 3x2! Now to get sanding 👍🙂

[@richardbrowne1217]

😯😯😯😯 I don't know you do it. They fly so well! I build a Guillows Focker DR1 once and it was very tail heavy. It never flew like your scratch built DR1. You build the most detailed beautiful fliers I ever seen!

[@micregil]

That Fokker was well constructed and flew great, now I want one, dang it.

[@keithsmith6314]

I fully agree with your entite thinking. I built three Guillows tr-planes two of them were in my early teens, They were built fairly well, but both were a failure in flight. My last model.was built my sophomore year in college covered, but I went into Air Force, so four years later I discovered something happened- no more model!!! I would like to possibly built the same model he built if possible. Like you mentioned, should his plans, or kit become available please try to let me know? Thanks Keith

[@chrismofer]

that ballanca cabin blew me away. and it flies really well. incredible work on these models.

[@glennreach6930]

Absolutely stunning flights. They look so real in the air its amazing! and as usual, the music choice is spot on.

[@Lowmile701]

Fokker turned out beautiful. Well done.

[@Glicksman1]

While slightly larger than the Guilow DR1, this model's airframe is superior in that it is not over-designed and too heavy. Such a difference in flight performance. Still, it don't glide. Wow, that gorgeous Bellanca. I'd do it with 3 channel R/C and moderate electric power. That would also be spectacular and much safer for getting it back. Thanks for an excellent vid.

[@safa_abdul_rehman]

One of my favorite plan ever

[@timpivonka9500]

I have to build mt Triplane now. It proves to me that it can fly!

[@BurningtunaDC]

Beautiful models and wonderful video.

[@cal-native]

What an exquisite trio of models! They're all beautiful and great flyers. There's something about that jumbo Bellanca that really resonates. And I never tire of seeing the framework backlit by the sun❤️

[@bat2293]

I'm reminded of something I heard a long time ago... "If you put enough power on it, you can make a brick fly. Just look at the F-4 Phantom". In this case the reverse is true. "If you build it light enough, you can fly it with a rubber band".

[@davidfranklin5270]

Thank you for your dedication to scale freeflight. Your videos always inspire.

[@punishingpancake3665]

Th e most beautiful hobby in the world

[@1freedlander]

What a delight!

[@garygraves7353]

Very nice build & flight!

[@sylvainponchelet646]

the Bellanca is really a very beautiful model, really aesthetic Thank you for these moments

[@johnparr5879]

Simply a beautiful thing to watch.

[@timmoffat3182]

I like the way the bellanca flies the glide on that is amazing

[@shop970]

It's just beautiful. Wow. Amazing detailed model builds.

[@harryspeakup8452]

Fokker Triplane, rubber, massive prop, colossal drag, stupidly short nose, zero dihedral, FF with no stability aids. Apparently if you are good enough it can be done, and here's the proof!

[@RCSoaringDiaries]

I'm lost for words. Very beautiful. Thanks for sharing....

[@guamflyer1]

Thank you...Great Flights..

[@jasonmcguire5206]

I have a hard time accepting that TAILWEIGHT was ever a part of the trimming process of a Dr.1. Good grief, Dave! Spectacular stuff!

[@flymachine]

You just made my day again. Definitely my favourite YT channel at this stage, I like what that says about me. I would love to see some more modern light GA aircraft, there’s something about a Cessna or Beech in rubber FF that tickles me pink. Higher and higher!

[@williamrobinson7435]

The Argosy probably flies better than the real thing! 🤣And that last flight with the Driedecker was truly exceptional, I think. I tried so hard when I was a kid to build a successful one but without success. Oh well, now I can be a vicarious or armchair flyer.. 👍

[@rubberfly]

Incredibly beautiful planes.

[@sasquatchjunk]

3 truly fantastic examples of superior building, finishing and trimming free flight birds. Although all three are incredible I think that Bellanca is my favorite. I get this image in my head of when folks would fly in that plane in it’s hay day, guys in suits all wearing hats the ladies in dresses all dressing nicely because that’s what was expected. It really makes one think of the beginning of paid passenger aviation. You have really captured that Tom and as usual, amazing job my friend, you never disappoint.

[@lyndonpoultney8206]

Amazing to watch as usual. Thankyou for taking the time to make and share videos of those incredible models.

[@Hoverbatic]

So life like. Simply Incredible

[@robedmunds7163]

Never seen a triplane fly that well on rubber

[@ajj1285]

Incredible

[@thermalascension]

Excellent,. You will receive the blue Max.

[@Helliconia54]

Amazing workmanship.

