Official FlightLine RC 1600mm P-38 Lightning Thread

[mr.frankenjet]

For you guys that are painting the foam, is there a specific paint I need to ask for when I go to the hardware store? I was going to take a piece in tonight on my way home to have it matched.

the depot has flat latex sample cans for $3, just bring a tailfin to match GREAT paint

[mr.frankenjet]

got rid of the gatoring on the center section and ele, just the wings left to do. A light sanding on the booms produced a nice result, the wings a bit more leveling needed, wet sand with 400 on foam blocks and 2 rounds of painting/sanding and the gator barely perceptible.

[mr.frankenjet]

the results

[Trobinson99]

For those of you installing the FW or FMS struts in the nose gear....

, when you made the mod to the struts, I assume you left about 3/8" from the stock strut below the steering arm to install into the top of the oleo. With the mains compressing and the nose gear strut lengthened was there any concern on the change to the AoA. From what I can tell with my experimenting, the nose is going to raise about 1/2" with the length of the strut and the inclusion of the steering arm.

I have replaced the stock wheels with the Dubros, 2 3/4 on the mains, 2 1/2 on the nose gear.

Am I worrying over nothing?

[PlaneCrazy]

For those of you installing the FW or FMS struts in the nose gear....

, when you made the mod to the struts, I assume you left about 3/8" from the stock strut below the steering arm to install into the top of the oleo. With the mains compressing and the nose gear strut lengthened was there any concern on the change to the AoA. From what I can tell with my experimenting, the nose is going to raise about 1/2" with the length of the strut and the inclusion of the steering arm.

I have replaced the stock wheels with the Dubros, 2 3/4 on the mains, 2 1/2 on the nose gear.

Am I worrying over nothing?

You can always buy heavier springs here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#compression-springs/=11yg9og

[Aros]

the results

That looks really nice! I don't mind my gatoring too much (I actually don't even notice it most the time) but seeing the results of a what a little work can do has me considering the same thing. Well done.

[crxmanpat]

Some cool pics of mine and Alpha's birds from this past weekend's fly in at Apollo. It was great to finally meet Alpha, along with Addison, Sam and Martin! Not to mention several other warbirds fans I had only known as screen names until Saturday.

[Arycon]

Nice looking birds there!

Looking to maiden tomorrow. Having a few minor issues to sort. Right aileron is off. More deflection down than up. Gotta reset it with my servo tester. Still need to check CoG.

Just to make sure: 1) CoG is 70mm with gear up and plane right side up. 2) elevator is 4mm up in the neutral position

Yes/no?

[Aros]

Nice looking bird there Pat!

Arycon, yeah 70mm is right in the pocket, same with the 4mm elevator up at neutral. Good luck in the maiden!

[ryramZ]

Here we go, I hope.

[ryramZ]

Here we go, I hope.

[OV10]

Nice looking bird there Pat!

Arycon, yeah 70mm is right in the pocket, same with the 4mm elevator up at neutral. Good luck in the maiden!

Hello Aros,
Been following along for all 1550+ posts on this thread so far to stay in tune with any necessary mods I'll need/like to do when I order mine on the second round. My question is why the 4mm up elevator at neutral?? That is rather contrary to everthing I've practiced regarding control surface neutralization in relation to CG adjustments. Is it because the cockpit pod has no room to adjust the battery(s) aft more to zero the need for up elevator to hold level flight?
Best regards,

[Arycon]

Great...

So, had the wrong lipos and had to order new ones. Power supply wasnt working and ordered a new one. Paypal paid the retailer by eCheck and it took a week to clear and five days to get here. I was in the middle of my last lipo break in cycle. Stopped the charger and powered it all down. Walked my dog. Came back to finish the cycle and my iCharger isnt working.

Is someone telling me Im forbidden to maiden this plane? Lol. Well, guess I have more time to work on the scheme until I can buy a new charger. Too funny.

And thanks for the info, Aros. Much appreciated.

[Trobinson99]

You can always buy heavier springs here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#compression-springs/=11yg9og

Sorry, I don't think I was clear. Wit the additional length of the NG strut, roughly 1/2" I am concerned it will drive the nose too high and alter the AoA upwards.

T

[Sky Wolf]

Nice shot Ryan! Glad we finally got to see it. Any videos coming soon?

[mr.frankenjet]

got this battery, it was made for the plane :o)
seller on ebay has a good deal on un, cheep for a tp

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301860463852?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[PlaneCrazy]

Sorry, I don't think I was clear. Wit the additional length of the NG strut, roughly 1/2" I am concerned it will drive the nose too high and alter the AoA upwards.

T

Yes, but I was suggesting the heavier springs for the mains so the compression would be less.

[fhhuber]

Well... my opinion on strut spring tension is: You want appx 1/4 to 1/3 compression just from the aircraft sitting parked.

Then the struts will kind of act like an RC car's shocks.

Clip or shim the springs to your personal taste. If you need stiffer, just insert a dowel piece that is
ca hardened.

That is what has worked best for me on several aircraft, from appx 2 lb to 25 lb with functional scale struts.

[Aros]

Hello Aros, Been following along for all 1550+ posts on this thread so far to stay in tune with any necessary mods I'll need/like to do when I order mine on the second round. My question is why the 4mm up elevator at neutral?? That is rather contrary to everthing I've practiced regarding control surface neutralization in relation to CG adjustments. Is it because the cockpit pod has no room to adjust the battery(s) aft more to zero the need for up elevator to hold level flight?

It has to do with CG and Incidence but I don't know beyond that to be honest.

[AceMigKiller]

Your P-38 looks great Pat!