What did you fly today?

[davegee]

Spring hàs has just come(yesterday). Down under so looking forward to some warm weather
.. just don't like the mid summer 🏝️ heat. Here. As always great pics dave. And that pilot does look awesome.. no doubt from the Grossman stable.

Happy Spring Down Unduh! I wish you a happy season of spring and summer (when not too hot!) flying rc airplanes and other fun stuff. We'll stay tuned for your posts!

Yes, that pilot was painted in the Grossman Paintworks, and he does a marvelous job! Now he's painting smaller 1/16 scale tank figures which will hopefully bring a lot of armor clients to him to paint their crews.

I think I flew my 80th flight on Penrod and Sam yesterday, and it is one of my favorite P-47s to fly, not that the other FMS planes are anything but great to fly. My Flightline Corsair is probably the best of them all slightly, and with the mods I've put on it like the Robarts hollow tires, it tracks the runway centerline with ease, especially with that wide-stance gear. I'm hoping for a long and glorious fall here in the northern hemisphere and can fly well into November before putting the toys away for the winter. However, I still have my E Flite Timber waiting in the wings for snow covered days just to let it rip and do impossible maneuvers I would never try with my scale planes!

Have Fun!

Cheers

Davegee

[f4u ausie]

Spring hàs has just come(yesterday). Down under so looking forward to some warm weather
.. just don't like the mid summer 🏝️ heat. Here. As always great pics dave. And that pilot does look awesome.. no doubt from the Grossman stable.

[davegee]

I'm running through all my airplanes, all of them flyable, as we have some good flying weather with fairly low winds, for now. Most of the planes will go into storage over the winter. I still have an ace up my sleeve, the EFlite Timber, which can fly in almost any weather, snow or clear, hot or cold. It's a blast to keep some semblance of my flying skills up during those months.

Today, I flew my Penrod and Sam for a couple of flights, and the FMS F-86F. Both flights went well, the first flight with the P-47 I dropped the foam centerline belly tank for grins, and just flew it for fun the rest of the flight and the second flight. The F-86 was its usual self, a great flyer and has a beautiful presence in the sky.

Cheers

Davegee

[jetfool]

Good looking planes

[davegee]

Took my Flightline B-25J up again for some landing practice and dropping of scale "parafrag" bombs, those dropped from very low altitudes in the Pacific Theater in WWII. These explode-on- contact bombs were dropped by parachutes from extremely low altitudes, well under 100 feet. The parachutes gave the planes just enough time to get away from the explosions. The airplanes were modified to have tremendous forward fire power brought to bare against enemy targets at low altitudes. In my plane's case, they had eleven 50-caliber machine guns facing forward for devastating fire brought to bear on the enemy ships, armor, and personnel. This particular airplane was lost with all five crewmembers killed on a mission over Saigon in-then French Indochina in January 1945.

Also got a flight in with my F9F Cougar with all the "bells and whistles" attached like the nose-mounted aerial refueling tube.

[davegee]

Took out my FMS P-47D modified bubbletop to run a test on the 150 gallon drop tank that Danger Dan and I have been working on. This was its third operational drop test and that thing is built like a Sherman tank! It was printed by Craft Cloud and I finished putting it together, adding an E Flite drop mechanism, and painting it. Worked great, again. I don't think we need to test it any more. It's good to go.

Also photographed the plane with the cylindrical silver 108 gallon drop tank, and shots with 500# bombs under the wings, and the M10 bazooka rocket launchers that they experimented with to knock out ground targets in France. It had limited success for them but were more successful in other theaters of the war. The 56th Fighter Group and Hairless Joe flew a few missions with them. They didn't do all that much with them after tthat. Another problem was you could not jettison the tubes when expended, a big drag item.

[davegee]

I took my FMS P-47D razorback Ol' Cock out from the rafters in the garage to do some more drop testing and get it back flying before I put it back for the winter. It flew great, typical of this FMS airplane, and I did two drop tests of a foam centerline drop tank. I especially worked on dropping the tank in a specific area where I could retrieve it ok afterwards. I think this was about the 55th flight of this airplane, and it worked out great.

Also flew my FMS F-86F for a flight and was pleased with its performance. I have a nagging problem with the small gear strut doors breaking off from one of their mounts. Even with a good landing, these very fragile pieces can break off and have to be repaired or replaced. I fixed mine again today after today's flight and will put it up tomorrow to see how it goes. They were out of replacement parts at FMS, but finally got restocked so I ordered two more sets. Everything else about the plane is great, no issues.

Here's some pics from today.

[davegee]

The other day I took up my Flightline 1.6M P-51D Hurry Home Honey up to do some more ordnance and drop tank testing at the local field. The first flight went great with dropping the two OEM 75 gallon, foam drop tanks from an altitude of about 80 feet or so. Came out great, and they landed undamaged within about 3 feet of each other on the ground.

