Official FlightLine RC 2000mm B-24D/J Liberator Thread

[Hugh Wiedman]

hey guys, newcomer here! looking for help to trouble shoot one of the engines. It will twitch as if trying to move, but will not start continuously rotate. How do i figure out what the problem is? and how will i fix it? All other engines work fine. I tried recalibrating multiple times.

When you hook up the battery to the ESC that goes to that motor, does it go through the 4 beeps (assume you are using 4S) and does the prop twitch on the motor that doesn't work as well as the motor on the other wing that is hooked to it as well? Remember, each battery powers one motor on each side and 2 ESC's each. Each motor has it's own 30 amp ESC. If both go through the initial power up and twitch, but one does not start with the throttle as the other does, then I would say you have a loose throttle servo wire on the non working motor. It sounds like the esc and non working motor are getting power, but not a signal from the RX relating to the throttle. The throttle cable to each motor is hooked into the ribbon cables if I am not mistaken and it sounds like the throttle wire to that goes to the non working engine is cut or loose. You'll have to remove the pieces around the motor under the wing and trace the wire connections. Not sure this helps, but that's all I can think of. I doubt that the loose wire is in the fuselage where the ribbon connectors attach to the board because I would think that would result in 2 motors not working.

[rebel1245]

hey guys, newcomer here! looking for help to trouble shoot one of the engines. It will twitch as if trying to move, but will not start continuously rotate. How do i figure out what the problem is? and how will i fix it? All other engines work fine. I tried recalibrating multiple times.

[Wild Man]

This is an amazing looking aircraft! I was originally going to ask about transporting it but found on Motion RC site that the wings come off! I am seriously thinking about getting one!!!

Thanks in advance
Jim

They do come off. I consider taking the wings off a plane like this a pain in the a** . Having a One ton Ford Crew Cab pickup is the ticket just throw it under the Cover and head to the Field. with the 8' box i can get another plane in the box like the ME-262 and two more in the back seat. I hate having to use my car to haul around any Bird, but if that is all you have is a car the wings do come off. An SUV works well also.

[xviper]

This is an amazing looking aircraft! I was originally going to ask about transporting it but found on Motion RC site that the wings come off! I am seriously thinking about getting one!!!

Thanks in advance
Jim

The wings do come off. They are held on with 4 screws (2 per side). However, there are several connections that have to be done and undone when assembling and disassembling the plane. I left the carbon wing spars glued in so I don't misplace them.

[bchboy1206]

This is an amazing looking aircraft! I was originally going to ask about transporting it but found on Motion RC site that the wings come off! I am seriously thinking about getting one!!!

Thanks in advance
Jim

[Gringotuerto]

...But I like gadgetry, ...

I know how that goes. My first plane with telemetry reports temperature, RPM, two voltages, weather, bird migrations, and live NASDAQ quotes.

[TedP]

Thanks for all your comments.

I know this B-24 doesn’t need 9 channels. But I like gadgetry, I like the DX9 features and I wanted equipment I could grow into.

From comments in this forum it seems there is significant potential for great damage from a prop strike, so I’m willing to give up a little performance in exchange for reduced risk. I hoped trimming ½ inch off the length of only the outboard prop blades might reduce the risk at least a little (and not impact performance too much).

[Gringotuerto]

[FONT=Calibri]Now I still have these questions please…

1. Sure that's a fine radio. It has a few extra channels, but no harm. Thinking ahead to next plane, if you buy a plane that actually needs 9 channels, you might be tempted to switch out the 9ch from the B-24 and replace it with a cheaper 6ch, so you can use the 9ch where it is needed. But I guess you can deal with that later. And the cost difference is not a lot.

2. On the gyro, I think that one supports a "gain" channel. Since you have spare channels anyway, you might connect the gain to a knob - I do this on several planes. That way you can set the gain however you want it even during flight, or turn off the gyro by rotating the knob all the way.

3. I know you know this, but check the control surface directions and gyro directions again, even though you already checked them. People get in the air with these backwards OFTEN.

4. Regarding telemetry, an alarm on main battery voltage might be useful (if it supports inputs that high....I think 9030T does). That could save you from flying too long and hurting your main batteries. But it takes an extra few minutes of soldering to tap the lines for this purpose, and on most of my planes I have been too lazy to do it. I don't even set a timer. I just land when it seems like I should land, and that seems to work well enough. But each person has different preferences here.

Most of all, just do whatever you feel like doing. It's a hobby, not really driven by practical considerations.

Do be careful of prop strikes on this plane! I recently saw a club member destroy a B-24 by hitting a bump on takeoff, which caused one prop to dig into the ground and the plane cartwheeled. That is by far the biggest issue with this plane, with those wide-spread outboard engines.

Oh one other thing...since you have extra channels anyway, you might think about making bomb-bay doors and a bomb release. The real B-24 has sliding doors which are a mechanical nightmare. But if you cheat and make swinging hinge doors, nobody will notice. I have two e-flite payload releases in mine, and frequently bomb my own airfield. The B-24 of course has a limited flight envelope, so this gives you something else to do with the plane.