[@timmoffat3182]

Beautiful models excellent flights

[@colingordon7137]

Absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing

[@paulhillclassix7676]

Beautiful job of engineering in the building first day of trim flight you can't beat it it's dead on top nut you must be proud!!!!!✌️🍻🇺🇸

[@maestrimq]

You are a Master Builder my friend.

[@mikeparkercreative5136]

Simply beautiful

[@terryblackman6217]

It doesn't get better than that.

[@fabiohaddad2531]

Amazing models! Beautiful video!

[@billsomrak]

Three outstanding models ... each one a work of art. That Fokker tri-plane flew so well the 2nd flight. I think I tried building a Vomit (Comet) kit of one when I was a kid, and it was a complete disaster .. ha ha. The Bellanca from the Golden Age ... beautiful flyer as well. I've always contended that your modeling skills are "Smithsonian" quality .. no doubt. Cheers!

[@maxfliart]

Thx for the comments, Bill. However, all of these models were built and flown by Dave Mitchell. Clearly one of the best in the world of scale free-flight!

[@2wings1bird46]

Awesome 👏👏👏

[@MyBlueZed]

Thank you

[@Tadrjbs]

OMG, that Bellanca CF is gorgeous. Gotta plan for that? Good one for 4ch micro & electric motor.

[@onlyonutube]

Agree with everyone else's comments on the subjects. Yet, the camera operator isn't getting any credit here - it's *very* challenging to grab video of these FF and these videos are fantastic. Great job!

[@dansmith7617]

Geez! That triplane...any dihedral? Enlarged rudder? That is just sweet. Thanks for posting this...-Dan

[@dansmith7617]

@edgeofflight Thanks so much for the reply. Amazing work. I need to try that on my next triplane. Yours looks great and the dihedral is almost invisible. Well done! -Dan

[@balzalegoland]

Really wonderful!

[@henrikdagil3684]

A fantastic airplane 👍 and Happy to see you did not paint it in red 😊

[@harrykeel8557]

You need to a DT, on all three of those planes. And the Fokker, simply amazing!

[@fernandocarloszariz8845]

Awesome models!!!! Fokker...increible's fly!!! Super vids Tom!!! Saludos Fernando Zariz desde el fin del mundo...

[@i8ntnuts]

Oh man I was praying the thermal gods we’re not going to keep that one. They sure did take a look at it though

[@LotharArt]

Das macht Lust zum Bau eines eigenen Modells😎

[@prophetsnake]

Kudos for getting that Fokker to fly like that. If you have any dihedral built in I can't see it.

[@scottjepson193]

I'm surprised none of your models fly away. I've had several catch a thermal and disappear. Either ended up in Oklahoma or Mexico.

[@luisalbertom.m.5618]

que bonito es!

[@davidquerry8869]

That Bellanca is cool.

[@troudbalos333]

I wish i have the time, money and skills to have this as a hobby.

[@mrratskins]

Hardly takes any money. Skill you can develop. Time . . . . well, I can't help you with that.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Wow, it's a rare builder that would need a dethermalizer on a DR1.

[@pauloconnor6331]

I second the thoughts below. Your work is incredible. I would love to see a build video, or at least a retrospective narrative of the Bellanca build. What plans did you use, Maxfliart?

[@harryspeakup8452]

As he says in the description, they are not his models.

[@maxfliart]

Thx...but yes, these were built and flown by Dave Mitchell. I'm not sure if he has documented his build with photos, but if so, I would definitely put together a start to finish film. One of the top five best models I've ever seen.

[@kuul8955]

Beatifull tri plane

[@garygullikson6349]

The Bellanca has a lifting body like the General Aristocrat, are the struts airfoiled for lift?

[@presentdayjeff5790]

The Bellanca and the Argosy… wow. Beautiful. I have to ask, the sheet panels on the Bellanca with the highlighted darker wood grain - is that done with the inkjet on tissue applied to sheet balsa technique that I’ve seen you mention in models past? It looks great.

[@presentdayjeff5790]

@edgeofflight interesting. Thank you!

[@p51amustang]

Never saw a Dr.1 free flight fly that well. Even some rc ones don't fly that well.

[@donaldvincent]

Where can I get a kit or plans for this Beautiful Bellanca CF?

[@larryfisher7056]

All three are exquisite, but the Bellanca.......

[@stephenpropnut7486]

Awesome! The a-hole that gave this a thumbs down should stick to foam ARFs perhaps?

[@pinero50]

A joy to watch, I can hear the buzz you guys are getting in the background conversation. Do the swifts? interact with the models?