Then, I put two of my printed 500# bombs up for their second test. The first test went perfect. So, I was hoping for a repeat performance. Unfortunately, I might have released the bombs just a second or two late and they sailed again in a ballistic arc well past where I planned to retrieve them. Instead, they landed in a bunch of sagebrush and their OD color didn't help pick them out in the bushes! I found one of the bombs quickly but just could not find the other one, and I was assuming it would land closeby. But I started a search in expanding circles around that tank, still no go. Eventually, I got a bit disoriented and couldn't find the First bomb again! I tried and tried, but after an exhaustive search, it was as if the Earth itself had swallowed them.

I decided to print up two more bombs, and just completed them this afternoon. Callie made some nice stencils for me to put on the bombs. I plan to do another test next week.

Of the two larger 110 gallon drop tanks, I did get in one drop test last week, but one of the two tanks broke up on landing. The other one was just fine. There was no salvaging that one, but this time I printed a thicker tank, with advice From Elbee for changing a few parameters on my Prusa mini printer. They are printed now, but I won't be done with them unitl next week sometime. Then I'll see how strong they are.

Always something, but still fun and a challenge. I have learned to bring some flags on sticks with me to mark the initial tank that I find in the brush, should I do that again. And the second thing is to try to get better at placing the drops near a clearer part of the field. That's not easy, at our remote field.

Here's a couple pics I just took of the bombs and big tanks. You can see HHH standing up against a wall, ready for its next flight.

[davegee]

Some of our wonderful club members came out to the field before I got there and mowed down all the weeds around the perimeter of the runway, and a bunch that had grown up through the cracks in the asphalt. Whoever you were, I Salute you! You did a great job!

I flew my Flightline 1.6M Corsair this morning, a little windy but mostly down the runway. My Corsair was up to the task. This old airplane, which dates back to about 2019 or earlier, has been one of my favorites of all time. I just marveled how well it tracked the centerline for takeoff and landing, with very little input from me. It's just a wonderfully designed airplane, and one of my faves of all time. I have no idea how many flights I have on it since I bought it, gotta be at or over 200 or so. I recently replaced both the main gear retracts and it is running in tip top shape.

I also took up my FMS F-86 on its 75th flight today. One complication I noticed a small flash of light (the airplane is silver) and I suspected maybe one of my large foam wing drop tanks had departed the airplane. As it got closer to me, it was indeed gone, but the airplane was still pretty manageable flying. without it. The plane landed fine and then I made the trek through the field to find my tank. Sure enough, it was WAY out there on line with the runway. The little plastic clip that is glued onto the foam tank and attaches to the pylon on the wing had come undone (it is a new tank from FMS and probably needed more glue) but I have remedied that with some good E6000 glue and will let it set up overnight or longer before I try flying it again. Overall, a nice day to celebrate National Aviation Day!

Cheers

Davegee

[davegee]

Took my B-25J Cactus Kitten out today for three flights. Did one with a parachute drop of 5 scale "bombs" on parachutes at a very low level above the ground. They landed close together in a line. I did a bomb drop yesterday of 8 printed 500 pound bombs in another printed rack where the bombs are stacked two-deep on aluminum tubes, and done a total of 4 times for eight bombs. They came out beautifully, especially with a small bolt weight in the nost. They also landed in a close line. I found 7 or the 8, half were OD color, half a bright orange color. Wouldn't you know it, the One bomb I could not find afterwards was one of the Orange ones! Fortunately I have plenty of spares I printed up for more "missions."

[davegee]

Got three flights in on my P-47D Hairless Joe today. Also got one flight in with my FMS F-86H, another of my fovorites to fly.

A few pics from today. Also a couple shots of the cockpit and pilot, expertly painted courtesy of Danger Dan. The entire cockpit instrumentation is 3D printed, besides the pilot, representing Lt. Col. Dave Schilling in 1944. The canopy is powered with a linear servo to open and close while on the ground.

Did another drop test with a centerline fuel tank, worked perfectly with the E Flite motorized mounts. Just wish the drop mounts from China for my P-51D would arrive so I can start testing dropping bombs and two different size fuel tanks!

Cheers

davegee

[f4u ausie]

Oh boy ye I was lost for words yeah 👍 good guys

[Davegeee]

Wow! that hack last night when I pulled up HS and only found a red page with "You have been Hacked!" was weird and disturbing. At first I thought my own computer had been hacked but then found out it must have been elsewhere as everything else seemed to be ok. Glad it is up and running again!

Thanks, Rex and Dan. I flew HHH this morning after the crosswinds died down to tolerable levels for me. Flew my FMS F-86 for a couple of flights and also the P-51 for two flights. This time on the second flight I added the pylons and OEM 75 gallon drop tanks to see how that affected performance. I glued them with a few drops of white glue just to keep them from flying free of the airplane in flight, as I hope to eventually get the electronic pylons that I can drop these tanks, bombs, and a larger tank that Dan and I are working on. But can't do much with all that until I get those electronic pylons. Who knows when that might be??! But if they do come someday, it should be good testing and pretty cool visuals dropping them from the airplane.

I'll attach a couple pics I took after today's flights.Any effect these might have on the airplane is negligible. The design and shape of these tanks is first rate.
Many times OEM tanks are not very accurate in shape or size. But these are great. Can't wait to eventually drop these in flight!