[MikeT]

As I posted on 10/10/20, I’m a newbie, learning with an Apprentice. I’m also gathering parts and info for my B-24, and hope to maiden it this summer.
As someone suggested, I read all the comments in this forum. I appreciate the wealth of info and expertise here, and I took lots of notes and organized them into topics.
Now I still have these questions please…

1. I’m planning to use a DX9 transmitter, 9-channel Spektrum receiver (AR9030T) and an Eagle A3 Pro stabilizer. Any comments or tips on these choices?
2. Other than aesthetics (and a little power loss), is there any problem shortening the original props by ½ or even 5/8 inch?
3. What telemetry data would be good to set up?

Thanks in advance, and I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I progress.

I've always believed that you buy more radio than you'll need. The DX9 is a great radio. I also use 3S packs In my B-24 as the 4S is overkill. I don't use a gyro or telemetry in my set up.

Mike

[Hugh Wiedman]

As I posted on 10/10/20, I’m a newbie, learning with an Apprentice. I’m also gathering parts and info for my B-24, and hope to maiden it this summer.
As someone suggested, I read all the comments in this forum. I appreciate the wealth of info and expertise here, and I took lots of notes and organized them into topics.
Now I still have these questions please…

1. I’m planning to use a DX9 transmitter, 9-channel Spektrum receiver (AR9030T) and an Eagle A3 Pro stabilizer. Any comments or tips on these choices?
2. Other than aesthetics (and a little power loss), is there any problem shortening the original props by ½ or even 5/8 inch?
3. What telemetry data would be good to set up?

Thanks in advance, and I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I progress.

Agree with xviper completely. Keep it simple and don't overthink this. I flew both my B-24's on a Dx6 for a couple years just fine, although I now use the Dx9, purchased for other reasons. Even on the 6 I still installed servos for the front and top turrets, y'd to the rudder and ailerons. Also installed the sound system, so trust me, a 6 channel RX is all you need.

Both of mine have the Ar636, now replaced by the AR637T, so for Rx and gyro, that's what I would recommend, with gains in the 45-55% range on flaps up and 85-95% gains on take off and landing flaps. But I use those RX's exclusively so maybe I'm biased.

I would leave the props as is, don't start planning for a prop strike before even getting in the air. Reducing them by 1/2 " won't keep from getting a prop strike, if it tips enough, the outboard will strike anyway and all you'll do is destroy the planes flight characteristics. It flies very stable, and cruises all day at 50% power. Takes off easy with half flaps and lands nice and slow at full flaps. Just slow it down enough on landing to keep the nose wheel from striking first, which will result in all kinds of issues. Just get a few extra props. I'm no expert pilot and in some 80 flights on both grass and asphalt I've only had 1 prop strike, a horrible landing in a strong crosswind with the nose wheel striking first followed by a bucking bronco down the runway.

Regarding telemetry, that's always nice but can be a distraction for newer pilots. Concentrate on flying and landing and don't worry about all the cool data you can see/hear on the TX. They still don't have telemetry that says "crash imminent " or "pull up, pull up". Besides, I get 10 minutes on 2 4000 mah batteries and just set my timer to 9 minutes with verbal call outs so I have plenty of time to prepare for landing and a few go arounds. Used to have battery voltage call outs on my EDF'S, but each time I "punched" it, voltage dropped below my set level for a nano second and it was constantly giving me warnings and distracting me from actually just flying, but maybe that's just me, not the best multi-tasker.

[xviper]

As I posted on 10/10/20, I’m a newbie, learning with an Apprentice. I’m also gathering parts and info for my B-24, and hope to maiden it this summer.
As someone suggested, I read all the comments in this forum. I appreciate the wealth of info and expertise here, and I took lots of notes and organized them into topics.
Now I still have these questions please…

1. I’m planning to use a DX9 transmitter, 9-channel Spektrum receiver (AR9030T) and an Eagle A3 Pro stabilizer. Any comments or tips on these choices?
2. Other than aesthetics (and a little power loss), is there any problem shortening the original props by ½ or even 5/8 inch?
3. What telemetry data would be good to set up?

Thanks in advance, and I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I progress.

1. Unless you already have these items, there is no need for them. Are you planning to one day progress to a plane where you might need 9 channels? If not, a DX8 G2 or DX6 G2 is more than adequate for this plane. You also don't need a 9-ch. RX to fly this plane unless you plane to do fancy stuff like differential thrust or independent nose steering. An AR637T would suffice, in which case, you won't be needing the HobbyEagle either. Finally, the cheaper, simpler HobbyEagle A3-L will do quite nicely for this plane.
2. Are you shortening the props by 1/2" in radius or diameter? 1/2" shorter per blade is 1" in diameter. That would make this plane a pig, especially if you're planning to fly it on 3 cells.
3. What telemetry information do you want to see? The most important one is flight battery volts and maybe m.amps used/remaining.

