Official Nexa 2108mm P-38 Lightning ARF Thread

[Aros]

No prob. Glad I came across it.

[StanBr]

Hi Aros,

Would you be so kind to share a picture of your nose gear door solution? The springs and wires are working for the main gear doors but for the nose gear door I want to use a servo.

Thanks!

Best regards,
Stan

[Aros]

Hi Stan,

I want to make sure you understand I no longer have this model. I sold it years ago to fund another project. Sadly, the guy that bought it from me totaled it on his first flight due to hitting Low Voltage Cutoff.

:face_with_symbols_o

I'll check my archives to see if I have any nose gear detail photos...

[Aros]

Sorry I couldn't find any up close photos of the nose gear with the gear door servo install. I can't recall how my buddy did it.

[StanBr]

Hi Aros,

Sorry, I missed that completely. I will figure something out.

Thanks for the search!

Best regards,
Stan

[starcop]

Official Nexa 2108mm P-38 Lightning ARF Thread

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a World War II–era American piston-engined fighter aircraft. Developed for the United States Army Air Corps, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament. Allied propaganda claimed it had been nicknamed the fork-tailed devil by the Luftwaffe and "two planes, one pilot" by the Japanese. Along with its use as a general fighter, the P-38 was utilized in various aerial combat roles including as a highly effective fighter-bomber, a night fighter, and as a long-range escort fighter when equipped with drop tanks. The P-38 was also used as a bomber-pathfinder, guiding streams of medium and heavy bombers; or even other P-38s, equipped with bombs, to their targets. Used in the aerial reconnaissance role, the P-38 accounted for 90 percent of the aerial film captured over Europe.

The Nexa P-38 Lightning is a .60 size electric or gas option scale series warbird with a 2108mm wingspan, constructed primarily from balsa wood and covered with a fuel-resistant covering. This ARF requires assembly and installation of your choice of servos and power system, and includes fowler flaps, painted pilot, machine guns, antenna and other scale details. The large battery hatch affords ample room for either electric or gas setups. To complete the scale appeal of this P-38, the model includes electric retracts and scale struts. Impress at your flying field with this iconic stunner!

Fully Covered and Detailed The Nexa P-38 Lightning comes fully covered including simulated panel lines, rivets, nomenclature and weathering detail.

Scale Details Throughout There is no shortage of scale details with this P-38 including functional and distinctive fowler flaps, antenna, machine guns, painted pilot, electric retracts and metal main struts.

Prehinged and Installed Control Surfaces All control surfaces come out of the box fully prehinged and installed for your convenience.

Impressive Size To add to the array of scale detail, the Nexa P-38 comes in at an impressive 1/7.5 scale.

FEATURES:

• Complete Balsa and lite-ply construction for rigidity and durability
• Covered from tip to tail in scale details including weathering, functional fowler flaps, printed simulated panel lines and rivets
• Fiberglass cowlings for strength and durability
• The hand-painted pilot is ready for your added cockpit details
• All control surfaces come out of the box pre-hinged and installed for convenience
• Flaps, antenna, guns and more complete the fantastic scale appeal
• Large battery hatch allows for your chosen electric or gas setup

INCLUDES:

• Nexa P-38 Lightning Olive Drab 2108mm (83") Wingspan - ARF
• Electric retracts, wheels and struts
• Fuel tank, hardware and servo trays

REQUIRES:

• 6 Channel radio - select a minimum 6 channel radio from our Radio Collection
• 6 Channel receiver - select a minimum 6 channel receiver from our Receiver Collection
• 2x Brushless outrunner motors - we recommend the Admiral GP5 4220-770kV Brushless Motor Multi-Pack (2 Motors)
• 2x 65 Amp brushless ESC - we recommend the ZTW Mantis 65A ESC with 5A SBEC Multi-Pack (2 ESCs)
• 7x standard servos for ailerons, elevator, rudder and steering - we recommend Hitec HS-425BB Deluxe Ball Bearing Plastic Gear Standard Servo Airplane Multi-Pack (7 Servos)
• 4x standard servos for flaps - we recommend FOUR of the Hitec HS-81 Micro Servo
• TWO 4 Cell 14.8V 4500 - 5000 mAh LiPo Batteries - we recommend the Admiral Pro 5000mAh 4S 14.8V 60C LiPo Battery with EC5 Connector Multi-Pack (2 Batteries)
• EC5 Series adapter - we recommend the BenchCraft EC5 2 to 1 Series Adapter
• 1x standard and 1x reverse electric propellers - we recommend APC 12x8 Thin Electric Propeller - Black and APC 12x8 Thin Electric Pusher Propeller - Black
• 4 Cell compatible battery charger - select a minimum 4 cell (4S) charger from our Charger Collection

GAS REQUIRES:

• 2x .46 -.70 (7.45cc - 11.5cc) gas engines
• 1x standard and 1x reverse gas propellers

Ah, I really want one of these Airplanes! This is a beautiful aircraft. Dang, I just cannot continue to spend money, like I have been. Some day! I wonder if my old discount code would work??? Smile. How's Todd-Man! The Music Extraordinaire, art etc...

