Dec 19, 2023     Still for sale Category: For Sale

Sometimes life gets in the way of plans. For this reason, mid-summer I stopped actively promoting the sale of the project and put it into storage.

Here's hoping someone with the skills, the time, and the resources to complete the project takes it on. Thanks to all who have been following the project.

I'll put it up for sale again in the spring time. Saying that, if there's any interest in the meantime, I will entertain discussions and offers.

  Jul 30, 2023     Comments from a pilot who flew the Dalotel Category: For Sale

Having the Dalotel project posted in Barnstormers connected me to another amazing person.

I received an e-mail from Tony Bianchi in the UK who advised me that he had flown the Dalotel and really admired its flying qualities.

In Tony's words, "Hi Jeff, I saw your ad for the Dalotel. That's a great aircraft ! I flew it in the early 70s when Michel Dalotel was on a visit to the U.K.
At the time I was flying in unlimited aerobatic contests with the Zlin 526 and flying the Dalotel was like flying a super Zlin. Delicate, light and a lot easier than the Zlin. We could see future development with a slightly more powerful engine and a VP propellor that the aircraft would be a very competitive machine in world contest. However things moved fast in those days and Michel's aspiration was eclipsed by Mudry and the Cap 10 and other aircraft that were emerging at the same time with more backing. We can only dream of what would have been. Fantastic and loved it! I hope you find a worthy home for the aircraft. It's a wonderful part of French aerobatic aviation history that sadly never happened and should be saved. "

Tony also mentioned, "I first saw the aircraft at Meaux Esbly with my late father Doug when the aircraft was finished and before the first flight. We were very impressed with the quality of the build and the detail engineering."

Tony has some credibility to his comments as he has an impressive flying repertoire. Tony represented Britain on the British Aerobatic Team at the World Championships in 1976, 80, 84, 86, 90, and 92. Doing a little internet sleuthing directed me to a profile published in Light Aircraft Magazine in 2013. The article mentions that Tony has "Around 170 types but only 2,700 hours total (approximately 1,000 hours aerobatics). Types include include early pioneer aircraft Bleriot, Demoiselle, through to WWI machines like various Sopwiths and Fokkers. Also 1930s fighters, Hawker Fury, Dewotine D26 and second war fighters like the Spitfire, P40, Mustang. I've also flown trainers, support aircraft and modern singles and twins on routine flight testing; post-war biplanes and aerobatic aircraft. "

Additionally Tony has been involved in some amazing restorations and maintenance of incredible aircraft. There's true value in his comments and observations. Thanks Tony for sharing your perspective.

  May 29, 2023     Project is for Sale Category: For Sale

Over the past year I've come to realize that I don't have it in me to complete the project. As much as I'd like to be the person to bring this unique plane back to life, I don't have the time or the energy to continue. Hopefully someone else has the skills and energy to complete the project.

It's now posted on Barnstormers under the following:
https://www.barnstormers.com/classified-1828034-Dalotel-DM-165-project.html
Please share the news to anyone you think is looking for a unique project.

First of all, thanks to Ray Ordorica for bringing the plane to North America, taking countless photos of it in its original state and starting the restoration. The fine craftsmanship of the restored empennage and many of the new wing ribs are all courtesy of Ray.

Thanks to all who have followed and supported this restoration. The number of people who have reached out to me from around the world who have shown their support and encouragement has been amazing.

Additionally, to all the modellers who are building, or have built scale replicas of the plane, thanks for keeping the legend going. If Hanno Prettner hadn't won the 1978 R/C Tournament of Champions, the modelling community likely wouldn't know of the airplane and both the plane and its history would have likely disappeared. It was a real treat to have one of Hanno's friends contact me a couple of years ago.

Finally, thanks to Christian Ravel from Air and Space museum at the Angers Loire Airport in France who expressed interest in repatriating the plane back to France. Michel Dalotel bequeathed all the drawings and documentation of the plane to the Angers Loire Airport so it would be appropriate for the plane to be part of their museum. If anyone out there has interest to sponsor the repatriation of the plane to the museum, please let me know. As much as I'd like to see the plane fly, I'd be just as pleased to see it in the museum in France.
http://www.musee-aviation-angers.fr/

  Mar 11, 2023     Leading edge part 7? Sure, why not. - (1 hour)       Category: Wings

Sanded the filler from last time I worked on the wing.

Sanded, sanded, sanded. Then mixed up some filler and put it in a few of the remaining low spots.

  Mar 05, 2023     Leading Edge part 6 - (2 hours) Category: Wings

Sanded. Sanded. And sanded some more. Got the leading edge to final shape.

Mixed up some filler for some low spots in the skin.

  Feb 19, 2023     Leading Edge part 5 - (2 hours)       Category: Wings

Removed straps from leading edge.

Planed leading edge to approximate shape.
Started sanding leading edge to proper shape.

  Feb 12, 2023     Leading Edge part 4 - (.5 hour)       Category: Wings

Epoxied second layer of LE to tip. A lot of it will be planed away. All part of the fun.

  Feb 11, 2023     Leading edge part 3 - (1.5 hours)       Category: Wings

Not a lot to show, but enjoyed the morning of planing the first layer of leading edge to rough shape. Created a nice box of wood shavings that would make great fire starter. Offered the wood to a friend who enjoys campfires but she's too cool for a box of wood. Not too many people get offered genuine Dalotel materials. Her loss. ;-)

Epoxied the second layer of leading edge to the inboard section.

  Feb 05, 2023     Leading edge part 2 - (.5 hour)       Category: Wings

Trimmed first layer of outboard section of leading edge to rough fit. Epoxied and clamped into place.

  Feb 04, 2023     Leading edge - (2 hours)       Category: Wings

Removed clamps and staples and such from last effort.

Prepared the front of the wing for leading edge. This meant planing and sanding the stringers and skins to sit flush.

Trimmed first layer of inboard section of leading edge to rough fit. Epoxied and clamped into place.