Christchurch and District Model Flying Club
 

The Dyanam Catalina

by Brian Wiseman

I have always wanted to fly a Catalina and nearly started to build one years ago. The trouble is the pod between the wing and the body. I could not see how I could build that. Then Dynam brought out one. It is 52 inches wing span, has twin three-bladed props with two 30 amp speed controllers. I can just get it into the Car with the seats down and the passenger seat forward. I would not like to take the wing off because rewiring it would take for ever. It would be possible to get it into a smaller car, if there is one. I have a Ford Ka and by taking out the wing bolts, putting the wing parallel to the body without moving the wires I can get it in.

It is designed for the cheap 2.2 amp 3 cell batteries but I have put in an old 3.5 amp battery. This gives me a good 7 minutes with plenty of Battery left. I reckon it would go to over 10 minutes. The Battery is easy to fit but does alter the centre of gravity. If you do it, make sure you mark the place for the battery to give you the correct C. of G.

What the motors are I do not know. It would not help if I did. All these electrickery motors have nonsense numbers which mean nothing to me. When I am Prime Minister I will insist that all motor numbers have as the last two numbers: a rating which equates them to the two strokes so I know the likely power. It can be done, O.S do it.

Like all Dynam planes it is easy to put together, but perhaps not one for the beginner as there are 22 wires which go from the wing into the fuselage. To an experienced flyer where they go is obvious. I took out one of the Red wires from one of the leads from the speed controllers (always best to do this with twins – Ed). I put them both into a y lead and off the engines went.

The problem is that the Catalina is a Flying Boat and has no wheels. Initially I

wanted an undercarriage and my friend Ian Hammond fitted one, but the fuselage is hollow all the way down This means that there is nothing substantial

to fix the wheels too. The shape of the hull was an added difficulty. It went on

and looked good but was not man enough for the job. We had a few flights but then took them off.

I take it off by hand launching. The engines are very powerful and the plane is overpowered. If you take it off with full power it races across the sky in an unscale like manner. Once you get sensible with the throttle is flies well, like all the Dynam models. It is a bit twitchy on a turn if you are going slowly. I think that is because to make it look authentic I like to fly it slowly and on a cross wind turn the lift may well go. If you get one, keep it high and you will be alright. The glitch is easily recoverable.

I fly at Beaulieu and have to land it on the grass which is full of bumps so it is hard to make a good landing. I have had a good look at Fawcetts Field. The grass is better there and I may well give at ago there. It could well try to take off from the grass. (You should try Strawberry Field Brian, or even bring it to Longham – Ed)

All in all a good plane. If you like Catalinas it does look good drifting along in the sky , another bit of magic.

In a moment of madness, I bought cheaply a second hand ME 262. I have managed

to get the controls working and both engines going. So far I have not flown it. If I survive the experience I will tell you about it. If I do not survive, I will go down with a smile.

Brian Wiseman

The Ed’s Catalina on Christchurch Harbour, about 4 years ago, when it was still in one piece.

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