[starcop]

Hi Stan,

I want to make sure you understand I no longer have this model. I sold it years ago to fund another project. Sadly, the guy that bought it from me totaled it on his first flight due to hitting Low Voltage Cutoff.

:face_with_symbols_o

I'll check my archives to see if I have any nose gear detail photos...

I think we've all crashed our favorite airplanes at one time or another. Time to build a New One!

[Aros]

Ah, I really want one of these Airplanes! This is a beautiful aircraft. Dang, I just cannot continue to spend money, like I have been. Some day! I wonder if my old discount code would work??? Smile. How's Todd-Man! The Music Extraordinaire, art etc...

Hey Matt! You would love this bird. Despite it's build nuances and scale discrepancies, she flies remarkably well. Not sure the ol' discount code would still work though, LOL!

2021 is all about the year of flying and not crashing! 2020 was the opposite! Just a garbage year for SO many reasons!!

[rifleman_btx]

Well for me this year has started worse than 2020 was in total

[ScottGantt]

Where is the best location to place the receiver/gyro in this model? There are no clear directions whatsoever on this and struggling with it

[StanBr]

Hi Aros,

This is what I did eventually and it works.

Bedt regards,
stan

Hi Stan,

I want to make sure you understand I no longer have this model. I sold it years ago to fund another project. Sadly, the guy that bought it from me totaled it on his first flight due to hitting Low Voltage Cutoff.

:face_with_symbols_o

I'll check my archives to see if I have any nose gear detail photos...

[Aros]

Nice job! Looks very stout.

[papa626]

I’m planning on putting mine behind the nose steering servo area.

Where is the best location to place the receiver/gyro in this model? There are no clear directions whatsoever on this and struggling with it

[StanBr]

Hi,

A question for the P-38 users with an electrical engine setup. How much weight did you guys have to add to balance the P-38? I’m using a 4S LiPo setup. It looks that I have to add almost 600 grams! 😬

Best regards,
Stan

[Paul D.]

I lam writing about the P38 electrical system. Trying to get the two engines(electric motors) to work together. I NEED TO GET INPUT ON GROUNDING THE TWO ENGINES TOGETHER T O GET TO A SINGLE CONNECTION AT THE RECEIVER. i HVE A BATTERY PER EINGINE ONLY CONNECTED BY AT THE ENGINE BATTERY. TROUBLE IS THE ENGINES START WITH THE MAIN BATTERIES ATTACHED AT THE BATTERY PLUGED INTO THE TRANSMISSION PLUG. THE ENGINE START AND RUN BUT AT DIFFERENET SETTINGS UNTIL AT ABOUT 75% OF THROTTLE, THEY THEN WORK IN HAMONY. NOT SURE HOW BEST GROUND BOTH ENGINES AND BATTERIES TOGETHER. NEED ADVICE.

[Bato79]

I think the problem is the calibration of the ESC. You need a ESC programming card to adjust the start up...either manually or on auto.
The other thing is the type of ESC you’re using if they have BEC make sure you disconnect the red wire from the one of esc plug that goes to receiver. If you use separate receiver battery then you need to disconnect both of the reds out. DO NOT FLY before making 100% sure that the engines are perfectly in sync.

I lam writing about the P38 electrical system. Trying to get the two engines(electric motors) to work together. I NEED TO GET INPUT ON GROUNDING THE TWO ENGINES TOGETHER T O GET TO A SINGLE CONNECTION AT THE RECEIVER. i HVE A BATTERY PER EINGINE ONLY CONNECTED BY AT THE ENGINE BATTERY. TROUBLE IS THE ENGINES START WITH THE MAIN BATTERIES ATTACHED AT THE BATTERY PLUGED INTO THE TRANSMISSION PLUG. THE ENGINE START AND RUN BUT AT DIFFERENET SETTINGS UNTIL AT ABOUT 75% OF THROTTLE, THEY THEN WORK IN HAMONY. NOT SURE HOW BEST GROUND BOTH ENGINES AND BATTERIES TOGETHER. NEED ADVICE.

[StanBr]

Hi Aros, When I balanced the P-38 with the gear up and then select the gear down again the plane becomes nose heavy. Did you had any issues with that during take-offs and landings? Did you use the control throws as in the manual?

[Aros]

Hi StanBr, I am quite sure if memory serves I setup the throws by the manual. I also CG'd with nose gear down as that is the most crucial times of flight. I would have had a trim setting set for flight to account for the CG change. Hope that helps!

[StanBr]

Hi Aros, Thanks (again) for your help! Best regards, Stan

Hi StanBr, I am quite sure if memory serves I setup the throws by the manual. I also CG'd with nose gear down as that is the most crucial times of flight. I would have had a trim setting set for flight to account for the CG change. Hope that helps!

[Bato79]

Hello my fellow RC flyers and P-38 lovers. I am new to the thread. I am making a short youtube video thread regarding this Nexa/VQ P-38 Lightning. I am posting daily videos, so please follow and like. Thank you!

https://youtu.be/epSyCzDwlyQ