PROJECT PAPERCLIP
Freewing 64mm Lippisch P.15
INTRODUCTION
The Wright Brothers, Kelly Johnson, Willy Messerschmitt, Igor Sikorsky, R.J. Mitchell, Burt Rutan. Not every contributor to aviation history has enjoyed the same notoriety as these innovators, but Motion RC and Freewing are proud to celebrate the engineer Alexander Lippisch, the inventor of the popular Me-163 Komet. After WWII, Lippisch was brought to the USA as part of Operation Paperclip, and his work eventually contributed to aircraft such as the F-105 Thunderchief.
We are proud to recognize Lippisch and the many other lesser known inventors whose work influenced many popular aircraft throughout recent generations, by producing the world’s first RC version of the Lippisch P.15 flying wing concept jet! Envisioned by Lippisch in 1944 as a jet powered version of his innovative rocket propelled Me-163 Komet, the P.15 would have taken the Komet concept even further, utilizing a blend of all-new and reused parts from the He-162 and Bf-109. Repurposing the Bf-109’s landing gear allowed the P.15 to take off and land conventionally, compared to the rocket sled and skid landed Me-163. Optimized for affordability and easy flight behavior, our intent in developing Freewing’s 64mm ParkJet series also seeks to illuminate rare and overlooked aircraft, and the P.15 is our first in this effort! Join us in celebrating Alexander Lippisch and his innovative P.15 flying wing!
OVERVIEW
The Freewing 64mm P.15 continues the ParkJet series following the incredibly popular F-8 Crusader and F-105 Thunderchief. After two American fighter jets, we’re changing things up to spotlight the excellent characteristics of a conceptual flying wing from the Second World War. Compared to the F-8 and F-105, the P.15 is even more stable, more potentially acrobatic, and more efficient. In ideal conditions, its low wing loading can allow for ~50% longer flight times on the same battery with throttle management compared to the “turn and burn” F-8 and F-105. Aside from having a very low stall speed which will appeal to beginner pilots looking to fly slower and learn to fly an EDF, the P.15 also has lots of high speed potential for advanced pilots who are more comfortable with lighting fast rolls, snaps, and tumbles! We are thrilled with the wide flight envelope of this model and its perfect marriage balancing fidelity to a scale jet’s appearance and an RC flying wing’s all-around “easy factor”.
SETUP and OPERATION
For novice pilots wanting to learn how an EDF jet handles versus a propeller driven model aircraft of a similar size, the Freewing 64mm P.15 makes an ideal first hand launch EDF. We recommend a strong toss at 45 degrees, into the wind, at full throttle. Assembly is straightforward, and uses only two servos to minimize weight, complexity, and cost. Like the F-8 Crusader and F-105D Thunderchief, the Lippisch P.15 is is configured to be flown using a radio that supports Elevon mixing. The battery bay can also accommodate a small gyro for additional stabilization if desired. We recommend the manual’s Low Rate throws for your maiden flight. The roll rate can be very quick on High Rate, so the contrast between the light gray underside and the dark green camouflage topside helps with orientation!
Powered by an efficient 64mm 5 blade EDF fan unit, 30A ESC and 2627-4500kv brushless outrunner motor, the Freewing 64mm P.15 reaches a top speed of 116kph/72mph using a single inexpensive Admiral 3s 1100-2200 lipo battery with XT60 connector. We prefer the Admiral 3s 1800mAh for the best balance of speed, weight, and flight duration. While designed with simplified flight control surfaces and intended for hand launches and belly landing on grass runways, an optional landing gear set is sold separately for steerable operation on paved runways.
The Lippisch P.15 has never been modeled in foam PNP before, and we know you’ll be as pleased as we are with how this model flies. Own this rare model today!
- Visit the Official Freewing 64mm Lippisch P.15 Discussion Threadon HobbySquawk.com for additional photos, videos, reviews, and customer Q&A.
- Listen to our podcast with RC Afterhours at RCafterhours.com, Sunday 3/11/2018.
- Click here for our Build Video
- Click here for our Flight Video
- Click here for a bonus flight Video, Full Flight on 3s 1600mAh lipo:
https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-lippisch-p-15-64mm-edf-jet-pnp
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