[TedP]

As I posted on 10/10/20, I’m a newbie, learning with an Apprentice. I’m also gathering parts and info for my B-24, and hope to maiden it this summer.
As someone suggested, I read all the comments in this forum. I appreciate the wealth of info and expertise here, and I took lots of notes and organized them into topics.
Now I still have these questions please…

1. I’m planning to use a DX9 transmitter, 9-channel Spektrum receiver (AR9030T) and an Eagle A3 Pro stabilizer. Any comments or tips on these choices?
2. Other than aesthetics (and a little power loss), is there any problem shortening the original props by ½ or even 5/8 inch?
3. What telemetry data would be good to set up?

Thanks in advance, and I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I progress.

[borntoolate]

Bob, thanks, apparently I got that from one of your old posts.

Anyway, the photos above are two independent optical scans, and of course optical scan doesn't come out the same every time. So for someone making a new batch, one reasonable thing would be to average the color numbers. They both contain pigments BL, CL, KXL, LL. One is 39, 26, 111, 158, the other is 37, 25.5, 97, 158.5. So the average is 38, 25.75, 104, 158.25. But I think HD doesn’t support 0.25 increments, so for any average ending in 0.25 you have to round one way or the other.

Or if this is too complicated, just pick one or the other and use it.

Agreed!

[Gringotuerto]

Let me try to clear this up. Those lower pics in Gringotuerto's post were mine. The ones that are 3 in a box. They are all very good matches - nearly perfect as I had them scan parts. The one with two colors is the OD green. The HD employee just put the wrong color on. I should have removed the grey color before posting the pics.


Bob

Bob, thanks, apparently I got that from one of your old posts.

Anyway, the photos above are two independent optical scans, and of course optical scan doesn't come out the same every time. So for someone making a new batch, one reasonable thing would be to average the color numbers. They both contain pigments BL, CL, KXL, LL. One is 39, 26, 111, 158, the other is 37, 25.5, 97, 158.5. So the average is 38, 25.75, 104, 158.25. But I think HD doesn’t support 0.25 increments, so for any average ending in 0.25 you have to round one way or the other.

Or if this is too complicated, just pick one or the other and use it.

[Gringotuerto]

I don’t see anything about paint on #46

As I said in the edit - it is only #46 if you first enable the filer "Photos Only". Apparently it is the 46th post that contains a photo. I didn't know how to link to it more easily, so I just downloaded and re-uploaded the photo above.

[Scornette]

Thank you

[borntoolate]

Post #46 on this thread has a Home Depot matching to all the colors. You can take the numbers to a Home Depot and they can make you a copy of any of these. If you download the photo and zoom in the color numbers are readable. In fact, if I recall they can just type the 12 digit serial number. It is unique, and can pull up the color numbers. Anyway, the Home Depot paint guy should know what to do.

Having said that, it is also a bit of time and money. I often just pull out my acrylic paints, pick the closest two, and try to mix to match. Sometimes I hit, sometimes I miss. But usually it's good enough to call the job done.

EDIT: OK, it is only #46 if you filter by "photos only". Sorry for that. Anyway, attached is the photo so you don't have to hunt for it. It is the photo with 5 paints in it. And then when posting this photo, I noticed two other paint photos in my B-24 directory. I don't think I would have put them in that directory unless they came from a post where somebody else matched the B-24. So I think these represent several independent attempts.

EDIT2: I notice the numbers on the second two match precisely, so there were only two independent attempts at optical matching. I guess you could average the color numbers.

Let me try to clear this up. Those lower pics in Gringotuerto's post were mine. The ones that are 3 in a box. They are all very good matches - nearly perfect as I had them scan parts. The one with two colors is the OD green. The HD employee just put the wrong color on. I should have removed the grey color before posting the pics.


Bob

[Scornette]

I don’t see anything about paint on #46

[Gringotuerto]

Does anyone know where I can get the olive green paintDoes anyone know where I can get the olive green color for touch up

Post #46 on this thread has a Home Depot matching to all the colors. You can take the numbers to a Home Depot and they can make you a copy of any of these. If you download the photo and zoom in the color numbers are readable. In fact, if I recall they can just type the 12 digit serial number. It is unique, and can pull up the color numbers. Anyway, the Home Depot paint guy should know what to do.

Having said that, it is also a bit of time and money. I often just pull out my acrylic paints, pick the closest two, and try to mix to match. Sometimes I hit, sometimes I miss. But usually it's good enough to call the job done.

EDIT: OK, it is only #46 if you filter by "photos only". Sorry for that. Anyway, attached is the photo so you don't have to hunt for it. It is the photo with 5 paints in it. And then when posting this photo, I noticed two other paint photos in my B-24 directory. I don't think I would have put them in that directory unless they came from a post where somebody else matched the B-24. So I think these represent several independent attempts.

EDIT2: I notice the numbers on the second two match precisely, so there were only two independent attempts at optical matching. I guess you could average the color numbers.

[Scornette]

Does anyone know where I can get the olive green paintDoes anyone know where I can get the olive green color for touch up