[jetfool]

Awesome! Glad you have gotten her back in the air
Rex

[Grossman56]

Looks great Dave, at least she's back in the air!

[Davegeee]

After my replacenent gear part came in the mail last week, I got my Flightline 1.6m P-51D ready to get some more flights in this morning. I got 5 flights, was fairly happy with them, the last landing was the best so far for me. Takeoffs are fairly routine, I apply full up elevator to get it rolling straight ahead then release the back pressure and then concentrate keeping it straight down the runway as I feed in the power. Seems to work pretty well for me, anyway. I like the takeoff and landing performance on this aircraft much more than the EFlite 1.5m P-51D that i used to own for years. I think I'll keep this one!

Here's a couple pics after I finished the fifth flight this morning, making a total of eight so far. If I ever get the optional motorized wing pylons from China someday, I'll start experimenting with the drop tanks. Note the "surgical" removal of the tail fin fairing that was missing on the early P-51Ds like this one. It doesn't seem to affect flight performance at all, and didn't when I had done the same thing to my three E-Flite 1.5m P-51Ds.

Cheers

Davegee

[Davegeee]

Got seven (7) flights in on my EFlite 1.5M P-51D "Trainer" this morning. Landings are not a problem, and once the plane is in the air, it is one of the best flying warbirds that I have flown. Takeoffs are getting a bit better, all safe, if not pretty, but the last takeoffs I had I seemed to find a sweet spot in technique to get a decent and reasonably accurate takeoff to the real thing. I think this plane is one of the hardest warbirds to take off that I have had, and that might be good to get ready to fly my new Flightline P-51D Hurry Home Honey, that is waiting on a landing gear replacement part from China. I think HHH is probably easier to fly than this EFlite plane, so I hope that is so. Only have 3 flights on HHH so probably not a good comparison, yet.

Also, took up my Cougar for one flight. The plane is so clean without ordnance on it, it is wise not to land with any tailwind, and even just a crosswind it Sails down the runway, but usually stops with reverse thrust before the end of the runway. I do have a scale 3D printed speedbrake that is pretty effiective, which helps.

Cheers

Davegee

[Davegeee]

Dave out of my 3 warbirds. I agree this one tracks the least straight on takeoff. Lotsa r rudder req.. I'm wondering if full as3x will help and turn it down once up. When I fly mine next will try and report hence. Would be good to have the throttle based gains like Jon on two brothers.. but we can't figure it out yet. Alsa not sure if you are spectrum. Oh do tell. The ❌

Hi Craig: today's flights after a year layoff from flying it was a pleasant surprise. Not perfect but reasonable tracking for takeoffs and rollouts on landings. I tweaked the tailwheel setup at home this evening and will take it up for more flights on Monday. I think it is good practice for me while I'm waiting for my replacement gear parts to come from China, which could take weeks. I think flying this plane again to practice for the much better Flightline 1.6M which has been promising so far. I'll take advantage of this opportunity to use this plane to increase my skills when I get to fly the Flightline Mustang again later this summer.

I have an old Spektrum DX18 that I've had for many years. Eventually I'll probably upgrade to a newer transmitter, but I"m not in a rush as this one works well still, and I feel comfortable with it.

Cheers

Dave

[f4u ausie]

Dave out of my 3 warbirds. I agree this one tracks the least straight on takeoff. Lotsa r rudder req.. I'm wondering if full as3x will help and turn it down once up. When I fly mine next will try and report hence. Would be good to have the throttle based gains like Jon on two brothers.. but we can't figure it out yet. Alsa not sure if you are spectrum. Oh do tell. The ❌

[Davegeee]

Due to a lack of replacement parts availability for the Flightline P-51D 1600mm model, I have had to order needed parts from China directly, using RC Castle. This process is vexing, as one small order I made last June 21, and we have no idea where it is, no tracking from USPS that it even made it into our country yet. I ordered a couple of replacement parts for the main gear, needing just one in particular to get my airplane flyable again. But who knows when that will come?

So, I have literally dusted off my retired EFlite 1.5M P-51D Hun Hunter from Texas, that I hung up in the rafters last year when it attained 100 flights. I figure I'll use this as my stand-in until I get my parts for the Flightline plane. To my delight, Hun Hunter flew beautifully today on three flights. It still can be a handful keeping it in control during takeoffs and landings, but today it went surprisingly well, despite the layoff of almost a year since I last flew it.

I have a few minor tweaks to correct like a sloppy tailwheel with a set screw that probably needs to be replaced, but it will get some TLC this weekend and I'll put it into the rotation with the other airplanes that I have for the summer. I don't see having my Flightline P-51 ready to fly for at least a month, or more as I wait for these parts.

Also flew my FMS F-86 which is just a delight to fly. It and my Freewing Cougar are just wonderful favorites to put in the truck and fly on any day I get the opportunity.

Trivia for detail buffs: On some P-51s in WWII there was a black cross on the left side of the fuselage next to the data placard. I recently found out what this signified. Anyone already know the significance of this cross?? I'm sure some of you already know.

Cheers

Davegee